Author's Note: I'm so sorry everyone. I really didn't mean for this to be so late. After I finished the last chapter, it was really hard to get back into Mia's diary voice. That's probably why her diary parts are so short here. So yeah, I apologize if the voice is a little off. It's been a while since I started this, I know. Thanks for sticking with e and for your comments and kind words. This could be considered the last chapter, but technically I have an epilogue planned of what happens when Mia goes back to school. I actually have it outlined, so might get it writtened kind of soon. (Soon being not two years from now, lol.) See the end for two important announcements.
Friday September 10, 6am Hotel.
Oh. My. Goodness. It was so amazing to wake up in Michael's arms this morning. I love just being close to him and feeling his body around me; I felt so loved. I just wanted to snuggle next to him and never leave. I want this every morning!
I need write about last night while it is still fresh in my mind. It's just after six and Michael's not up yet, so I need to hurry. The limo is going to come pick us up in less than three hours and shortly after that, Michael is going to be gone to Japan. Oh! I can't think about that right now. I need to focus on the happier things, like last night. Last night was so incredible. I don't want to leave any details out, but I don't know if I can write everything down. What if someone found this book?! I'm seriously blushing right now. But I just really want to remember it all. Ok, I'll just start from where I left off.
I was in the bathroom last night, getting dressed for bed…with Michael. I put on the shorts he gave me. They were really short, but nothing he hadn't seen before, like when we've been swimming or I've spent the night.
I still can't believe I took of my shirt! I was so nervous. I can hardly believe I actually did any of it last night. I was nervous at first, but it was like… when I'm with Michael, situations that should be awkward, just aren't. I love how hard it is to feel nervous around him. I even asked him about his, you know, his thing. I said it last night, so I should be able to write it now. His Penis. I asked him about his Penis. Which was actually awesome, but I won't say any more about it. Just that I CAN'T WAIT until Michael comes home and we, you know have sex. Even though Michael didn't save himself for me, I know he loves me and I will be the first girl he's ever made love to. Who cares about Judith Gershner when that's the case? I will save myself for him on my Senior Prom night. Will he even be home by then? Will he want to be seen with me after he's a successful scientist? I mean, maybe he won't want to come to the prom after he's been graduated for so long. I guess it doesn't have to even be after Senior Prom. We could make some other special memory together.
I CAN'T BELIEVE HE'S LEAVING ME! I had to get that out there. It's just, I'll miss him so much. All I want in my life is to be with Michael! Ok, that's not true. I want to achieve self-actualization and for my friends and family to be happy, and world peace. But I can't be with Michael while he's in Japan. And Michael won't be happy unless he goes to Japan. I get that now. He needs to achieve his own self-actualization. And when he comes home (if he does) he will be a scientist and everyone will feel like he is a good match for a princess. I already know he is the best match for me, but it will convince Grandmere and my dad and everyone.
As long as I know Michael will come home to me, that this is something making our lives better, both of us, I can wait for him. I know he doesn't want me to wait, but I will.
Oh! Michael's awake and looking at me. He's watching me and smiling. I better go so I can order us some breakfast. Just for today though, it's like I can be with Michael first thing in the morning and we will eat breakfast together and it's just like we are our own family.
!
I just realized it's first thing in the morning and Michael can see me with my bedhead. I need to go brush my hair and my teeth! Gotta go!
(Michael's laughing at me. He just tried to kiss me and I said no, and he said he doesn't care what I'm like in the morning, just that we're together! ! Isn't that sweet?)
Michael's POV
I wake up slowly, feeling more comfortable than usual. I don't remember why at first, but then my arm bumps Mia's leg and I remember everything. I open my eyes and see Mia sitting against the headboard with her journal in her lap, scribbling furiously. A quick glance at the headboard reveals that it isn't even seven in the morning. I look at Mia, just taking in the scene. Last night I fell asleep with my girlfriend in my arms. Waking up with her is just as amazing.
I want this every day. I'm so glad we did this. I know working in Japan will be hard, but this is the whole reason, I'm doing this. For Mia.
She notices I'm awake. I sit up and lean towards her for a kiss.
"Michael, No! I just woke up. I have morning breath."
"I don't care about your morning breath; I'm just happy we're together."
She writes a few more lines in her journal, then pushes me away and practically runs to the bathroom. I laugh as I get out of bed and get dressed. She kisses me when she comes out of the bathroom. I pull her into a hug, crushing her to my chest. I'm going to miss this girl.
"Michael," She laughs, "Go brush your teeth. I'll order us some breakfast."
I hear her on the phone as I go to the bathroom and brush my teeth. When I come out, she's dressed and sitting at the table.
"Just two more hours until the limo comes to pick us up."
"Are you going to school at all today?"
"No. I want to be with you, as much as possible- help you finish packing, see you off at the airport."
She is quiet for a moment, then offers, "I ordered breakfast. Omelets."
"Sounds good."
The silence drags on and I struggle for something to say. How do you create the perfect morning, the day you're flying halfway around the world and leaving your girlfriend, much less the day you're breaking up with her?
"Michael, I" "We need to talk Mia."
"You first," I say.
"Michael, I love you so much. I just don't know how this is going to work. You're going to be busy and I don't want to be a distraction, but I don't know what to do. Long distance relationships are so hard. Remember what it was like when I went to Genovia last time?"
"I know, Mia. But, you understand why I have to go, right?"
"Yes. You need to go so you can achieve self-actualization. And…so we can be together…" She says the last bit slowly, as if she's afraid that it isn't true.
