Thursday, December 10, Homeroom

Michael was dressed and ready to go far too early, he was so eager to get to school and work on his secret project some more. The conversation he'd had with Judith the day before had allowed him an extra hour's sleep, and he was feeling like a wind-up toy ready to go.

He didn't want to wait at the subway station any longer than necessary – especially considering the incident earlier that week with the guy who had taken a particular shine to his hair – so Michael killed time by having a bowl of cereal in the unlit kitchen.

He didn't notice Lilly standing in the doorway until she spoke.

"Any good reads recently?"

Michael looked up, mid-chew, and frowned. "Huh?"

She was still in her pyjamas, hair wrecked from sleep, but her eyes were bright and he knew he was in trouble.

Smirking, Lilly put together her own bowl of Cap'n Crunch. "I was just wondering if you'd read anything worthwhile recently, Michael. You know, blogs, books, letters...cards..."

He nearly choked. Lilly was still smiling once he had cleared his throat and turned to squint at her with watery eyes.

"You do know," he practically rasped.

Her face was about to break in two from her glee. "When don't I? I was wondering when you were going to ask me. I saw the card on your desk."

"When were you in my room?" He glared.

Lilly rolled her eyes. "Calm down, Romeo. You left the door open and I looked inside. No big."

He sighed and put his bowl in the sink. "Go on, then. What do you want?"

"Well." She folded her arms over her chest, looking triumphant. "I was thinking you could be a little more understanding when I have to work on my show and can't do my chores."

He gave her a sideways glance. "Uh-huh. And how often are we talking here?"

"Often."

"Okay, so, I have twice my share of chores. What else?"

She began eating her cereal. "I want a written agreement that you will never, ever tell anyone about what you saw in the bathroom that time."

He opened his mouth to argue. "But–"

"Never," she stressed.

He locked away the memory of walking in on Lilly French kissing the back of her hand as she provided dialogue for herself and the phantom guy she had been pretending to suck face with. As if he hadn't tried to get rid of it already.

"Okay, but this better be good," he told her.

Lilly snorted into her breakfast. "That's for you to decide. I would have thought you'd have figured it out by now, big brother."

He nonchalantly leant back against the counter and shoved his hands in his pockets to stop their excited itching. He prepared himself for what was coming.

"Come on, then," he urged when Lilly remained quiet.

She looked at him seriously. "And you better not hurt her, because I swear to God–"

He scoffed to himself, heart sinking. "Knew it."

"What?" Lilly frowned.

"It is Tina, isn't it?"

And then Lilly burst out laughing in great, shocking peals.

Michael stared, his ears heating with embarrassment. "What?"

Lilly threw down her bowl and braced herself next to him against the counter. She looked like she was going to cry from joy at any second.

"You," she gasped, "are such...an idiot. It's Mia, Michael – Tina told me Mia's been sending the cards and getting Tina to put them in your locker."

"Card-s? You mean, I have more– wait...it's Mia?"

Lilly wiped her eyes, nodding and laughing. Michael felt something very much like his heart explode inside his chest.

Mia, the girl of his dreams, wanted him too? No, it was too good to be true, and yet...why else would Lilly have been so serious about him not hurting her? She'd already told him to go for it, had supported him when Kenny had stepped in, and, to be honest, she had never lied to him when it came to her best friend. She'd had her fun here and there, but she'd never really led him on.

But now she was telling him Mia liked him, and...he had to believe her, if only for the sake of his own sanity.

"So," she breathed, coming down from her laughing jag. "Are you riding with us today?"

Michael shook his head, mind racing. "No. No, I...I've got work to do."

She looked him in the eye for a moment, before nodding. "Better get going. She'll be here soon." He was already out of the front door when Lilly called after him. "And I want that agreement written and signed tonight!"

"Lilly, we've told you before, no legal or binding documents!" Their dad shouted from somewhere down the hall.

Michael ran the entire way to the subway station, but he didn't take in a single sight or sound as he got on that train.

All he could think of were those words in that card and how it was Mia who had penned that poem declaring her love for him. Mia.

He threw his head back and laughed.

Tina stood in front of him, worrying the end of her dark plait as she watched him open the unsealed, white card she had just handed him. Her hefty bodyguard stood close by, eyes narrowed.

Shhhh...

Roses are red

But cherries are redder

Maybe she can clone fruit flies

But I like you better.

Michael smiled, pulled his bag higher over his shoulder, and tucked the card inside the open zip.

"Thanks, Tina."

She bit her lip before replying. "Lilly told me that you know. Just...don't tell Mia I told Lilly. She'll kill me."

He nodded, unable to wipe the silly grin off of his face. Tina began to smile too.

"Are you going to make some grand, romantic gesture?" She asked breathily.

Michael gave a tentative nod, and the petite girl had to muffle her sudden, excited squeal.

"Eek! Okay, I'm late for class! Bye!" She turned away and practically skipped up the hallway, bodyguard close behind.

Michael closed his locker and made for his own class, his every thought on the little card in his bag.

His smile didn't disappear for the rest of the hour.