Disclaimer: See previous chapters.
A/N: Forgive me for the liberties I'm going to start taking with this story... for example, the cards.... Aren't going to happen the way they did in the books... Starting with this chapter I'm going to really pull away what Meg Cabot wrote.
Basically, the time frame I want the "production" to happen in is around Valentine's day... with in a week or so.
Random: HeeHee, my computer thinks I spelt "Moscovitz" wrong, and that I should actually spell it: Muscovite... that makes me laugh. "Musk-co-vite" :- ) ============================================== ==============================================
(Lilly's room)
Tina keeps teasing me because I have been spending so much time with Michael. She always tells me that he wouldn't want to spend so much time with me if he didn't love me too.
She always laughs when I deny it. Smiling as she tells me that Romeo & Juliet is such a romantic play, if there is any doubt now that he loves me, than there won't be by the end of the play production. What is that supposed to mean?
But I know the real reason why he has been helping me. He pities me. Despite what he says, he really does pity me. He knows how horrible I am at public speaking and feels obligated to help me because I'm his little sister's best friend.
Regardless of this, I love every moment with him. And this project is giving me an excuse to avoid going on dates with Kenny. Which means fewer kisses from Kenny.
Ugh. Just thinking about it makes me want a tic-tac. Or a barf bag, and then the tic-tac.
Anyways, I spent this afternoon rehearsing with Michael Act 1, scene 5, Lilly was a bunch of miscellaneous characters. And unfortunately, Kenny insisted on tagging along. I hope he doesn't get the idea he can do this all the time. This is how it went:
Romeo/Michael: [taking my hand] If I profane with my unworthiest hand This holy shrine, the gentle sin is this: My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss.
The whole time he looked in to my eyes as he recited the lines. We'd been over enough that he already knew his lines. I ... still didn't know mine. But after that, he brought his hand to his mouth. And then he kissed my hand!! His lips caressed my hand so lightly I almost didn't feel it. I blushed madly, and so did he. I saw Lilly smirking, and vaguely heard Kenny protesting. I wasn't paying attention to either of them. Michael Moscovitz just kissed my hand!
Lilly cleared her throat and pointed at my book. I felt my face heat up even more.
Juliet/Me: Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much, Which mannerly devotion shows in this; For saints have hands that pilgrims' hands do touch, and palm to palm is holy palmers' kiss.
I read it directly from the book, I could do that smooth enough. Michael was still holding my hand. He was just about to go on to the next line when Lilly interrupted.
"Hold on, hold on," Michael looked over at her, peeved. "Mia, you have to memorize your part sooner or later. You should start now. Give me the book." I didn't want to. I didn't know even the smallest part of my lines. She didn't give me a choice. She just grabbed it out of my hand. (Michael still was holding my other hand!!!)
"I'll prompt you if you need it," she said. And this time with a wicked grin, she added, "And lets put some heart into you two! Act like your confessing your love for someone!"
I flushed once more. Oh god. She knew. She had to know. I was scared of what she might do if she knew. I looked down at Michael to see he was blushing too. Avoiding my gaze, he was just as uncomfortable about this as I was. *please, please, don't let him realize what she's hinting at.* I prayed. He was glaring at Lilly.
Kenny still hadn't said anything. But had moved closer to me. We were practicing in the Moscovitz's living room. Michael and I were standing, and Lilly sat on the coach near by. Kenny sat down near her.
"Alright, lets start."
And so we did it once more. Lilly read every one of my lines, and I said it after her. Michael kissed my hand a second time. Still holding it, we went on.
R: Have not saints lips, and holy palmers too?
Michael looked at me intently, holding my hand closer to his heart.
J: Ay, pilgrim, that they must use in prayer.
R: O then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do. They pray: grant thou, lest faith turn to despair
J: Saints do not move, though grant for prayers' sake.
R: Then move not while my prayer's effect I take.
He stopped, blushing. Lilly wasn't saying anything so I tore my eyes from Michael's. Lilly had a perfect serious face on, though I could see in her eyes she was enjoying this.
"You're supposed to kiss," she said, looking at me with out a hint of a smile. I could still hear it in her voice though.
Kenny stood up at this. "I don't like the idea of Mia kissing some one else," he protested.
Lilly looked over at him exasperated. "You might as well get used to the idea Kenny, she'll have to for the play. She's Juliet. Its either Michael or someone else."
I suddenly remembered the other boy, the real Romeo. But Michael finally spoke.
