[By the reviews for last chapter, I can tell most of you guys are a little...shocked. You'll just have to read on to see what happens, though. In a couple of chapters, two characters that are very near and dear to my heart are introduced. So look out for that. Thanks for reading and reviewing!]

Chapter Eleven...

How is one supposed to concentrate at school when one finds out that the one one is in love with prefers Brad Pitt to Jennifer Anniston?

And how many times did I just say 'one' in that sentence? Did it even make sense? Ah, who CARES?

The love of my life is gay and I'm worrying about the grammar and plausibility of my incessant ramblings? I so need a life.

A sharp poke in my ribs jerked me back to reality. "Ow." I rubbed the spot and looked over at Lilly. "What is your problem?" I snapped.

"Funny, I was just about to ask you the same thing. What did you and Michael have to talk about so secretly this morning?"

"It's none of your business," I replied, a little snottily I might add.

"It's totally my business. You're my best friend, and he's my brother. God, is this what it would be like if you two were dating?"

I wish.

"Wait, what am I saying?" she continued. "That'd never happen."

"What? Why?" I know that, but how does she know that? Does she think I'm not good enough for him?

Lilly stayed silent for a minute. "No reason."

"Lilly..." I eyed her suspiciously. "Do you know something?"

"No," she replied instantly. "Do you know something?"

"Why would I know something? I don't know anything...But if you know something, you can tell me."

"Well, I know nothing, Mia."

"Okay. Then neither do I."

"Good. Let's keep it that way. The day you start to know things I lose all sense of things that are right in this world."

"Hey!"

She smiled deviously at me. "So seriously, what's the sitch with you guys? Although he hasn't said more than three words to me about what he's going through, I know it's some pretty serious stuff. Is he ok?"

"He's fine. Not that I know anything, of course."

"No, of course."

After that, we both went back to our work. Well, Lilly went back to her work, I went back to day dreaming about Michael actually liking me as more than a friend. Ho hum.

Later

When Michael walked into the G&T room, I felt a little awkward. And he looked it too.

"Hey," he said, sliding into the seat next to me.

"Hey," I replied.

"Do you want help with your Algebra?"

"Um, okay." How am I supposed to concentrate on Algebra now that he's so close, yet so far away?

As soon as Lilly went to see if Boris was all right, (he'd locked himself in the cupboard. Everyone ignored his wailing for ten minutes, but then Lilly decided she'd better let him out, especially if he's knocked over another can of paint thinner or something) Michael turned to me. "I know things are a little weird right now, but I want to thank you for not making them too weird. And to thank you for not running off and freaking like some people."

"Yeah, well, you know me. I don't freak out that easily." That's like the biggest understatement of the year.

He smiled at me; his wonderful, happy smile. "You're so great," he said, squeezing my knee under the table. He lowered his voice, "You know, I really wish I felt something for you. If I weren't...you know, you're the first girl I'd wanna take out."

I'm torn between melting at his nice words, and resisting the urge to throw myself on him, begging him to try to like me. JUST TRY!!!

"Thanks, Michael. That means a lot."

We went back to the Algebra, but once again, I wasn't concentrating. I'm too busy thinking of ways to de-gay him. It could be possible, right? I mean, it's just such a waste for all those gorgeous, sweet guy qualities that are so, so rare, to just go down the drain.

But then again, maybe I should just respect his decision to like men. God knows I do.

And maybe that's the problem.

Later

Okay, so I spent all afternoon, after princess lessons, devising a plan to woo Michael.

I'm going to arrange a 'date' for us. No, it's not going to be a date date. At least he won't think so. But I'm going to be so perfect, that he won't be able to resist me. He's going to sweep me up in his arms and cry, "I love you, Mia! I no longer want hot guys in tight pants, with fashion taste and pretty boy good looks, all I want is you! Say it's not too late!"

And I'll be all, "Of course it's not, Michael! I love you too!"

And then we'll live happily ever after.

Or something along those lines.

Anyway, it'll be perfect. I just know it will. I have a gut feeling about it. It's just too bad that I can't distinguish between the gut instinct that tells me everything is going to be okay, and the one that tells me I'd better grab a bucket.

But I'm sure it's the former. It has to be, right?

[So Mia has a plan. But will it work? Review!]