Title: California, Here We Come

Rating: PG to be safe, but most likely G

Disclaimer: I do not own the Princess Diaries……..I own this story, but not most of the characters

A/N: Thanks so much for the reviews everyone! They really keep me inspired to keep writing! By the way, kazzylvschris, I actually was thinking something along those lines. I guess we think alike. I think I have a few other things planned also, but that was along the lines of some of it.

Mia's POV

Finally, we're in Study Hall. It took long enough. It was so hard to dodge the topic of the party on Friday whenever it came up. Somehow I managed to get out of the lunchroom without Kenny hearing a single thing about Ryan being my date to the party. I don't get what the deal with Ryan is anyway. Why would a guy that looks like he does actually want to go to a party with a tall, skinny, flat-chested, flunking algebra, non-glamorous princess that has guilty thoughts about her best friend's older brother when she has a boyfriend?

I'm so confused right now. I'm also completely frustrated. I didn't think Michael was shallow enough to go and pick up the first girl he meets here in California. I mean, I know that I have no business in her personal life no matter how much I wish I did. Seriously though, what does he see in her?

The question is more like what DOESN'T he see in her? She's got gorgeous blonde hair and blue eyes. She's pretty, and she has a CHEST. Those are all qualities I am lacking. I mean I know I have blonde hair, but mine doesn't really count as gorgeous.

I also don't know what to do. Michael is obviously never going to be interested in me. It surprises me that Ryan is interested in me. Then there's Kenny, whom I wish wasn't interested in me. Plus, I have a date to a party, and he's not the guy I'm in love with or my boyfriend.

I can't turn Ryan down. A guy that looks like that actually wanting to take ME of all people to a party is a once in a lifetime event. Of course, I can't go with Ryan and leave Kenny. Because well, KENNY IS MY BOYFRIEND. No matter how many times I try to convince myself that it's not true……. It is! I can't do that to Kenny. He's so faithful, and he loves me. I can't hurt him like that. Not to mention the awkwardness of being around him this month in the same dorm if I were to break up with him.

So here I am, trying to do some Algebra in Study Hall. Kenny is next to me on my left working on our Biology homework, but his arm is draped across my shoulder. Tina's sitting to my right, reading yet another romance novel. The teacher doesn't seem to mind that everyone in the class is talking or doing whatever they please. That's one good thing at least. Although with Kenny next to me, I don't know how much I want to talk. I'm such a horrible girlfriend. I've tried to shift when I turn the page, or move in some way to shake off Kenny's arm, but I have not succeeded.

I glanced up at Michael and saw him working on his laptop. I guess he must have felt my gaze, because he glanced up also. I blushed as he smiled at me. When his eyes met Kenny's arm, I saw his eyes narrow as he glared. I wonder what he's thinking about.

He's probably just disgusted thinking that anyone would want to touch me intentionally.

I sighed as I looked back down at my Algebra book. I glanced once more at Michael wishing that we were in G&T so that he could help me with Algebra while our knees brushed up against each others.

Michael must have read my facial expression because he closed his laptop and stood up. He walked over towards Kenny and me. He pulled up a chair between Tina and me. I saw Tina glance over at me and raise her eyebrows.

"Hey Thermopolis," he said casually, sitting down in the chair he had just pulled up.

"Hey Michael," I said, glancing up at him. I tried not to let him know how happy I was that he had come over to sit by me.

"I noticed that your Algebra was giving you some trouble. Want some help?" he offered.

"Yeah, sure," I said smiling.

Leave it to Kenny to ruin the moment of course.

"I can help you, Mia," he said, scooting his chair even closer to me. If it was possible to get any closer to me, leave it to Kenny to figure out how.

"Oh, um," I said, stuttering. What was I supposed to do. I can't be all like, 'Kenny, sorry I love Michael and would rather him help me so that I can be next to him and inhale his wonderful scent and accidentally brush my knee up against his.' You just can't say that about another guy to your boyfriend. It's just wrong.

"I've got it, Kenny," Michael said. "You seem to be busy and I have nothing better to do. Plus, I've been helping Mia all year, so I know where we left off. You would have to start in the beginning."

"I don't mind. Plus, I'm just doing our Biology homework. Mia and I can always do that together later tonight," he rebutted.

Tina, being the wonderful friend that she is, decided to step in. I owe her so much already for everything she's done.

"Actually Kenny, I needed help on some of my Literature and I wasn't sure to ask. Would you be able to help me?" Tina asked.

"Umm…Well I was going to help Mia…."

"It's ok, Kenny. We can finish our Biology later."

"Um, alright," he said, sighing in defeat.

I smiled, then wondered what had happened to Lilly. She was usually screaming at Boris in G&T by now. I glanced over and saw her yelling in a whisper at him.

"Boris! Would you quit breathing over my shoulder?" she hissed.

Poor Boris. I don't understand how he loves Lilly after all the harassment. Plus, you weren't allowed to play any musical instruments here. This wasn't G&T, it was Study Hall. Although, I don't see how his violin playing would have affected the class much, seeing as everyone was talking as loudly as they wanted. The teacher just sat there reading some magazine.

I turned my attention back to Michael and found him staring right into my eyes. I blushed deeply. Why must I always turn into mush just by his glance. Hormones are not far towards me.