"I guess we might as well get it over with then," he whispered. My heart pounded, he wanted to get it over with. I knew I would never have a chance with him now.
Our lips met, and both of us quickly pulled away. He was disgusted with me. I knew it. Or maybe it was because of Kenny, because I had a boyfriend. No, that didn't matter, he thought I was a disgusting freak, dating Kenny just added to it all.
"Thus from my lips, by thine, my sin is purged." He recited his lines, still very red, but he continued to look me in the eye. Lilly prompted me, and I repeated her.
"Then have my lips the sin that they have took." It sounded as if I had croaked. What's wrong with me?
R: Sin from my lips? O trespass sweetly urged! Give me my sin again.
When Lilly didn't prompt me right away, I knew what was going happen. I sighed and looked back at him, shrugging. I didn't want it to look like I was excited, even though I really was! And then I remembered Kenny and felt bad. It should be Kenny I want to kiss....
Michael leaned forward and clothed his eyes. I closed mine too. This time, the contact between us lasted a fraction longer. It felt as though an electric shock had been sent through my body. My knees weakened slightly, and I felt a dizzy sensation.
"Well," said Lilly clapping her hands. "That took at least twenty minutes longer than it should have." She looked at Michael. "I think we need to run through it a few more times, to get it all a bit smoother."
Kenny was standing, he reached for my free hand. Michael promptly released my other hand. His face was red, still. Did I disgust him that much?
"We should go Mia, you can practice it some other time."
"Kenny, I'm spending the night. I'm helping Lilly with her show later," I said, I felt a little guilty about that. I didn't really want to spend time with Kenny, but he was my boyfriend. And I would be spending the night at the Moscovitz's with the real love of my life.
"Oh," he looked at me a little hurt. "I had better leave anyways." He leaned forward to kiss me, but I turned my head slightly, and he kissed my cheek. I didn't want the feeling of Michael's lips to be replaced by Kenny's.
"I love you," he said.
"I know," I replied. How horrible is that? I couldn't even say it back!
Kenny left and I looked over at Michael, he was watching Kenny close the door, a disgusted look on his face. God! Did he really dislike me that much? That he couldn't even hide it even more?
Lilly looked up from my book. "Ready love birds? Lets do it again."
Michael looked furiously at Lilly but she didn't notice. I expected him to tell her that just because his little sister's best friend had a crush on him, doesn't mean they were "love birds."
Instead, he said, "Lilly, do you mind?" He pointed towards her door, gesturing for her to get out.
Lilly grunted, annoyed, but instead of yelling at him to get out, she left. Something really strange was going on here. Weirder yet, she closed the door behind her.
I flopped down on the bed, looking at Michael for some clue as to what might be happening. He shrugged and sat down next to me.
---------------------------------
(Michael's POV)
I looked at her, she looked at me. It was all very... calming. Suddenly she started to giggle. I don't know why, but it was extremely contagious.
Grinning, I let myself lay on the bed. Mia looked at me a broad smile on her face. Suddenly, I let myself reach up and tickle her.
She shrieked coiling herself down, trying to roll away from me, or at least onto my arms so that I couldn't do anything. Unfortunately for her, she doesn't weigh enough to stop me, I pulled out an arm so that I could wrap myself around her.
She wiggled, resisting me, calling out how unfair it was that she wasn't as strong as I was.
I pulled her closer to me, her back against my chest. She had just settled down when I continued to tickle her ruthlessly once more. She yelped some more, a big grin on her face as she rolled to face me.
One of my arms was securely stuck underneath her. But it didn't stop the other one from roaming to her head, running my fingers through her soft hair.
She didn't run, which I took for being a good sign. Instead, she looked at me intently, and said my name.
"Yes?" I asked.
"Nothing, I just like to say your name," Mia smiled at me again. I won't complain about that.
"Mia," I said, this time it was my turn.
"Yes, Michael?" she asked, grinning.
"I just wanted to say your name," I said, returning the favor. "And do this," I leaned forward and kissed her lightly on the lips.
"Michael?" God, I love it when she says my name. But right now... I was petrified that she might run from me.
"Yes?" I asked, my eyes still closed from the kiss. Hey, I was trying to savor the moment.
"Do that again," she put her hand on my neck, her thumb running over my lips.
"Any time, Thermopolis," I responded happily.
What can I say? I don't know how long it lasted. But as we lay there, lustfully swapping spit, I felt like all of this was natural. Like it was meant to be.
