"Happy 13th Birthday, Mia!" My mother says, her smock drooping ever-closer to my over-sized cupcake. My mouth watered, and the quiet words "thanks..." slipped out of my mouth. Before I could devour my dessert that my mother got from the bakery down the block, she tightly grasped my wrist.

"Mia, since you are a teenager; I think we should talk about some things..."

"No, mom; even though I act moody, I am not having my period." It should be obvious, from my lack of breasts, too...

"No, no, no! Not that, Mia! But it is possible that-"

"You were saying?" I say my eyebrows furrowing into V shape that creeps mom out

"It's just that- you're growing up so fast, and... I just wish your father was here right now!" My hormonal as ever mother, Helen Thermopolis said tearing up.

"Yeah, yeah. Okay, I get it mom... But can we just eat my cupcake and order some pizza for dinner instead of getting tears all over the placemat?"

"Yes, yes... good idea!" My mom said as she sulked over to the kitchen to get a knife.

About 10 minutes of stuffing my face with no words exchanged with my mother, I heard a ping! from the computer in the top part of the loft

"Can I?"

"Yes, Mia. It's you're birthday!"

I get up and prance up to my room hearing "Don't give out your full name on the internet!" behind me.

I0nlyspeakthetruth: Mia? U there? It says you're online

Phatl0uie: Yes, Lilly! And I see you changed ur username! lol

I0nlyspeakthetruth: it's true! And I change it about once a week... what's new? And the last time I checked, you're not a cat!

Phatl0uie: hahaha. I couldn't think of a different way to spell it... :D I will someday.

I0nlyspeakthetruth: maybe... BTW, I have to do chores. Michael will be over in 15 to drop off ur present

My heart stopped. Could it be? Michael, the boy I've been in love with since when I was in 1st grade and he was in third, be coming to my loft? SOON? I have to get ready!

Phatl0uie: okk. G2G help my mom with groceries. Bye!

I0nlyspeakthetruth: C U school 2moro! :D

Phatl0uie is now offline

I run to the bathroom and thrash open the medicine cabinet. Flipping through different types of my mom's foundations and lipsticks I chose "Classic Ivory" foundation and "Flirty red" lipstick. I quickly applied the foundation and smoothed it in. After all my makeup was applied I looked under the coffee table in the living room for the latest issue of Vogue. I was never one to do any of these things, or act girly in any way, shape, or form. But this was for Michael. Michael Moscovitz. Of course, I couldn't tell Lilly about my on-going lust for him; but it has begun to be hard to hide my true feelings. I mean, you need to be able to tell your best friend about the boy you like! I guess I will have to get over it soon... but it won't be easy.

After skimming once, and once again an article in Vogue "How to get a guy in 24 hours!" I heard a knock on the door.

Instant nausea came over me.