MICHAEL
She assured me that I'd get into Columbia. I wish I had her confidence. Lilly didn't know that I had even applied. She believed that I wasn't applying anywhere and that I would end up a bum on the street because I was so lazy.
Mia had a strange look on her face, like she was worried about something. "What's going on now T.?" We were now at the point where we could read one another's expressions. But I had no idea what she was thinking about.
"Huh?"
"You are biting your upper lip, you are worried about something. Don't tell me Grandmere is at it again is she?" Upper lip was worried about something, biting the bottom lip was nervousness.
"Well, sort of. There is this dinner for the Genovian politicians that are over here. It's sort of an appreciation dinner. I have to go."
"Is that all?" I asked. There was something else.
"Grandmere has picked an escort- a date- for me."
I felt like someone had punched me in the stomach. "Oh?"
"I saw a picture of him the other day at my Princess Lesson."
"Oh. Good looking, no?" I didn't want her going on a date with some guy. Some other guy. But I guess I couldn't stop her, it wasn't like I was her boyfriend or anything.
"I don't like him Michael, not at all. Not even as a friend. I googled him online and he's weird. He is like, a chess champion and is way into polo. And was once arrested for stalking. I am surprised that passed Grandmere's radar."
"Oh?" I asked, happier this time. "Nothing wrong with chess I guess."
She smiled, "Is that all you can say?"
It was my turn to laugh and turn red. "No."
"You don't have a police record, do you?" she asked. She looked adorable when she asked random questions.
"Well, there was this one time I held up a bank, but they couldn't get a conviction," I joked. "Of course not. You've known me your entire life. Don't you think you would have known that?"
"Well, yeah, but nothing small or anything?" she asked. She didn't even laugh at my holding up a bank.
"No. What is this an interrogation?" I joked easily. I was still trying to get the image of her dancing with some other guy at this dinner out of my head. Why should he get to reap the benefits of my hard work. Okay, so maybe dancing with Mia isn't hard work but still.
"See, my dad convinced my grandmother to allow me to pick someone to come with me."
She had her arm linked with mine. "And I mentioned you as an option. Dad said you sounded like you had a lot going for you. A dinner with a princess would be an added bonus. Wanna come with me? I mean, you have to wear a tux and everything but it'll be fun." She kind of rolled her eyes when she talked about dinner with a princess as a bonus.
"I have dinner with a princess all the time though. Why should I have to wear a tux? Gee Mia, I dunno." Now that I was being invited I wasn't sure if I wanted to go or not. I sure did not want to meet her grandmother. She sounded scary.
"Come on Michael, please?" she asked with pleading eyes. "You said you would never leave me alone. You would be if you didn't come. I need someone to make fun of things with. Please?"
"Okay. When is it?" I couldn't resist a princess begging me for a date. Er, well, not dates per se, but a night out in formal wear.
"Next Friday."
"The night of the school dance that Lilly was bugging you to go to?"
"Oh and you are so up in the school spirit thing huh? Wait, how did you know she was doing that?" she teased.
"It's my job to snoop on my little sister. Fine. I'd be honored to be your escort."
"Michael?"
"Yeah?"
"Don't tell Lilly though. She's been acting really weird lately."
"How so?"
"Just, I, I don't want her to know about the whole princess thing" she whispered. "And she thinks we're spending too much time together."
"Jealousy?" I asked, looking at a happy couple skating in front of us. That was what I was feeling. Someday I'd be here with a girl I'm that much in love with.
"Possibly."
"I'd be jealous too I guess."
"Of what? Why?" she asked, shocked.
"I mean, if the tables were turned and you and I were best friends and then you became friendly with her and spent all of your time with her I'd be jealous."
"I'm not that special..."
"Sure you are, T. You're really great," I said, slipping on the ice and falling on my butt.
"That was special," she teased.
I pulled her down with me. Lars glared at me. He started making his way to us.
"Michael!" she screamed with a laugh. She waved Lars away.
"No sense in only one of our butts being bruised," I explained.