I used my hand underneath Mia to roll her partially on top of me. She in turn, propped herself up slightly onto one elbow. Probably with the intent of making sure she didn't smother me or something. Personally, I don't know why, I wouldn't have minded if all of her weight were on me...
Anyways, her other hand fingered my hair, caressing my scalp. I held her protectively, one or two fingers protectively leaving a lingering touch as I caressed her back, along her spine. Occasionally, she trembled in my arms, giving me the response I wanted. My other hand continued to stroke her hair, or my thumb would gently rub her cheek.
I felt myself give into her completely when she pulled away and whispered my name again.
"Today has been fun," she whispered. "Thank you."
I would have done anything for her, right then.
Someone cleared their throat. I was sure I imagined it, after all, Mia's lips were still against mine.
So I continued to kiss her, I even let my hands go to the bottom of her shirt, and slid underneath it, my fingers touching her skin.
"Um. Ew."
This time, it was definitely not imagined, especially as Mia began to pull away.
"Uh, Lilly! Hi..." Mia said flustered. I sat up and wrapped my arms around her small waist, and let my chin rest on her shoulder.
Lilly looked at me, probably calculating everything she'd witnessed. I held her gaze though, this was one time I wouldn't shy away.
"Well then," Lilly said apparently ready to move on. "I'm hungry. What do you two want for dinner?"
"Vegetarian pizza?" asked Mia.
Lilly sighed, "Michael?"
I grinned at her, "Vegetarian pizza."
"Really? Is that how things are going to be now?" she demanded accusingly.
Neither Mia nor I answered, unhappily, she stomped her foot and left.
"Mia, can I tell you something?" I was going to do it. I was going to tell her I loved her and asked if she would go out with me. Ask, maybe, did I have a chance that she would love me too?
She gave me this funny look and said yes.
While I started to ask her, Lilly came stomping back into her room, shouting, "What about Kenny?! What about Kenny?! Huh? Kenny!"
She then promptly left, slamming the door behind her. Okay this was really strange of her. It had seemed like she supported my making a move on her best friend and suddenly she's trying to ruin that? What the hell is her problem?
Sudden mood swings are normal for Lilly, especially if they swing from annoyingly aggressive and opinionated, to extremely annoyingly aggressive and opinionated... but this was just random. It has to be a female thing.
Mia, apparently realizing she technically still had a boyfriend went a- wall, crying, and into the bathroom.
Damn it, Lilly! Why do you always have to spoil things?
------------------------------
After Mia came out of the bathroom, she refused to look at me, and would only say a few things to me. No matter how I tried to talk to her, she wouldn't answer. But my sister was still in the room so confessing my already long-term, everlasting, eternal love for her... would have been mortifying.
Lilly, obviously irritated for something I did, (I really think it must be PMS or something) just told me to shut up and go away. And soon, she took Mia's silence even further, when I tried to speak to Mia, she'd cut me off yelling at me to get out of the room.
I couldn't think of anything else to do, so I did leave. And I hate sitting in my room here, knowing what happened earlier, but not being able to do anything about it.
Mia couldn't have kissed me like that with out having some base of feelings other than platonic, right? Right?
And she'll break up with Kenny for me, right?
I wish you could talk to me right now... damn computers lacking actual intelligence.
-------------------------------------
(Mia's POV)
Michael wouldn't leave. I didn't know what to do. I needed to talk to someone. But not Lilly, I mean, she's Michael's SISTER. She could tell him how I want desperately to go back into that room and find out what he wanted to ask. She could tell him how desperately I wanted to have Kenny disappear off the face of the planet, or at least New York.
Instead of letting him talk to me, I just sort of ignored him. I couldn't tell him how I felt! Lilly was still in the room, I don't even know if I could have with out Lilly in the room.
So Lilly and I started to try and work on her show. (This week was supposed to be on the problematically small vocabulary the average teenager has. See? I am not one of them.) We were going through dictionaries for random words. And then were going to pull out the phone book and call random people and survey them, the tapes would be played back on Lilly's show.
Lilly threw the book she had aside as soon as he left hearing range. "So when exactly were you going to tell me you have a crush on my brother?" she asked accusingly.
Oh god. Here goes.
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(Next day)
Lilly's interrogation was horrible. She was too mad, and I was too upset, so we didn't really work on her show. Instead, we went to sleep early after watching one Life Time movie to cool off.
