AUthor's Note:
Lyra: All you need to know to start off with is that the Red Sox are better than any ot her team. Particularly better than the Yankees. And they are in fact the WORLD champions. Get involved. Don't feel like an idiot.
Erasd: You caught that finally? Look at everyone else as well.
Kiss Me: Who says they will?
Poisonibe: Yes her voice is important later. Very important. But not for quite a bit.
Handsoff: Why would he hate Michael? He's the one with the girl.
Countdown: 2 days, 13 hours, 17 minutes and 45 seconds
Trot is already there.
Oh, and I def just bought all four wins against the Stankees via Liss. Had to be said.
MICHAEL:
Manny made us (the band) go to the Senior Skit night. I had no desire to see my sister, or to see Mia. She'd probably be sucking face with that loser afterwards. But Manny assured me that he was in New Jersey.
Somehow he knew that was what was holding me back from going to the show. Manny knew without my saying that I was in love with her. Or he knew I liked her at least.
But he had been misinformed. That jack ass was right here with us. Sitting next to me telling me about his plans for Mia's Christmas gift. I told him that she would never want a bracelet from Tiffany's. It was not her style.
She looked panic stricken when she caught my eye. But then the music started playing and she started singing. She actually had a really nice voice. And she made funny facial expressions when she sang. "She hates that song," I whispered to Manny afterwards.
He shrugged, "She sounds good though, doesn't she?"
When she finished I turned to him, "Looks like we've found another vocalist for the band."
"Go find her," he pushed.
"Jackass is probably with her," I replied shaking my head.
"And I think you are probably the only person that can get her attention off of him," he said with a raised eyebrow. "Go on."
So I passed my sister and her friends and found Mia in a corner with Schilling, sucking face as I had assumed they would be. "Oh, hi Michael," she said blushing. She never blushes around me. Never. She didn't look at me in the eyes.
"I was just…"
"Schilling was coming by before he left with his dad," she explained. "So…"
"Oh, okay," I said, brightening at the fact he was leaving.
"How are you?" Schilling asked casually.
Asshole. "Fine," I replied shortly.
"You know, I was thinking," he started, putting his hands on her hips, "Maybe we should get to know one another. I mean, Mia says you two are the best of friends. Maybe you could meet me for some racquet ball down at the Y on Monday."
I looked at Mia for help, but she was looking off to the side ignoring this exchange. "I'm not really one to-"
"Oh come on old Sporto," he said with a wink. "I'll treat you to dinner afterwards. Mia can meet us."
I shrugged. "Fine, whatever. I'll go get Tina now."
But I went over to Manny instead. We started planning on how we can get Mia to agree to sing with the band. She'd do it…I'll help her out if I have to.
Tina came rushing back to us, "Michael I love your haircut!"
I turned read a bit, "I cut all my hairs. Which one do you like best?" I teased. It was a totally lame joke that my dad used to tell us when we were little.
Mia came up to us then. "Ready?" she asked. "We have to go back to your house to get a costume for you, right?"
"Yep," I replied.
Tina giggled and smiled. "Are you all going out afterwards? I'd love-"
"No," Mia said quickly. "Well, maybe he is. To that warehouse party thing again, right?" she asked, looking pointedly at me.
Tina gave her a questioning look but then backed off. "Yeah. Okay. So movies, right?"
I gave Mia a look, "Actually, girls, I'm kind of not feeling well. I started eating the trick or treater's candy earlier," I said, forking my fingers through my hair.
Mia's lips turned up on one corner. "Oh?" she asked, looking at my hands going through my hair. A tell tale sign of lying.
"I'm gonna go back home," I started. "Maybe you girls can go alone? Or with the band or whatever?"
We all know that Tina would not go without me there.
"Do you want me to walk you home?" Tina asked, bright eyed. This girl is too annoying.
"You know what? I forgot my book bag at the apartment," Mia said suddenly. "I'll go back there. We'll catch a cab or something. Then I'll meet you for the movie."
Tina looked stricken. "Oh, uh, we'll never get tickets," she said, looking at her watch. "Maybe I ought to go with Ling Su to Lara's house."
