A/N: Fourth chapter...kazowie...Thank you all for the lovely reviews! They've been great. I hope all of you enjoy this new chapter. :D If you have any ideas or any of the books' characters you want me to include or write about, let me know. :) Mwah.
Disclaimer: Meg Cabot is the genius author of The Princess Diaries series.
Disney made the movie. And messed it up, in my opinion.
Rooney is Robert Carmine's band. He wrote the lyrics and music to the song, "Stay Away." I just thought it was fitting to use Rooney in this story.
I don't know whether to boycott the sequel or not, considering MICHAEL ISN'T GOING TO BE HER BOYFRIEND!
Is that because Robert Carmine is too busy with Rooney?
ROBERT! COME BAAAAAAAAAAACK! WE DEPEND UPON YOUR HOTNESS TO SAVE HOLLYWOOD AND ANNE HATHAWAY FROM DISNEY SCREEN WRITERS WHO SCREWED UP LOTS OF IMPORTANT DETAILS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BECAUSE, SURELY, THAT WILL MAKE UP FOR EVERYTHING THE MOVIE WILL LACK!!!!!!! IT MUST, IT MUST! (goes in corner to whisper new mantra) It must...it must...it MUST...
****
Lilly's POV
Alright. I admit it. I don't simply love my brother. I adore him. I'd lie under oath about it but I do. Love may simple be emotions evoked through the release of certain chemicals in the brain. But I love my brother because, as strange and mentally unbalanced as he is, he understands me. And that's saying something considering, on a strictly metaphysical level, I don't always understand myself. Michael must be one of the rare few self-actualized individuals on the planet.
****
Michael's POV
I rang the doorbell with a panicked hope that Mia liked "spring arrangements." The roses at the market had looked really gross and lifeless. Maybe it's just me, but I personally think yellow roses are for dead people. No offense to anyone who likes them.
The door OPENED AND...there was Mr. Giannini.
"Hey, Michael," he said.
"Uh, hey, Mr. G." I wasn't too nervous. I mean, I was his best student freshman year. No worries...right?
Mia suddenly popped up over his shoulder. Would have scared me, except well, I was too busy drinking her in. Ooh, I feel a song coming on...Where's my guitar when I need it?
"Hi," she said and her whole face lit up when she said it. I really like that about Mia. She's completely sincere.
"Um, these are for you." Sheesh, couldn't I have thought of something cooler than THAT to say? What was I? Twelve? "Duh...uh...dese are fer youuuuu..."
I shook the mental image as I heard the happiness in her voice, "Oh, Michael! Th-thank you...They're beautiful!"
Did that mean she liked them? Her nostrils weren't doing anything weird so I guess she did. Dude, yeah.
****
Mia's POV
So there he was. And even though Frank was standing in the way stinking up the air with his Allspice stuff, you could totally smell the soapy Michael smell. Mm. Drink it in. And he brought me flowers! How romantic and sweet and perfect of him!
****
Lilly's POV
I wasn't nervous but for some inexplicable reason...there was my hand, shaking as I knocked on the door. "It's...artistic energy," I told myself.
And then the door swung open and I just about went into cardiac arrest. Reporters were supposed to look like...well, reporters. Instead, this Greek god threw open the door, his hair pointing every direction and his dark eyes filled with the throes of inspiration.
Before I could bow down and kiss his gorgeous feet, he stuck out a hand, his eyes never leaving my face, "You must be Lilly Moscovitz. I'm...Greg. Uh, Gregory Jordan, actually. I'm sorry I look like I just lived through a hurricane. You caught me in the middle of a story...a story I'm working on." He smiled apologetically.
"That's quite alright," I somehow managed to keep my voice steady as I said this. Lily, keep your head. You are NOT Mia. You know your own mind. You are fully capable of distinguishing between animal lust and true love. And that's what this is...lust, I mean. For the love of all that is holy, you have BORIS! Dear, sweet Boris...he's a mouth breather, yes...but a genius and he loves you and you love him and you will not give way to irrational hormonal...What was this apparition saying now?