Then the next morning at 8:00 am sharp, Lars showed up to take me to Princess Lessons at 8:30. During which Grandmére lectured me about how arriving too early is just as harmful as arriving late, despite that she knew I was so eager to meet Jane Lee. (And of course spend the day with my beloved Grandmère. Yeah, right.)
Jane Lee is this very beautiful woman, which I think is funny because she's also kind of... plump. But guess what?! She plays the tea-cup's mother in Beauty and the Beast! How cool is that!
Anyways, she helped me a lot, and showed me some things that Mandella hadn't. I described Mandella to her and the things Mandella had told me to do, she said that Mandella was very knowledgeable. That is so cool.
Anyways, Jane Lee is like 30 I think, but she is soo nice, and she's known nationally for her performance in some other play. (I can't remember the name of it.) I can't believe she was cast in such a small part! But she says she loves it so she wouldn't give it up.
Grandmére was very quiet during the whole thing, it was... nice. She let Jane Lee have almost complete control. Except during lunch. And then I got lectured on different families of Genovia once more.
When princess lessons were done, I got home and I called Tina right away. I had to talk to her about yesterday.
Our conversation went like this:
Tina: Oh my, God! He kissed you? He really kissed you?
Me: Yes! It was so, great. It was nothing like Kenny tries to kiss me. You're right; the frenching comes natural when it's the right person.
T: You frenched him?
M: Yea, but Lilly came in.
I didn't mention that I had been on top of Michael, or that his hand had started to go up my shirt. I didn't mention that'd just sort of spontaneously happened. Tina seemed to understand that part wasn't something I wanted to talk about right now. Besides it was something really private, really personal. Like a cherished memory that you don't want to spoil by trying to explain it to someone else.
T: That had to have been so weird. He's her older brother after all.
M: I know. And she went ballistic on me for a little bit there too, about how I didn't tell her and everything.
T: What if she told Michael? I wouldn't have said anything either.
Tina! You're the best! You understand how I feel SO well! Thank you!
M: Exactly. But actually I wondered what I should do about Kenny. I'm pretty sure Michael likes me you know? Other wise he wouldn't have kissed me, would he?
T: I don't think so, not like that. Besides it's MICHAEL, not some other boy. Just break up with Kenny.
M: It's a week before finals though! I don't want to put this on his shoulders on top of the pressure to pass. What if he gets really upset and fails all of his tests because of me?! I'd feel soo bad!
And he helps me a lot with Biology, with out him, I don't think I would be passing anyways. What if he won't help me after I dump him? I have a lot to study for, losing one source of my information would be so mad. Just like if Michael suddenly decided not to help me with Algebra.
T: Hm. Well you can't go out with Michael until Kenny's out of the picture.
M: I know...
Oh god, trust me, I know. I had a dream about it last night, basically, the whole afternoon, all over again, except Lilly never interrupted us. I would love it if Kenny would only just conviently ... poof!
T: You talked to Michael about how you feel right?
M: No...
How could I? I practically ignored him after it all. I felt so guilty about what being the world's worst girlfriend, how could I talk to the real target of my affections?
T: Mia!
M: Tina, I'm scared. What if he WAS just using me?
T: He wasn't using you.
M: But he never said, 'I love you, Mia.'
T: Did he have the chance?
M: I don't know...
Was that what he was trying to tell me when Lilly shouted Kenny's name?
T: You won't know until you talk to him. Mia, I almost agree with Lilly. You need to get rid of your fear of confrontation.
M: You wouldn't want to be rejected either!
T: I read a story like this once, and the girl sent letters to the boy she liked, she didn't sign them at first, and then when she thought it would be okay, she signed them. When he found it was her, he asked her out right away.
M: Yeah! And that way he can't tell me how stupid I am right to my face!
Tina, you are so brilliant. Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
T: You're not stupid, Mia. And Michael doesn't think so either. You want to look for cards or something Monday?
M: Sure. Look, my mom wants me to get off the phone, I gotta go, okay?
T: Bye, Mia.
M: Bye, Tina.
===================================================== =====================================================
Okay, really horrible place to stop. In fact I don't really like the ending, but I wanted to get this chapter up. I may change it when I get the chance. I'll let you know when/if I do that.
I wrote this chapter a while ago and was proofing it when I realized I didn't like the previous ending, so I changed it drastically.
At the same time, ... I think I'll end up writing that one anyways. So once I finish the story, expect a series of "alternate ending" chapters. It won't be HUGELY different, but still, quite different how they get together.
If you were expecting M&M to get together.... I couldn't let them! There's still the production remember?
