DISCLAIMER: The Princess Diaries are written by M. Cabot.
Disney has movie rights.
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Lilly's POV
Suddenly, everything in my brother's life revolved around Mia and her royal "duties." Because APPARENTLY they had become his duties.
However, I needed his help with the new episode of "Lilly Tells It Like It is." He was supposed to appear as the resident expert on the benefits of computer hacking and its positive effects on an otherwise apathetic generation.
But, noooooooooo...Mia had some annual ball. And her precious boyfriend's attendance is compulsory. Whatever.
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Michael's POV
The strangest thing happened to me right before lunch.. Josh Richter walked up and said in a semi-friendly tone, "Moscow." Now, granted, I have no idea what he meant by that. At first.
"Huh?"
"I said 'Moscow.' That's your name, right?"
"It's Moscovitz," I told him, disgustedly.
"Oh. Sorry. So you're uh going out with the princess, right?"
"Her name is Mia," I told him, yanking my physics book out of my locker. "Or have you already forgotten?" Hey, no one messes with Mia and gets off easy with me. I remember hiding Lilly's tripod for a week when she made Mia cry during of their fights. But, hey, uh, keep it to yourself, alright?
"Right. Uh, Mia." Josh tried to shrug off the mistake coolly but I didn't miss the squirm. Josh and I have been the same classes since 4th grade. He does this weird jerking thing with his shoulders when he's uncomfortable.
Figuring he was done, I turned towards the cafeteria. Josh ambled after me.
"What do you want, Richter?" I asked, not slowing down.
"Hey, dude, I just...wanted to..." he took a deep breath, "chill with you. That cool?"
I stopped to stare at him.
"You heard me," he squirmed again.
"Why?"
"I...I..." for the first time in years I thought I saw something genuine in his eyes. Something like...weakness.
Slightly confused, I shrugged and started walking again. That's guy language for: Whatever, dude.
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Mia's POV
I have to admit it was a little weird seeing Josh Richter and Michael come in to the lunchroom together.
Lilly's eyebrows got all low and dark in the middle the way Michael's did when Tina started discussing the literary merit of her latest romance novel, "Our Rushing Wind of Passion."
Shameeka choked on her chocolate milk.
Tina did that little half-gasp that her mother says in the only lady-like way to show surprise in public. I think she had been practicing it to impress Tristen, the drummer in Skinner Box.
"Hey, Mia." I felt Michael's lips on my temple and he was squeezing in beside me on the bench.
"Hi."
"How was Algebra?"
"It was okay. Lana was crying and...ow."
I felt an elbow in my stomach and there was that smell of cologne...it was slightly familiar and...Josh Richter. Josh Richter was sitting next to me! Michael on one side, Josh on the other. WHAT was going on?
"Hey, how's it goin'?" he said, addressing our table.
There was a strange silence.
It was Michael who calmly broke it, "Mia? You were saying..."
I didn't really know if I should finish my sentence since it was about Lana and all. But everyone was looking at me, so I said quietly, "Lana was crying during our pop quiz so Mr. Giannini gave her a hall pass and let her out early."
All eyes turned to Josh whose blue eyes seemed to suddenly blur. His fist clenched and unclenched.
Michael reached down to pick a cucumber off my tray. He munched contentedly before continuing our conversation, "Why was she crying?"
"MICHAEL! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" I wanted to scream at him. But Michael's eyes had gone to a tranquil, liquid brown, and instinctively, I trusted them. "Uh, I don't know. I think she had a fight."
"With Josh?"
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Michael's POV
If Josh Richter thought I was stupid enough to believe he didn't have ulterior motives for "chilling" with me, he should have given up thinking all together. Because it obviously didn't work for him.
Josh and Lana have had an off-again, on-again relationship since Lana was in middle school. They are two of the most self-centered, self-absorbed, selfish people I've ever come into contact with. All logical thought draws the same conclusion. Josh and Lana are a match made in hell. Completely deserving of one another. This means that no matter how many times they break up, they will always make up and suck face for an hour.
If the said Josh Richter thought I was likewise stupid enough not to remember who was hanging all over my band at the concert the week before, then he was more brain-dead than I thought.
Obviously, Lana had conceived a genuine bubble of thought in her head of air that went something like this: "Josh is a jerk. He is a mindless jock without an original pick-up line to his name. It looks like jocks aren't "in" anymore. Oh, it looks like musicians are. If I am to stay with it, I better dump jock Josh and snag musician Nick or whoever it was I was hitting on that night."
So Josh thought he could use me to get back with Lana, huh? Not bad. But I'm better.
It was rather entertaining, though, letting him suck up to me and my girlfriend and my girlfriend's friends. All the people that up until then, Josh probably didn't know existed.
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Mia's POV
Michael was being really weird.
I tried to send him a look that said so, "Yeah...I guess."
"Huh. Must have been a pretty bad fight. Was it a bad fight, Josh?"
Huh? Who is that guy and what has he done with my boyfriend?
Josh seemed shaken by this. I thought he would totally start cussing Michael out. But instead he goes, "Uh, yeah, it...uh...it was pretty bad."
"What was it about?" Michael persisted.
I kicked his leg under the table. Which is something I had never done before. Lilly does it all the time but I'd never worked up the nerve before. It felt liberating and...self-actualizing. I did it again.
Michael turned to look at me, all serious. And I got kind of worried, then. Maybe I shouldn't have pushed my luck. Just because he is my boyfriend doesn't give me the right to kick him. What if he broke up with me because I was abusive? Oh, my gosh, what had I done?
