[Thanks to all the reviewers! You guys are the best. For serious.]

Chapter Six

Josh and I went out again tonight. I suggested bowling, but he shot it down saying it was only for the 'extremely lame.'

I have to admit, I took offense to that. I've been bowling with the Moscovitzes countless times and it most certainly is not lame. Another reason why I'm breaking it off with Josh tonight.

If he would only stop eating and listen to me. He took me out to dinner. And not just any old dinner either.

Gabe's Steak Pit.

For a guy who really hates meat, he sure doesn't show any signs of it. You may be wondering what sort of vegetarian menu 'Gabe's' offers.

Let me tell you, it's slim pickings.

So I just sat there nibbling at some fries while Josh attempted to break the record of 'most cattle consumed in one sitting.'

"Josh?" I asked timidly. Partly because I was about to throw up, and partly because I feared his appetite would extend to fourteen year old girls.

"Mmm?" He wiped his mouth and let out a little belch. Can we say 'ew'?

"Uh, can we talk?"

"About what?" he asked, looking a mite confused. I think talking is low on Josh's list of things to do with his mouth. Eating, kissing, and belching most definitely rank above it.

"About…this. Us, I mean."

"Us?" he echoed, looking as if the gears in his head were working pretty hard. "Whaddaya mean?"

"Uh…" I swallowed. Breaking up with one of such great physical perfection is a little harder than I thought. Though the fact that mid-meal, Josh's beauty was somewhat diminished by the wild look in his eye and the chunk of meat in his molars. And I had a small feeling that all the barbecue sauce on his lips would not enhance the kissing experience. "Maybeweshouldn'tgooutanymore."

He grabbed the unused napkin off the table and used it to blow his nose. "Excuse me?"

"This isn't working," I said slowly, giving him a meaningful look. It took him a second, but he finally got the gist.

"Not working?"

"Right." Must he repeat everything I say?

"Bullshit," he said scathingly. "You can't be breaking up with me."

Oh, yeah? Who does he think he is? "But I am. It's over, Josh."

"You're joking!" he shouted, causing other diners to turn and stare. Jesus Christ.

"Nope, I'm totally serious," I said quietly, grabbing my purse and standing up.

"B-but, Mia, I love you!"

I spun around and stared at him. "You don't love me," I sputtered. "How could you? You don't even know me."

Tired of all his retarded excuses, I hurried out of there to the Moscovitzes, where I knew there'd be someone to talk to.

I met Michael in the lobby of his apartment building, heading for the door. But he stopped when he saw me. "Thermopolis," he said, breaking into a grin. "Is the deed done?"

I nodded, grinning. "Yup. So where were you headed?"

He looked kind of sheepish. "Um, there was this bar…but I'm not gonna go. We have to celebrate the Grand Dump, right?" He chuckled. "That sounded kind of gross, didn't it?"

I giggled and he wrapped an arm around me, ushering me into the elevator.

A few minutes later, after it had been determined that Lilly was out with Boris, we were sitting on the couch, feet propped up on the coffee table, watching Moulin Rouge. Seriously.

I didn't even know Michael liked this movie! But I guess he has a thing for Nicole Kidman or something.

Anyway, I think I made the right decision in dumping Josh. Now I can move onto better things. Better guys.

But what if I'm wrong about Michael? I mean, I'm wrong like 98% of the time. But there's something different here. Why would he spend so much time around me and hold my hand and put his arm around me? Normal guys don't do that to girls they don't like.

Tentatively, I leaned my head against Michael's shoulder. He looked down at me, with a smile that crinkled the bridge of his nose, and pulled me closer before turning back to the movie.

"Michael?" I whispered. He rubbed his barefoot up against mine, but his gaze was still locked on the screen. "Michael!"

"Mia, I'm trying to watch---"

But I didn't let him finish. Because I reached up and pulled him towards me, his lips mashing against mine.

It only lasted for about three seconds before Michael pulled away, looking at me strangely. Before I could burst into tears or run away or anything 'extremely lame' (for lack of a better term) like that, Michael moved towards me again.

And when his lips slowly met mine, and his arms wrapped around my waist, it just felt right.

After a few minutes, he gently pulled back, his eyes still closed. I could feel his breath against my cheek, slow and even. "What the fuck am I doing?" I heard him murmur to himself before kissing me again. The kiss turned into a hug, and he squeezed me tightly, pressing his face into my shoulder.

I didn't know what to do, so I just kind of sat there hugging him back. I kind of wanted to return to the kissing, though.

"Look, I'm gonna go to bed," he whispered to me. "I need to think."

"B-but…" I stammered, trying to think. "We could watch another movie. Or order some pizza."

He smiled sadly. "Maybe later. I'm sorry..." he trailed off, looking confused. "Do you need Lars to come get you?"

"No, I'm fine," I said, suddenly feeling very small. "I'll just wait for Lilly."

And then he left, leaving me altogether mixed up. What the heck was going on?