"Mine isn't as fat as yours...I have less padding," she argued. We were still lying on the ice.
I ignored her comment. I started to get up and leaned on my elbows. I noticed how the sunlight struck her hair and brought out her highlights. "You look really pretty today Thermopolis."
She looked up at me with her big doe eyes, "Thanks Moscovitz. I didn't realize that wearing five layers of clothes would make me pretty."
I leaned on my elbows and leaned down and kissed her forehead, "No need to compliment my appearance or anything," I said pulling for a compliment on the fact that I actually shaved. She always complained that I never did when we would go out together. She said that when we cuddled it hurt her face. That was the only time we would discuss our cuddling.
She smiled, "You don't need them. You always look nice."
This caused butterflies, yes butterflies, to appear in my stomach.
People skated around us. Many were giving dirty looks. "Think we should get up?" she asked
"Okay, that's fine with me, Mia. Let's head back to my place."
"No, you have to come to the dance, Mia. Kenny Showalter is going to be there and I know that he likes you!" Lilly pleaded with Mia as we ate out of the Chinese food cartons.
"Lilly, I told you. I have a dinner with my grandma." It sounded weird to hear her say grandma. Usually she had to say Grandmere. I guess it'd sound weird to Lilly.
"Michael, are you going with Judith?" Boris asked me.
"Hell no. Where did you hear that?"
"Well, we assumed that since Mia has to be with her grandmother on a Friday night what else would you do?" Lilly replied for him.
I looked at Mia. "I'll think about it. But I wouldn't go with Judith."
"Oh Boris, let's go get some more General Gow," Lilly said, pulling him toward the door. I think she has A.D.D. She always was skipping from one topic to another.
"Okay Lilly. We'll be right back guys."
"Hey, Mia?" I asked.
"Yeah?"
"Come with me for a second," I said, taking her hand.
"Sure."
I took her to my room and sat her down. I took out my guitar.
"Any originals yet?"
"Not yet. I haven't found my muse yet," I replied with a twinkle in my eye. I knew I was going to play something for her tonight so I made sure my room was neater than before. She looked impressed with the made bed. She looked different for some reason. Special even. Not her appearance really, she always looked the same to me, but there was something different...
I played her one song by Green Day.
"That was great Michael. Why haven't you told anyone else?"
"Why haven't you told Lilly about being a Princess?" I replied. Where the hell did that come from?
"I don't know. It just felt right to tell you, ya know?"
"Same here. I have something for you."
"Oh?"
I handed her a package wrapped in newspaper. I'm sure she's used to better packaging but I am on a fixed income.
She opened it and her eyes widened. She saw two SAVE THE WHALES shirts. A note explained that one was a backup incase Fat Louie got the scratches again.
"I'm glad we're friends, Michael," she said taking my hand. "And thank you."
"Me too, Mia," I replied. I kissed the top of her head. "I'm really glad we've grown close these past few months."
She smiled. "Ditto." I made a mental note about how nice her smile was. "Hey, let's surprise Lilly."
"And why would I want to do that?" I asked making a face.
"Cuz we can bake! When I was little I used to LOOOOVE baking. Besides Lilly deserves it."
"Again, why?"
"Because now I want to bake and we are going to do so. Oh, and if we bake cookies we can eat the cookie dough."
"She's going to be back soon though."
She gave me a pleading look. "Please?"
I rolled my eyes.
"That isn't very princess like."
"I am not a princess."
"Miiiiiiiichael!"
"Fine. But I am just eating the dough."
I liked doing these kinds of random things with her. She always thought of the most random things to do; things I would have other wise not done.
"That's too much flour," she said, reading the directions.
"Where the hell is Lilly, and no it isn't."
"I don't know. Maybe she went to China for the food. Yes it is too much Michael."
"You know what?" I said with the devil in my eye.
"What?" she asked, still looking at the recipe card.
"I know EXACTLY where to put this flour."
"Huh?"
With that I threw a handful at her face.