.... I guess that's all I've got to say for now.
A/N: Forgive me for the liberties I'm going to start taking with this story... for example, the cards.... Aren't going to happen the way they did in the books... Starting with this chapter I'm going to really pull away what Meg Cabot wrote.
Basically, the time frame I want the "production" to happen in is around Valentine's day... with in a week or so.
Random: HeeHee, my computer thinks I spelt "Moscovitz" wrong, and that I should actually spell it: Muscovite... that makes me laugh. "Musk-co-vite" :- ) ============================================== ==============================================
(Lilly's room)
Tina keeps teasing me because I have been spending so much time with Michael. She always tells me that he wouldn't want to spend so much time with me if he didn't love me too.
She always laughs when I deny it. Smiling as she tells me that Romeo & Juliet is such a romantic play, if there is any doubt now that he loves me, than there won't be by the end of the play production. What is that supposed to mean?
But I know the real reason why he has been helping me. He pities me. Despite what he says, he really does pity me. He knows how horrible I am at public speaking and feels obligated to help me because I'm his little sister's best friend.
Regardless of this, I love every moment with him. And this project is giving me an excuse to avoid going on dates with Kenny. Which means fewer kisses from Kenny.
Ugh. Just thinking about it makes me want a tic-tac. Or a barf bag, and then the tic-tac.
Anyways, I spent this afternoon rehearsing with Michael Act 1, scene 5, Lilly was a bunch of miscellaneous characters. And unfortunately, Kenny insisted on tagging along. I hope he doesn't get the idea he can do this all the time. This is how it went:
Romeo/Michael: [taking my hand] If I profane with my unworthiest hand This holy shrine, the gentle sin is this: My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss.
The whole time he looked in to my eyes as he recited the lines. We'd been over enough that he already knew his lines. I ... still didn't know mine. But after that, he brought his hand to his mouth. And then he kissed my hand!! His lips caressed my hand so lightly I almost didn't feel it. I blushed madly, and so did he. I saw Lilly smirking, and vaguely heard Kenny protesting. I wasn't paying attention to either of them. Michael Moscovitz just kissed my hand!
Lilly cleared her throat and pointed at my book. I felt my face heat up even more.
Juliet/Me: Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much, Which mannerly devotion shows in this; For saints have hands that pilgrims' hands do touch, and palm to palm is holy palmers' kiss.
I read it directly from the book, I could do that smooth enough. Michael was still holding my hand. He was just about to go on to the next line when Lilly interrupted.
"Hold on, hold on," Michael looked over at her, peeved. "Mia, you have to memorize your part sooner or later. You should start now. Give me the book." I didn't want to. I didn't know even the smallest part of my lines. She didn't give me a choice. She just grabbed it out of my hand. (Michael still was holding my other hand!!!)
"I'll prompt you if you need it," she said. And this time with a wicked grin, she added, "And lets put some heart into you two! Act like your confessing your love for someone!"
I flushed once more. Oh god. She knew. She had to know. I was scared of what she might do if she knew. I looked down at Michael to see he was blushing too. Avoiding my gaze, he was just as uncomfortable about this as I was. *please, please, don't let him realize what she's hinting at.* I prayed. He was glaring at Lilly.
Kenny still hadn't said anything. But had moved closer to me. We were practicing in the Moscovitz's living room. Michael and I were standing, and Lilly sat on the coach near by. Kenny sat down near her.
"Alright, lets start."
And so we did it once more. Lilly read every one of my lines, and I said it after her. Michael kissed my hand a second time. Still holding it, we went on.
R: Have not saints lips, and holy palmers too?
Michael looked at me intently, holding my hand closer to his heart.
J: Ay, pilgrim, that they must use in prayer.
R: O then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do. They pray: grant thou, lest faith turn to despair
J: Saints do not move, though grant for prayers' sake.
R: Then move not while my prayer's effect I take.
He stopped, blushing. Lilly wasn't saying anything so I tore my eyes from Michael's. Lilly had a perfect serious face on, though I could see in her eyes she was enjoying this.
"You're supposed to kiss," she said, looking at me with out a hint of a smile. I could still hear it in her voice though.
Kenny stood up at this. "I don't like the idea of Mia kissing some one else," he protested.
Lilly looked over at him exasperated. "You might as well get used to the idea Kenny, she'll have to for the play. She's Juliet. Its either Michael or someone else."
I suddenly remembered the other boy, the real Romeo. But Michael finally spoke.