"You sure?" Mia asked patiently. "We can run there right after I get my-"
"No, seriously," Tina said pointedly. "I'll talk to you tomorrow. Hey, why don't you meet us at Lara's? She wants to meet you-"
"It'll be too weird meeting my replacement," Mia teased. "Go ahead. Maybe I'll steal Lilly's Dawson's Creek DVD's and watch them at my place. Mom and Frank are at some special weekend at the Moscovitz cabin Upstate. Rocky is at the Gianni's on Long Island. I'll have a nice quiet night by myself."
"No you won't," Tina said quickly.
"Yes I will," Mia snapped. "All by my lonesome. No one else. Who else would I have there?"
"Whoa, chill out," Tina said with a laugh, "Lars."
"Oh, right," Mia said, blushing. "Right. Of course. Lars will be there."
"Okay, I'll see you guys later then," Tina replied. "I hope you feel better," she said looking at me.
I rubbed my belly, "Thanks."
Mia quickly looked at me, "You have the tickets?"
I nodded and smirked. "Why are you friends with her?" I asked. "You are way too mature for all that-"
"What's with the hair cut?" she asked. "I'm sorry I teased-"
"It's okay Poofy," I replied with a smile.
She rolled her eyes and half smiled. I love when she does that. "Did I do that terrible?"
"No, you did really well actually. Good job."
"So what's with the hair cut?" she repeated.
Okay, it was a drastic move, but it had to be done. I had gotten to the point where I knew I wasn't going to ever be good enough in the eyes of her father. No, I hadn't spoken to him or anything, but still. Who would ever imagine a princess dating a long haired musician? I didn't want to be too cliché.
"There are a million lead singers with long hair," I lied. "I figured I could be a bit different."
She smirked, "Sorry for teasing you earlier."
"Huh?" I asked.
"You know, your girlish long gleaming hair…."
"Oh, that. No biggie."
"Okay…" she started as we started walking, "Um…."
" Cary Elwes or Brad Pitt?" I joked, breaking the awkwardness.
She rolled her eyes, " Cary in Princess Bride."
"Brad Pitt in Thelma and Louise, or Troy?" I asked, surprised.
She reached to the top of my head and smoothed out my hair. "Troy fool," she teased,
We managed to get back to my place (whilst playing the game?)so I could change. "What are you being?" she asked.
"You'll see," I replied.
I put on my robe and glasses. I combed my hair properly.
"Oh God. Harry Potter!" she said laughing. "Damn, if I'd known I would have been Hermoine."
I shrugged. "Kevin is being Ron. He would have suggested some dirty things about you," I replied.
She smirked, "Kevin does that normally."
We arrived and cut in front of people. Lars gave them dirty looks when they swore. We weren't really cutting. Just meeting our friends.
"Sup Harry?" Kevin said in a fake British accent.
I shook my head. "Don't try to be gangsta and British. Choose one." He had been listening to rap a lot lately, much to all of our disgust. Luckily for him he still likes good music.
He made a face then looked at Mia.
During the movie we did all the typical Rocky Horror stuff. We threw food at the screen. Opened our umbrellas. All the fun stuff. But I kept looking at Mia, like I did all those years ago. To see if she was laughing at he same parts as me.
"My house?" Kevin asked, his arm around his girlfriend of the moment, Joey.
Mia looked at her watch, "Lars, I'll just stay at Kevin's. You can go back to the hotel."
"Hottness. Mia and Joey sleeping over, might I get my threesome ladies?" Kevin asked. Scary thing is, we never know if he's joking.
"She's with me tonight," I said bravely, pulling her close to me.
She rolled her eyes, "This possessive thing really doesn't work." But I noticed she didn't pull away.
I grabbed a beer once I sat down to play poker with the boys. It was like, three thirty in the morning, but no one was tired.. I looked at her and noted she was also having a drink with Joey. After I was out of the game I walked over to her and offered another drink. She heartedly agreed as her cell phone rang.
She picked it up and saw Tina's number. She rolled her eyes and put it back in her bag. "Not going to pick it up?" I asked, taking another gulp of my beer.
"Nah. Who knows what she wants," she replied, looking up at me with…well, those eyes.