"...so if you'll hold on a sec, I'll grab my coat. I thought we'd be more comfortable that way."
Wait, where are we going?
****
Michael's POV
"So, where are you guys going tonight?"
"Doctor Motors," I told them.
Mia shot me a look like, "Oh, really?"
Mia's mother and Mr. G looked at each other, eye-brows raised.
"O...kay."
"That's fine, I guess."
"Have her home by midnight. I suppose you bought Lars off for the night?" Mr. Gianni asked me.
Man, I wish I'd thought of that.
Mia broke in, "He's outside talking to Ronnie."
"Oh, your her/him/it neighbor?" I grinned.
Mia giggled.
****
Lilly's POV
So we were sitting in Starbucks when he pulls out a tiny recorder and a pad of paper.
"Shall we get started?" he asked.
I nodded. Well? What else was I supposed to do?
"How long have you known Princess Amelia?"
"Since 1st grade."
"And you're both sophomores now, correct?"
"That is correct."
"What would you say is your strongest connection the princess?"
"Our shared love of the truth, particularly controversial truth."
"I understand you both have rather radical views about global issues."
"We do."
"Care to elaborate?"
"Well, Mia is a vegetarian."
"And why is that?"
"She feels that human beings have no right to take the life of other organisms, anymore than they have a right to murder members of their own species."
"And you, also?"
"I sympathize with them. I, myself, am much more interested in the lack of accountability and responsibility Hollywood and the media have taken upon themselves for churning out sexist, socially-stereotypical films and books."
I won't pretend I didn't see the beads of sweat forming on Gregory Jordan's forehead.
Serves him right. It should be illegal to be a good-looking journalist. Ruins interviewee's objectivity.
****
Michael's POV
I could see how nervous Mia was. I'd kind of put my arm around her to guide her out of the building and I could feel the muscles in her back all bunched up.
Lars was at our elbow in a second. I told him where we were going and once again, Mia looked at me like I was gradually growing two horns.
"Um, Michael?" she asked, in her shy way.
"Yeah?" I liked it when she said my name. It somehow gave boring, old "Michael" more significance.
"Are we really going to the garage?"
I grinned, "Yeah. Don't you think that'll be fun?" I knew very well how much I was throwing her off but I kinda liked messing with her head a little. I know, I know. I'm sick and twisted.
The worried look on her face was replaced by a confused one. "Um, I guess so."
"You'll see," I told her, trying to reassure with a smile. I didn't want her to think I was completely delusional or unromantic. She seemed to relax a little after that.
****
Lars's POV
When I first took this job, I thought, "I have been assigned to protect a teenage girl. What did I do to deserve this nightmare of hell?"
But as I watched young Michael and the princess walking down the sidewalk ahead of me, laughing and talking like the lovers they are meant to be, I couldn't think of a place I wanted to be more than there watching over this beautiful story. And any job is better than body guard to Clarisse Renaldo.
****
Michael's POV
A tall thin guy with messy black hair and large freckles across nose and cheeks was suddenly in my face,"Dude, you're late!"
"Yeah, nice to see you, too, Nick."
"Dude," he started but stopped at the sight of Mia and Lars. "Dude," he repeated.
"Mia, this is Nick Polowski. Nick, Mia Thermopolis."
"Your...your highness," he said, his enormous green eyes growing even larger, if that was possible.
Mia seemed embarrassed, "Uh, just Mia's fine."
"Sweet," he grinned, then turned back to me. "Man, you didn't tell me you were bringing royalty with you. I would have gotten dressed up."
Another guy appeared around the corner, "Mike, my man!"
"Ted, how's it hangin'?"
"It's cool. And you?"
"It's cool."
Ted nodded distractedly and I followed his line of vision. Mia seemed completely oblivious to his wandering eyes as she smiled politely at us.
I snapped my fingers in front of Ted's face, "That's enough, dude. If you want to keep your eyes in their sockets, that is."
"Sorry, dude," he laughed. He smiled at Mia, in a friendly way, then looked back at me, "Can I help it if your girlfriend's a babe?"
I could almost feel Lars tense behind us.
