Summary: When Michael was in Japan, he couldn't help wondering what was going on with Mia in New York. Michael's POV in Princess Diaries Volumes 9-10.

Pairing: Michael/Mia

Disclaimer: I don't own Princess Diaries.

Author's Note: So this is really short so far, but that's because it's the prologue. I decided to make this prologue because it just sort of sets the rest of the events into motion, you know what I mean? But anyways, this is basically what happens from Michael's point of view while he's staying in Japan, because there was alot of mentions of Michael throughout the books whenever he was, but never really anything specific.

This is my first Princess Diaries story, so please be nice if they're really out of character! I really do LOVE this series; especially the part with Michael going to Japan and Mia getting really upset; I thought those three books (volumes 8, 9 and 10) were super cute because of all the romance going on!


Prologue

Just Friends

Michael. I'm sorry.

He stared at the screen for a very long time, unsure of what he should do. The plane ride to Japan had given him plenty of time for thinking; he had thought about his relationship with Mia and his possible options:

1. Break up with Mia (if they haven't already broken up).

2. Fix their relationship and try long-distance.

3. Stop dating by stay friends.

But Michael didn't want to break up with Mia just like that; what if they never talked to each other again? He didn't know what would happen if they kept their relationship going; would it work out? His doubts became worse after he saw Mia kissing J.P. And Michael didn't know if he could ever be just friends with her.

Maybe, he decided, it would be best to respond later, just to give him some time to think and sort things out a little more. He turned off his computer and plopped onto the bed. He would just sleep it out.

But Michael found that he couldn't go to sleep. He tossed and turned in bed before sitting up with an aggravated sigh. This wasn't working, and he knew perfectly well why; his thoughts were all centered around the Genovian princess back in New York.

He turned to look at the clock on his nightstand, which read 1:02. This was when he decided that he couldn't take it anymore; he had to respond now if he wanted to get any sleep.

He reached blindly for the phone on his nightstand and dialed her number before he could change his mind and hang up.

She picked up on the first ring. "Michael?" The relief in her voice left him feeling guilty.

"Hey, Mia. I just wanted to say that I've arrived in Japan, and…I got your message." He took a deep breath, before continuing, "I'm sorry I had to do this on the phone, but there's no other way."

There was silence on the other end, and Michael wondered if she had hung up, until she asked tentatively, "What do you mean by…'this'?"

"I've been thinking about it the whole way to Japan, and I feel that it would be better if you and I just went back to what we were before we started going out – friends."

"Is this because you saw that picture of me and J.P. in The Post? Because we're not –"

"I did see the picture of you two in The Post," Michael interrupted. "But that doesn't change anything. It's just that…we probably both still have some growing up to do, and maybe some time apart – and seeing other people – will do us some good." That was only a half-truth.

"…O-okay." She sounded like she was about to cry. But before he could say anything else, she hung up after saying a quick "Bye."Michael stared at the phone for a moment, feeling the urge to call her back. But instead, he shook his head and put the phone back on his nightstand.

He didn't feel any better that night. In fact, he just felt worse.


Author's Note: I know that this is really short, but all my prologues are. It gets longer; I promise! Anyways, I had wanted it longer, but I kept deleting different drafts of this because I wasn't sure if it was good enough (I had a hard time on this first chapter).

Please review; it might make the update come a little faster ;)