A/N: I am floating on a cloud right now because I just found out I made an A on my first college essay. I am very grateful for all of the nice reviews, and just a little grateful for the not so nice one. However, since this person did take the time to push that button and review for me (even though they must have been in a rush, not being able to take the time to spell out "was" correctly), so thanks. Things get twisted in this chapter, so I hope you guys like it, and review to tell me what you think about it!
April 23, The Plaza Hotel
Today is Sunday, and I should be free to just wander around aimlessly like any normal teenage girl. Alas, I am not the average teenage girl, so instead of getting to sleep in, I was forced to awaken at what seemed to be the crack of dawn to discuss "the plan".
Yes, the plan. The Plan is what Paulette refers to as my "wonderful and unique thoughts on what my party should be like." Now, this would be cool if I was actually planning the party myself. But I'm not. Grandmere is.
So, I rolled myself out of bed, threw on a pair of much worn jeans and my absolute favorite t-shirt, and headed out the door.
When I got to Grandmere's suite, she narrowed her eyes at my attire, but since we had been graced by the company of Paulette and what appeared to be her assistant, she didn't say a word. I smiled gracefully at Paulette as I picked up a chocolate chip cookie and took a bite. Of course I wasn't being catty and rubbing it in her face that I was eating sugar for breakfast, I was just being polite. Okay, so maybe that was a little uncalled for, but after going almost an entire day yesterday with no food, I deserve a few carbohydrates.
Paulette introduced us to her assistant, Julia. Julia was in charge of the clipboard today, I noted.
"So, your highness, what type of plans would you like to see carried out for your party?"
Hmm. I hadn't really given much thought to the situation, and was about to say so, when Grandmere piped up.
"We were thinking something along the lines of classy and chic."
Um, WE? Up until today, I haven't been consulted about anything.
Paulette and Julia just nodded their heads and Julia jotted something down on her notepad. I just couldn't resist. I had to butt in. I know I might suffer later, but there is nothing Grandmere could do to me in front of others. Her reputation might become tarnished.
"ACTUALLY, ladies, I was thinking more along the lines of young, hip, and fresh. We could have a band."
Paulette looked confused, not sure whose directions she should accept, and Grandmere looked, excuse the expression, royally pissed.
"Really, what did you have in mind Amelia?"
I really didn't like the tone she was using, but I continued nevertheless.
"We could invite all my friends from school, and just have fun."
Paulette rolled her eyes slightly because she thought I wasn't looking.
"Your highness, I realize this is your party, but that would not interest our main demographic. Many of the people that watch this show do so for a vicarious experience. It needs to be not just fun, but exciting and original. We've brought some tapes along with us, just to get the ideas flowing."
She snapped (yes, snapped) her fingers and Julia hurried to the television and popped a tape in the VCR. So for the past two hours or so, I have been forced to watch reruns of My Super Sweet Sixteen, while Grandmere sat and had her manicure retouched.
After seeing the Hart episode (you know, the guy with the dancers and the free designer shirts), I nearly snapped, and announced I was ready to begin the plans.
"I was thinking, we could stage a Backstreet Boys reunion, maybe book Britney and her backup dancer Kevin, invite Paris Hilton and Nicole Ritchie, and ask them to bring some friends."
I was kidding of course, but Paulette's face lit up as she contemplated my idea.
"Julia, write that down. Hmm, let me make a few calls, and I'll get back to you."
Paulette and Julia rose to leave, and I jumped up with them. I figured I might want to get a head start before Grandmere's nails dried.
"I'll walk you guys out; I was just on my way to see a friend."
Still the 23rd, at Lilly's
I'm in the living room at Casa Moscovitz, where Lilly and I are discussing the mental state of Grandmere.
"She didn't say anything? I mean, she just let you do all the planning?"
Lilly was, understandably, surprised and in a state of disbelief.
"Don't worry, I'm sure she'll pull the plug on this, can you imagine her going through with something that wasn't totally her idea?"
Lilly shrugged her shoulders and said, "So, we know you don't want to do this whole tv thing for your birthday, but what DO you want to do?"
"I don't know, I kinda thought this year would be like all the others."
My cell phone rang, and I looked at the caller ID. Unknown name, unknown number. Still, if they have this number, it's probably someone important. Maybe Michael is calling me from somewhere downtown. I pressed the call button and answered.
"Hello?"
"Princess Mia?"
"This is she." Who is this? Oh, God, please don't let someone have hacked into my cell phone and displayed all my numbers on the internet.
"This is Paulette." Oh.
"How did you get this number?" Really, how DID she get this number? The only people that have it are Dad, Michael, Mom, and oh yeah, GRANDMERE.
"The Dowager Princess wrote it down for me in case we needed to contact you about the show. Listen, Mia, we talked it over, and we think the party is totally doable. We may have to make a few changes, here and there, but otherwise, it's perfect."
Okay, next time I make a suggestion that Brian, Howie, AJ, Kevin, and Nick serenade us, while listening to Britney talk about her dogs, someone please shoot me. Really.