"I guess we might as well get it over with then," he whispered. My heart pounded, he wanted to get it over with. I knew I would never have a chance with him now.
Our lips met, and both of us quickly pulled away. He was disgusted with me. I knew it. Or maybe it was because of Kenny, because I had a boyfriend. No, that didn't matter, he thought I was a disgusting freak, dating Kenny just added to it all.
"Thus from my lips, by thine, my sin is purged." He recited his lines, still very red, but he continued to look me in the eye. Lilly prompted me, and I repeated her.
"Then have my lips the sin that they have took." It sounded as if I had croaked. What's wrong with me?
R: Sin from my lips? O trespass sweetly urged! Give me my sin again.
When Lilly didn't prompt me right away, I knew what was going happen. I sighed and looked back at him, shrugging. I didn't want it to look like I was excited, even though I really was! And then I remembered Kenny and felt bad. It should be Kenny I want to kiss....
Michael leaned forward and clothed his eyes. I closed mine too. This time, the contact between us lasted a fraction longer. It felt as though an electric shock had been sent through my body. My knees weakened slightly, and I felt a dizzy sensation.
"Well," said Lilly clapping her hands. "That took at least twenty minutes longer than it should have." She looked at Michael. "I think we need to run through it a few more times, to get it all a bit smoother."
Kenny was standing, he reached for my free hand. Michael promptly released my other hand. His face was red, still. Did I disgust him that much?
"We should go Mia, you can practice it some other time."
"Kenny, I'm spending the night. I'm helping Lilly with her show later," I said, I felt a little guilty about that. I didn't really want to spend time with Kenny, but he was my boyfriend. And I would be spending the night at the Moscovitz's with the real love of my life.
"Oh," he looked at me a little hurt. "I had better leave anyways." He leaned forward to kiss me, but I turned my head slightly, and he kissed my cheek. I didn't want the feeling of Michael's lips to be replaced by Kenny's.
"I love you," he said.
"I know," I replied. How horrible is that? I couldn't even say it back!
Kenny left and I looked over at Michael, he was watching Kenny close the door, a disgusted look on his face. God! Did he really dislike me that much? That he couldn't even hide it even more?
Lilly looked up from my book. "Ready love birds? Lets do it again."
Michael looked furiously at Lilly but she didn't notice. I expected him to tell her that just because his little sister's best friend had a crush on him, doesn't mean they were "love birds."
Instead, he said, "Lilly, do you mind?" He pointed towards her door, gesturing for her to get out.
Lilly grunted, annoyed, but instead of yelling at him to get out, she left. Something really strange was going on here. Weirder yet, she closed the door behind her.
I flopped down on the bed, looking at Michael for some clue as to what might be happening. He shrugged and sat down next to me.
---------------------------------
(Michael's POV)
I looked at her, she looked at me. It was all very... calming. Suddenly she started to giggle. I don't know why, but it was extremely contagious.
Grinning, I let myself lay on the bed. Mia looked at me a broad smile on her face. Suddenly, I let myself reach up and tickle her.
She shrieked coiling herself down, trying to roll away from me, or at least onto my arms so that I couldn't do anything. Unfortunately for her, she doesn't weigh enough to stop me, I pulled out an arm so that I could wrap myself around her.
She wiggled, resisting me, calling out how unfair it was that she wasn't as strong as I was.
I pulled her closer to me, her back against my chest. She had just settled down when I continued to tickle her ruthlessly once more. She yelped some more, a big grin on her face as she rolled to face me.
One of my arms was securely stuck underneath her. But it didn't stop the other one from roaming to her head, running my fingers through her soft hair.
She didn't run, which I took for being a good sign. Instead, she looked at me intently, and said my name.
"Yes?" I asked.
"Nothing, I just like to say your name," Mia smiled at me again. I won't complain about that.
"Mia," I said, this time it was my turn.
"Yes, Michael?" she asked, grinning.
"I just wanted to say your name," I said, returning the favor. "And do this," I leaned forward and kissed her lightly on the lips.
"Michael?" God, I love it when she says my name. But right now... I was petrified that she might run from me.
"Yes?" I asked, my eyes still closed from the kiss. Hey, I was trying to savor the moment.
"Do that again," she put her hand on my neck, her thumb running over my lips.
"Any time, Thermopolis," I responded happily.
What can I say? I don't know how long it lasted. But as we lay there, lustfully swapping spit, I felt like all of this was natural. Like it was meant to be.
