Sorry it's been like, two WHOLE weeks (shock, horror!) since I've posted this, but I've been making it longer and better, so don't complain! And there may be a sequel too, I dunno yet. I've started it, but I just don't know...
Dedicated to my partner in Evilness. She knows who she is.
Disclaimer: Meg Cabot owns all characters you recognise.
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"Why do you even care so much about Michael's feelings?" Dean asked Mia in the limo on the way to Michael's apartment.
"I don't," Mia replied instantly. "But it's not fair for you to pressure him into going out with people if he's not interested."
Dean eyed his younger sister. "It doesn't matter anyway, Mia. He'll never say yes. He has his eye on someone."
"Oh really? Who?" Mia did her best to sound nonchalant, like she wasn't really interested.
"Wouldn't you like to know…" Dean teased as the door next to him opened and Michael stepped inside.
"Thermopolis, Little Thermopolis, Lars," Michael greeted them sending Mia's cheeks red hot.
"Hey, Moscovitz," Dean replied, Mia muttered a hello and Lars nodded. "Um, my sister thinks I should back off from setting you up with girls. So I'm just going to leave it up to you from now on."
"Uh, ok," Michael said, shooting a look of gratitude to Mia. "Thanks."
"But don't get any funny ideas though," Dean threatened. "Don't go thinking you can get any girl you want. Some people," he said pointedly, pausing slightly for effect. "Some people are out of your league."
Michael gulped and nodded.
"Jeez, Dean. Leave the poor guy alone. It's not like he's going to go after Lana Weinberger or anyone. I'm sure he could get anyone he actually wanted."
Michael was torn between liking what she'd said about him, and knowing that it was completely wrong. Because the only girl he wanted was her. And Dean had just made it crystal clear, whether he meant to or not, that Mia was out of his league.
"I probably would have a better chance with Lana," he thought to himself, although he knew his chance with Lana, not that he wanted it, was next to zero anyway.
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Mia sat in Biology staring out the window, as was her custom. But she never usually thought about her brother's best friend as she did so. No, this was a new distraction; she'd only just begun to like the guy at all.
"Don't worry about it, Mia," a voice to her left said. "I'll do your homework for you."
Snapping out of her daydream and back to reality, Mia looked over to see Kenny Showalter looking eagerly at her.
"Uh, thanks, Kenny. But I feel bad. You always do my homework for me, maybe I should just do it myself this time."
"It's no problem, Mia. Really. If you want to though, you can make it up to me by seeing a movie with me on Friday night?"
Do homework, or see a movie? Even if it was with Kenny, who would chose the homework?
"Sure, Kenny. That'd be great."
"Awesome. I'll pick you up at seven?"
"Yup. Ok."
The bell rang and Mia stood to leave. A date with Kenny wasn't so bad, right? It's only one date, and at least it means she wouldn't have to do her homework.
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Later that night, after Michael had left, Mia confessed to her brother about Kenny.
"Kenny?" he asked, not sure if he'd heard right.
"Yeah… I couldn't really say no. He's always helping me with my homework. Well, he's always DOING my homework. And he asked me out for Friday, what was I supposed to do? You know I don't have time for homework, so I'll take as much help as I can get."
"You know this is just using him if you don't actually like him," Dean told her matter of factly.
Mia sighed. "I know. But it's too late now. But it's not like I have to keep stringing him along or anything. I'll make it clear to him that I just want to be friends."
"Then say good bye to the homework help."
"You think he'd stop doing it?" Mia asked. "But he asked me to see a movie, not be in a long term relationship or anything!"
"Yeah, but, Mia, if a guy asks you to the movies, he doesn't just want to see a movie. You know, if he were anyone other than geeky, anime-obesessed Kenny Showalter, I'd go have a word to him."
"He's not obsessed with anime," Mia defended, hating to think of her date as a geek.
"Mia, do you KNOW Kenny? I don't, but I know he's a geek. And Michael's in the Computer Club with him. Believe me, it doesn't get much more obsessed than him. Be ready to go to a lot of anime conventions."
Dean laughed and left the room, walking back to his own bedroom.
Mia sat there and wondered what she'd gotten herself into.
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Mia was chatting with Dean's girlfriend, Molly, and Tina about her situation.
"Don't stress about it, Mia," Molly said. "Who cares if you're using him? You're happy because he's doing your homework, and he's happy because you said you'd go see a movie with him. It's not the end of the world."
Mia turned to Tina to see if she agreed, but Tina, slightly intimidated by the older girl, just shrugged her shoulders.
Mia nodded. "I know. But I still feel bad," she told Molly.
"Well don't. I wouldn't. Not that I'm using Dean or anything. Oh, that reminds me, I have to go find him. I'll see you guys later. Bye!"
Mia and Tina called out a farewell to Molly as she scampered off with her lunch to find Dean.
"What do you think, Tina?" Mia asked.
"I dunno, Mia. I mean, some of what Molly said makes sense, but it still seems cruel. Maybe you should just go out with him on Friday and see what happens from there."
"Yeah, I think I will. I certainly can't get out of going out with him on Friday, that would be really rude."
"Unfortunately," Mia added in her head.
