Realising that maybe I need to pay more attention to my boyfriend than my best friend, I've been trying hard all week to do so.

I totally resisted the urge to call Michael when I was confused about what to eat for lunch (usually he'll offer some insightful suggestions on the cafeteria food), and when I watched The O.C. I didn't call him once to discuss it during the ad breaks.

But of course I can't ignore Michael when he calls me. I have to talk to him. It'd be rude not to. The point is though, I've really tried my hardest.

And in the process, I've replaced Michael with Leaves. I rang him after The O.C to talk about it, and what does he tell me? Not only did he not watch it this week, but he NEVER watches it. How could I have not known that he doesn't watch The O.C!

Am I really that bad of a girlfriend that I don't know what he does and doesn't watch on TV?

So now, this weekend I'm dedicating the whole time to him and I'm really going to pay attention to the little things. Suddenly just knowing his favourite colour, his birth date and where he grew up is not enough.

My cell rang and I glanced at the caller ID: Michael.

"Hi, what's up?" I asked after answering it.

"Nothing much. Max just told me he doesn't have time to see me this weekend though. So I guess it's just me and you. Movies tomorrow night? My shout this time."

"Uh, actually, Michael, I'm going to be spending the entire time with Leaves."

"Oh," he said a little dejectedly. "That's fine, I guess…"

"I'm really sorry, though." God, I feel horrible. "Maybe next weekend?"

"Sure. I mean, if you're not too busy then or whatever. I'll talk to you later."

He hung up before I could say another word.

Wow. Boy, do I feel guilty now. He's my best friend, and I feel like I'm snubbing him off.

I've got to find a balance between the both of them. Surely there's enough Mia to go around.

I stepped out of the limo on Friday morning to be greeted by Leaves.

"Hey, gorgeous," he said.

"Hi." It's still weird to answer to names like 'beautiful' and 'gorgeous'. I'm not used to it.

He pecked me on the cheek and grabbed my bag from the car. Then we walked hand in hand into the school. Lilly went off to find Tina.

"So, do you have time for me this weekend?" he asked tentatively.

"Well, let me see…" I said slowly, pretending to need to think about it.

"Come on! We can do anything you want."

"But, I've already made plans for this weekend." I watched his face drop and I smiled. "You see, I've decided I'm spending the entire time with my boyfriend."

His face lit up. "You mean…me?"

"No. Myother boyfriend." I joked. "Yes you, you doofus."

"Just checking." He stopped walking and cupped my face for a lingering kiss. "Now," he said once he stood back. "About what I said about doing whatever you want…"

"Too late!" I said quickly. "You can't take it back now. It's my choice and that's the end of it."

He sighed. "All right. I guess I can cope with that. Just so long as there's a little snuggling on the couch time."

"I wouldn't have it any other way."

As soon as school let out for the day, my phone rang.

Michael again.

"Hi, Michael."

"Mia," he sniffled. "Can you come over?"

"Michael, what's wrong? Are you okay?"

"Um, I just need that waterproof shoulder right now."

"Okay, I'll be there as soon as I can be."

I hung up and told Lars there was a change of plans. Then I ran to the limo without even bothering to tell Leaves what was happening.

I rang Grandmere as soon as I got in the car though. Leaves will understand my disappearance, but Grandmere won't.

"You're not coming for your lessons? I thought that Michael fellow was one of those people."

I love Grandmere's level of tolerance towards gay people. She's so not rude about it.

Not.

"He is one of ithose/i people," I said tiredly. "I'm going out with Leaves, remember? Michael's just a friend, and right now he needs me. So I'm going."

"But you can't just abandon your duties to Genovia, Amelia!"

"Genovia will have to wait, Grandmere." I hung up.

Finally, after what seemed like forever, we arrived at Columbia. I ran all the way to Michael's dorm, Lars was right on my tail.

"What is it?" I cried, not even knocking on the door.

Michael was sitting cross-legged on his bed. Used tissues and chocolate bar wrappers were strewn everywhere; his eyes were red.

"Oh, Mia, I'm so glad you're here. Everything's gone wrong." He blew his nose and I sat down next to him, putting a comforting arm around his shoulders.

"What?" I asked soothingly. "What's gone wrong?"

"Max. I called him to ask him if he could spare even a few hours for me this weekend since I haven't seen him in ages, and he told me that he doesn't have time for me now, or ever. It's over."

Holy crap. So much for Leaves saying this would 'die down'.

"Oh, Michael, I'm sure it was just something he said in the heat of the moment. I'm sure you two will sort it out."

"No, we won't. He was serious about it. It's all over."

He started sobbing and buried his face in my school shirt.

"Shh," I said softly, patting his back. "It'll be okay…" What else do I say?

"Can I ask you something?" He pulled back and looked me right in the eyes. He looks like a sad puppy dog.

"Sure."

"Am I a horrible person to be around?"

"What? Why would you think that?"

"Well," he sniffed again. "Max obviously doesn't want to even make an effort to see me, and this week I've felt like you're avoiding me too."

Great. My Leaves plan backfires on Michael.

"Michael, I'm sorry. I haven't meant to avoid you this week, but Leaves has been feeling neglected, so I've just been making an effort to spend more time with him. I didn't mean to make you feel neglected."

He nodded. "So it's not something I've done?"

"Not at all. But you know what? I'm cancelling all my plans with Leaves, and you and I are going to have some fun."

"Really?" he beamed at me. "He won't mind?"

"Nope. I'm sure he'll be fine about it. He'll understand."

I hope.