AN: Thanks LTJM for reviewing each chapter, I'm glad you're enjoying it! I'm nearly done now, maybe only one or two chapters to go...
DISCLAIMER: Linwood Boomer owns all rights to MITM. He is king. Bow to him.
The cutest thing about Julie, Reese decided, was that she totally didn't know she was cute. She was just sitting there, listening to Malcolm talking his brain crap - but only pretending to listen, he could tell - twirling a few strands of her gorgeous blonde hair with one finger, her blue eyes bluer than even the bluest thing he'd ever seen in his life.
Malcolm could see that Julie was really interested in his explanation of advanced acid reactivity. She was even nodding in the right places as he talked. So she was beautiful and smart. It just kept getting better and better. He wished Reese would stop gawping and go away so they could be alone...
It was all Julie could do to hold back a yawn. She'd been politely listening to Malcolm droning on for at least 10 minutes now. It was a good thing he was cute, else she'd have had a hard time watching him all this time and pretending to look interested. There had to be a way of getting him to shut up...
Suddenly she had an idea. ''Oh no,'' she said worriedly, looking down at her wrist.
Malcolm and Reese were both looking at her. ''What is it?'' asked Reese.
''I was wearing the sapphire bracelet my mom got me,'' she bluffed, ''and it's gone! I guess it must have fallen off somewhere in the park.''
Reese jumped up right away. ''I'll go look for it.''
Julie was about to protest, but he'd already ran off, back the way they'd come. Hmm. She'd been counting on Malcolm going to get the bracelet and Reese staying behind...
Malcolm had to admit, that had been a pretty good way of getting Reese out of the way. Julie really was smart! And the best part was, now they could be alone. Finally they could talk.
Julie started telling him all about New York - the places she'd been, the people she'd met, the stuff she'd bought... ''But you don't really wanna hear all this,'' she said finally.
''No, really, it's fine,'' said Malcolm. ''I could listen to you talk forever.''
It's a pity I can't say the same about you, Julie thought, but instead she said, ''Ah. That's so sweet.''
For a moment, all Malcolm could do was give her a goofy smile.
It was quite a long moment.
''So, uh, Julie...'' he said slowly.
''Yeah?''
''Can I, uh...''
He wanted to say ''Can I kiss you?''. But the words stuck in his throat and he was just left gazing dumbly at her again.
''Maybe I should just go help Reese look for your bracelet,'' he said lamely. He stood up and slunk away miserably. Why was he so useless at this?
Reese was sprinting towards him, holding something silver and blue in his hand.
''Julie, I found it!'' he yelled.
Julie got up and came to meet them. ''Oh, gee, thanks, Reese,'' she said slowly, taking it. Of course it wasn't hers, but she couldn't tell him that now.
''Anything for you,'' said Reese happily, casually slipping his arm around her shoulders.
Malcolm walked away in disgust. Reese was dumb, he was the smart one, so how come Reese always managed to say the right thing and he was left looking like a total moron?
They walked home from the park, Julie and Reese laughing and joking, Malcolm a few paces in front of them, staring at the ground in stony silence. Why can't I ever be happy?
''Hey, Malcolm,'' Julie said, ''Reese and I are gonna finish painting my room after this, wanna help?''
''So long as I won't be in the way,'' he said sulkily.
''Of course not, silly,'' she laughed. ''Come on.''
Oh well, Malcolm thought to himself, making a fool of myself one last time won't really make much of a difference.