****
Mia's POV
Omigosh. OMIGOSH! That guy, Ted or whatever, said I was Michael's girlfriend! And...and...what did he call me? I could feel my face heat up and I moved closer to Michael.
I sort of recognized Nick from school. I think I'd seen him in the hallways talking to Michael or something.
I was just about to ask what exactly we were doing there in the garage when this short guy with red hair and freckles came up to us. He looked like he was about 12.
"Tristen," Michael nodded.
He did a little chin tilt back, "Moscovitz." His voice was deeper than I expected. He looked at me and nodded. "Princess," he acknowledged, unphased.
"Huh?" Ted looked lost.
"Dude, she's the princess of Genovia," Nick hit him.
"The one on 24/7?" Ted looked like Fat Louie after he'd swallowed a sock.
"Man, you're slow!"
Ted didn't answer, just looked at me like I was royalty. Wait, a minute, I...oh, never mind.
"Your majesty, I-I hope I didn't offend you with what I said about...ya know."
I laughed. And surprised myself by blurting, "I won't chop off your head. I promise."
Michael snorted beside me.
****
Michael's POV
Have I mentioned another reason I like Mia so much? She's not only sincere, she has the greatest sense of humor. She won't say anything to people she doesn't know at first and then she'll just come out with the funniest, weirdest thing.
"So, are we ready to get it on?" Ted asked, hands spread wide.
"Boris isn't here," I said.
"So we start without him," Ted shrugged. "I'm sure he'll get over the disappointment.
"What time did you put on the fliers, Moscovitz?"
"Seven."
"That gives us...what? Fifteen?"
"Let's get rockin'."
"Michael?" Mia whispered.
"Mia?" I whispered back, teasingly.
She blushed but asked anyway, "What's going on? What fliers? What are we doing here?"
"Mia Thermopolis, you are about to witness the first live concert starring...Skinner Box!"
She smiled, "Really?"
"Yeah, really."
"Omigosh, wow. Why didn't you tell me before?"
"Cuz I'd have missed the cute smile on your face just now." Did I just say that? Ok, cringe.
I guess it was worth the snickers I got from the guys 'cause Mia looked like she was in heaven when I said that.
****
Lilly's POV
"...and so the meaning of life is invariably tied to our individual identities by which we measure the value of our existence as a group." I was really enjoying myself at this point but I could tell that the handsome reporter was not.
"Well, uh, thank you, Ms. Moscovitz. I guess that's...all we have time for. I appreciate you taking the time from your busy schedule to talk to me."
"It was a pleasure," I told him smugly.
And I left the coffee house, fully glad that my boyfriend wasn't so dense. That Gregory Jordan, no matter how good looking, knew nothing of the importance of immersing one's self deep in one's psyche to become self-actualized.
At least, Boris had a response when I wanted to discuss these life-altering issues. Granted, it was often something like, "Lilly, I do not understand. Please explain again?" The point was, he tried.
****
Mia's POV
People were starting to crowd into Doc's at this point. I felt sort of out place, not really knowing any of the kids there. Until I caught Michael looking at me from their "stage." Seriously, it's like he was hugging me with his warm, chocolate eyes. And I just wanted to melt through the floor.
And now they were starting. Nick thew himself into his bass and Tristen was pounding on the drums so hard I thought my ears would explode. A few whoops from the group of teenagers fed the already frenzied music.
But then Michael was up at the microphone and he was singing. And I almost did melt. He has the greatest voice. Which I already knew, but still. It was even more wonderful than I remembered it.
Wait, the music had stopped again. He was saying something.
"Thank you. Just remember, we are Skinner Box and we are in control."
Some guy with a nose ring in the front row said, "YEAH!" like it was the most profound thing he'd ever heard.
"We want to thank you all for coming out tonight. Think it's gonna be a good show. And, uh, I'd like to dedicate our first song to someone in the audience tonight. Mia, I wrote this for you."
There was a series of "aww's" and "how cute's" and lots of whistling in the crowded garage. Kids were everywhere, squished on the faded couches, hanging off the cars, sprawled across the hard floor.
