Shout ins:
Daydreamer-022: Thank you! Yes, Rooney rocks. I'm praying I make it to their concert next month. The movie won't be the same but I'm afraid I'll have to watch it, anyway. (Sigh) I'm just hopelessly addicted...to yewwwwwwwwwwwwww...BUT. NOW. THERE'S. NOOOOooooooo where ta HIIDDDDE, since yewwwww pushed my luuuuuuuuv asiiiiiiiiiiiide, I'm hopelessly addicted to yewwwwwwwwwww......uh, yeah, "Grease" on the brain. I'll clean that up right away. (Salutes and walks hurriedly off a short precipice) Are you the one who wrote "Princess Valentine?" I think I was being a bug and didn't review it, but it was a sweet story. Much better ending than my last Valentine's Day. :)
KlutzY: K, here's another chapter. I know it wasn't a quick update. It never is, anymore. I just can't seem to find the time these days. But thank you for reviewing! Let me know what you think of this!
robtaymattlouned: A million and one hugs for you! I was hoping beyond rational hope that I might get the characters right. I'm working on it still, but THANK YOU SO MUCH!
sugarbear14: I'm so glad! (rubs hands together gleefully) "Gleefully..." Isn't that a great word? Thank you for reviewing! And I'm sorry to say you were supposed to hate that teaser. That's the point. (Evil laugh)
Ira Gaines: You're welcome, you're welcome, you're welcome! And I didn't feel forced, you goose! I wanted to update, you just let me know that I wasn't the only one who cared if I updated! Thank you for your sweet reviews. Lol. Of course, you have a life. Mine's a little too insane. You wouldn't want it.
Okie doke! (Makes a note) I'll read your story next. :)
Padfoot Black: LOL, okay, um, I'm gonna put this in my disclaimer, too but I wanted you to know in a personal note how retarded I am. Ya see, (digs toe in sand) I kinda, (cough) forgot that I told you I was using a, heh, Rooney song and so...the song in the last chapter isn't a Rooney song. I kind of...(small voice) wrote it. I was GOING to use a Rooney song but decided to save it for a later chapter. I'm really dumb. I know. I agree with you, too. Mia does seem to be becoming slightly...shallow? Is that the word I want to use...ah...self-absorbed. I guess all teenage girls (myself included) are, to some extent, but maybe it gets old after awhile. I don't know. I don't want to criticize too strongly as I'm not the writer Meg is. I still have my reservations, however. I suppose you've read "Better than Perfect" by Margaret Rose? That has to be the very best PD fanfic I've read. Brilliant, in fact.
myinnocenteyes: Thank you! Hope the teaser makes more sense now. :)
Danielle: Thank you for reviewing! I'll finish this. Don't worry. I know what's gonna happen, I just don't know how long I'm gonna make it be first. It'll probably be a long while before it's over, though. :) (hugs)
Ima fan: Thank you so much. :) That was really great to hear. Hope you like this extra long, extra juicy chapter. Heheh.
MissEmmy: Thank you, sweetie! Your reviews make my day! Let me know what you thought of this new installment. :D
Sweety Thing: Lol, I really like your pen name. It's cute. Anyway, THANK YOU. Please keep reading! (And reviewing, hint, cough, hint)
Metalhead13: I cannot believe I forgot to finish the shout-ins! And you always leave me the coolest reviews! AAAAAGH! Anyway, thank you! I'm really starting to get this Nick vibe goin' (oh, and your comment in your latest review gave me an idea for Tina...not Nick...but somebody else...bwahaha...) MANY, MANY HUGS! AND CANDY! Yum...
sw33t t3mptations: Why, thank you. (ducks head) Hope you like the new chapter. Let me know if you have any ideas for future chapters! :)
Disclaimer: I do not own The Princess Diaries.
I do not own Rooney. I do not own "Magic Shell" syrup.
And the inspiration for Michael's little thingy was listening to a Focus on the Family tape where this girl writes this guy's name in syrup.
I DO OWN THE SONG FROM THE LAST CHAPTER SO DON'T GO PUTTING IT UP ON YOUR ROONEY FAN SITE AS AN IMPORT THAT DIDN'T MAKE IT ONTO THE ALBUM. Like you would.
Rating: PG
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Mia's POV
Did I ever tell you how incredible Michael Moscovitz is? I mean, he has the GPA of an almost genius, looks like a movie star, sings like an angel, AND he's romantic. What more could a girl want in her boyfriend? That's right. Boyfriend.
It happened when Tina and I spent the night at Lilly's. Michael wasn't even supposed to be there.
At least, Lilly said he wasn't. "Michael, I realize you have no life. It is a sad fact but could you please refrain from butting in on MINE?"
Michael just sat down on the couch next to Tina and me and said, "Mia, would you pass the chips?"
And okay, that might not sound very romantic, at first. But I was imagining what it would be like if Michael and I were married and the apartment was OUR apartment and we were all alone and he was saying, "Mia, would you pass the chips?" And he would say it like it was the most normal thing in the world, like we weren't totally and passionately in love, like we were just sort of...hanging out.
