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: Someone said that I mentioned that Michael smelled like cologne in a chapter somewhere? Would you tell me where, because I couldn't find it, and I just don't remember doing that. But I was sick when I wrote some of the chapters, so I really wanna know where I put it……and another thing, someone said something about if Michael and Mia got together, the picture wouldn't look so bad. Well I didn't mean because they weren't together. I meant the picture looked rather well aggressive, both of them in hardly any clothing dripping wet on top of one another on the beach……I just figured if that got in the paper, with Mia's personality, she'd flip out and Michael knows that and doesn't want to hurt her….and sorry I took so long to get this up….busy life as always……

Mia's POV

I can't believe he kissed her! I just can't believe it! What about our kiss? Did that mean anything to him? Did he even care? Was it some sort of sick game? I never thought that Michael would be the kind of person to hurt me like that. Even though he doesn't know that I love him, he would still have the common sense not to think of a kiss as a joke.

My heart's breaking. I can't stop crying. No matter how hard I try, the tears won't stop flowing. Michael's not worth my tears though. He's a jerk…….If only I could make myself believe that. But I don't think Michael meant to hurt me. He probably thought that we were both just playing around on the beach and it was fun. It was a joke.

My emotions keep changing from being angry at Michael, being heartbroken, regretting ever coming to California, and being glad that Ryan's here. Yes, Ryan…..he followed me.

That's just one more sign that Michael doesn't care about me. He didn't even care that I was hurt. He didn't chase after me like in the movies and proclaim his undying love for me. He just stayed there with the Barbie doll.

But Ryan…….Ryan's so sweet. And it seems as if he actually likes me. He followed me when I was hurt. He's trying to comfort me, even though I look like a wreck with my black makeup all over my face. My face is red and blotchy and the tears won't quit. I don't know what he sees in me, because he seems, well almost perfect, and I'm well far from perfect. He's gorgeous, and I'm not even near gorgeous.

"Mia….." He reached up and wiped away one of my tears. "Shhhhh…..Don't cry," he said as he wrapped his arms around me and hugged me.

Don't cry? Don't cry? Does he think I WANT to cry? Does he think I CHOSE to cry? How can he tell me not to cry.

"D….D….Do you t-think t-that I actually want to cry?" I asked slightly sarcastically, even though it was hard to tell what I was saying through my loud sobs.

"I didn't mean it like that," he said, rubbing my back.

"I….know…..S- Sorry, I I I'm just upset right now"

"It's alright. Let's get you back to your dorm," he said standing and pulling me up.

My sobbing began to slow down. Ryan placed his hand on the small of my back, and walked me back to my room.

We got to my door and he was about to walk away, when my mouth moved before my brain.

"Would you like to come in?"

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I'm sure. I don't want to be alone. I don't want to think about it," I said, trying to smile at him, but doing a horrible job.

"Ok…." he said, holding open the door for me as I walked in and then he followed.

I sat down on the couch and he sat next to me as I grabbed the remote. I flipped on the TV to the Lifetime channel.

"I love Lifetime," Ryan said, relaxing against the couch.

"Really?" I asked surprised.

"Yeah," he said smiling at me.

He is incredible! He's gorgeous and he likes me, well maybe, and he likes the Lifetime channel. Can a guy get any better than that?

We settled on a movie and tried to push the thoughts of Michael and Krissy out of my head. If Michael didn't want me, then his loss…………Yeah, right! Who am I trying to convince? Myself? I know Michael's too good for me, but at the same time, the reason he is too good for me is because he's a great guy. And since he's a great guy, he wouldn't even believe that he's too good for me. But I guess I'm wrong. If any of that even made sense.

No matter how much I love him, that won't make him love me more.

"Mia…..? Mia, are you listening to me?"

"Huh. Oh, sorry, I just zoned out. What were you saying?"

"I was just going to ask if you wanted some popcorn or something." He looked really concerned about me.

"Well, actually, there's some Ben and Jerry's icecream in the freezer….."

"Alright, cool," he said smiling and getting up.

I'm so glad we bought some icecream the other day or I would be desperate right now. I always eat icecream when I'm depressed.

But I'm not……I'M NOT DEPRESSED. I have no reason to be depressed. I should have seen this coming. I should have known that Michael could not and would not love someone like me. A freakishly freaky freak of a princess dating a gorgeous and intelligent senior….not gunna happen.

Ryan came back with 2 spoons and 2 pints of icecream.

"Which one do you like?" he asked, holding out Half-Baked and Phish Food.

"Definitely Half-Baked," I said smiling as he handed it to me. He sat back down on the couch next to me and we started to watch the movie.

I was started to get tired from all of the drama of the day. I yawned, and I think Ryan caught on.

"I'll go if you wanna sleep," he said, getting ready to stand up.

"You don't have to. I know the party's on your floor. It'll keep you up. Well unless you WANT to go back to the party. I didn't even think about that at first. I'm so sorry. I didn't even realize I was keeping you. You go. Go have fun. Go party! I'll be fine."

"Mia, I CHOSE to leave the party to follow you. Whatever you want is what I'll do, ok?"

"I…..I…..I don't know what I want," I said as I started to cry again.