I felt my neck flame up but I smiled, anyway. Could this night be anymore perfect? I didn't think so...until he started singing.
"Stay away from my friends
They're smooth operators
Lookin' for a way in."
Michael sent a pointed look toward Ted, who laughed and saluted him.
Stay away from me tonight
I've made other plans and you'll just be distractin' me," he looked right at me when he sang that...
In a good way..."
Ted stepped up to the mic, next to Michael and they sang on,
"She doesn't know
That I love her"
Omigosh. Did Michael Moscovitz really LOVE me?
"I better not be asleep," I muttered.
"(that I love her)" Ted echoed, his green eyes flashing.
"Yes, I love her..." Michael winked at me.
"Make a move on me, baby." He was looking right at me still, as was half the garage.
"I can't be the one who's always takin' chances.
See me down so you get down." He and his guitar dipped forward.
His long ragged hair was shaking everywhere, "No, you've got me all wrong.
I just want to kiss her lips."
I thought I was gonna die of happiness right then.
"And you kiss back." When he sang that, it sounded so commanding and bossy like the Beast or Mr. Rochester. I think if he hadn't been up there on stage still, I WOULD have kissed him. I know. Daring of me, isn't it?
"She doesn't know
That I love her..."
"(That I love her.)"
"Yes, I love her..."
The song finished and Skinner Box had started playing another song when Michael suddenly stopped and stepping off the stage, walked towards me.
****
Michael's POV
I have no idea what I was doing but the band kept playing and I kept walking.
And just when I was in front of Mia and she wasn't doing anything, just sort of sitting there and staring at me, and I was starting to feel really stupid, she jumped up and threw her arms around my neck.
I let my guitar fall, but not without wondering if I was going to have buy another one after it hit the concrete floor. Some girl sitting near Mia grabbed it before it smashed, though, so...good times.
I heard her murmur something into my shoulder but I couldn't quite make it out so I pushed her back so I could hold her at arms' length, "Hmm?"
"I said, 'Don't pinch me.'" She snuggled back into my chest, "I like this dream."
I laughed, even though it wasn't that funny, "Wouldn't dream of it, Mia."
****
a/n: There you go! Next chapter: The aftermath of the concert, Lilly's triumph, and the press gets wind of a brand new story starring New York's royal...
Shout ins:
robtaymattlouned: Thank, thank, thank you! I'm so glad you liked my Dr. Phil bit. Sorry this took me this long but I hope you liked the DATE! :)
Miss Emmy: You're so sweet. Thank you very much for reading! I hope you liked this new chapter.
Sweet Piglet: Remind me to email you about Robert. Just now, I'm so busy I barely had time for this chapter. Boo me. Thank you for reading so far. I hope you're enjoying it.
Gina: (hugs) Thank you! Let me know what you think so far. :)
Ira Gaines: You're welcome but I should be thanking you! So, thank you for the great review once again! Um, yeah, I know what you mean. I'm a lot more outgoing than Mia so it's sometimes hard for me to relate to her but I still love her somehow. Yeah, Lilly is one of my faves. I really wanted to play her up in this one. I don't think there is enough positive and genuine writing about her. :) Anyhow, let me know if yoj have any ideas for future chapters.
Jenimo: Yeah, you're right. That is crap. Mia and Michael belong together! HELLO? ARE WE THE ONLY ONES THAT REALIZE THIS? Thank you. :)
Metalhead13: Thank you! I'm flattered. "Good with a touch of insane." Lol. Hope you like this new bit.
aPPle-FrrEAk: Thank you for the lovely review. Um, let's see, Mia's mom is about eight months along, I guess. I'm not following the time line of the book exactly so forgive me if it's totally different from what it should be. My pen name is Legs because...lol, uh...I'm weird. I guess I sort of have this thing about my legs, I don't know exactly how to explain it. I'm kind of obsessed with having perfect legs (which I don't have). Which is totally shallow and pathetic, but it's a fault. We all have them, I suppose. Yeah, I like Michael being sensitive AND annoying.
CelticInnocent: Thanks. (hugs)