Instead of going back to the studio I walked over to Mia's loft. Well, her mom's loft. As I stood outside the apartment I could hear Rocky banging on the drums. He couldn't hear me knocking so I walked in.
"Hey Punk Rocker."
He grinned and ran up to hug me. Wrapping his arms around my lef, "Hey Michael! How am I sounding?"
I pretended to try and kick him off my left leg. "Not bad. What have you been up to little guy?"
"Nothing much. Mia wrote me."
I nodded, "That's cool."
"Her dad is being colanated soon."
"Colonated? Oh, you mean coronated."
"Yeah."
"That's really great."
"My mom is gonna go over for it."
"You aren't? I bet you could get a few days off of school...." I said with a wink.
"No, her dad is scary."
"No he's not. Grandmere was though."
"Nuh uh! She was wicked nice. She always had presents and stuff for me when I went over and when she came here."
I tried not to laugh. "Why do you think Mia's dad is scary?"
"Uh, hello, he's bald."

"And that is scary?"

'"Any bald man is scary," he replied like it was the MOST obvious thing in the world.
"Why's that?"
"Because it's just plain creepy....seeing the skin of a person that should be covered up."
"Would you be afraid of me if I shaved my hair?"
He laughed, "You wouldn't. You love your hair too much."
"Wanna bet? Come on," I said grabbing his little hand. I wrote a quick note to Miss Thermopolis and Mr. G.
"Where are we going?"
"You'll see," I replied.
I dragged him to the barber shop. "Trim time already Michael?" Joey asked when I walked in. "Or are you bringing the little boy?"
"No Joey...I want it all off."

"See, no need to be afraid of bald men."
Rocky stared up at me. "Michael, you are nuts."
"Does it look bad?"
"No...it's just...I know you liked your hair."
"I did, but it grows back. And you need to realize that bald men are not scary."
"I think you could have convinced me without doing that. Mia is gonna be freaked out."
I hadn't thought of that. "You think so?"
He nodded with wide eyes. "Uhm, yeah. She loved your hair. She told me once. I read her diary..."
"You WHAT?" I said, laughing.
"She wrote about how she loved running her fingers through your hair while she kissed you."
Oh God. I hope she kept her diaries PG-13. "Oh. Well, she won't be back for awhile." But now that I think of it, she did like to play with my hair a lot. Great, now I am chancing her finding out about that stripper that I almost slept with, but now I am a shaven freak. Why am I so damn impulsive?

Lilly started a countdown to her wedding. Every morning was
another e-mail for the wedding party,
DATE: March 9, 2011
 TO: MoscovitzBueller.com,PrinCsDaisygenovia.gov,
TwistdSistayahoo.com,ShameekaModyahoo.com, IloveRomanceaol.com, TowerBueller.com, StevensBueller.com, Charles.LeVineMassachusetts.gov, SheilaKelyahoo.com
FROM: LMoscotizRS.com (the company spelled her name wrong when they set up her account)

Helloooo People! There are now exactly three months until the big day. Girls, we need to talk about the bridesmaid dresses. I think we
are going to have an issue with the manufacturer. And I think we should get together the day before the wedding to get our nails done and to basically have a day of beauty. The guys are going to go to a concert or something, right boys? Haha. Well, just keep in touch if you have any concerns of any kind. Mia, call me ASAP!
-The one and only, Lilly

I immediately deleted the e-mail. It was pointless to keep. It was just her being neurotic. I decided to go back to bed after I read this. I pulled out something I had been sleeping with for the past month and a half. Don't laugh now. Mia had left me in charge of sending her clothes back to her, right? Well, I sent everything back but the night gown she wore the first night we were together. It still smelled like her.
We finished up with the instrumentals later on that month. Time to work on the vocals. Well, actually we were going to do that muc right away with the vocals. The producers were going to play the instruments for the head honchos to see if anything needed to be changed there before we went onto the next step.
I came home from a night at the bar to a message from Mia,
Michael I guess I missed you... I always forget the time difference. But anyways, I didn't really have a reason to call...just wanted to hear your voice really. I got your postcard today. Thanks for keeping me up to date on everything. I'll be back in New York to visit with Lilly about my dress soon so I hope to see you...maybe. Okay, well, now I'm blabbering. I'll talk to you soon. Bye.

