[Woot. A new story. It might seem a little ordinary at first, but you have no idea.]

Flamin'

Chapter One

Michael Moscovitz is my hero. Last night, when I thought I was in love with Josh Richter, he made me see sense. I wasn't in love with that thug. Like Michael said, "He may be the hottest guy in school, and he might have a nice bod, but he's a jerk. You can do better than that."

And I can do better than that. Not that I think I could get Michael Moscovitz of course. Ha! But I can get a boyfriend who isn't just using me for publicity... I hope.

Ah, who am I kidding? Josh Richter was the best guy I could ever get. Sure he may be a jerk, but he was a nice jerk. At least he was when we were on our date. Until he kissed me in front of the cameras of course. But that was just one mistake, right? I mean, he'd never do that again now that he knows that I don't want him to do that. In front of the cameras, I mean. He can kiss me away from the cameras all he likes.

Thinking that maybe he might take me back, I picked up the phone and dialed his house phone.

"Hello?" a slightly groggy voice answered.

"Hello. May I please speak to Josh?"

"Speaking," he drawled. Uh oh, he sounds like he's nursing a major hangover.

"Oh, hi, Josh. It's Mia here. Um, I just wanted to talk about last night..." he didn't say anything so I continued. "You see, I didn't really appreciate you kissing me in front of the cameras like that, but I was thinking, maybe if you want, we could try it again. Only with no cameras around..."

Since when did I get so upfront? Usually I'd never call a guy to ask him out. Grandmere would eat me alive if she knew about this. But I really like Josh; I don't want to lose him because of some little mistake he made.

"Uh, sure, Mia. That'd be sweet. I mean, that'd be real cool. I'm really sorry about last night; I hope you can forgive me."

I let out a huge sigh of relief. Phew. "Of course I can, Josh. So do you want to go out tonight then?"

"Sure. I'll come pick you up at about seven?"

"Great. I'll see you then."

I hung up the phone feeling like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I'm still dating Josh Richter!!! I have to tell someone! I'm so glad Lilly and I made friends again last night. Now I can tell her. I know she agreed with Michael about Josh being a jerk, but I'll make her see he's not.

Michael answered the phone. "Michael! Guess what?"

"What, Thermopolis?"

"Josh and I are back together!"

"What? What did I tell you last night, Mia? He's a jerk, and he doesn't deserve you. You're too good for him."

Ha, yeah right.

"No he's not. It was all a mistake last night. He apologised and I forgave him. It's all good now."

"God, Mia. Are you thick?"

"No, I am not, Michael. And I don't appreciate your demeanor."

"Well that's too bad. Because you are thick of you think Josh isn't just going to use you again. Because he will. I thought I made you see the light last night? Now you've just changed your mind?"

"No, you had some good points last night, Michael. But I've thought it all over, and what he did wasn't that bad. And he's learnt from his mistake now. Believe me, things can only get better from now on."

"Oh, Mia, you are a fool if you believe that."

I sighed, realising there was no point trying to convince Michael of Josh's change. What does Michael's opinion matter anyway? I know I said he was my hero earlier, but I think now I've changed my mind. And that two minute crush I had on him is so over. Especially now that I have Josh back. My boyfriend Josh. It feels so good to say that.

"Can you just put Lilly on the phone, please?" I asked him.

He didn't reply. I guess he's a little sour at me. He just threw the phone at Lilly. Seriously, I heard her yelp.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Lil! Guess what?"

"I'm guessing it's not good since my brother stormed off to his room."

"Yeah, well he's just an idiot. It is good. I got back with Josh!"

"What?" Lilly's response was almost identical to Michael's. What's wrong with them? Can't they just be happy for me? Is it something in the Moscovitz genes that says they can't be happy for me? Or is it something against Josh?

"Yes, Lil. He apologised and I forgave him. We're going out tonight."

"Jeez, no wonder Michael stormed off. Why did you forgive him, Mia? Don't you remember what he did to you? How embarrassed you were? You didn't come out of the bathroom for ages. I thought Michael had some good influence on you last night, but obviously not."

"You're making Josh out to be like a murderer or something. Yes I remember what he did last night, it was a mistake. And mistakes can be forgiven. Don't be angry at me about this, Lil. We only just became friends again."

"I know," she said with a long pause. "But I don't know if this will ruin our friendship..."

"What? Why would it? Why does it matter if I'm dating Josh or not?"

"I don't want to be best friends with a Lana-Wannabe, Mia. And that's what you'll turn into."

"That's not fair, Lilly. You're judging me on my boyfriend. How would you like it if I judged you on Boris?"

"What's wrong with Boris?" Lilly sounded hurt.

"Please," I said, exasperated. How can she not see how he tucks his sweater into his pants?

"Look, Mia. You might not be able to see past Josh's washboard abs and his chiselled features, but I can. And I can see your demise. He's no good."

I gulped. What is wrong with these people? "You're wrong," I said strongly.

"Then prove it to me," she replied, hanging up the phone.

Oh, I will prove it.

[Will Mia snap out of her senses any time soon? Maybe if you review.]