This started out innocent enough. Just like the M&M fight (hey, never thought of it, but Michael...Mia...odd). By the end of it both of our bodies had flour all over them.
"What the hell are you guys doing?" Lilly barked when she came back.
Mia and I froze. "Nothing."
"Okay Casper."
I decided to ignore the fact that Mia and I were totally covered in flour, "Where were you two?"
They both had sheepish grins. "No where."
"Okay Pinocchio," I said
"Lilly, when did you decide leaves in your hair is a good fashion statement?" Mia teased.
"After I made out with my boyfriend in the park."
"At night?" Mia and I said in unison.
"Uhm, yeah. It's not a big deal."
"Yeah, sure it's not."
"Go get dressed," she instructed. "We'll start the movie."
I couldn't help but notice how nice Mia looked in those jeans. She must have worn them before, how did I not notice before? She returned with a cami and low slung pants. She looked cute and cuddly. Where the hell am I? Who has taken over my thoughts? I NEVER say cute, and NEVER say cuddly.
She sat far away from me while we watched movies and for some reason my feelings were hurt. I didn't smell or anything. It was weird; it was like we were on a double date with my little sister. Lilly looked pleased, all cuddled up with Boris, and soon they stole off to her room "go over film" AKA, to make out. I rolled my eyes.
"Okay Thermopolis, what you want to watch?"
I had taken off my shirt once Lilly and Boris left. We started cuddling and watching one of her lifetime movies. Her skin felt warm against my chest. I had realized how nice our skin felt against one another already when we'd cuddled.
We started talking about how her dad was donating to Greenpeace everyday under her name. She was really excited about this. Who wouldn't be? I can answer that. Just about every other girl would be asking her dad to give HER money instead of whales so that she could buy new clothes.
She started brushing her fingers against my six pack. It tickled a little. But it was a good tickle.
"Michael, what if after I graduate high school Grandmere makes me marry some stranger from Europe who doesn't shower?"
I twiddled with her hair. "I won't let that happen, Princess."
"Oh? What would you do to stop that?"
I thought for a minute. I had originally just said it to calm her fears. "I'd take you to Vegas and have Elvis marry us in the Little White Wedding Chapel."
"How romantic. I'm sure Parliament would accept that as a marriage. But I did say I wanted to marry a man who showers..."
"I do shower on a regular basis."
"Okay, what else would make you an appropriate husband?" she asked, leaning on her elbow and drumming her fingers on my chest.
"Well for starters, you and I can carry a conversation," I started as I played with her hair.
"True." I ignored the fact that her position exposed her breasts; or at least I made a valiant attempt. As long as she doesn't notice I would be okay. When did I become such a horn ball? Keep it in check Moscovitz, she's Mia. Just Mia. Think about baseball. Think about horses. Think about your mom- okay, that cleared the mind for now.
"We are both pretty attractive and would produce good looking heirs to the Genovian throne. I can make you laugh. I can make you smile. Besides, you need someone who has the patience for your math skills. Or lack there of. I can speak fluently in three major European languages and am currently honing my English skills."
"You can speak three European languages?" she asked, shocked.
"Yeah. From all of those summers my parents brought us over there."
"What do you speak?" she asked, playing with my chest hair. That'd be weird for anyone else to do, but it was okay for her to do so.
"German, French and Spanish."
She smiled. "Then you'll be my husband if Grandmere picks out a gross guy?"
"I promise you Mia. I wouldn't let that happen to you. I promise. Now just put your head down and rest."
We fell asleep like that until Lilly and Boris came out of her room. Mia reluctantly got up and trudged into Lilly's room. Lilly shot me a glare. I was sure Mia would hear about the cuddling.
There was nothing sexual about it though. Honestly. She was my friend. My good looking friend. My funny friend. My smart friend. My- Oh please don't let me fall for her! Not that there'd be something wrong with that, but it'd just ruin everything. But I fear that it is too late to worry about that. It was already happening to me. I had fallen for the girl. She was the ideal girl. I had to forget it though. I needed her as a friend. But I could tell I had fallen too deep. I was already in 'like' with her.