I didn't erase the message. I never erased her messages. I liked to replay them so I could hear her voice. I know I sound stalker-esque don't I?

MIA:
I stepped out of the airport with Sebastino on a blistery cold March afternoon. The limousine was waiting for us right outside so we weren't out for very long. I hadn't brought very much baggage because I would only be around for a day or two. Then the final preparations for Dad's coronation would be in place and the ceremony would finally happen.
I thought of Dad, all alone in the palace, and then I felt guilt. I had left him there all alone.

"He's fine. The girlfriend is with him," my cousin assured me, reading my mind. My father had been dating the same woman as he was back on that fateful day Joshua died.
I actually liked her a lot.
She was pretty, a lot like my mother actually. She wasn't a stuck up socialite that he normally dated, and she was actually old enough to be a mother. She was so different from the other woman. And she didn't care that she could never be a queen.
The limo took me to my mother's loft and I bolted up the five flights of stairs. I hadn't seen my mother since my grandmother's death. I hadn't seen Frank, Rocky or Cassy since the fall.

"ROCKY!" I greeted him at the door. He jumped into my arms.
"Mia! Oh my gosh, you HAVE to hear me on the drums!" he exclaimed. "Michael came by the other day and he said he was gonna use me on his next album! Oh...and be ready for a shock when you see him."
I smiled. Michael and Rocky were like brothers now. "Um... okay. How's everyone here?"
"Well, Mom and Daddy didn't know you would be here so early. They are at the food store buying vegetarian food for you. Well, they were also going to Long Island to visit Daddy's parents. I didn't wanna go because my cousins are going to be there. I don't like them."
"Oh well. Has Lilly called?" I smiled. I didn't care for his cousins either
"Nope," he said, plopping down on the couch.
"Did Mom and Frank take Cassy with them?"
"Yup. Thank goodness too. She cries too much."
"You did too, Mister."
"So? I'm a big kid now."
I looked at my watch hours later. Lilly should be getting out of work around this time. "I better go. I'm surprising Lilly today."
He pouted.
"You wanna come along?"
"Not really. Mommy and Daddy will be home soon though. I'll be okay."
I gave him a kiss on the top of his head, "Bye little brother..."

I liked not being recognized by the masses of New York. There were so many other celebrities, more important ones, walking around. I stopped when I reached Lilly's apartment. I would just wait outside on a bench.
She had a really cute place, the type of place I was sure I would have liked having if I was not a princess. If I could live my life in America. That would never come to be though. Never.
"Excuse me, Miss?" someone said, coming up to me.
I woke up from my day dream. "Yes?"
"Do you know what time it is?" the person asked. I wasn't used to people asking such normal questions of me.
I smiled, "Five past five."
"Thanks."

I saw Lilly coming up the street minutes later. She had her
hands full with bags of food. "Need some help? I asked with a smile.
She nearly dropped all the bags. "MIA! Oh my gosh! You weren't supposed to be here for another day!"
"Is this a problem?" Great. What if Michael was bringing a date over for dinner or something? I knew I should have called before...

"No, not at all. I'm just surprised, that's all. I'm sure everyone will be excited to see you!"
"What are you doing tonight?" I asked as we walked into her apartment.
"I'm making dinner for everyone. The band is coming over tonight. You should have come to my work. The guys were looking at some of the pictures for the cover shoot. They could have used your advice I'm sure."
I shrugged. I was nervous about seeing Michael again after almost two months. And what was this shock Rocky had mentioned? "I wanted to see my best friend first, is that a crime?"
"Okay, well, I'm gonna start cooking. You can't help me though. I'm gonna hafta learn about this eventually. Yes, don't look so shocked. I'll be Susie Homemaker eventually."
I couldn't help smiling. Love had definitely changed my best friend. The girl who refused to wear make up all through high school just to prove a point. "Okay, I'm going to read in the living room."
"I'll come in a little while. I just need to get started."