I looked to see that no one was paying attention. A new game had started and Joey had joined in my place. I put my hands on her hips, "And we wouldn't want that, right?"
She shook her head and took another sip of her drink.
We were all sitting around a half hour later (everyone ate the poker 'chips'), playing stupid games. Hey, free entertainment is hard to come by. Kevin put on his 50 Cent CD full blast.
"Shut this shit off!" I screamed. "Think of the neighbors. Honestly."
"She's deaf," he replied, taking a seat.
"Porn names," Manny announced. "First pet's name and your first street name."
Everyone went around. "Trixie Post," Mia replied.
"Trixie Post?" I asked.
"My Maw Maw gave me a cat when my mom and I went to visit when I was little. A ploy to get me to convince my mom to move back there. Then Mom bought Louie. And I was born in Indiana. Lived on Post Road for the first six months of my life."
"You have the greatest porn name," Kevin said, commending her.
Mia rolled her eyes. "Michael?" she asked, turning to me.
"Fluffy Fifth?" Fluffy was the bunny my parents got Lilly and I when I was six.
Mia shook her head, "That's a bad one. Hey, didn't you guys move here from the –"
"Oh, right. My first street was a good porno name," I said sipping my beer and looking at Mia pointedly. "My name is Fluffy Longacre."
She quite visibly swallowed hard. "That's hawt," she said, mimicking Paris Hilton.
An hour later we were in the elevator of Kev's building heavily making out. "Where are we going?" she asked breathlessly.
I thought about this as I kissed her neck contently. "My place?"
"Yeah, Lilly is over Shameeka's…but your mom?"
"Aunt Dee's," I replied. Score. I guess my parents splitting up had its benefits; my aunts were always taking my mom out for weekends.
I fumbled with her jacket as we kissed our way to my apartment. She was giggling and smiling as I hastily tried to unlock the door. She jumped on my back, piggy back style and kissed my neck. I carried her into the apartment where we were met by Lilly.
"Uh, Mia?" she asked.
Mia sighed, "Aw man! Busted"
Lilly sighed heavily. "You to go do whatever it is that you do. I'll make sure that Tina doesn't find out."
I stared at my sister as Mia hurried into my room. I was basically sober (okay, so sometimes I pretend to be drunk in Mia's presence to explain my behavior, shoot me). "Uh Lills…"
"I don't want to know about it. I mean, basically everyone has an idea but… Just do what you do and don't bother me with it anymore."
I stared at her. "You aren't mad?"
She gave me a look, "Michael, do you think I'm a moron? I've known about this basically from the beginning. But….well….Get her preggers and I'll chop your dick off."
This kind of sobered us up a little bit. Took us from our drunken haze. "Wanna watch a movie?" I asked, walking into my room where she was lying in my bed.
She nodded. "Yeah."
"Which one?" I asked, looking at my shelf of movies.
She jumped up and ran down the hall. Or not?
"Are you okay?" I called down the hall.
She ran back with a movie in hand.
"What's that?" I asked.
"Beauty and the Beast," she replied. "Can we watch it?" she asked with eyes that would have convinced me to run into traffic.
"Yeah, okay."
She threw on a pair of my flannel pants and the Weezer sweatshirt from the concert in January. She put the hood over her head and pulled the drawstrings tight so only her eyes and nose were visible. I couldn't kiss her if I wanted to. Not that I wanted to or anything.
"Belle is the prettiest of all the Disney princesses," she said with a yawn.
I gave a half smile, "I dunno about that. That movie they did on your life had a pretty act-"
She hit me. "Oh, did I tell you, Lana is moving."
I perked an eyebrow, "What?"
"She's going to try to be an actress or something. Lucky me huh?"
I stared at her, "Yeah, lucky you. Mia I-"
"Ohhh, my favorite part!"
She left early the next morning for a Princess Lesson, but again we didn't discuss our encounter. It was just…you know…a fling. That's what we were. Just a fling. Drunken wonderful nights.
Well, that's all she thought of it as at least. I'd like to bring it to sobriety but that is not to be. This is proven by the fact that she had a message on her voice mail from that asshole the next morning.
