Author's Note
……………………………………………………………………………
OMG.
Thank you SO much for reviewing! I'm so relieved that at least some people like my story.
To thank you, I am posting this chapter; I hope it will be as long as the previous one!
THANKS.
……………………………………………………………………………
Chapter 4
By the end of the day, my ego was boosted and I swore to wearing contact lenses and bright, perky clothes.
I bounced out of History class – the last class of the day fifteen minutes after the bell rang. Normally, I would have grumbled about staying so late, and trudged back home. I was even humming on the way out.
"Hey Lizzie," Miranda greeted suspiciously. "What's up with you?"
"Oh, Mr. Whitford held us back for fifteen minutes, that's all," I chirped.
Miranda's frown of disbelief broadened as she flopped her sandals on the pavement. She held up her hands helplessly, and let it fall.
"…Lizzie!" a voice rang out behind me. "Lizzie! Wait up!"
I froze while Miranda turned her head casually, spying David running up the sidewalk.
"It's David," she muttered from the corner of her mouth, shocked.
My mind was whirling. I felt someone tap me on the shoulder gently.
"Err, Lizzie?" David's breath was almost on my neck.
I turned slowly, willing myself to act normal.
"Lizzie?" David said, waiting patiently for me to look up.
I reluctantly dragged my gaze up into his gorgeous blue eyes. He smiled gently, placing a hand on my shoulder.
He took a deep breath. "I just wanted to tell you, that, what I said during lunch-"
Miranda interrupted, "What? You didn't mean it?" she muttered an afterthought, "What a jerk."
He furrowed his eyebrows and continued, "What I said during lunch, I truly mean it." He paused, seeing my confused expression. "I'm sorry."
I glanced up in time to see him turning his back, slouched from disappointment. "Wait!" I blurted.
CRAP. WHY DID I JUST DO THAT?
He whirled around, startled. "Yeah?" He stuck his hand through his hair.
I jogged towards him, nudging Miranda to keep a distance.
"Thank you," I whispered.
"Just to tell you, I really meant what I said," David exclaimed shyly.
Suddenly, in front of me, the real David Gordon – Gordo materialized; the Gordo I had known since we were in diapers, the Gordo I thought had disappeared after entering college…
"Gordo!" I flung my arms around him and squeezed him tightly.
I felt him stiffen slightly, and immediately regretted doing that. After all, he did not confirm that he had ended his 'relationship' with Kate yet.
I pulled away awkwardly and patted his back.
"Well, uh, I'd better get going."
"Oh, sure!" I hastily recoiled my hand and folded them, ensuring I would not do anything I would further regret. "Sorry."
"Later."
A tiny smile tugged at his face as he turned and walked away.
……………………………………………………………………………
"What was that?" Miranda shrieked excitedly, as I returned with a sheepish expression on my face.
"C'mon," I said firmly, resuming my smooth, hair-bouncing walk. I dragged the indignant Miranda and smiled testily.
She stayed, rooted to the spot, arms crossed. "I'm not moving anywhere till you tell me what you were thinking."
I shut all signs of emotions from my face and mirrored her, folding my arms. "Fine, then I'll go." I strutted off, aware that Miranda would soften.
"Alright! You got me!" she shouted exasperatedly.
I paused for her to catch up, and continued briskly. "I have to hurry; Mom's waiting."
She wrinkled her nose and opened her mouth to speak.
I looked at her, and she immediately shut her mouth and bent down to retie her already immaculate laces. "Good choice, Miranda." I smirked. "I don't need to know what you want to say."
She pouted and mumbled something under her breath. She straightened up and looked in my eye. "You still like David, don't you!"
I snorted unconvincingly and gave a throaty laugh that was obvious it was forced. "No… of course not…" I avoided her gaze feebly and coughed quietly. Her stare zoned into me like gamma rays.
"You still like Gordo, don't you?" she half-asked, half-accused. She folded her arms again and sighed gently.
I looked up into her sharply molded features that looked almost like it was carved into her beautiful Mexican face. "Well…" I felt the heat rising and the giveaway blush that glowed on my cheeks, scarlet against my pale white face. I took a deep breath. "Yes. I do like him."
It was then when I said those words did I really mean them.