I didn't know how to act after what had happened between us. We still hadn't gotten a chance to talk about the kiss. I thought Michael might just avoid the topic, but this morning, he said that we'd talk later. I wonder what he wants to say. He probably just wants to make sure that I know it was a mistake. He wouldn't want Krissy finding out when it meant nothing.

I couldn't help but wince at the thought. Now I have no chance of being with Michael. Not only am I his little sister's best friend, but he's also got a gorgeous date to the party on Friday.

Being a princess is not all it's cut out to be.

Michael's POV

Is it pure evil that I loved the look on Kenny's face when I ended up getting to help Mia with her Algebra? I just can't help it. When it comes to Mia, I have no pity for anyone but myself….well and her, of course.

I saw Mia's eyes trail off and it seems her mind went with them. I could tell she was thinking about something, because I saw her wince.

"Mia……."

"Oh, sorry, Michael," she said, turning her attention back to me. If I had a choice, that's where it would always be, but sadly, it's not my choice.

"No problem," I replied, smiling at her. "So what do you need help with?"

She glanced down at her book and then back up at me….

"All of it," she replied helplessly.

I smiled. She was so adorable when she was flustered. I'm so cheesy when it comes to Mia.

"Alright, well, where first?" I asked. She pointed to a spot and we got started.

I couldn't help but let our legs rub against each others every once in a while.

She would bite her lip when she got confused, and I was going insane. Do you have any idea how hard it is to control your hormones when you're a teenage boy? Especially when you know what the girl of your dreams tastes like and she bites her lip in front of you. Believe me, it's not easy.

After telling Mia quite a few times to keep her work straight, the bell rang. We all left to our next classes.

"If you need help later, Thermopolis, just let me know. I'm right next door," I said grinning at her.

She smiled back at me. "Thanks, Michael"

"Any time," I said walking out the door. And I meant it. If Mia ever wanted to spend any of her free time with me, I had no problem with that. It didn't matter if I did have to help her with Algebra and constantly tell her to keep her work straight.

Mia's POV

I had French class next period. Luckily I had it with Tina. We walked into the room, looking around for seats, when my attention was drawn once again to Ryan. Was this kid everywhere?

Seth was next to him, and he waved Tina and me over. Tina sat next to Seth and I plopped down next to Ryan.

"Hey Mia," he said, flashing me his million dollar smile.

"Hey Ryan," I said, smiling back, suddenly feeling very inferior. I know I'm not beautiful, but next to him, I probably look like the ugliest being on the entire planet.

"If you feel like you need help with anything, let me know. I don't mind helping you catch up," he offered.

Did I look in the mirror today? Am I in Mia Thermopolis' body? I must not be, because that is the only possible explanation I can come up with as to why he would talk to me, offer to help me, and invite me….well more like insist on me being his date to the party on Friday.

"Alright."

The class started and I focused my attention on the front. I could feel Ryan staring at me.

I suddenly felt extremely conscious like there was something on my face. I tried to wipe it off, but I still felt his stare. I turned around to face him and saw him resting his chin in his hand just staring at me.

"Are you excited about Friday?" he asked in a whisper. "I can't wait. I'm sure you'll look fantastic."

I blushed beet red. I didn't have a chance to say anything, because the teacher turned around at that moment.

"Since we have new classmates for a while, I think I'm going to assign Team projects. If you are new here, look to your right. Whoever you see is your new partner. If it's not someone who's originally in this class, then I suggest you find someone that is. Everyone else that's left, you can choose your own partners and get back to me."

I looked to my right.

"Well Well…..I guess we'll be spending a lot of time together," Ryan said. He grinned and turned his attention back to the front of the room.

After French class, I had P.E. and then I was free…….well, until tomorrow, that is.

Conveniently, all the contest winner's lockers were near each other so we didn't have to look far to find each other. I walked to my locker with Lilly and Tina, who both happened to be in my P.E. class, and Michael was already there. I smiled when I saw Michael, but glared when I saw who had just attached herself onto him. Who does Krissy think she is anyway? I mean, I know he's gorgeous, but she just met him. He could be a jerk for all she knows. Even though he isn't, he is practically perfect, well besides his love for meat, but that can be overlooked I guess.

I walked over there grudgingly as I tried to ignore Michael and Krissy.

"Hey Mia!" Krissy said cheerfully as she turned around.

"Oh, hey Krissy," I said forcing a smile. She smiled back and turned herself back to Michael. She opened her mouth to say something, but Michael cut her off. HA! Take that!

"So Thermopolis, anything interesting happen today?" he said, looking at me.

"Not really. All I had after Study Hall was French and P.E. Luckily I wasn't alone in the classes though. I had Lilly and Tina in P.E. and Tina's in my French class and Ryan's my partner for some project we're doing."

It looked as if Michael looked a little jealous when he heard Ryan's name, but I'm sure it's my imagination. There's no way Michael would be jealous of me being with Ryan, especially when he has Barbie hanging on his arm.

A/N: Eh, couldn't think of a way to end it. But……..I had to end it, because my dad says it's a school night and I have to get off of the computer, so that's what you've got. Sorry. I'll update soon if I can! Leave a review, pretty pretty please?!!! Luv ya!