Saturday, June 31, Midnight, Royal Genovian bedchamber

I am supposed to be on vacation, right? Apparently Grandmere doesn't think so. "You are a Princess, Amelia, you have duties towards your country," she says. But what is so wrong with a day off? Just one day? But no, instead I had to go to a dinner party. I was tired! Does anyone consider jet lag here? And then I had to go to this French class. I told Grandmere that I already took French in school and she said that I needed to be extremely fluent and how the American school system would never give me the education I would acquire in Genovia. I don't care. I don't want to take classes in the middle of the summer! Michael and Lilly came, which was sweet of them, but I don't see why they were so excited about it. I think they were just trying to cheer me up, which didn't help one bit. Not to mention that my teacher, Madame Maxcile, was a nightmare, correcting every little syllable I pronounced wrong. Michael was lost during the whole thing, since he took Spanish in school. I told both of them they didn't have to come, and Michael accepted reluctantly, but he was grateful. I could tell. Lilly refused, saying that she had nothing better to do anyway and if she didn't come who would I pass notes with. This was true even though it might be impossible to pass notes since we are the only two people in the class.

Then, it turns out, that I have to go to this Genovian Ball on Monday. Grandmere says it is to welcome me back to Genovia. I told her I don't need to be welcomed. She told me I did. I told her I wasn't going unless Michael can be my escort. She gave in after much persuasion by my father, my wonderful father who always comes to the rescue. He's really not half bad when you get to know him. He's actually pretty nice to me and even Michael and Lilly. Grandmere is anything but nice to them, which is why I have taught them to steer clear of her at all costs.

Sunday, July 1, 11 AM, French Class

I better not have homework in this. - Mia

If we do have homework, do I have to do it? - Lilly

I really don't know. Ask her...- Mia

Oops, okay apparently so. Did she have to yell at me like that? "You're in my class! Of course you shall do all work assigned! Why else would you come here!?" she says. She needs to get a hobby, or a boyfriend. - Lilly

You can leave you know. – Mia

Nah, what else would I do? Michael at least has his computer, I just have Lifetime, and there are no good movies on in the mornings anyway. – Lilly

Later, 12 PM, Royal Genovian bedchamber, trying on dresses for the Genovian Ball

Pierre Ogden is our new fashion designer, since Sebastiano is out of the picture. He is alright, I guess. I mean, he is a very good designer but a little annoying. I have probably tried on a billion dresses and there has been something wrong with every one, or at least he thinks so. I think they were all just fine. And now he's yelling at me because I'm moving to much but he was the one who told me I could write in here anyway, and I believe writing involves moving, doesn't it? I haven't seen Michael all day. I realize there are no Kate Bosworths in Genovia but there could be a Belle, like from Beauty and the Beast. And I'm almost certain Belle wouldn't have to go through all these dresses just to find one that looked perfect on her, would she? I don't even know where he is! I hope they don't have him trying on tuxes, because I have a hunch Michael doesn't like wearing tuxes.

So anyway, I picked out this nicer baby-blue dress. I like it. All the others made me look like an upside down teacup. This one is just simple, but it looks really nice. I wonder if Michael will like it.

Later, 11 PM, Royal Genovian bedchamber

I saw Michael, finally. Not that a day is a lot to go without seeing him but when you are in the same place the whole time it is kind of pathetic. So I finally saw him at dinner which was Filet de Cheval. I refused to eat it since I am a vegetarian. But Lilly and Michael didn't eat it either, after asking what cheval means. It means horse. Genovians eat horses. I don't think they realize that thousands of American horses are slaughtered every year so they can be exported to Europe, and most of these horses were once a little kid's best friend. I was disgusted, but talking to Michael seemed to cheer me up a bit.

Michael: Hey Mia! I missed you at breakfast.

He did. I wasn't at breakfast. I overslept and got yelled at. In conclusion, Genovians have no sympathy for me and my jet lag.

Mia: I overslept, I was exhausted. Where were you all day?

Michael: Trying on tuxes for that Genovian Ball coming up.

I knew it! I knew they would make him try on tuxes! I just knew it!

Mia: You know you don't have to come if you don't want to. I just figured since you're my boyfriend and all—

Michael: No I want to come! I've never been to a ball before. I don't expect I'll enjoy wearing a tux, but I still want to come. Is Lilly going?

Mia: I don't know, I haven't asked her yet. If she does, she better tell me soon. I don't think she has any ball gown with her, does she?

By the way, I asked her. She's going. She has a dress too. How did she know to bring a dress? Oh, wait, I'm a princess! She probably knew she was going to have to go to a party.

So anyway, he laughed. You know when he laughs, his eyes sort of laugh, too, his wonderful dark brown eyes, his peat-bog eyes.

Michael: No, I don't think so. Listen; do you have any time off tomorrow?

Lucky for me, I had just looked over my schedule for tomorrow, right before the ball. Then I have to get ready two. The ball starts at 6. That's FOUR HOURS to get ready. FOUR HOURS! What kind of person needs four hours to get ready? I rarely take over 20 minutes.

Mia: Yeah, from noon to two. Why?

Michael: I was thinking me and you could do something? Maybe go horseback riding? You do have a stable here right?

I knew those horseback riding lessons at that stable right by Central Park would pay off someday. I knew everything about horses, and of course Michael knew I knew a lot about horses because I told him about my lessons.

Mia: Yeah! That sounds great! They have stables, Grandmere made me go for a ride with the Genovian Equestrian Society once, so I just have to ask my dad if we can take a couple of horses out for the day.

Then we got up (dinner was over) and he walked me to my room. He's so sweet. And when we were standing right by the door, he kissed me!!! HE KISSED ME!!! It was a really nice kiss until Dad came and ruined it. Then he brushed the hair out of my face and whispered "Good night, I love you," as he walked off towards his room. I love it when he tells me that he loves me. I replied, "I love you, too," and walked into my room. I don't want this night to end. Tomorrow I have to go to the Genovian Ball. Why? Because I have a duty to my people.

Screw my duties.

But wait, I get to see Michael tomorrow. We're going horseback-riding. I guess it won't be so bad after all.

A/N: What do you think? I know there's no plot yet, but there will be. I promise. It's coming in the next chapter. So hang in there!