Title: Somewhere I belong

Author: hweasley

Rating: G

Warning: Rating may go up as the story progresses.

Summary: Post Lizzie McGuire movie. Takes place the summer after Rome.

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Chapter 2:

Lizzie regretted the words immediately. This was one of the moments she wished she could reach out and grab a statement from the air and erase all memory if it's existence.

"You what?" Miranda exploded.

"I- uh-"Lizzie stammered. "I- never mind. I don't want to talk about it."

Miranda grabbed Lizzie's arm, "Oh no you don't." she said. "You don't get to tell me you kissed Gordo and then change the subject." She paused giving Lizzie a stern look. "Details. I need details."

Lizzie sighed deeply. "Ok." She said. "It was the night of the party. I needed to get away from the cameras and the people. Gordo and I snuck away up to the roof. Remember I told you about it? It had an amazing view. Anyway, he said these things."

"What things?" Miranda asked sounding breathless.

"Sweet things." Lizzie said and couldn't help but smile. "He said I always had it in me. Like he thought I was special or something. And, I don't know, at that moment I saw him for the first time. He took the fall for me and he saved me even though I hadn't been very considerate of him." Lizzie felt like she was going to cry but she held it in. Telling Miranda about this was hard but it felt good to get it out in the open. "I saw him as more than Gordo. I saw him as this guy who really cared about me. A guy I really cared about and then I kissed him."

Miranda was quiet for a moment and then finally she said, "What happened then?"

"He said thank you." Lizzie replied.

Miranda looked displeased. "Thank you?" she repeated. "What did you say?"

Lizzie twisted a strand of hair nervously. "I said, you're welcome." She answered.

Miranda started to laugh. "So, after this intense moment he thanked you and you politely answered with you're welcome and that was it?" she said. "I didn't know a moment could be so completely ruined. But leave it to you and Gordo." She regained her composure. "What happened when you got back?" she asked. "Are you a couple?"

The questions seemed to be fired like a machine gun. Lizzie recoiled, "No. I-no." she stuttered. "At least- I don't think so. I don't know."

"How do you not know?" Miranda asked.

Lizzie groaned, "That is the problem,"Lizzie explained. "I have been grounded all summer. Gordo and I haven't really been alone. When he came here my parents were there. And you know I can't have a private phone call without Matt listening." She felt the tears finally build in her eyes. "It's all so confusing."

Miranda looked very concerned and deep in thought. Lizzie felt it best not to ask what Miranda was thinking. That could be very dangerous. A moment later Miranda turned back to Lizzie. Her eyes were lit up like a candle. "You have to talk to him." She said assertively.

"Duh." Lizzie responded.

"No." Miranda said. "Tonight. Before school starts."

"Why?" Lizzie asked. "It should happen naturally."

Miranda rolled her eyes. "Lizzie, listen to me. Number one, tomorrow we start high school. It's a whole different world there. You can't go in confused or it could throw you off. Number two, I know you and Gordo. If you let it happen naturally, you might have this conversation on our high school graduation day. Or, you know…never? And number three, it would be selfish not to talk to him. Think of me!"

Lizzie was blown away all she could respond with was, "You? What about you?"

Miranda looked hurt. "This doesn't just affect you, Lizzie." She told her. "It affects me too."

"How?" Lizzie countered.

"Ok, you and Gordo are my best friends. For a while now the three of us have been our own little group." She said. "If you and Gordo don't talk then things will be awkward and the two of you will let tension build up and then…" she paused. "Everything will blow up forcing you two never to speak again and leaving me to choose between you." She finished in a very dramatic fashion.

Lizzie frowned. "Have you been watching those Spanish soap operas again?" she asked.

"No." Miranda snapped. "Well, yes, but that has nothing to do with this. Think about it."

In a way Miranda was right, over dramatic, but right. If she and Gordo didn't talk soon this could ruin everything that had spent so long building. The idea of losing Gordo made her sick. But the truth was Lizzie didn't know what to say to Gordo. To talk to him she would have to know what she was thinking or what she felt. The only thing Lizzie was sure about was that she didn't have the answers yet.

"Miranda?" she said weakly. "I get it. I understand but…" she hesitated. "I need more time. I don't what to say. I don't know what I want yet. Ok?" she silently begged for her friend to understand.

Miranda's face softened. "Yeah." She said. "Ok." She paused and cleared her throat. "Want to see pictures from my trip?"

Lizzie nodded and smiled gratefully. She made herself comfortable on the bed and she spent the next few hours looking at pictures and listening to Miranda talk about her trip.

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AN: Thanks to christylee for her review. I know I am bad with grammar and stuff. feel free to point it out to me. I have tried to get a beta for my stories but no one will consistently work with me and everyone flakes. Sorry. I will try and do better!

To everyone. Should have more tomorrow.