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Dean and Michael were spraweled out in front of the Nintendo in Dean's room. They were playing Nintendo.
"Why do you always pick Peach?" Dean asked, as he selected Donkey Kong for his own character.
"I dunno, she's a light weight character, which makes her quick on the corners. I guess I'm just comfortable with her."
"Oh, I thought maybe it was because you're a pussy."
"Hey! You always pick Donkey Kong! Does that make you a pussy?"
"Uh, no. Donkey Kong is a huge gorilla. A man's character. Peach is a prissy princess."
"So? Who care's what she looks like, she's fast and nimble."
"And a chick."
"Are you being sexist?"
"No, not at all. It's just... Nevermind."
After a few Mario-Kart courses, Dean sighed and announced, "Dude, we need to talk."
"'Bout what?" Michael asked, having forgotten about their princess verses gorilla conversation before.
"About…" he started, but then Mia walked into the room. "That."
Michael shot Dean a warning look.
Mia looked at them both questioningly, but decided not to ask. "Mom says she can't be bothered cooking, she's not feeling well. You know with the, um... She's just feeling sick." Mia almost admitted her mom was pregnant to Michael, but she didn't want anyone knowing that yet. "So I'm going to order from Number One Noodle Son. What do you guys want?"
The boys rattled off their order and she left, leaving them to get back to their important talk.
Without resuming their game, Dean turned to face Michael. "Ok, so I know the truth, Moscovitz. Don't even try to deny it. I know you want my sister."
Michael could feel the blood rushing to his head at Dean's bluntness. "I don't know what you… I mean, I don't… She's not…"
"Chill. It's ok. I'm going to give you my permission to ask her out."
Michael stared at Dean blankly. "What?"
"I think you should ask her out. For Friday night in fact. You're not doing anything, are you?"
"Uh, no, I'm not. But, Dean, why are you doing this?"
"Giving you the all clear?"
Michael nodded.
"Because I know it'd make you happy."
Michael was touched by his friends comment. But he still felt unsure. "I dunno," he said thoughtfuly. "I mean, I doubt she'd even say yes. She hasn't really expressed an interest in me. Has she ever said anything to you about me?"
"Just ask her out as a friend then. Go on. Nothing ventured, nothing gained."
Michael told him he'd think about it and they continued their game. But Michael wasn't concentrating; he couldn't help but wonder why Dean had given him his blessing when he's always been so protective of Mia. Always threatened to beat down anyone who tried to make a move on her. Like Josh. He'd received a sound threatening after that stunt he pulled.
But also, would Mia even say yes if he asked her? Or was she really out of his league?
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Before anyone asks, no Dean is not trying to get Mia out of her date with Kenny. He has other plans.
Dedicated to my partner in Evilness. She knows who she is.
Disclaimer: Meg Cabot owns all characters you recognise.
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"Why do you even care so much about Michael's feelings?" Dean asked Mia in the limo on the way to Michael's apartment.
"I don't," Mia replied instantly. "But it's not fair for you to pressure him into going out with people if he's not interested."
Dean eyed his younger sister. "It doesn't matter anyway, Mia. He'll never say yes. He has his eye on someone."
"Oh really? Who?" Mia did her best to sound nonchalant, like she wasn't really interested.
"Wouldn't you like to know…" Dean teased as the door next to him opened and Michael stepped inside.
"Thermopolis, Little Thermopolis, Lars," Michael greeted them sending Mia's cheeks red hot.
"Hey, Moscovitz," Dean replied, Mia muttered a hello and Lars nodded. "Um, my sister thinks I should back off from setting you up with girls. So I'm just going to leave it up to you from now on."
"Uh, ok," Michael said, shooting a look of gratitude to Mia. "Thanks."
"But don't get any funny ideas though," Dean threatened. "Don't go thinking you can get any girl you want. Some people," he said pointedly, pausing slightly for effect. "Some people are out of your league."
Michael gulped and nodded.
"Jeez, Dean. Leave the poor guy alone. It's not like he's going to go after Lana Weinberger or anyone. I'm sure he could get anyone he actually wanted."
Michael was torn between liking what she'd said about him, and knowing that it was completely wrong. Because the only girl he wanted was her. And Dean had just made it crystal clear, whether he meant to or not, that Mia was out of his league.
"I probably would have a better chance with Lana," he thought to himself, although he knew his chance with Lana, not that he wanted it, was next to zero anyway.
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Mia sat in Biology staring out the window, as was her custom. But she never usually thought about her brother's best friend as she did so. No, this was a new distraction; she'd only just begun to like the guy at all.
"Don't worry about it, Mia," a voice to her left said. "I'll do your homework for you."
Snapping out of her daydream and back to reality, Mia looked over to see Kenny Showalter looking eagerly at her.
"Uh, thanks, Kenny. But I feel bad. You always do my homework for me, maybe I should just do it myself this time."
"It's no problem, Mia. Really. If you want to though, you can make it up to me by seeing a movie with me on Friday night?"
Do homework, or see a movie? Even if it was with Kenny, who would chose the homework?
"Sure, Kenny. That'd be great."
"Awesome. I'll pick you up at seven?"
"Yup. Ok."