"Mia, I love you so much. You know I want to be with you, right? Always. I mean, if you ever want to leave me, I'll understand, but otherwise, I'm yours. Pretty much forever. Understand?"
She nods, a bit breathlessly.
"I need to do this to prove to you your father, your grandmother, heck, the world, that I am worthy of you, Mia Thermopolis, of you the Princess of Genovia. I don't want to be some guy you met in high school. You know?"
She nods again.
"Michael, I get it, I do. And I want to be with you too, forever. I would never choose to leave you. And I don't want you to have to just be my consort your whole life."
I sigh with relief and reach out to take Mia's hand.
"I love you Mia." I lean in to kiss her, but there is a knock on the door. Mia goes to answer it and our breakfast is brought in. We eat and there is silence again, but it's more comfortable.
When we're almost done eating, Mia speaks again.
"How are we going to make this work as a long-distance relationship though, while you're gone?"
"Mia," I take a deep breath and look away." I think we should break up," I hear her gasp and hasten to add "temporarily."
"What?! You just said-"
"I know, and I still mean it. I want to be with you forever. It's just that you're right. Long-distance relationships are hard. And you're still in high school. I don't want you to miss anything because you're waiting on me. I don't want you to have to wait on me. I mean, I'd like it if you did, I just… I don't want you to have the pressure of a relationship while I'm gone." I glance at Mia. Her eyes are watery like she's about to cry, but she's smiling. Sort of. She's trying at least.
"I don't want to break up. I think you're right, but I don't-" She takes a deep breath and I can tell she's holding back a sob. "Michael I don't ever want to not be in a relationship with you."
"Then don't think of it as a break up, think of it as a break. We'll still email all the time, and call when we can, it's just, if we can't, it won't be a big deal. If someone asks you on a date" I gulp, " you can say yes. If there is a scientist on my team who is some hot Japanese clarinetist, and she asks me to dinner, I'll say yes, because I need to make friends, but if she hits on me, I'll say no and you won't need to worry about it. I'm going to be coming back to you and this is the fastest way for me to do it." I bring out the box I've been hiding all weekend.
"I got you something." Mia still has tears running down her cheeks, but she doesn't seem to be freaking out the way I thought she would. I push the box over to her.
"Open it."
She opens the box and pulls out the charm bracelet I got for her. The bracelet itself is a thin white gold with an intricate design. Each charm reminds me of Mia or something we did together.
"Michael, this is beautiful." She says as she fingers the charms.
"It's for you to remember me by. I wanted you to have something besides the necklace."
"I love my necklace," She says as she reaches a hand to her neck and fingers the snowflake.
"I know, but this is different. It has more memories. And look there's a snowflake on the bracelet too."
She looks at the bracelet. "A hammer, like when we did Habitat for Humanity. And look a moon. It looks like the real moon."
It has taken me a long time to find all the charms and I was especially fond of the astronomically correct moon.
"And a strawberry. Like the card I first gave you. Michael I love this. Help me put it on?
I help her clasp it onto her left wrist and then she reaches up to her neck.
"Mia, no. Just because we're broken up, doesn't mean you have to give that back.
"No, it's ok Michael. I want you to have it. You need to have something to remember me by."
I feel a bit silly as she fastens it around my neck, but I'm glad to have it.
We finish breakfast, pack up our stuff and check for anything we left behind. Once that's done, we lie on the bed together until we have to go meet Lars in the hotel lobby. We go home and pack and I take the necklace off and put it in my carry-on with my favorite picture of me and Mia. Mia helps me finish packing my room. My mom pokes her head in the door.
"Are you done packing?
"Yes."
"Did you pack enough clothes?
"Yes mom.
"What about medicine? They might not have the same kind of things in Japan."
"YES MOM"
"Oh. Ok. Well your father and I would like to take you out to lunch, then we need to leave for the airport. Mia, you're welcome to join us of course."
"Thanks Dr. Moscovitz."
"We're leaving in fifteen minutes."
Mia walks up and hugs me as soon as my mom leaves.
"I'm going to miss you so much."
"I'll miss you too."
"I don't think I can go to the airport. I'll cry too much. And Lily just texted me. I forgot there's this assembly for the student council president thing. I just…I might go back to school, just to keep busy. I don't want to be sad all weekend.
I get it. I really do.
"It's ok, Mia. Our last night together was perfect. Our last day together doesn't have to be."
"I'll be at the airport when you get back though."
We hug until it's time to go to lunch. Mia says goodbye one more time before asking Lars to drive her to school. I watch her drive away and I know we'll be ok. Things are going to be crazy for the next couple of years, but we're going to be ok.
Friday, 12pm, In the limo on the way to school
We broke up.
I can't let myself cry yet, I mean really cry. I still have to go to school and see everyone and I don't want to be all gross from crying.
It feels weird not having my snowflake necklace on. I gave it to Michael for him to remember me by. Michael got me the most beautiful bracelet filled with charms of our time together. I'm never going to forget him. And I'm not giving up on him. We're going to be ok; I just know it.
What am I going to say at the assembly today? I don't even know if I want to be class president. Well, Lilly probably has it figured out. I need to call her.
Author's Note Part 2: Ok. Two announcements. So I'm on Ao3 now and I will mostly be posting any new fics over there. My sn is GypsyKylara. I'm going to be cross posting this fic over there and Any new fics that I write. So here's the other announcement. I plan on writing a PDX from Michael's pov. I'm looking forward to it, because I have fallen in love with Michael's pov and the tenth book is my absolute favorite. It won't be a sequel to this, just the tenth book from Michael's pov. I may post that here, but will def be posting it on ao3. No promises as to when that's coming, but sometime this year hopefully.