And that's totally how he said it. He just goes, "Would you pass the chips, Mia?"
I felt sort of all special that he had singled me out to request something. Until I realized I was holding them.
I leaned across Tina and handed him the bag and I made sure my fingers touched his. He didn't do anything, though, so I started to lean back, disappointed. But then his hand was squeezing mine and he was saying, "Tina, don't mind us," and he was LEANING WAY FORWARD AND KISSING ME! Right in front of Tina Hakim Baba! And his sister!
Lilly gave a loud sigh, "Michael, I have tried to be patient but I must draw the line somewhere. If we allow you to socialize with us, you will have to refrain from excess physical contact with Mia in the presence of others."
****
Michael's POV
My sister needs a life. Badly.
****
Tina's POV
So, Michael was there almost the whole time. Mia was thrilled. I could tell. I would be, too, if I were her. I mean, Michael is so tall and dark and he has these eyes that see through to your inmost soul just like Seth Farraday in "Love's Last Whisper."
I know it's wrong to feel jealous. But sometimes I do.
****
Michael's POV
Lilly wouldn't leave for even a second. Not even when I reminded her that Maya had bought ice cream. She just said, all snotty like she gets, "If you're so hot for carbohydrates, why don't you go get some?"
Just to keep myself from strangling her, I stood up with the intention of walking toward the kitchen. Mia was looking at me with these big, hopeful eyes.
"Uh, Mia? Tina? You guys want some?"
"That'd be great," Tina smiled. She really is a nice girl. Why couldn't I have a nice girl like Tina for a sister?
Mia looked at Lilly then back at me, "Yes, please."
"Lilly?" I asked, "Change your mind?"
"Chocolate mint. No syrup."
Sisters.
****
Tina's POV
Did I mention that Michael Moscovitz is also romantic? (Sigh) He wrote "Will you go out with me?" in Magic Shell. Right on top of Mia's ice cream. If that's not love, what is? I'm sooo jealous of Mia! Maybe he has an identical twin he was separated from at birth. That happened in "Teenage Paradise" which I've heard is based on a true story about a romantic comedy from the nineteen-eighties.
****
Mia's POV
Okay, I was really not paying any attention. No surprise there, I guess. So, even though it was Michael handing me the bowl of ice cream, I didn't pay special attention to it, really. "Tess of the D'ubervilles" was on and Angel was just about to get mad at her for letting herself be taken advantage of by this older guy (who also plays in "The Jungle Book" movie they made a few years ago with the guy from "The Princess Bride.") when he had just confessed all over himself that he had lost his self-control with some other girl awhile ago. Jerk. Whatever. The point is, I wasn't paying attention to my ice cream.
I had even started to stick my spoon in it when I felt Tina's elbow dug firmly into my ribs. "Ow!" I looked over at Michael who had a slightly worried look on his face.
"What's wrong?" I blurted.
"Look at your bowl," Tina hissed.
I looked down and there it was. In chocolate syrup. "Will you go out with me?"
Lilly looked over at about the same instance and rolled her eyes. "You just couldn't help yourself, could you?" she accused.
Michael was still looking at my bowl of ice cream like there was something wrong with it.
"Michael?"
"Huh?" he looked at me and his whole body tensed up.
"Yes."
He looked dazed.
"Yes, I'll go out with you!"
He snapped out of it, then. "Oh, yeah?"
"Yeah."
****
Tina's POV
I swear, Michael Moscovitz's eyes looked like glowing embers in a swirling grey mist when Mia said that. And he was smiling with that really melting, charming smile he always has when he passes by Vice-Principal Gupta with a hall pass. Not that I was paying any attention.
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Lilly's POV
I just knew this would happen. Mia has held unhealthy fascination for my brother for years.. And ever since Michael's sophomore year, when Mia and I started middle school, my brother's worshiped Mia. I knew it when he brought that stupid picture of a cat home from his computer graphics class and said, "Doesn't it look like Fat Louie?"
I don't really mind in my heart of hearts. But I must confess that the thought of my brother and my best friend breaking up terrifies me. Mia may be light-years away from self-actualization but she is my best friend and I can't risk losing her. Even if I have to disown Michael, Mia and I must remain friends.
****
Michael's POV
It ended up being a great night. And although I would rather have watched grass grow than have to sit through "The Pride and the Prejudice," I survived. Tina was even nice enough to move and let Mia sit next to me.
****
Mia's POV
The weird thing is, I wasn't nervous when he put his arm around me. I wasn't embarrassed or worried or freaking out. It felt so natural. I was just starting to pay attention to the movie again when the telephone rang.
Michael let go of me and pushed himself off the couch. I must have looked disappointed because he rolled his eyes, "Don't move, Thermopolis. I'll be right back."
The phone rang again. "Michael, will you please GET that?" Lilly asked, exasperated.
He didn't say anything, just picked up the receiver., "This is Michael. Oh. Uh, yeah, she's here, your Majesty."