Paulette continued. "So, we are just about to head to a location, and we would like you to join us, so we can get some more footage of you before the party."
Ooh, goody.
I confirmed the address with Paulette, and disconnected the line before she could say anything else. When I told Lilly I had to go, she rolled her eyes and waved goodbye.
"Tell Michael I came by, will you?"
"Yeah, yeah, sure."
"Thanks."
I am riding in the limo writing this, and I just realized I haven't eaten anything since that cookie this morning. Well, maybe when I get there, we'll be close to a pretzel stall or something.
Later…The loft
I couldn't believe my eyes when I got out of the limo this afternoon. We stopped in front of a huge abandoned factory, and Hansgot outto open the door for me.
"Are you sure this is it?"
Before Hans or Lars could get a word out, Paulette came rushing toward me with her arms out. I noticed she wasn't wearing her Britney concert shirt; today she was sporting a Mrs. Timberlake slogan.
"Princess! I'm glad you could make it. Now listen, we don't have time to do a full makeup today, but I'm gonna have Carlos apply just a little makeup and then they can airbrush the rest at the studio."
Oh God, am I THAT hideous? I wasn't allowed to wallow in misery for very long, because I was rushed into a bathroom and plunked into a chair.
Carlos rushed over and got to work as Paulette's cell phone rang.
"Excuse me a moment, Hello?" Paulette had turned around, but I was still able to hear everything she was saying.
"Lana, I'm sorry, but I can't leave right now to bring you some frozen yogurt, I'm on location right now." A pause, and then, "Yes, honey, I realize that you are upset right now, but I'm sure he'll call you later. Look, I've got to go, but I'll call Daddy and have him drop some off on his way to work."
Lana? Surely there are thousands of Lana's in New York though.
"I'm sorry Princess, that was my daughter. Apparently her boyfriend Josh didn't call her when he promised he would. Teenagers, you know."
I just had to ask her, and I am sure I will regret asking, but I just had to know.
"I'm sorry Paulette, I blanked out for a second there, what did you say your last name was the other day?"
"Oh, it's Weinberger legally, but I still go by my maiden name, Clark. Clark just rolls off the tongue better. Actually, you might know my daughter; she goes to Albert Einstein too. She's a sophomore."
I think I visibly paled, because Carlos stopped what he was doing and looked at me questioningly.
"Really?" I squeaked out, "I have a few classes with her."
Oh God Oh God Oh God, I am at the mercy of the mother to my worst enemy. My appetite disappeared completely. I actually thought for a brief moment I was going to vomit all over Carlos' smock.
Paulette squealed in delight, "Really! How wonderful! You know, I always knew my Lana was going places, and look at her. Best friends with a Princess! Imagine that!"
Before I could correct her, she skipped off to check on something, and I was left wondering what in the hell had possessed me to ask such a question.
So, the rest of my afternoon was shot to pieces and I couldn't really focus on what was going on. I was thinking about not seeing Michael almost all weekend, and the fact that Lana's mother believed us to be the tightest of pals. I think I nodded blindly through a bunch of decisions that most likely I should have been paying attention to or putting the kibosh on.
When I finally got home, my mom had taped a note on my door asking me to call Michael at school, and that she had gone to bed early because she had an art show to attend in the morning. I raced up the stairs and threw myself on the bed, exhausted. I reached over to my nightstand and grabbed the cordless phone, punching in Michael's number.
"Hello?" a groggy voice answered. I hope I didn't wake anybody up.
"Michael?"
"No, this is Doo-Pak, he's not here right now."
My good mood deflated a little bit.
"Okay, well, can you tell him I called?"
"Yeah, sure thing Mia."
I pressed the end button and flopped back down onto my bed, staring at the ceiling. I was a little drowsy, and my eyelids were just about closed when I heard a gentle tapping at the fire escape window. I sat straight up and pulled my bathrobe tighter when Michael opened the window and tumbled in.
"Shhh, you'll wake up my mom and Rocky." I said, laughing.
"What about Mr.G?" He got up and adjusted his t-shirt, which had ridden up just enough to give me a glimpse of his abs.
"Nah, he's always a heavy sleeper. I just tried to call you, what are you doing up so late?"
He stood in front of me and wrapped his arms around my waist. His face was just a breath away from mine as he asked me, "What do you want to do for your birthday?"
He kissed me, and I closed my eyes and rested my head on his shoulder.
"I don't know," I mumbled. "Grandmere is still making me do the Mtv thing. But I think the party will be on a Saturday, so I'll have my actual birthday free to do what I want."
"Good, cause' I've got plans for you."
He kissed my nose and released me from his embrace. Turning to the window, he looked over his shoulder and said, "Sweet dreams."
With that, he was gone, and I watched him from the window as he climbed down the stairs and walked down the street. I sighed and gathered Fat Louie up for a hug. He didn't really appreciate my display of affection, though, and wiggled in my arms until he was set free.
8 days until my birthday!
