Michael's POV

Things are good. Things are right. Things may not be as peachy as they once were, when I was still with Mia and before the whole Press thing, but knowing you're going to end your career with a George Lucas movie, it just makes everything better.

Let's face it, I could be doing a lot worse. I could be ending my career with a Glitter or a Gigli. Or worse, this Princess film. Not that it's THAT bad a film, I guess, but it somehow relates to Mia's life, and I don't want to remember my last film with regrets like that.

I wish we hadn't ended things the way we did. I feel bad, but I don't think she's even interested in seeing me, let alone hearing my pathetic apology.

The phone rang and I grabbed it, taking a fleeting glance at the caller ID: mom.

"Hello, mother dearest," I said sweetly. I'm trying to be as nice to her as possible because of all the guilt I feel about her getting dragged into my mess.

"Hi, Michael. How are you doing, honey?"

"I'm great," I replied chirpily.

"So you've made up with, Mia then? I'm so glad, she was such a lovely girl, and it was all a misunderst-."

"Wait, slow down. What? I haven't spoken to Mia in days. Have you spoken to her?"

"Yes, she rang me yesterday afternoon. She explained everything, and she really is sorry."

"What exactly did she say?"

"Honey, I think it's best if you talk to her about it yourself. Second hand news is not the cleanest."

"Okay, maybe I will…"

"So what else is new? You said you were great despite what's happened."

"Well," I took a deep breath. My parents will be as happy for me as I am about being in a George Lucas movie, they've always supported me. "You know how I'm quitting acting?"

"Yes, we heard that. But we'll support you with whatever you want to do. You know that."

"Yes, well, my last film, will be a George Lucas one."

I took a second to wait for her reaction. She's silent.

"Did you hear me? I'm going to be working with George Lucas!"

"Oh, my. Michael, that's so great! But why are you quitting when you're just getting started?"

"Because it doesn't make me happy anymore, mom. And this will be a good way to leave, while I'm still peaking. I don't want to fizzle my career out. I want to go out on top. That way, maybe I'll get a star on the Walk of Fame. Who wants to put a burnt out actor on there?"

"Well, whatever you decide is fine with us, Michael. Maybe you can move back home, too…"

"Don't get your hopes up, mom. I'll talk to you later, okay?"

"Bye, sweetie."

I hung up feeling good. My parents' approval means a lot to me. And what did she mean it was all a misunderstanding with Mia?

Mia's POV

An apology. And explanation. That's what I'm here for. But I'm not going to be the only one giving them, if I'm big enough to apologise for my mistakes, then so should he be.

I knocked on his apartment door and quickly smoothed down my hair.

No answer. Where is he?

I turned around and headed for the stairs when suddenly the door opened.

"Mia?"

I turned back around, my face crimson, I'm sure.

"Er, hi. Um, can we talk?"

His face isn't wearing the self-righteous, stuck up expression I was expecting. Maybe this won't be so hard.

As soon as I stepped into the apartment, I knew I wrong. This is going to be just as hard, and then some.

"So, um…" Michael started. It sounds like he's having as much trouble as me.

"Listen, Michael. I'm just going to come out and say what I came here to say, because if I fumble around I'll never get it out. So, I want to apologise for everything that happened. I was upset that you chose the movie over me, and I didn't handle it very well. And although it was Tina who told the reporters, I should never have told Tina, so that's my fault too. So, I guess what I'm saying is, I'm sorry. And I hope you're not quitting because of what happened with us. Because of me."

I looked down, unable to look him in the eyes.

"Mia," Michael said slowly. "Before you go apologising to me, I think I owe you the truth. I don't know if it'll change anything, but I think I owe it to you."

"The truth?" I echoed. "What more is there to know?"

He sat down on the couch and I collapsed next to him.

"Well, I never chose the movie over you. Jacques wanted me to break up with you so that he could get in your grandmothers good books. But I decided that I didn't want to. That we would handle your grandmother ourselves and to hell with Jacques and that movie. If I had to sacrifice you, then it just wasn't worth it."

I gulped. How can I be hearing this? Am I dreaming? I quickly pinched myself to check. Nope, I'm awake. And I now have a sore arm.

"And that's why I'm quitting showbiz too. It's not worth it to me anymore…"

I interrupted him. "Michael, I'm so sorry, I never wanted you to quit, really. I…"

"Mia, it's okay. I don't blame you, I blame myself. But I'm okay with it. I'd rather it be like this. I mean, I'd rather that we were friends…Do you think that's possible?"

"It's what I was hoping for on my way over. I hate fighting with you."

"Great," he beamed at me. "So maybe…we can have a belated Christmas dinner? We never did get to have ours. Say, tomorrow night?"

He looks about as anxious as I feel. Only I'm sure I don't look so adorable, like a little puppy dog.

"I'd love to."

"Good, because I never gave you your present."

Oops. Michael's present got smooshed down the garbage disposal when I got back from his parents house. Maybe I can find something else…

"So, I'll come back here tomorrow night, then?"

"Sure. Seven o'clock okay with you?"

I stood up and said it was. Then, with one last intense look, I left his apartment.

It feels so good not to be fighting with him anymore. I like us much better as friends than arch-nemeses.