Chapter Four

A/N Sorry for the short chapter!

Stranded!

Michael's POV-

I was walking up the beach, towards where Tina and Mia were standing. I heard the strangest thing.

"...I really don't want to go around broadcasting it. And if it gets back to Michael..."

What would she not want getting back to me. I had the feeling I was intruding on a conversation that was not ever supposed to reach my ears.

"Okay, Mia. But I really do think he likes you."

Woah.

I decided not to let on that I had heard that first part.

"Who likes you, Thermopolis?"

She jumped like ten feet high and blushed. I guess they had been so wrapped up in their conversation they hadn't noticed me.

While Mia stood there, Tina answered for her.

"No one that concerns you."

I had really wanted to ask Mia to answer herself, but she looked more as if she was going to die. That really had my curiosity up. But I really didn't want to make her more uncomfortable than she already was. So I said something teasing about not being welcome and walked off. I really am wondering eho they were talking about. From the was they were acting, obviously it was some kind of secret. Or maybe just I wasn't supposed to know! Oh,no. What if Lilly was mad at me, for some reason, and decided to tell them about it to revenge. I don't think I did anything to upset her, though. But you never know with Lilly. If it really was about me, that would explain why Mia was acting so awkward. No! Positive thoughts, Moscavitz. She was simply acting weird because she likes you back, and doesn't know how to tell you. Yeah. Right. Like that would ever happen. By this time I had convinced myself that they were talking about me. Even though they might very well have been talking about someone else. Oh, well. Now all I have to do is act like I have no clue she knows, and be totally normal around her. Like that was going to be possible. Just then I heard hesitant steps coming from right behind me. They stopped when I did, and I turned around.

"Mia?"

Mia's POV:

Oh. My. God. I am not about to do this. Michael just turned around to look at me. I am frozen to the spot. I cannot talk, I cannot move. My brain doesn't even feel like it is working. How could I have ever considered making a fool of myself like this. You see, this is what Lilly is always talking about my self-actualization. Some girls had no problem asking a guy out. I can't even tell a guy I like him. And this is a guy I have known for my entire life. I cannot do this. I stand there paralyzed as Michael looks at me.

"Are you okay?" He looks worried.

I somehow manage a little nod. Come on, mouth work! I at least have to come up for some lame excuse. There is no way I am telling him how I feel. Ummm..totally blanking.

"Are you sure?" He is really looking concerned.

"Are you going to throw up or something?"

That was it. I felt sick! I know, majorly lame, but it was an excuse, although not for following him. But maybe it would at least throw him off for a little while. Not to mention, my stomach felt like it was twisted in a thousand knots from being so nervous.

I opened my mouth, fully intending to say something about being sick.

"I love you." I blurted. OH MY GOD! Where had that come from. Oh, great. Way to go, Mia! Now he thinks you are sick and weird. Wonderful. There went the chances of me having a happy life. I would die a miserable old... Why is Michael smiling?

"What?" He looked as if he were ecstatic but trying to hide it.

"Nothing." My face had never been this hot. I had suffered the ultimate humiliation. See, Lilly. This was what I got for self-actualization. A big fat no. Although he hadn't really rejected me yet, but I knew he would. I looked down, around, anywhere but at Michael. I couldn't seem to get my feet to move, though my brain was screaming at them to run for all it was worth.

"Mia. Look at me." His tone had turned gentle, but I didn't want to look at him. I was sure he was going to let me down gently. That was just the kind of guy he was. And that was part of why I loved him so much. Much to my dismay, tears were filling my eyes, and I kept my face averted from him, cursing the tears. I felt a hand under my chin, turning my head towards his.

"Listen to me, Mia." My eyes were still down.

"I love you too." He was...WHAT?

My tear-filled eyes snapped to his. Michael loved ME? The tall, big-footed, flat-chested, algebra-flunking princess?

As he leaned forward, I couldn't help wondering if this was a dream. The moment that his lips touched mine, though, I knew that it wasn't. In my dreams, his kisses were wonderful. But in reality, they were nothing short of heaven.

TBC...