Ryan hugged me again and just let me cry. I don't know what is with this guy. Why is he so nice to me? He hardly even knows me, yet he left a party for me. He stayed with me to watch Lifetime. He got me icecream. Is he expecting something in return? Because, well I don't really have anything to give him right now except for a broken heart, and I hope he's not wanting, well you know. Because I definitely can't and WON'T give that to him? Does he even like me? And If he does, did he notice that I love Michael? Does he expect me to get over Michael so soon? I'm so confused…….I don't even know what I want anymore…..

We sat there watching Lifetime while he held me for quite a while. He had nice arms, although they definitely weren't as nice as Michael's. He didn't smell as nice as Michael either. He smelled like cologne, which is nice and all, but I love Michael's soapy smell. And his goofy gorgeous grin and his love for Star Wars. ENOUGH MIA! I just can't get a hold of myself. It seems like every thought of mine trails off to Michael.

After a little while, I started to hear rain and thunder. At first I wanted to laugh a sardonic laugh like the weather was mocking me, but then it almost felt cathartic. I could hear the pitter pat of the raindrops on the roof. I wouldn't admit it, but I was just a teensy weensy little itty bit afraid of the thunder. Soon there was a loud BOOM and I jumped and squealed slightly. Ryan wrapped his arms around me tighter. There was something slightly comforting about being in his embrace although not as comforting as Michaels embrace….I mean Michael who? Riiiight. Like I could every really forget him. Gosh I feel like a schizo right now!

Ryan and I sat like that for a while quietly. We just listened to the rain falling until we heard someone come in the door. Ryan and I turned our heads but he didn't let go of me. I turned around to see Michael soaking wet and dripping all over the floor. He glanced at me and saw Ryan's arm around me and looked down at the floor.

His shirt was soaked and was clinging to his nicely defined chest, but that's absolutely besides the point. He looked miserable. I couldn't help but hurt for him, even though he didn't hurt for me. I also couldn't help but wonder what was wrong. Did Barbie find some Ken to cling on to and leave Michael all alone? I just couldn't see that as possible though. Why would anyone leave Michael when he's the most perfect guy a girl could find.

"Michael……are you alright? You're soaked and shivering! Why were you wandering around outside in the rain?" I asked removing myself from Ryan's grip and walking over to the closet to grab a towel and tossing it to Michael. It didn't feel right having Ryan's arm around me with Michael in the room. I don't know why, but somehow it just felt……well…….wrong…….

What would Michael be doing walking around outside when the party was in the same building as us! He only had to walk down halls to get here…..

"I'm fine. Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt you guys. I'm just going to go to my room," he said turning around to head to the guys' room.

Michael looked sad and hurt. I don't know why, and I probably shouldn't care, but I do. I love him so much, I can't help but care even when he broke my heart into a million pieces.

"Actually, Ryan, why don't you go back to the party?"

"Oh, alright," he said getting up off the couch. He leaned in to give me a kiss but I turned my head. It felt like the Kenny thing all over again. Although Ryan was much more attractive than Kenny, but still, didn't he see that I wasn't over Michael? I still love Michael. Even though Ryan's great and all, that doesn't take away how I've always felt for Michael.

"Thanks for staying with me." I said as he walked out.

"Any time," he said as he smiled and winked at me before he walked out the door.

Michael had been watching the whole time. When I shut the door and turned back to him, he turned around and started to head to his room.

"Michael……"

He stopped but didn't turn around.

"What's wrong? Why were you walking around outside in the rain?" I asked curiously.

"Just thinking…."

"About what?"

"Everything….."

"Michael, I don't understand," I said as I started crying. "What's going on? Why won't you talk to me like normal? What's going on between us?"

I just continued to cry and sat down on the couch. STUPID CALIFORNIA! Why did we come here in the first place anyway? I should have just stayed in New York, then none of this would have happened! Why does everything seem to go wrong for me!

"Mia……" Michael said, looking at me with pleading eyes, as if to say 'Please don't cry!'

I looked up at him with tears still in my eyes.

"Please stop crying," he said looking at me. He came and sat down on the couch next to me.

"What did I do to make you hate me?" I said still crying. I have no idea where all these words were coming from, but they were coming. Sure enough, they were coming.

"Mia, I don't hate you. I really don't. Why would you think that?" he asked putting his arm around me.

"Because you thought all of this was a joke!" I said as I ran from the room crying right as the rest of the group coming in the front door.

"What'd you do now, Michael?" I could hear Lilly scold him as she ran to the door.

"Mia……"

Lilly opened the door and I looked out just to see Michael walking into his room. He still looked sad and I don't even know why. If he liked me, he would have told me! We were all alone. He could have just told me, so I know he doesn't like me. Not that I ever really thought it was possible for him to like me, but when he kissed me, well I had hoped that it could happen. But obviously he thought we were a joke or he would have said something! And I still didn't even figure out what he was upset about. I guess I'll have to ask Tina later….maybe something happened at the party. Maybe she'll know…….

How did everything get so screwed up!

A/N: There you go! Review Please! Ugh I've been writing this chapter for sooooo long. For some reason, I just had/have writers block and just could not write so I'm sorry if it's not as good as usual. If you notice something that could be better, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let me know! And Please Review!