I plopped down on her futon and took my grandmother's diaries out. I continued from where I left off on the plane. She had just written about how terrible it was to see Maria and my grandfather together.
1May 1951
She's just so sure that he loves her, isn't she? I can't stand it! I got news today though, wonderful news! Papa says I can go to college...in America! We are going to visit New York City over the summer to start looking at appropriate schools. A lady of aristrocity cannot go to a no name university. Perhaps I will forget New York though...Wellesley College in Massachusetts sounds lovely. No boys are around so I wouldn't be distracted.
Maria is jealous, I know she is! She is far more intelligent than I, but Mother and Papa say she must marry! Hahaha!
-C
2May 1951
Edward came by this afternoon for tea. Maria was ill so I entertained him in the gardens. He is so ruggedly handsome! So different from any other boy I had ever met. I don't care if he is the prince! I just don't!
He told me he liked my dress and how my hair was done. I could swear I blushed but I didn't care that much because he blushed when I
complimented his suit. It is true that he is four years older than I am, but I think he might have a crush on me! -C
3 May 1951
Maria came down an interrupted Edward and I yesterday. She came into the garden just as he was going to hold my hand! Can you believe it!
Maria had to come along and ruin it for me, didn't she? Next time I'll be sure to put more laxatives in her tea.
C
10 May 1951
I haven't written in such a long time, but I have good reason to! Maria and Edward are now engaged, it's all over the news. I hate her. It will be a long engagement however, Edward is going to report for duty for the Korean War. I'm terrified for him. Why should he go over there? Let the nosy American's handle it.
After Maria announced to our family about the engagement Edward looked at me for my reaction. I refused to offer one. He followed me out to the garden after dessert though.
"Clarisse, I'm sorry."
"For what?" I asked softly. I refused to cry in front of the Prince.
"About Maria..."
"I don't care," I lied. "I'm going to America anyways to get an education. I might even stay there."
I could SWEAR his face held a hurt expression. "So will I see you after I return from the war?"
I refused to answer him.
"Before the wedding?" he continued.
"I haven't the foggiest idea. Why do you care anyways?" I asked.
He didn't answer me verbally. Instead...he kissed me! My first real life kiss!
His lips were just as soft as I had always imagined. He left me dizzy after. "You are engaged to my sister!"
"But I love you," he replied.
I was totally shocked. This was not how a prince was supposed to act!
"Then why are you courting her and engaged to her?" I demanded. I forgot that he was a prince and I was supposed to be polite to him no matter what.
"Because that was expected of me. She's only a year younger than I am. But I wanted to be with you. Ever since that ball in December."
He explained to me that he had fallen in love with me at the Holiday Ball. I do believe that shall be my favorite day of the entire year!
-C
25 June 1951
I'm miserable. I'm in the Plaza Hotel while my older sister attends her Princess Lessons and plans her stupid wedding. I hate her.

25 June 1951 LATER
I am in love with Columbia College! There is no doubt in my mind that I shall attend this prestigious college in two years. They have a wonderful journalism department! And nearby is a dance school where I can practice my tap dancing. Maybe I could become a dancer on Broadway! If I could get a Prince to love me, I could certainly do that!
Speaking of which, he sent me a lovely letter just the other day. He signed it 'Iggy' so no one would realize our secret love affair. I don't know what we'll do when he returns and reality comes back, but I'm sure we'll figure something out.
-C

The door opened, "Lil, where can we put the beer?" a voice yelled out. I saw Tony walk by, not noticing my being there. But the next person did.
"Mia?" Michael asked, dropping the bags he was holding. He hurried over to me and knelt down in front of me. "Is it really you?"
I smiled, he was being so over dramatic. "Yes...Michael? What the hell did you do to yourself?"
"I um...was helping Rock get rid of his fear of bald men."
He couldn't express how he was feeling right then because everyone else was coming into the room. He squeezed my hand.

Now, explain to me how I am to comb my fingers through his hair as he kisses me? I mean, he has NO hair now. He's just lucky that I'm a sucker for musicians.

Or a sucker for boys with peat bog eyes.

Or a sucker for men with soft pink lips.

Or for men with nice soapy skin.

Or for a man who looks so adorable when he thinks no one is watching.

Damn it Mia, how the hell did you let yourself fall in love?