I used my hand underneath Mia to roll her partially on top of me. She in turn, propped herself up slightly onto one elbow. Probably with the intent of making sure she didn't smother me or something. Personally, I don't know why, I wouldn't have minded if all of her weight were on me...
Anyways, her other hand fingered my hair, caressing my scalp. I held her protectively, one or two fingers protectively leaving a lingering touch as I caressed her back, along her spine. Occasionally, she trembled in my arms, giving me the response I wanted. My other hand continued to stroke her hair, or my thumb would gently rub her cheek.
I felt myself give into her completely when she pulled away and whispered my name again.
"Today has been fun," she whispered. "Thank you."
I would have done anything for her, right then.
Someone cleared their throat. I was sure I imagined it, after all, Mia's lips were still against mine.
So I continued to kiss her, I even let my hands go to the bottom of her shirt, and slid underneath it, my fingers touching her skin.
"Um. Ew."
This time, it was definitely not imagined, especially as Mia began to pull away.
"Uh, Lilly! Hi..." Mia said flustered. I sat up and wrapped my arms around her small waist, and let my chin rest on her shoulder.
Lilly looked at me, probably calculating everything she'd witnessed. I held her gaze though, this was one time I wouldn't shy away.
"Well then," Lilly said apparently ready to move on. "I'm hungry. What do you two want for dinner?"
"Vegetarian pizza?" asked Mia.
Lilly sighed, "Michael?"
I grinned at her, "Vegetarian pizza."
"Really? Is that how things are going to be now?" she demanded accusingly.
Neither Mia nor I answered, unhappily, she stomped her foot and left.
"Mia, can I tell you something?" I was going to do it. I was going to tell her I loved her and asked if she would go out with me. Ask, maybe, did I have a chance that she would love me too?
She gave me this funny look and said yes.
While I started to ask her, Lilly came stomping back into her room, shouting, "What about Kenny?! What about Kenny?! Huh? Kenny!"
She then promptly left, slamming the door behind her. Okay this was really strange of her. It had seemed like she supported my making a move on her best friend and suddenly she's trying to ruin that? What the hell is her problem?
Sudden mood swings are normal for Lilly, especially if they swing from annoyingly aggressive and opinionated, to extremely annoyingly aggressive and opinionated... but this was just random. It has to be a female thing.
Mia, apparently realizing she technically still had a boyfriend went a- wall, crying, and into the bathroom.
Damn it, Lilly! Why do you always have to spoil things?
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After Mia came out of the bathroom, she refused to look at me, and would only say a few things to me. No matter how I tried to talk to her, she wouldn't answer. But my sister was still in the room so confessing my already long-term, everlasting, eternal love for her... would have been mortifying.
Lilly, obviously irritated for something I did, (I really think it must be PMS or something) just told me to shut up and go away. And soon, she took Mia's silence even further, when I tried to speak to Mia, she'd cut me off yelling at me to get out of the room.
I couldn't think of anything else to do, so I did leave. And I hate sitting in my room here, knowing what happened earlier, but not being able to do anything about it.
Mia couldn't have kissed me like that with out having some base of feelings other than platonic, right? Right?
And she'll break up with Kenny for me, right?
I wish you could talk to me right now... damn computers lacking actual intelligence.
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(Mia's POV)
Michael wouldn't leave. I didn't know what to do. I needed to talk to someone. But not Lilly, I mean, she's Michael's SISTER. She could tell him how I want desperately to go back into that room and find out what he wanted to ask. She could tell him how desperately I wanted to have Kenny disappear off the face of the planet, or at least New York.
Instead of letting him talk to me, I just sort of ignored him. I couldn't tell him how I felt! Lilly was still in the room, I don't even know if I could have with out Lilly in the room.
So Lilly and I started to try and work on her show. (This week was supposed to be on the problematically small vocabulary the average teenager has. See? I am not one of them.) We were going through dictionaries for random words. And then were going to pull out the phone book and call random people and survey them, the tapes would be played back on Lilly's show.
Lilly threw the book she had aside as soon as he left hearing range. "So when exactly were you going to tell me you have a crush on my brother?" she asked accusingly.
Oh god. Here goes.
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(Next day)
Lilly's interrogation was horrible. She was too mad, and I was too upset, so we didn't really work on her show. Instead, we went to sleep early after watching one Life Time movie to cool off.