I was told, by Mia, to meet her and Schilling at the Y at six on Monday night. SO I did. The only semi athletic clothing I owned was my old gym shorts from high school.
Mia raised her left eyebrow after inspecting me. "Nice."
"Why are you wearing street clothes?" I asked, following her into the building.
"I'm not doing anything but watch," she replied. "And to play mediator here."
I used to play with my dad on Sunday mornings before he left the apartment, so I was pretty decent already. But this Schilling dope thought he could easily beat me. HA!
"One more," he said, out of breath.
"You sure?" I asked with a cocky grin.
He nodded, "Yeah. Let me just go get some water and see Mia."
I rolled my eyes. He knew I liked her. That I loved her. Anyone with eyes could see it. Just not Mia.
We did a few volley's before it started getting intense. "Hey, Andy Roddick, chill out," I said as he slammed his racquet down on the ground in frustration.
So I let up on him a little bit. BIG mistake.
He got incredibly intense and SOMEHOW his racquet (the metal part) crashed into my nose. "What the fuck!" I screamed.
Mia came rushing onto the court.
"Dude, it's just a fucking game. Why the fuck are you spazzing out?" I asked, in agony over my most likely broken nose.
"If you can't take the heat stay out of the kitchen," he replied.
"Michael, oh my gosh, are you….oh we better get you to the hospital," Mia said placing her handkerchief under my bleeding nose.
"Mia, I thought-"
"Schill, he's bleeding profusely from his nose. I think going to the hospital may be a good idea. Go tell the people at the desk to clean up the blood."
So Mia and I set out for the closest hospital. "Thanks," I said through the hanky.
"For?"
"I half expected you to take his side."
"He slammed his racquet into your face when the ball was no where near you," she replied. "He can handle dinner alone, don't you think?"
They set my nose at the hospital and then Mia escorted me home. "All set?" she asked, helping me into bed. Okay, I could have done it on my own but it's nice to have someone waiting on you. Especially if they are Mia.
"Wanna watch a movie or something? Or I could help you with your Calc homework?"
"That'd be great," she said with a smile. "I really hate Mrs. Duff. She gives tons of homework."
"Always has," I replied.
We laid on our stomachs looking at her books. "So then Lilly told James to kiss her ass. So he leaned down to do it-"
"Please, that's my sister's ass we're talking about," I argued.
She smirked. "Okay, I give up. How's your nose?" she asked, touching it tenderly. "I'm really sorry about that. He gets…aggressive-"
"What?" I snapped. "Not with you, right?"
"Oh God no. Lars is always with us," she replied quickly. "Lars would never leave me and Schill alone."
I looked around and noted his absence. "Where's he now?" I asked.
"Oh, I sent him home. I told him I'd crash here," she replied. "But I'll go back-"
"No," I said, grabbing her wrist as she sat up.
She stared at my hand, "Why?" she whispered.
"Just stay," I replied. "You can sleep on my bed. I'll sleep on the floor."
So she went into the bathroom Lilly and I shared to change. I put on some flannel pajamas my grandmother bought me last year for my birthday. I'd never worn them before. But I wanted to be proper for Mia.
"I just called my-" she started as she came into the room in my boxers and the Weezer sweatshirt (her uniform as we called it). "What on Earth are you wearing?" she said laughing.
"My pajamas," I replied, looking down at them. "What's so funny?"
"You? Plaid? Puh-lease," she said coming over to me. She slowly unbuttoned the top. "You and I both know you don't like sleeping with a shirt on."
I swallowed hard. "I'm gonna go to sleep. Oh, wait, who'd you call?"
"My mom. I told her where I was."
We stood there awkwardly. She stared at the bed. I at the floor. "Alrighty then. G'night Mia."
I laid down in my make shift bed on the floor and listened for her to get into the bed. "Mia?" I asked.
"Um…"
"What's wrong?" I asked. Shit! Had I left my dirty boxers under the cover? No…what the hell was wrong.
"Michael, why don't you come up here with me?" she asked softly. "It's your bed."
I propped myself up on my elbows. "You think that's a good idea?"
She nodded, " I think it is a very good idea."