She assured me that I'd get into Columbia. I wish I had her confidence. Lilly didn't know that I had even applied. She believed that I wasn't applying anywhere and that I would end up a bum on the street because I was so lazy.
Mia had a strange look on her face, like she was worried about something. "What's going on now T.?" We were now at the point where we could read one another's expressions. But I had no idea what she was thinking about.
"Huh?"
"You are biting your upper lip, you are worried about something. Don't tell me Grandmere is at it again is she?" Upper lip was worried about something, biting the bottom lip was nervousness.
"Well, sort of. There is this dinner for the Genovian politicians that are over here. It's sort of an appreciation dinner. I have to go."
"Is that all?" I asked. There was something else.
"Grandmere has picked an escort- a date- for me."
I felt like someone had punched me in the stomach. "Oh?"
"I saw a picture of him the other day at my Princess Lesson."
"Oh. Good looking, no?" I didn't want her going on a date with some guy. Some other guy. But I guess I couldn't stop her, it wasn't like I was her boyfriend or anything.
"I don't like him Michael, not at all. Not even as a friend. I googled him online and he's weird. He is like, a chess champion and is way into polo. And was once arrested for stalking. I am surprised that passed Grandmere's radar."
"Oh?" I asked, happier this time. "Nothing wrong with chess I guess."
She smiled, "Is that all you can say?"
It was my turn to laugh and turn red. "No."
"You don't have a police record, do you?" she asked. She looked adorable when she asked random questions.
"Well, there was this one time I held up a bank, but they couldn't get a conviction," I joked. "Of course not. You've known me your entire life. Don't you think you would have known that?"
"Well, yeah, but nothing small or anything?" she asked. She didn't even laugh at my holding up a bank.
"No. What is this an interrogation?" I joked easily. I was still trying to get the image of her dancing with some other guy at this dinner out of my head. Why should he get to reap the benefits of my hard work. Okay, so maybe dancing with Mia isn't hard work but still.
"See, my dad convinced my grandmother to allow me to pick someone to come with me."
She had her arm linked with mine. "And I mentioned you as an option. Dad said you sounded like you had a lot going for you. A dinner with a princess would be an added bonus. Wanna come with me? I mean, you have to wear a tux and everything but it'll be fun." She kind of rolled her eyes when she talked about dinner with a princess as a bonus.
"I have dinner with a princess all the time though. Why should I have to wear a tux? Gee Mia, I dunno." Now that I was being invited I wasn't sure if I wanted to go or not. I sure did not want to meet her grandmother. She sounded scary.
"Come on Michael, please?" she asked with pleading eyes. "You said you would never leave me alone. You would be if you didn't come. I need someone to make fun of things with. Please?"
"Okay. When is it?" I couldn't resist a princess begging me for a date. Er, well, not dates per se, but a night out in formal wear.
"Next Friday."
"The night of the school dance that Lilly was bugging you to go to?"
"Oh and you are so up in the school spirit thing huh? Wait, how did you know she was doing that?" she teased.
"It's my job to snoop on my little sister. Fine. I'd be honored to be your escort."
"Michael?"
"Yeah?"
"Don't tell Lilly though. She's been acting really weird lately."
"How so?"
"Just, I, I don't want her to know about the whole princess thing" she whispered. "And she thinks we're spending too much time together."
"Jealousy?" I asked, looking at a happy couple skating in front of us. That was what I was feeling. Someday I'd be here with a girl I'm that much in love with.
"Possibly."
"I'd be jealous too I guess."
"Of what? Why?" she asked, shocked.
"I mean, if the tables were turned and you and I were best friends and then you became friendly with her and spent all of your time with her I'd be jealous."
"I'm not that special..."
"Sure you are, T. You're really great," I said, slipping on the ice and falling on my butt.
"That was special," she teased.
I pulled her down with me. Lars glared at me. He started making his way to us.
"Michael!" she screamed with a laugh. She waved Lars away.
"No sense in only one of our butts being bruised," I explained.