Then the next morning at 8:00 am sharp, Lars showed up to take me to Princess Lessons at 8:30. During which Grandmére lectured me about how arriving too early is just as harmful as arriving late, despite that she knew I was so eager to meet Jane Lee. (And of course spend the day with my beloved Grandmère. Yeah, right.)
Jane Lee is this very beautiful woman, which I think is funny because she's also kind of... plump. But guess what?! She plays the tea-cup's mother in Beauty and the Beast! How cool is that!
Anyways, she helped me a lot, and showed me some things that Mandella hadn't. I described Mandella to her and the things Mandella had told me to do, she said that Mandella was very knowledgeable. That is so cool.
Anyways, Jane Lee is like 30 I think, but she is soo nice, and she's known nationally for her performance in some other play. (I can't remember the name of it.) I can't believe she was cast in such a small part! But she says she loves it so she wouldn't give it up.
Grandmére was very quiet during the whole thing, it was... nice. She let Jane Lee have almost complete control. Except during lunch. And then I got lectured on different families of Genovia once more.
When princess lessons were done, I got home and I called Tina right away. I had to talk to her about yesterday.
Our conversation went like this:
Tina: Oh my, God! He kissed you? He really kissed you?
Me: Yes! It was so, great. It was nothing like Kenny tries to kiss me. You're right; the frenching comes natural when it's the right person.
T: You frenched him?
M: Yea, but Lilly came in.
I didn't mention that I had been on top of Michael, or that his hand had started to go up my shirt. I didn't mention that'd just sort of spontaneously happened. Tina seemed to understand that part wasn't something I wanted to talk about right now. Besides it was something really private, really personal. Like a cherished memory that you don't want to spoil by trying to explain it to someone else.
T: That had to have been so weird. He's her older brother after all.
M: I know. And she went ballistic on me for a little bit there too, about how I didn't tell her and everything.
T: What if she told Michael? I wouldn't have said anything either.
Tina! You're the best! You understand how I feel SO well! Thank you!
M: Exactly. But actually I wondered what I should do about Kenny. I'm pretty sure Michael likes me you know? Other wise he wouldn't have kissed me, would he?
T: I don't think so, not like that. Besides it's MICHAEL, not some other boy. Just break up with Kenny.
M: It's a week before finals though! I don't want to put this on his shoulders on top of the pressure to pass. What if he gets really upset and fails all of his tests because of me?! I'd feel soo bad!
And he helps me a lot with Biology, with out him, I don't think I would be passing anyways. What if he won't help me after I dump him? I have a lot to study for, losing one source of my information would be so mad. Just like if Michael suddenly decided not to help me with Algebra.
T: Hm. Well you can't go out with Michael until Kenny's out of the picture.
M: I know...
Oh god, trust me, I know. I had a dream about it last night, basically, the whole afternoon, all over again, except Lilly never interrupted us. I would love it if Kenny would only just conviently ... poof!
T: You talked to Michael about how you feel right?
M: No...
How could I? I practically ignored him after it all. I felt so guilty about what being the world's worst girlfriend, how could I talk to the real target of my affections?
T: Mia!
M: Tina, I'm scared. What if he WAS just using me?
T: He wasn't using you.
M: But he never said, 'I love you, Mia.'
T: Did he have the chance?
M: I don't know...
Was that what he was trying to tell me when Lilly shouted Kenny's name?
T: You won't know until you talk to him. Mia, I almost agree with Lilly. You need to get rid of your fear of confrontation.
M: You wouldn't want to be rejected either!
T: I read a story like this once, and the girl sent letters to the boy she liked, she didn't sign them at first, and then when she thought it would be okay, she signed them. When he found it was her, he asked her out right away.
M: Yeah! And that way he can't tell me how stupid I am right to my face!
Tina, you are so brilliant. Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
T: You're not stupid, Mia. And Michael doesn't think so either. You want to look for cards or something Monday?
M: Sure. Look, my mom wants me to get off the phone, I gotta go, okay?
T: Bye, Mia.
M: Bye, Tina.
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Okay, really horrible place to stop. In fact I don't really like the ending, but I wanted to get this chapter up. I may change it when I get the chance. I'll let you know when/if I do that.
I wrote this chapter a while ago and was proofing it when I realized I didn't like the previous ending, so I changed it drastically.
At the same time, ... I think I'll end up writing that one anyways. So once I finish the story, expect a series of "alternate ending" chapters. It won't be HUGELY different, but still, quite different how they get together.
If you were expecting M&M to get together.... I couldn't let them! There's still the production remember?
.... I guess that's all I've got to say for now.