The bell rang and Mia stood to leave. A date with Kenny wasn't so bad, right? It's only one date, and at least it means she wouldn't have to do her homework.
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Later that night, after Michael had left, Mia confessed to her brother about Kenny.
"Kenny?" he asked, not sure if he'd heard right.
"Yeah… I couldn't really say no. He's always helping me with my homework. Well, he's always DOING my homework. And he asked me out for Friday, what was I supposed to do? You know I don't have time for homework, so I'll take as much help as I can get."
"You know this is just using him if you don't actually like him," Dean told her matter of factly.
Mia sighed. "I know. But it's too late now. But it's not like I have to keep stringing him along or anything. I'll make it clear to him that I just want to be friends."
"Then say good bye to the homework help."
"You think he'd stop doing it?" Mia asked. "But he asked me to see a movie, not be in a long term relationship or anything!"
"Yeah, but, Mia, if a guy asks you to the movies, he doesn't just want to see a movie. You know, if he were anyone other than geeky, anime-obesessed Kenny Showalter, I'd go have a word to him."
"He's not obsessed with anime," Mia defended, hating to think of her date as a geek.
"Mia, do you KNOW Kenny? I don't, but I know he's a geek. And Michael's in the Computer Club with him. Believe me, it doesn't get much more obsessed than him. Be ready to go to a lot of anime conventions."
Dean laughed and left the room, walking back to his own bedroom.
Mia sat there and wondered what she'd gotten herself into.
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Mia was chatting with Dean's girlfriend, Molly, and Tina about her situation.
"Don't stress about it, Mia," Molly said. "Who cares if you're using him? You're happy because he's doing your homework, and he's happy because you said you'd go see a movie with him. It's not the end of the world."
Mia turned to Tina to see if she agreed, but Tina, slightly intimidated by the older girl, just shrugged her shoulders.
Mia nodded. "I know. But I still feel bad," she told Molly.
"Well don't. I wouldn't. Not that I'm using Dean or anything. Oh, that reminds me, I have to go find him. I'll see you guys later. Bye!"
Mia and Tina called out a farewell to Molly as she scampered off with her lunch to find Dean.
"What do you think, Tina?" Mia asked.
"I dunno, Mia. I mean, some of what Molly said makes sense, but it still seems cruel. Maybe you should just go out with him on Friday and see what happens from there."
"Yeah, I think I will. I certainly can't get out of going out with him on Friday, that would be really rude."
"Unfortunately," Mia added in her head.
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Dean and Michael were spraweled out in front of the Nintendo in Dean's room. They were playing Nintendo.
"Why do you always pick Peach?" Dean asked, as he selected Donkey Kong for his own character.
"I dunno, she's a light weight character, which makes her quick on the corners. I guess I'm just comfortable with her."
"Oh, I thought maybe it was because you're a pussy."
"Hey! You always pick Donkey Kong! Does that make you a pussy?"
"Uh, no. Donkey Kong is a huge gorilla. A man's character. Peach is a prissy princess."
"So? Who care's what she looks like, she's fast and nimble."
"And a chick."
"Are you being sexist?"
"No, not at all. It's just... Nevermind."
After a few Mario-Kart courses, Dean sighed and announced, "Dude, we need to talk."
"'Bout what?" Michael asked, having forgotten about their princess verses gorilla conversation before.
"About…" he started, but then Mia walked into the room. "That."
Michael shot Dean a warning look.
Mia looked at them both questioningly, but decided not to ask. "Mom says she can't be bothered cooking, she's not feeling well. You know with the, um... She's just feeling sick." Mia almost admitted her mom was pregnant to Michael, but she didn't want anyone knowing that yet. "So I'm going to order from Number One Noodle Son. What do you guys want?"
The boys rattled off their order and she left, leaving them to get back to their important talk.
Without resuming their game, Dean turned to face Michael. "Ok, so I know the truth, Moscovitz. Don't even try to deny it. I know you want my sister."
Michael could feel the blood rushing to his head at Dean's bluntness. "I don't know what you… I mean, I don't… She's not…"
"Chill. It's ok. I'm going to give you my permission to ask her out."
Michael stared at Dean blankly. "What?"
"I think you should ask her out. For Friday night in fact. You're not doing anything, are you?"
"Uh, no, I'm not. But, Dean, why are you doing this?"
"Giving you the all clear?"
Michael nodded.
"Because I know it'd make you happy."
Michael was touched by his friends comment. But he still felt unsure. "I dunno," he said thoughtfuly. "I mean, I doubt she'd even say yes. She hasn't really expressed an interest in me. Has she ever said anything to you about me?"
"Just ask her out as a friend then. Go on. Nothing ventured, nothing gained."
Michael told him he'd think about it and they continued their game. But Michael wasn't concentrating; he couldn't help but wonder why Dean had given him his blessing when he's always been so protective of Mia. Always threatened to beat down anyone who tried to make a move on her. Like Josh. He'd received a sound threatening after that stunt he pulled.
But also, would Mia even say yes if he asked her? Or was she really out of his league?
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Before anyone asks, no Dean is not trying to get Mia out of her date with Kenny. He has other plans.