"Mine isn't as fat as yours...I have less padding," she argued. We were still lying on the ice.
I ignored her comment. I started to get up and leaned on my elbows. I noticed how the sunlight struck her hair and brought out her highlights. "You look really pretty today Thermopolis."
She looked up at me with her big doe eyes, "Thanks Moscovitz. I didn't realize that wearing five layers of clothes would make me pretty."
I leaned on my elbows and leaned down and kissed her forehead, "No need to compliment my appearance or anything," I said pulling for a compliment on the fact that I actually shaved. She always complained that I never did when we would go out together. She said that when we cuddled it hurt her face. That was the only time we would discuss our cuddling.
She smiled, "You don't need them. You always look nice."
This caused butterflies, yes butterflies, to appear in my stomach.
People skated around us. Many were giving dirty looks. "Think we should get up?" she asked
"Okay, that's fine with me, Mia. Let's head back to my place."
"No, you have to come to the dance, Mia. Kenny Showalter is going to be there and I know that he likes you!" Lilly pleaded with Mia as we ate out of the Chinese food cartons.
"Lilly, I told you. I have a dinner with my grandma." It sounded weird to hear her say grandma. Usually she had to say Grandmere. I guess it'd sound weird to Lilly.
"Michael, are you going with Judith?" Boris asked me.
"Hell no. Where did you hear that?"
"Well, we assumed that since Mia has to be with her grandmother on a Friday night what else would you do?" Lilly replied for him.
I looked at Mia. "I'll think about it. But I wouldn't go with Judith."
"Oh Boris, let's go get some more General Gow," Lilly said, pulling him toward the door. I think she has A.D.D. She always was skipping from one topic to another.
"Okay Lilly. We'll be right back guys."
"Hey, Mia?" I asked.
"Yeah?"
"Come with me for a second," I said, taking her hand.
"Sure."
I took her to my room and sat her down. I took out my guitar.
"Any originals yet?"
"Not yet. I haven't found my muse yet," I replied with a twinkle in my eye. I knew I was going to play something for her tonight so I made sure my room was neater than before. She looked impressed with the made bed. She looked different for some reason. Special even. Not her appearance really, she always looked the same to me, but there was something different...
I played her one song by Green Day.
"That was great Michael. Why haven't you told anyone else?"
"Why haven't you told Lilly about being a Princess?" I replied. Where the hell did that come from?
"I don't know. It just felt right to tell you, ya know?"
"Same here. I have something for you."
"Oh?"
I handed her a package wrapped in newspaper. I'm sure she's used to better packaging but I am on a fixed income.
She opened it and her eyes widened. She saw two SAVE THE WHALES shirts. A note explained that one was a backup incase Fat Louie got the scratches again.
"I'm glad we're friends, Michael," she said taking my hand. "And thank you."
"Me too, Mia," I replied. I kissed the top of her head. "I'm really glad we've grown close these past few months."
She smiled. "Ditto." I made a mental note about how nice her smile was. "Hey, let's surprise Lilly."
"And why would I want to do that?" I asked making a face.
"Cuz we can bake! When I was little I used to LOOOOVE baking. Besides Lilly deserves it."
"Again, why?"
"Because now I want to bake and we are going to do so. Oh, and if we bake cookies we can eat the cookie dough."
"She's going to be back soon though."
She gave me a pleading look. "Please?"
I rolled my eyes.
"That isn't very princess like."
"I am not a princess."
"Miiiiiiiichael!"
"Fine. But I am just eating the dough."
I liked doing these kinds of random things with her. She always thought of the most random things to do; things I would have other wise not done.
"That's too much flour," she said, reading the directions.
"Where the hell is Lilly, and no it isn't."
"I don't know. Maybe she went to China for the food. Yes it is too much Michael."
"You know what?" I said with the devil in my eye.
"What?" she asked, still looking at the recipe card.
"I know EXACTLY where to put this flour."
"Huh?"
With that I threw a handful at her face.
This started out innocent enough. Just like the M&M fight (hey, never thought of it, but Michael...Mia...odd). By the end of it both of our bodies had flour all over them.
