We walked in to our new HOME, home sweet home. "Mom, it's huge!" I had thought she would get a smaller apartment because she wasn't going to live off of dad's money anymore. She had no money.

"It not that bad only about 600 a month", she explained. "And we had to get a big apartment so the paint fumes won't bug you."

That night my mom and I slept on a mattress in the middle of the family room. We haven't gotten any furniture yet. The next morning I got into my uniform and looked in the mirror. It was a little more fashionable than my uniforms at the private schools in Switzerland and Genovia.

I walked down stairs to see if Lars was there yet. He was sitting at the table with my mom drinking coffee.

"I'm ready," I said to get there attention from the conversation they were having.

"Let's go Princess", Lars said.

"Lars I told you to call me Mia. I don't want anyone to know I'm a princess." I explained.

"Sorry princess," Lars said without thinking.

"Lars", I snapped.

"So what do you think about the city Mia", he said emphasizing my name.

"Lars", I said with a laugh. "The city is ok", I said giving a fake smile. I truly did hate being here, but I don't think I could stand being away from my mother.

Lilly met me at the front gate to the school. She looked different more grown up and her hair was longer. I hadn't noticed how much I missed her tell today. We hadn't seen each other since we were 11. A year after my parent's marriage counseling ended. Lilly was really the only friend I truly ever had. All the girls that were my friends in Genovia used me for my title.

"Lilly!" I called out to get her attention.

"Mia!" she screeched and ran over to me. She hugged me and jumped up and own. I was happy she was glad to see me. "Let me get a good look at you," she said pulling back.

"Your hair is straight and long! Mia you look so different," she exclaimed.

"So do you" I replied.

"I'm so happy you're here. Tina wants to meet you so bad. She says she wants to meet the person that I'm always talking about." She explained. She told people about me, hopefully not about me being a princess.

Lilly took me to the principles office, so I could get my schedule. I noticed everyone staring at me as I walked down the hall. God I hated getting attentions.

My first period was Calculus with Mr. Gianini. "Hello class how was everyone's weekend?" a man with over sized nostrils asked.

The whole class said "fine" in unison.

The woman who escorted me to his class cleared her throat. "Hello, Frank we have a new student today."

"Hello umm… you can take a seat behind Lana. Lana raise your hand please." He told a girl with perfect blond hair and the perfect EVERYTHING. Why do I have to be so distorted? I walk to my seat while looking at my feet. Mr. Gianina had given me a worksheet so right when I sat down I started working on it.

"Hi. My name is Lana. Like what is yours?" I looked up Lana was twirling her hair around her finger.

"Mia R…Thermopolis," I answered almost giving her my real name.

"Well like nice to meet you. I like totally love your accent its like so exotic," What the heck wash she talking about.

"Nice to meet you also," She may have seemed nice but she said "like" far too much.

The rest of the day I was just ignored like I was invisible. At lunch Lilly took me over to meet all her friends. They were all nice, the girl Tina that Lilly told me about seemed like she was very dramatic but nice. Another girl Ling Su is a painter like my mom. And Shameeka is very pretty and she seems smart.

After school I went over to Lilly's it was so great to hangout with her again. "So how is Michael" I asked. Michael is Lilly's older brother.

"Oh I guess he's ok that dweeb. He never comes home anymore since he started college and a band." She said rolling her eyes dramatically. "He also has a job. He has had a couple but he keeps getting fired its sort of funny. My parents made him get one because they want him to learn how it is in the real world."

"Oh…" I said thinking of a new topic. I remember I had a big crush on him when I was younger. I thought he would be my first love.

"So how is the show?" I asked her.

"Oh it's great; I'm actually working on an episode this weekend. You can help me if you want to." She replied.

The rest of the time at Lilly's we listened to music and read teen magazines. I had a lot of fun. Right before I was about to leave Lilly asked me how my mom was.

"Great why?" I answered.

"Well she just divorced a PRINCE! A man with everything to offer" Lilly exclaimed.

"I thought you don't think women need men to survive." I said with a raised eyebrow.

"I do think we don't need them but most women do think they can't survive without one."

"Well my mom has the same beliefs as you. She and my father weren't happy together. They fought all the time." I explained.

"I guess that's understandable," she said thoughtfully.