Michael's POV
It's Christmas Eve night, and while my family was exchanging gifts, my cell phone rang.
"Hello?" I answered it, after excusing myself and walking into the kitchen.
"Michael? It's Jacques. I hope I haven't caught you at a bad time, I know it's Christmas Eve and all."
"It's fine, Jacques," I said tiredly. I'm really beginning to hate this guy. "What's up?"
"Well, I just thought you'd like to know, that I just spoke with George, and you're a shoo-in for the role. He still wants you to do a screen test, but you'll get it, I'd bet my life on it."
"That's great!" I tried my hardest to summon up some enthusiasm, but's it's damn hard. On one hand, it IS great. Because starring in a George Lucas film would be the highlight of my career. But on the other hand, it means my relationship with Mia is over.
"You don't sound too happy about it, Michael? You're not still crying over the princess are you?"
I sighed loudly; I don't care what he thinks of me. He can call me a baby all he wants. "Jacques, why is it so important to you that I break up with Mia? Pretty soon, the movie will be done with and you and I will be parting ways." Thankfully.
"Because, Michael. The Dowager Princess has strictly forbade any kind of relationship with you and her granddaughter."
"So? Let us deal with the old woman."
"Clarisse is not an old woman!"
Whoa. If only I were an idiot and couldn't read between the lines here. Whoever said ignorance is bliss nailed it.
"Jacques, are you and...Clarisse an item?"
There was a long pause on the other end of the phone. Then, "Don't be foolish, Michael. Just break up with the girl and do it soon. Then I can tell the Dowager Princess and everything will be all right."
Before I could respond, he hung up.
I slipped my phone back in my pocket and walked back into the family room.
"Everything okay?" Mia asked, slipping an arm around me as I sat down.
"Um, yeah, I guess. Listen, do you want to go for a walk?"
She looked quickly at my parents, who were helping Will unwrap what I can only assume is a trike. What else has three wheels and a tray on the back? "Sure."
How can I break up with her? Especially not since now I know Jacques only wants us to break up so he can get in Mia's grandmother's good books. I'm not going to help him do that! Not if it means hurting Mia.
That's it. I've made my descision. I'm not going to do it. I'll tell Jacques he can go to hell, and we'll deal with her Grandmother's disapproval ourselves.
As for my George Lucas movie, well, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.
Mia's POV
Michael's so sweet. He's taking me to see all the place's he used to play at when he was growing up. The playground around the corner, the old school, the giant elm tree up the block. We're sitting in the tree's branches now, his arm is protectively wrapped around me so that we don't fall out.
"Mia, there's something we need to talk about," he said.
Uh oh. That's never good.
"About what?" I asked, pulling slightly away from him so I can see his eyes. In the bright moonlight, I can see he's concerned about something. Then again, you can tell that just by his tone of voice.
"Um, well, you know your grandmother?"
"Obviously, Michael. Since she is MY grandmother. What about her?"
"Well, she's not very happy about us being together."
"I know," I let out a sigh. "When she found out she hit the roof. She said that people from 'The Holly Wood' aren't suitable for royalty. So when I asked mom if I could spend Christmas with you, I made her promise not to tell Grandmere."
Ha! Good luck then, Jacques!
"So do you think there's anything she can do to keep us apart?"
"Well, she can try. But I'm not going to let her. There's nothing she can offer me to make me stop seeing you. Nothing."
"Good." He kissed me quickly on the end of my nose. "I'll just tell Jacques where to go then."
"Jacques? What does he have to do with anything?"
"Well, he was trying to get me to break up with you. But I won't, don't worry."
"Why does he not want us together?"
"Well, he's trying to get in with your grandmother, I think. Gross, I know. But he's desperate. He even got George Lucas to consider me for his new film."
"George Lucas? The guy who is responsible for the Star Wars movies!"
"Yeah, that's him."
"And you turned him down to be with me?"
Michael and I have had many discussions about George Lucas and the Star Wars movies. We're both major fans. So for him to turn down the opportunity to be in one of his films is just the coolest thing ever. I know how much it would mean to him.
"Well..."
That doesn't sound promising. What happened to 'Jacques can go to hell?'
"Well what? Are you going to sacrifice our relationship to be in a movie?"
I removed myself from his clutch completely. I'm now standing on the ground, while he's still in the lowest branch.
"No, no. No decision about me being in the movie has been made yet, I still have to screen test for it..."
"But you're considering it? You'd leave me to be in a movie?"
"Mia, it's not like that. This is a great opportunity for me..."
"No, it's okay, Michael. I get it. I'm going to bed now, and when you wake up in the morning, I won't be here. Have a good Christmas or Hanukkah, or whatever."
Urghh! I stormed back up the road to the house he grew up in. He's calling out to me, but I don't want to speak to him. I don't even want to listen. I can't believe he's going to ruin what we have for a movie! I don't care if it's directed by George-freaking-Lucas!
Michael's POV
Who's an idiot? Me, that's who. Everything was going great. I told her I wasn't going to let Jacques split us up, but then she got the wrong end of the stick when I was trying to explain to her about the movie.
And now she's barricaded herself in the guest room and isn't coming out.
"Mia!" I called again. "Open up, I just want to explain."
No response.
"Mia!"
This is hopeless. She's never going to talk to me, and she's never going to come out of the room if I'm here. Unless...
With a stroke of genius, I pulled out my cell phone and turned the caller ID sending to off. Then I rang the cell phone that I gave her a few weeks ago.
"Hello?" a sniffling voice answered.
"Mia, will you just open up the door and listen to me. Please?" I spoke softly and calmly. Yelling at her over the phone would do no good whatsoever.
"Michael, I don't want to hear it. And I've already called dad, he's sending Lars over with a limo right now. They'll be here in the morning."
"Mia, no. Don't leave..." I started, but she'd already hung up.
Damnit. Now what am I supposed to do?
A/N: Schwartzibrow knows what Schwartzibrow is doing.
