My apologies, it's been three days. Shock horror.

Disclaimer: Meg Cabot owns all characters you recognise.

This chapter is relatively short, but there's only one more after it, and I won't take so long to update this time (I don't think). And if you work with me, I'll update tomorrow and you can have a new story by the weekend! How does that sound?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Michael's POV...

She broke up with Alex.

I knew that guy was all kinds of wrong for her, but I didn't think he'd actually cheat on her! Who cares about the long distance thing? Forrester isn't even that far away! Who cares if you have to drive a few hours to get to her to see her, she's well worth the effort.

I guess some guys just don't know how good they've got it.

I think she'll be better off without him now anyway.

Not that I'm going to make a move on her or anything. I made up my mind I was going to get over her, and move on. So that's what I'm doing.

I think it's even beginning to affect my health. I woke up with a sore throat this morning, I never have sore throats. I bet it's going to escalate into the flu or something if I don't get over Mia. It's like my body's way of telling me this thing with Mia is no good.

I've just got to get over her.

But that's a lot easier in theory.

* * *

Ring ring.

I sat up on my bed and reached for the phone. This had better be important, I'm not happy when people wake me up unecessarrily, even if it happens to be the middle of the afternoon.

"Hello?" I asked grogily.

"Michael? Are you drunk?"

"Lilly? No, why would you say that? I was sleeping."

"But it's three in the afternoon!"

"Your point being?"

"Nothing," she said. She knows what I'm like when I get woken up. "Look I was going to call you a few weeks ago, but things have been hectic and I never had time."

"Mmm?" So far this did not count as a conversation worthy of waking me up.

"Well, I spoke to Mia a while ago, and she told me what happened between you two."

Oh God, I was hoping she would never find out.

"And? What business is it of yours anyway?" I asked, stifiling back a yawn.

"Just listen to me ok? And shut up. Now, as I was saying, she told me you kissed her, and first of all, I've got to say I almost didn't think you had it in you. Good on you."

"Lilly, why are you congratulating me? It didn't exactly pan out the way I was hoping it would. As you probably know, me and Mia, yeah we're not together."

"I know that, silly. Let me finish..."

"No, Lilly, look, I don't really care for what you have to say, Mia and I are friends now, we've gotten over that little hiccup, and we're happy about it." I was lying, but I don't want a lecture from Lilly telling me to try again with Mia, because no matter how many times I try, I know nothing would ever come of it.

"But..." she protested.

"No but's, Lilly. It's over. I put myself out there, so she knows how I feel, and nothing has happened. So you have to get over it too. Just like I have."

"You're over her?"

"Yes. Completly."

I really didn't feel bad about lying to Lilly. I really didn't. It was just one of those things that had to be done. If I told her the truth, that I'm still secretly pining away for her like a love sick puppy dog, and am not the 'man' that I'm supposed to be, she'd never let up about it until it destroyed me. And I'm determinded not to let Lilly destroy me. I survived childhood with her. I've come a long way.

* * *

Finals are coming up. And I've been helping Mia prepare for hers. It's been hard, just like it was hard tutoring her in High School, but I couldn't say no to her. Even though I don't know much about Politics, I still know enough to help her.

At least she's not like Holly. At least she seems to understand what I say, and not let it slip through her brain like a sieve.

She should do alright. I hope she does. I'd hate to think that everything that has happened this year has hindered her in any way.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If Michael really has given up, then all seems lost for our perfect couple. Or is it? Dun dun dun, ONE CHAPTER TO GO!!!