Chapter Seven

That night, everyone who went agreed that Maureen's protest had to have been her best since she protested Cyberland. And it wasn't that her arguments against plastic bags were amazing either. The protest was hardly about plastic bags at all. The only thing that even reminded people that that's what they were there for were the giant letters reading 'DOWN WITH PLASTIC' glowing behind Maureen as she jumped around and screamed about fighting for what, and who, you believe in. And no one seemed to really care whether she was talking about bags or her ex-girlfriend. She was inspiring, and that's all they recognized.

Especially inspiring to a young friend of Maureen's, by the name of Mimi Marquez.

"Maureen!"she greeted excitedly, running up to Maureen after the protest, throwing her arms around her. "That was incredible! Where did you get all that energy from?"

"I have no idea!"Maureen giggled, hugging back. "You never told me you were coming tonight."

"Of course! I come to all your protests, no matter what it is you're screamin' about,"Mimi replied.

"Aw, thanks! So what's been going on with you lately? I hardly hear from you any more now that you're back at school,"Maureen said.

"I know! It's a lot of work, especially stepping in at Junior year and everything. But I am passing all my classes, and I haven't picked up a needle in seven months!"Mimi declared proudly, referring to her former use of drugs. Maureen hugged her friend again.

"Aw, honey I'm so proud of you! I always knew there was a great mind under there!"she said, patting Mimi's head. Mimi grinned happily.

"Thanks. It's like my life has suddenly just...flip-flopped! Suddenly I'm back at school, I'm feeling healthier, I'm feeling happier...it's amazing!"Mimi remarked.

"I'm so happy for you, babe!"Maureen assured her, grinning.

"So how have things been with you and Joanne?"Mimi asked. Maureen sighed, rolling her eyes.

"There is no 'me and Joanne' any more, actually,"she admitted.

"Oh, I'm sorry!"Mimi said, patting Maureen's shoulder.

"Don't be, I'm hardly upset about it,"Maureen assured her. Mimi frowned.

"Really?"she asked.

"Yeah! C'mon, let's go out to dinner. We have some catching up to do!"

So Maureen and Mimi went down to the Life Café(luckily, their 'favorite' waiter wasn't there that evening)and had dinner together, which they could just barely pay for. They talked the entire time, hardly touching their food anyhow.

"...and it's just been so much fun lately, I guess that's why my protest was so energetic tonight. I've actually been enjoying myself lately!"Maureen finished telling Mimi all about the past week.

"Well, I can certainly see why you don't miss Joanne now,"Mimi commented. Maureen frowned.

"What do you mean?"she asked, taking a sip of her root beer.

"You're back with Mark!"Mimi said. Maureen snorted, root beer spraying out her nose.

"Are you serious! Me back with Mark! What made you think that!"she cried. Mimi laughed, grabbing a napkin for Maureen, who was now covered in snotty root beer.

"Well, you've talked about him non-stop this entire time. And it seems like you guys have been hanging out a lot lately..."Mimi explained.

"That's all! And I have not talked about him non-stop," Maureen insisted, wiping her shirt.

"Uh, yeah you have! Every story so far has started with 'When me and Mark' so far," Mimi pointed out.

"That's not true!"Maureen protested.

"Well, every story that hasn't has somehow lead back to Mark in the end. I mean, from what I got, you guys are closer than ever!"Mimi explained. Maureen stared at her.

"Well yeah, we're closer...but we're not back together! We're just friends, who happen to be hanging out more lately. I swear!"Maureen said. Mimi smiled.

"Whatever you say, Maureen..."she muttered. The girls laughed off the matter at that moment...though later, as she lay alone in bed, Maureen was left to ponder the thought that Mimi had put into her mind.

And whether or not Mimi had put it in her head.

Hey guys, sorry it took so long to update! I had three performance of The Sound of Music at my school this weekend, aditions for Jr. District's, and then today was my birthday! Plus I've been sick lately...ugh...but thanks for not giving up! I'll try to update sooner after this one!