[A/N: You guys are going to realize that it's going to take me the next couple chapters to get me clicking into place. There's a lot of things I need to introduce and explain, so bear with me, okay?
And I realized that this isn't showing up on the main Princess Diaries FanFic screen (the ones rated G - PG13… even though this is only PG13. Ah well, hopefully it'll get there eventually… thanks to my first reviewers, you rock my socks off!]
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Mia's POV
"Mia! Rise and shine, you dork!"
The shrill, but friendly, cry rang through the apartment, and I groggily rubbed my eyes open. A monster-like yawn escaped from my lips, and I stretched my arms outwards, groaning. "Ugh," I muttered. Friday mornings were simply just rough.
"Holy crap, Renee, I don't know what I'd do without you," I called out loud.
I could hear her bustling around in the kitchen, and it was evident she had been up for quite a while already. "Don't worry about it, Mia. I'd hate for you to be late to work because of your rotten sleeping habits."
I smiled and jumped out of the bed, stumbling into my bathroom. With a quick flick of my wrist, I switched on the light and stared at my reflection in the mirror. Shoulder length brown hair framed my frazzled, sleep-deprived face. A confused face. A face that hid so many emotions. I shook my head slowly and turned on the tap, letting the cool water drip through my fingers.
It usually took me a long period of time to get ready in the morning. A while ago, I had not really cared, as everyone I knew smiled in my presence, loved me for who I really was. But things had changed since then, and those people had left my life. I was alone in this detached world, I felt, for what felt like an eternity.
But things had once again, improved.
Realizing that I was behind schedule more than usual, I scampered out into the kitchen, all the while trying to tie my hair up with a scrunchie. My hair was never going to cooperate, I realized, and I, defeated, let it down.
My roommate was rummaging through her briefcase on the floor. "You like waffles, I know. Chow those things down, because we have to be leaving in less than ten minutes, now."
"Man, I owe you, girl."
"Sure you do." Renee winked.
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Things had been none other than a whirlwind of events for me during the last several years. I had graduated from The University of Pennsylvania roughly two years ago, majoring in politics, and now, I had an internship at the state legislative building back where I had spent my childhood: the grand old state of New York. The original plans had been for me to return to Genovia after college, and begin the intensive training need to rule the land, but I had begged for a chance to build my own life, and to see how well I could survive in the real world. It would be beneficial for me in the end, I argued. Chances like these never came by every day, I said. I would keep up with Genovian current events, I promised.
And I had won.
Up until a period of five years was over, I was permitted by my father and Grandmère to stay in New York, building my own career until the time would come for me to return to my royal duties. I loved my job, and I loved New York. I loved life. I loved who I was. Hardly anyone made a fuss about the fact that I was a princess of an entire nation anymore. Not many people knew, to begin with. I was just Mia. Just Mia Thermopolis, to most people.
And then there was Renee Stanforth, who was similar to me in more ways than one. She was an American-born Genovian, whose father held a high position back in Europe, and my own father had arranged for us to become roommates and coworkers during my six year period in New York. 'You can watch out for one another, keep each other company,' he had said. And I had to admit; it worked extremely well, and although we were opposites in personality aspects, things clicked together instantly. Renee always woke me up in the mornings, I took her out to enjoy the social scene. She made breakfast, I provided the late night snacks. She did the math, I did the English and French. And it always helped that our similar background and heritage provided us with an even deeper connection.
She soon became my best friend. I had had one best friend in the past, Lilly Moscovitz, but she had drifted off to fulfill her duties in life. The last that I heard from her, she was off in a third-world country, bleeding sweat and effort to rally for the natives' human rights. Lilly was a work of art, yes, and she had went off and answered her calling. In her new life, saving the lives of others was her first priority. Then came her own life. And when she could salvage bits and pieces of time, she kept in touch with her friends. The occasional phone call or postcard came my way, but that was about it. As for her brother--
I took a sharp intake of breath.
I had a new life, now. Mia Thermopolis, freak princess, was no more. I had a future in front of me, and I would use it to my advantage. I had Renee, I had other sweet coworkers, there was just too much in the present to worry about, that I could not imagine returning to the past. It worked perfectly, for the most part.
But sometimes I couldn't help but wish that things had turned out differently.
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Renee and I boarded the first subway that came our way, and we quickly grabbed some seats toward the back. I loved the subway for no reason in particular. The sensation that time and space were quickly slipping by thrilled me to no extent.
"So, Mia, what've you got planned tonight? A hot date with Conor?" Renee gave me a sly grin, and I playfully slugged her shoulder.
"Oh, please. A hot date, you have to be kidding me!"
Renee gave me a highly skeptical look.
"Fine, you got me," I yelped, throwing my hands up into the air. "You're half right: I'm heading off to dinner with Conor tonight, but it's going to be far from 'hot'. God, Renee, you're hilarious sometimes."
"Mia, Mia. You know I'm right. You two have been together for more than two years now. It's not like things are completely awkward and juvenile." She paused, raising her eyebrows skeptically. "I know you guys don't just sit around and watch movies all day."
"Renee, you know what I mean." I grinned.
She shoved me jokingly.
A gust of wind blew through my hair as the doors of the subway train blasted open at the next stop. I fixed to run my fingers through my light brown mass of hair, which was no longer blonde, and my hands brushed against a clasp at the back of my neck. I rotated the necklace that I was wearing so that it regained its normal position, and continued to counter Renee's playful statements.
The necklace was as simple, as simple could be, to the naked eye. But if one strained her eyes, she would be able to notice an intricate pattern of flowers on the silver chain.
It was a necklace that seemed simple, but had a rough past of complicated secrets.
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