"What the hell are you guys doing?" Lilly barked when she came back.
Mia and I froze. "Nothing."
"Okay Casper."
I decided to ignore the fact that Mia and I were totally covered in flour, "Where were you two?"
They both had sheepish grins. "No where."
"Okay Pinocchio," I said
"Lilly, when did you decide leaves in your hair is a good fashion statement?" Mia teased.
"After I made out with my boyfriend in the park."
"At night?" Mia and I said in unison.
"Uhm, yeah. It's not a big deal."
"Yeah, sure it's not."
"Go get dressed," she instructed. "We'll start the movie."
I couldn't help but notice how nice Mia looked in those jeans. She must have worn them before, how did I not notice before? She returned with a cami and low slung pants. She looked cute and cuddly. Where the hell am I? Who has taken over my thoughts? I NEVER say cute, and NEVER say cuddly.
She sat far away from me while we watched movies and for some reason my feelings were hurt. I didn't smell or anything. It was weird; it was like we were on a double date with my little sister. Lilly looked pleased, all cuddled up with Boris, and soon they stole off to her room "go over film" AKA, to make out. I rolled my eyes.
"Okay Thermopolis, what you want to watch?"
I had taken off my shirt once Lilly and Boris left. We started cuddling and watching one of her lifetime movies. Her skin felt warm against my chest. I had realized how nice our skin felt against one another already when we'd cuddled.
We started talking about how her dad was donating to Greenpeace everyday under her name. She was really excited about this. Who wouldn't be? I can answer that. Just about every other girl would be asking her dad to give HER money instead of whales so that she could buy new clothes.
She started brushing her fingers against my six pack. It tickled a little. But it was a good tickle.
"Michael, what if after I graduate high school Grandmere makes me marry some stranger from Europe who doesn't shower?"
I twiddled with her hair. "I won't let that happen, Princess."
"Oh? What would you do to stop that?"
I thought for a minute. I had originally just said it to calm her fears. "I'd take you to Vegas and have Elvis marry us in the Little White Wedding Chapel."
"How romantic. I'm sure Parliament would accept that as a marriage. But I did say I wanted to marry a man who showers..."
"I do shower on a regular basis."
"Okay, what else would make you an appropriate husband?" she asked, leaning on her elbow and drumming her fingers on my chest.
"Well for starters, you and I can carry a conversation," I started as I played with her hair.
"True." I ignored the fact that her position exposed her breasts; or at least I made a valiant attempt. As long as she doesn't notice I would be okay. When did I become such a horn ball? Keep it in check Moscovitz, she's Mia. Just Mia. Think about baseball. Think about horses. Think about your mom- okay, that cleared the mind for now.
"We are both pretty attractive and would produce good looking heirs to the Genovian throne. I can make you laugh. I can make you smile. Besides, you need someone who has the patience for your math skills. Or lack there of. I can speak fluently in three major European languages and am currently honing my English skills."
"You can speak three European languages?" she asked, shocked.
"Yeah. From all of those summers my parents brought us over there."
"What do you speak?" she asked, playing with my chest hair. That'd be weird for anyone else to do, but it was okay for her to do so.
"German, French and Spanish."
She smiled. "Then you'll be my husband if Grandmere picks out a gross guy?"
"I promise you Mia. I wouldn't let that happen to you. I promise. Now just put your head down and rest."
We fell asleep like that until Lilly and Boris came out of her room. Mia reluctantly got up and trudged into Lilly's room. Lilly shot me a glare. I was sure Mia would hear about the cuddling.
There was nothing sexual about it though. Honestly. She was my friend. My good looking friend. My funny friend. My smart friend. My- Oh please don't let me fall for her! Not that there'd be something wrong with that, but it'd just ruin everything. But I fear that it is too late to worry about that. It was already happening to me. I had fallen for the girl. She was the ideal girl. I had to forget it though. I needed her as a friend. But I could tell I had fallen too deep. I was already in 'like' with her.
