The next few days kind of went on uneventfully. I went on four dates in four days and nothing happened. The guys were so…boring. I can't explain it. Well, also that and my mind kept drifting off to think about either Michael or Dennis.
I felt guilty whenever I thought about Dennis. I mean, I still really liked Michael. But Dennis was so…intense. And different. And I felt even worse when I started to compare them to each other.
Michael was sweet. After my date everyday, he would come and talk to me and he would feed Jewel and take walks with me in the garden. He was as sensitive as ever.
And Dennis…he was so funny and so smooth. His beautiful green gaze made my knees go weak, just like when I used to go out with Michael.
I think I was seriously starting to fall for him. I couldn't help it, he was so…intense.
I was preparing for my date with Dennis and Liam when Julia walked into my chambers, looking extremely preoccupied and anxious. "Hey, Julia. Are you okay?" I asked in a concerned voice. "You don't look so good. Maybe you should take a break."
"Mia, I've—"
"Hey, Julia?"
Michael popped his head in from the doorway. When he saw me, he gave me a big grin and said, "Mia, do you mind if I borrow your assistant for a while?"
I shook my head. "No, not at all."
"Thanks. You look really pretty, by the way."
I felt a blush creep up my cheeks as I muttered back a soft, "Thank you."
"Michael, didn't you see—"
"Yes, I know," I said hastily. "I've tried telling her about Dennis too, but I've thought about it and I don't think we should."
"Why? I saw him make out with one of the maids! He's supposed to be trying to woo Mia, not flirt with the freaking staff! He even grabbed my ass!"
"She's going to find out that he's a jerk for herself soon enough."
"But Michael, I don't think she will," She said sadly.
"What do you mean?"
"She's already starting to talk a lot about him. Like he's some sort of…idol. She really, really likes him."
I felt like the air had been sucked out of my lungs. As I tried to steady myself, I asked shakily, "Who does she like more, though? Me or him?"
She shook her head. "Michael, I'm her friend. I can't tell you that. She has to be the one who tells you."
"But who do you think she likes more?"
She sidestepped the subject. "Michael, that's not the point. We have to tell her that Dennis is a jerk before she falls for him too hard."
I looked into Julia's scared, watery blue eyes, then shook my head. "No. She's gonna find out what a jerk he is soon enough."
"What if she doesn't?"
"She will," I said forcibly as I turned around. "She will."
When I got back to my suite, I saw Dennis combing his hair in front of the mirror. "Hey, glad you're here. Could you tell that one maid before she gets here that I might be a little late?"
I rolled my eyes. "No," I spat. "I'm not going to lie to any girls for you."
"I'm not lying! I will be a little late because I'm going on that date with Mia."
"You're sick," I muttered as I walked back out of the room.
My date went wonderfully. Dennis, Liam and I went on a nice picnic in the park and we talked a while about small stuff. Then when Liam went to the bathroom, Dennis and I put away our food and blanket. Every time our fingers touched, I felt a strange spark that made a chill of excitement course through my body. And every time I looked up, I found Dennis staring at me intently.
I had completely forgotten Liam.
When we got back to the palace, Dennis walked me to my chambers and we stood out there for a few moments. Then he leaned down and kissed me as hard as he did the first time we kissed. My mind was spinning and my body was on fire as I pressed myself closer against him.
Then I finally came back to my senses and pulled away from him. "Goodbye," He whispered raggedly, like he had just run a mile and was stopping to catch his breath.
"Goodbye," I whispered back with a faint smile and I grabbed the knob and left Dennis' presence.
Inside, Julia was waiting on the bed. "How was your date?" She asked as she made room for me next to her.
I sighed as I kicked off my shoes and threw myself into the soft comforter. "It was wonderful. Dennis was so…so perfect."
She raised her eyebrows. "What did he do?"
"He kissed me right before I came in here. And let me tell you, his a really, really good kisser."
She paused for a moment, then said, "Mia…"
I had already closed my eyes getting ready for a nap. "Hmm?" I asked drearily.
"About Dennis…"
I was drifting away slowly, and had barely been paying attention. "Yes?" I murmured softly.
I heard a pause, then she said, "Never mind. I'll wake you up for dinner, alright?"
I faintly acknowledged her with a slight nod and fell asleep with thoughts of Dennis' fiery kiss still on my mouth and in my mind.
I tied my shoes before I grabbed a jacket and walked out of the room with one thought in my mind. Making Mia fall in love with me was more important than ever. I had to shove all thoughts of Dennis out of her mind. I had to be the one left standing.
I was going on this date with David, but I wasn't too worried. Mia and I had a connection. She and David didn't.
When Mia walked down to meet us in the foyer, the wind was knocked out of me again. She was standing there in a pair of tight fitting jeans and a fitting soft, white t-shirt and brown leather sandals. Her hair was swept up into a loose ponytail with several strands escaping the elastic band. Her eyes were shadowed with a faint pink sparkle and her lips were colored with a coral tinge.
I watched those same lips curve up in a smile. "Michael, what are you staring at?"
I shook my head as I forced myself to look into her silver eyes. "Nothing, you…you just look really beautiful."
Her smile widened. "Thank you."
I offered her my arm and David was left, forgotten.
Michael.
Oh god, Michael.
He makes me go crazy, I swear.
What makes me go crazy, you ask? Let's see: his sexy smile, the way he laughs, the way his eyes snake around my waist whenever he makes fun of me, the way his face lights up whenever I walk into the room…
But mostly, the look in his eyes whenever he looks at me. His eyes always tell me that I mean everything to him.
Dennis doesn't look at me that way.
Do I want him to?
I don't want Michael looking that way to any girl. Just me.
When we got back to the palace, Michael walked me back to the door of my chambers. "So," He asked as he touched his forehead to mine and held my hands. "Did you have fun today?"
I touched my nose to his. "Yeah. Especially with you."
He grinned. "I'm glad to here that." I felt him start to step away, and I found myself not wanting him to. I didn't want him to leave me, so I tightened my hold on his hands. "Wait."
And before he could say anything, I wrapped my arms around his neck and planted a kiss on his lips.
And there was definitely a difference between his kiss and Dennis'.
The main difference was Dennis' kiss was out of passion and hormones. Michael's was out of something completely different. Something real, and pure.
Michael's kiss was out of love.
The only question was: did I love him back?
A/N- I really didn't like the ending for this chapter. I kept rewriting it, hoping that I'd get it right in the end, but apparently not.
The title for last chapter, just in case some didn't get it, but it was in reference to tennis. You know: one-love. It's also kind of a play on words. A friend asked me about that.
Next chapter is another elimination round. I can't tell you when I'll have it out because of Harry Potter, then I'm going on vacation to L.A. to visit some family. Figures, as soon as summer school ends, I have even less time to write.So it'll be a while. Sorry, you guys, but I'll update as soon as I can. Promise.
Please review! They're great motivators.