Disclaimer: Here's the last chapter. I know Lizzie sounded less deep then Gordo, but she was supposed to. Gordo's really smart and deep. Lizzie's smart, but she can't understand her own feelings, and chooses to ignore them and just believe in what is easier to understand. Miranda may seem in-between, because she is able to observe both Lizzie and Gordo, and she can understand her own feelings. I don't own any copyrighted items! ~.^ ~~Forever3330~~ ^.~

What I Can't Say~~A Lizzie McGuire fanfiction

By Forever3330

Chapter Three: Miranda

It's hard to imagine how people see me. I can't really see what's going on inside of their heads, can't decode the friendly smiles and waves. You never really know whether or not they actually MEAN the smiles and the waves and the words. So many people just pretend, just act. So many people don't want to be 'rude' or 'mean'. Of course, Kate Sanders has no problem being just that.

But she isn't really all that mean, although this is something I'll never admit. Somewhere inside of her she is still the girl we used to know, the one we were friends with. She wears so many masks in an attempt to be cool and popular. I don't hate her so much as I act like I do, although we don't get along. I pity her.

I know quite a few people who hide themselves, slightly. Gordo does, I think. He always gives Lizzie this strange look, affectionate, and his utter attention. I get a 'best friend' look. It makes you think, when she's supposed to be his best friend too.

Lizzie is one of the people who doesn't notice this. I don't really blame her. She's naïve in a way, innocent, trusting, and honest. I don't think she really understands what Gordo feels yet, or what she herself feels. I'm not quite sure yet whether or not she feels the same towards him. It's hard to tell when she manages to mix herself up as well as others. While this can make for some amusing scenarios, I want them both to be happy. They're my friends. I care about them. And sometimes her strange ability to confuse hurts her and a few others. I know Gordo's in pain, although he could at least try to tell her.

Okay, that's a little mean of me. I know he tries when I'm not there. Like I said, Lizzie is very naïve, She usually comes to me or Gordo when she doesn't understand something. She comes to me when she doesn't understand Gordo. Therefore, I am informed to the T about every single attempt Gordo has made. Of course, Lizzie can't quite understand what it is Gordo is trying to do or say. And I pretend I don't know either, not explaining it to her.

Gordo should be the one to tell her, if he ever does. I won't get in the middle. It's his choice.

Still, I do wish I could help him in even the smallest way. I don't like to see my friends sad. It hurts me.

"ETHAN!" Lizzie, who up till now has been walking quietly, has a strange look on her face. Apparently she's fighting with herself. Over what, I won't even hazard a guess. At least she hadn't been TOO loud. I know this only because we get very few stares from our fellow students.

I turn to her, then give her a look. "Lizzie? Are you okay?"

"Um, yeah! Just great! Perfect!" Her nervous laughter suggests exactly the opposite. She truly is bad at telling a lie.

Her eyes glaze over, and she looks calm, peaceful. Happy.

"Whatcha thinking about?" I wait for a few seconds, then sigh in annoyance as she doesn't answer. She's still off in lala land.

I begin to wave my hand in front of her face. "Lizzie! Earth to Lizzie!" She snaps back, a 'huh?' look on her face. Her eyes focus on me at last, though she still looks confused, blushing slightly. "Are you okay? You keep zoning out! Do you have a fever or something?" I put my hand to her forehead, but she shakes it off. Apparently the flush has nothing to do with a fever.

"No…I'm fine." Yeah right. More proof that you can't lie about anything. She's sees my look. "Seriously! I'm just a little sleepy, is all."

She DOES look tired, but that's normal this early in the morning. I doubt that her being so out of it has anything to do with that, but I make myself look as if I believed her. If she wanted to tell me, she would.

We finally reach our lockers, and lean against them. Gordo is late, for him. "Miranda?" Lizzie's voice is confused, and it's almost as if she doesn't notice she's speaking.

"Hmm?" I'm starting to get worried about her.

"How do you know if you're in love?" I fully face her at that question, staring. Where had that come from? Is that what was bothering her? Ethan problems? Although those were common, I doubted they were the cause of all this.

"Lizzie, seriously, are you okay?" I feel worry rising. She looks as if she's about to say something, then stops. A forced nod comes next.

"Yeah. Sorry. Just thinking about G—How great Ethan is!" She blushes a neon-red color, nervous. I let her think I hadn't noticed the mistake. Perhaps she was catching on?

"If you know you love him, why ask me?" I see Gordo from the corner of my eye and turn towards him, waving. He's going to trip over a garbage can soon. He has his head down and is clearly thinking about something. "Gordo! Watch it! You're gonna trip!"

I feel a rush of energy coming from Lizzie's direction. That's a weird thing about her. When she's happy you can FEEL it. "Hey! Gordo!" She's waving, smiling.

Gordo's head snaps up, and I feel slight amusement. He must have been thinking about Lizzie, if she was the only one who could snap him out of it. Still, he really should pay more attention to where he was going. "Lizzie! Miranda!" His gaze is locked on Lizzie, as he gives her the look only I seem to understand. Then he glances at me, and runs up to us. "Why didn't you warn me about the trashcan, Miranda? It seems neither of you cares enough about me to even save me from garbage." Normal Gordo theatrics.

"I did, Mr. Over-Reactions. But it seems only the Princess can wake the Prince from his sleep-walking." I watch him blush, glaring at me, then glancing to see if Lizzie heard. I look over at her too, as Gordo senses he's safe and continues to talk.

And I find myself staring. Her eyes have a strange light in them. Understanding. She hadn't heard our exchange, but Gordo's gaze had done something to her. Understanding. She understood, for a few seconds. And then it was gone. She hadn't been able to believe in it. It was gone. She no longer had the precious gift of understanding. Everything was as it had been before.

And I have to wonder what would have happened if it had stayed. But I beat back the thoughts. Lizzie couldn't understand. Not yet. Maybe not ever. And I could not sit her down and explain it to her. Because it wasn't my place.

And so I'll stand here, in this game of life, watching her chase something she doesn't want, watching her hand her heart to the person who doesn't deserve it, and watching him hurt her. And watching Gordo half in and half out, a friend and a love who might never be discovered.

And I'll cry for things that might have been, and may someday, someday, be.

END

O.o; That came out better then I expected. Please read and review, and perhaps send in requests for a fanfic. I need a mission. Until next time! 'What I Can't Say' is now officially over, but I hope you grace my other unworthy fanfics with your reviews!