Michael's POV

It's been two whole days since those magazines came out, and I'm still fuming. She's ruined my career! I know I said I wanted to go out with a bang and all, but this wasn't the type of explosive magazine articles I wanted written about my demise.

She's ruined it all!

To top it off, this is supposed to be a happy time for me. It's my birthday in two days. I was planning on spending it with Mia, but I guess that's out the window now.

Wait, maybe there is something I can do to cheer myself up…It'll just take a little planning, but I think I can pull it off. It's a good thing I still have connections. I'm going to need them.

And will I let myself feel guilty about it? Hell no. I'm going to feel great about it.

Two can play at her game. I'm not the only one with a reputation to ruin.

Mia's POV

Should I have printed a retraction? Should I have at least told Michael the truth, that I wasn't even the one who went to the Press? Sure, it was an accident, Tina says, but she's still the one responsible for it, not me.

Ah, who cares? He certainly wouldn't care that I had nothing to do with it.

"Hey," Tina sidled up to me as soon as I arrived at school on the first day back.

"Hi," I replied, scanning the area to see that almost every pair of eyes are on me. I know just what they're thinking too. Either that it's all lies because Michael refused to have anything to do with me, and I was jealous. Or that I'm a two-faced witch who betrayed him more than he betrayed me.

But I don't care what they think. Much.

"How are you coping?" she asked softly as we walked through the double doors at the entrance.

"I'd be a lot better if you hadn't blabbed to the Press," I snapped, then felt guilty. It's not Tina's fault Michael's an ass. And besides, I probably shouldn't have told her in the first place. "Sorry, T. I'm just not sure how I'm going to handle people like Lana."

"If she gives you any trouble, just say the word and Wahim will handle it. I've already given him permission to use any sorts of moves he wants to. He's quite the Kung Fu artist, you know."

I stifled a laugh. "Tina, you can't set our bodyguards on a teenage girl for teasing me. That's not what they're here for. Now, if Lana tried to abduct me, I'd be all for Kung Fu."

"Okay, I understand." She turned around to Wahim and made a slashing motion across her neck.

"But thanks," I told her, appreciating her more and more.

By the time Algebra came around, I'm totally rethinking the 'No-Kung-Fu' rule. Maybe a little slapping around would do people like Lana some good. She hasn't gotten off my case since she sat down in front of me.

"You're such a horrible person, Mia. Telling all those lies about Michael Wilson. As if he'd ever be interested in you in the first place. I don't know what you though you'd gain from spreading lies like that. Did you think that'd make him like you?"

"Leave me alone, Lana," I told her as strongly as I could muster.

"What's wrong? Are you actually feeling guilty enough by yourself? Well I think you need to feel just a little more guilty. You know it's his birthday tomorrow? How is he supposed to enjoy it now with all these lies floating around?"

Oh God, I completely forgot about his birthday. I really am the most horrible person on the planet, aren't I?

Maybe I should have that retraction printed in tomorrows issue of The New York Times. Even if Michael thinks it's too late to save his career or whatever, at least I'll feel better about it.

Michael's POV

Revenge is sweet. Now I know how Mia felt when she blabbed about me…

But did she feel guilty at the same time? Because I feel totally guilty. I know I shouldn't, because it's exactly the same as what she did to me, but I still feel totally wrong for having done it.

I probably shouldn't have stooped so low. Two wrongs don't make a right.

There I go again with the sensitivity crap. I've got to snap out of it. I've got to become the stone wall that I was before Mia came along and knocked my barriers down.

"So, Sarah," I said when she entered the dressing tent. We're doing one of the last Josh scenes, pretty soon I'll be out of Mia's life, real or movie, forever. Thank God. "What are you doing tomorrow night?"

She looked at me strangely for a second. We haven't spoken about what happened with Mia, so I'm not sure if she's on my side or not.

"Nothing, Michael, but…"

"Great. It's my birthday and I'm planning a little impromptu party at my place if you're interested."

"No, actually I'm not. Listen, I may not be Mia in real life, but I'm playing her character in this movie. And although I know that it's not exactly the same as what happened to her, I can understand that she hasn't had the best of times recently. And what you did to her, it was horrible. I don't blame her for going to the press. So I'm not going to party with you now, or ever. Okay?"

She turned on her heel and walked out of the room before I could even respond.

Will all girls from now on think the same way? Has Mia not only ruined my career but my future with the ladies?

And do I now feel worse about what I did, or better? It's hard to tell.

Mia's POV

After school I picked up the phone and dialled The New York Times.

"New York Times, Helen speaking."

"Er, hi. Um, I have a story for you to print in tomorrow's edition. It's for the front page."

"We already have a front page story for tomorrow. It's Michael Wilson's version of events in the recent scandal. And we're not willing to change it at this late notice. It's actually a very good article, it's very revealing."

Oh Lord.

I hung up without responding.

What has Michael told them?

I have to talk to him. I have to KILL him.