Beta Note: Gah! I'm sorry about the missing chapter thing. This site is constantly screwing up for me. That's also the cause for the long delay in updates. But things will be better now, promise. So, without further ado, may I present...
The Disclaimer: Haha. I keep forgetting to put this in. So here goes. I don't own anything... except for Felix. Michelle owns Dean, and the story. Meg Cabot owns everything else.
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Chapter Eleven...
"So what are you doing tomorrow night?" Dean asked Michael after school on Thursday.
"Oh, you know, just hanging around..."
"By yourself?"
"Not exactly..." Michael didn't know how he was going to keep his 'just friends' date with Mia a secret, but he knew he didn't want to be the one to break the news to Dean.
"You have a date?" Dean asked with a raised eyebrow. "All right! Who is it? I didn't think you and Amber hit it off."
"We didn't. And it's not a date. She's just a friend."
"Yeah, but you never know where it can lead, Moscovitz." Dean nudged him in the ribs. "Be prepared for anything. If she makes any kind of a signal, move in!"
Suddenly Michael feared for his life. What was Dean going to say when he found out it was his little sister they were talking about like this?
Michael didn't reply; he just sat there with a guilty look on his face.
"Wait a minute..." Dean said slowly, realising why Michael was acting strangely. "Oh my God! Are you dating my sister?" he cried.
"Shh!" Michael hissed unsure if Mia was home yet. "No, I'm not. But we're hanging out tomorrow night, just as friends."
"Oh, this is not good," Dean muttered, cradling his head in his hands.
"It's nothing, man, don't stress."
"You're right," Dean said, lifting his head. "It's nothing. Because even if you forgot, just for one second, that I would pummel you into the ground for touching my sister, and you made a move on her, she wouldn't go for it. She doesn't like you that way."
Ouch. But Michael played along, trying not to look hurt or disappointed. "Of course not. But I would never do that in the first place. We're just friends, that's all."
"You better hope that's all," Dean threatened.
Michael walked into the Loft on Friday night just as Dean was leaving it.
"Think of me whenever you look at her," Dean said menacingly.
Michael gulped. It wouldn't be too hard to since Mia and Dean had the same eyes. "Nothing's gonna happen, man."
"Yeah, right," Dean said as he walked out the front door.
Mia emerged from her bedroom as soon as she'd heard Michael's voice. She'd had Tina's help in coordinating a nice outfit, despite Mia's assertions that they were just friends. But nonetheless, Mia was still grateful for her help, and she was grateful that her mom had left with Mr. G too. It would be just her and Michael.
Michael gulped again at the sight of her, but reminded himself to think of Dean. "Hey, Little Thermopolis."
"Hey, Michael. So what do you want to do tonight?"
"Um, I brought my Star Wars DVD's. You feel like a marathon?"
"Sure. You set up the TV and I'll get some popcorn."
A few minutes later they sat uncomfortably on the couch, the bowl popcorn between them. The movie started, but it still felt like an uncomfortable silence, like someone should be talking.
"So how did Kenny take the break up?" Michael asked.
"Um, ok, I guess. But no surprise that he stopped doing my homework."
"Do you need help?"
"Nah, not right now anyway."
"Ok, well let me know if you ever need it."
"Thanks, I will."
Michael 's eyes met hers briefly, and forcing himself to think of Dean, he looked away. Mia noticed, and thought it was something she'd done.
"Sorry, " she muttered.
"What for?" Michael had no idea why she should be apologising.
"Freaking you out."
"What? How did you freak me out?"
"Well, you turned away from me really quickly. I thought I freaked you out." Mia didn't dare meet Michael's eyes again.
"Mia, you didn't freak me out. Dean did."
"What? How? He's not even here."
Michael realised that he'd said too much to back down and take it back. How was he supposed to explain his way out of this one? The truth?
"Well, Dean told me that whenever I look at you I have to think of him."
"Wow, possessive much?" Mia said, not understanding completely. "Aren't you allowed any other friends?"
"No, it's not that. It's just his way of protecting you, I guess."
"Protecting me? From what, you looking at me? Why can't you look at me?" Mia was truly confused.
"Because... Because of what I see when I look at you."
Mia gulped, suddenly realising what this conversation was really about. "And what do you see?" she asked him, meeting his eyes and daring him to answer.
Michael took his time to answer; he knew he couldn't bullshit his way out of this one, and even if he could, he wasn't sure if he wanted to. Dean wouldn't really pummel him, would he?
He took a deep breath and answered. "My perfect girl."
"Huh," Mia answered, not sure if she'd just heard properly.
Of all the answers Michael had imagined in the three seconds before he'd said that, 'Huh' wasn't one of them. He was just about to say something, maybe make a joke to lighten the mood and hopefully save himself, when she continued.
"So, does this mean you like me?" Her expression showed genuine confusion, so Michael held in his laughter.
"You could say that. But don't worry, Dean'll sort me out when he gets home, being the over protective big brother and all."
"Well," Mia said, the gears in her head finally began to move. "What if we don't tell him?"
"Really? Because you know, I'm already embarrassed enough as it is, I don't need a beating to teach me a lesson. Believe me, I've learned it."
"Sure. I don't particularly want a lecture either."
"Why would Dean lecture you?" Michael asked.
"Uh, for dating his best friend."
"Wait, you want to date me?"
"Well, is that not where this was heading? Oh God, did I misunderstand it all? I mean, Dean never has to know."
"Mia, you're a genius!" Without thinking he reached over and kissed her on the forehead. "Sorry," he muttered, slowly pulling back.
"Don't be," Mia replied, kissing him back. Only this time it was on the lips.
"Finally," Mia thought as she kissed him. "Being assertive actually pays off."
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Woot! Wasn't that fantabulous? I thought so. NOW REVIEW!!!! I've been mailing Elle all her reviews, so make her happy and review! And to all the people that reviewed to tell me that the chapter wasn't working, my response to you is "Why hadn't you already reviewed all the chapters, hmmm???" So don't make that mistake again, and review! FYI, any comments can be emailed to the address on Elle's profile. I check it regularly.