I groaned. Not only did I NOT want to talk to Grandmère right now, I was going to get a lecture on how my potential consorts should answer the phone. I stood up. I frowned but Michael just shrugged and handed me the phone, "Your grandmother."
I made a face that would have given the royal court a heart attack and snatched it, "Hello?" I mumbled.
"Amelia! Quelle est la signification de ceci?"
(Amelia! What is the meaning of this?)
"Um, what?"
"Cette image affreuse dans l'investigateur national!"
(This horrendous picture in the National Enquirer!)
I switched to French, hurriedly, "Quelle image?"
(What picture?)
I honestly had no idea what she was talking about but somehow, I knew it wasn't good.
" C'est une photographie dev vous...et ce GARÇON."
(It's a photograph of you...and that BOY.)
"Grandmère, je ne sais pas de ce que vous parlez."
(Grandmother, I do not know what you are talking about.)
"Amelia, il y a une image de vous deux embrassant sur une èvasion sale du feu sur chaque tabloid dans le pays! Vous inquiéteriez-vous pour expliquer?
(Amelia, there is a picture of you two kissing on a dirty fire escape on every tabloid in the country! Would you care to explain?)
"Il y a ce QUI?"
(There's a WHAT?)
Michael was standing there watching us, amused for a little while, but now looking slightly alarmed. I could tell he didn't pick up most of the French but he must have known a little.
"What's wrong?" he whispered.
The doorbell rang.
I heard Lilly answer it, "MICHAEL! It's for you!"
****
Michael's POV
Mia was sputtering in French and I had a hard time following. Something about a picture, I thought.
I went to see who was at the door. Lilly passed me in the hall and ordered me to tell Mia that she and Tina had gone to her room.
"Nick, what's up?"
"Dude, didn't you see it?"
"What?"
Nick held up Teen Star Watch for my inspection.
I stared dumbly for a moment before saying, "That's me."
The guitarist nodded, "Yeah, and Moscovitz?"
"Huh?"
Nick opened to an inside page, "That's US!"
I snatched it from his hands, "Huh?"
The guitarist was thumping the page, "That's Skinner Box!"
My eyes caught the caption, "Royal Rock 'n Roll: Princess Mia attends performance by Skinner Box.
Nick waited eagerly while I sped through the article. I stopped a couple paragraphs in.
"Princess Amelia has been seen several times with a dark-haired young man, recently identified as Michael Moscovitz, the lead guitarist of a local, up and coming band. Interviews with schoolmates have confirmed that he and the young monarch are dating exclusively and may perhaps be ENGAGED?"
"Yeah, about that..." Nick looked confused, "You never told me you and the princess were looking to hook up permanently."
I rolled my eyes, "We're not."
"Weird. Oh, but read that!" He tapped his finger on another column.
"Princess Mia's a fan. And that was enough for TSW. We looked into this band, so named "Skinner Box" and we are pleased to report they are as hot as their name. They've got a sound that seems to borrow from everywhere and come out all their own. Dark, sexy lead guitarist Michael Moscovitz may be hot but sources tell us he's taken. Don't worry, girls! Looks like wide-eyed Nick, goofy Ted, and brooding Tristen aren't. So, good looks, great sound. The question that remains: Where has this hotter than hot band been hiding?"
I heard Mia slam the phone down in the kitchen and walk slowly out. I turned around.
She looked distraught, "I can't do anything without the press finding out about it! Nothing!
It's a good thing I don't have any life and death secrets because I would be dead by now. Dead. Dead, dead, dead! Deader than a doornail! I can't even kiss someone on my OWN FIRE ESCAPE without being filmed! I am so sorry, Michael. I know you hate PDA's, anyway, and this is like, a million times worse."
I held up Teen Star Watch and watched her expression darken. "Why can't I be a normal teenage girl?" she suddenly blurted.
"And why can't I be a prince?" I retorted.
That shut her up. For about half a second, "What?"
"I thought you were over this. You can't help being royalty, Mia."
"I know, but now you're being dragged into it and..."
"And I can't help dating royalty," I grinned, "Monarchy is in your blood and Royal Consort is in mine." I stopped smiling. Did I just say what I think I said?
Mia looked startled but...relieved. She stepped into my arms, shyly, "You don't mind?"
"Gotta get used to it sometime. I mean, if it wasn't for you, it would have been for another reason." My voice turned playful, "Do you really think someone as," I looked back over the article in the magazine, "As dark and sexy as me could stay hidden for long?"
"You're right," she laughed into my shirt, "That ego would have to get famous sooner or later."
I kissed her temple and sighed. Rock 'n roll.
****
a/n: Well, another chapter done...finally. I hope the French was decent. I speak some but I had to use an online translator so I'm not sure if it's perfectly constructed, grammar-wise. Review pleeeeeeeeeease. I'll have the next chapter up after I get some feedback and some IDEAS. Hint, hint. :D Thank you! I love you guys!
Legs