But he just looked me over and put his arm around my waist. Then he went right on harassing Josh about Lana. Seriously.
"So, what was it about?"
"Uh, well..." Josh coughed.
"Lemme make a wild guess. Just for the heck of it."
Josh squirmed with discomfort.
"Lana's dumping you because you're not in a band."
Embarrassed, Josh turned his head to look at the corn guy in line.
Michael didn't stop, though. "And you thought, 'Hey, get in good with the guy with the band and maybe...'"
The jock had obviously had enough, he stood up, his face red, "Look, man, I just wanted to know if you'd give me some guitar lessons. But hey, if that's too much to ask, then okay. I'll leave. I'm going. I'm as good as gone." He turned to leave.
Michael's calm face got surprised, "Guitar lessons?" he repeated, incredulously.
Josh turned back around, "Yeah. Is that a crime?"
The two guys stared at each other for a minute.
Michael seemed to reach a decision. He nodded, "Alright. I'll help you."
"How much do you want?" Josh asked, reaching for his wallet. "I was thinking twenty..."
"I don't want your money, Richter."
I looked over at Lilly and caught the sadistic smile twisting her face. She was probably considering the social ramifications of such an agreement in an adolescent setting like a public high school.
Josh didn't think it was funny, though. "What? You think I can't afford it? I'll make it a hun-..."
He was cut off, "Keep it. You know where the computer club meets? Be there at three-thirty, tomorrow."
Josh seemed to realize he was being dismissed. He walked away.
Michael turned his head back to me, "So what time do I need to be there tonight?"
Lilly says the male species is one large mass of testosterone without any complications. But I think she's wrong. I think we've underestimated them. They are quite complex, even if they've never been on the Discovery Channel.
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a/n: Not my favorite chapter but...it was interesting to write...and NEXT CHAPTER...there will be a party...and Michael will be meeting some other Genovians...oh, and is Skinner Box going national? (Gasp) REVIEW IF YOU WANT AN UPDATE...:) Love you all! And Happy Thanksgiving!
God bless,
Legs
SHOUT INS:
Daydreamer-022: Lol. I HAD to put "I'm a Terrible Person" in there SOMEWHERE. Thanks for reviewing! Hope you liked this chapter. ;)
Gina: You know, I was going to explain why Michael was apologizing. But then I didn't. His was much more general. Just sort of a, "I'm sorry for not being as attentive and sensitive as I should have been. I got distracted by all the limelight. I'm still me and I still love you." That kind of thing. ANYHOW, glad you liked it. :) Mwah.
WhiteRabbit5: Huh, Lilly's book. Did not occur to me! You should write something about that. Hmmmmmmmmm...Thank you for reviewing, punkin! Let me know if you liked this chapter!
Spazjoslyn: Wow, you came over and reviewed this story, too! (Claps hands) Thank you! I have a plan for the next chapter of "A Voice." It should be up by this weekend. :) (hugs) Oh, and hope you liked Mikey in this chapter.
Olivia: (hugs) Support is what I need the most. It's like they always say, "The most important thing to have is a good bra." I mean, uh, THANK YOU FOR REVIEWING! Yes, that's what I MEANT to say. (clears throat) ANYWAY. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Hope you keep reading. :) I'll give you a gummy bear.
aPPle-FrrEAk: Thank you! Glad you enjoyed the Muffins and Munchees. Let me know if you have any brilliant ideas for future chapters. :D
Rac-rac: Oooh, fresh blood! Just what this web site needs! I command you to commence writing...IMMEDIATELY! Anyhow, thank you for your sweet review! Next chapter up soon. :)
blond1w/smelborp: Don't be sad! I posted more! (Hands out update) Here, here, here! And a brownie! Have a brownie...mmmmmmm...chocolatey goodness...Thank you for reviewing! What a compliment. Zowie. (Hugs)
Elly-Belly: I. LOVE. YOU. You said like the greatest thing anyone could have! I was praying my Michael wasn't stupid. I'm so sick of hearing that Michael is completely devoted to Mia and would die for her and all that...yeah, yeah. He's still human. Anyway, thank you! A new side of Michael in this chapter and I'm not sure what to make of it. Huh. Have a hug. :D
crushedoutgrl: Awww, thank you! (Dances around the room with Rene to Enrique, singing) I can be yoah hero, baby! I can wash away the pain! I will stand by you forevah! You...can...take...my breath away...Oh, I can be yoah hero...baby...I can...(is dragged off by Lars and Wahim)
Gaby11: Glad you "happen to like this story." ;) And sorry about the typo. I got that from another reviewer, too. I haven't gone back to change it, yet. But you're right. Thank you! :)
Renee Dumont: I've read some of "Forevermore." I'll try to get back and read more. Thank you, as always, for reviewing! :) Have some birthday cake. I don't know whose birthday it is but uh...we can pretend we know...(winks conspiratorially)
KAT: Addictions are bad. But...(sigh) I hoped you liked the chapter. And I understand so I'll have another out soon, I think. :) Thanks for reviewing!
imaginelet: Thank you, Let! (Heaps of hugs) You're not stupid! I forgot all kinds of stuff from the books. Which is why I have to reread parts before I write certain chapters. Thank you for another sweet review. :) Have a brownie. They aren't Shorty's since she doesn't read this story. But they're not bad...Shameeka made them.