Free Mia the Magnificent by Eileen Boggess Page B

say, too.”
    “Oh, uh, OK,” Alyssa said, looking as though she wished she was anywhere but here. “I wanted to ask Mia about that kiss she had with Tim the other night. Because I wanted to make sure she knew that Tim and I are exclusively dating. He gave me this bracelet and everything.”
    “Huh, that’s funny,” Cassie said, her eyes practically shooting sparks as she threw her arm in front of Alyssa’s face. “Because he gave me the same bracelet.”
    Alyssa held up hers for comparison. “They do kind of look the same.”
    “That’s because they are,” Cassie stated. “Tim gave it to me at the end of the summer.”
    “Wow, that kind of sucks, giving us the same bracelet,” Alyssa said. “So, when did you guys break up?”
    In a tone sharper than a Home Shopping Network set of knives, Cassie replied, “We didn’t.”
    Alyssa’s face fell. “What?”
    “So, Mia the Geek,” Cassie said as she turned toward me, “I suppose you have a bracelet, too?”
    “Um,” I squeaked, “Tim only bought the two bracelets. It was a two-for-one deal.”
    Cassie’s eyes narrowed. “He got my bracelet on sale?!”
    I nodded, wondering if Cassie was more upset about Tim two-timing her or getting her bracelet at a bargain-basement price.
    “Tell me.” She grabbed my arms and began shaking me so hard my teeth practically rattled. “Is Tim three-timing me? Because I swear, if you’re seeing him behind my back again, I will—”
    “What’s going on here?” Eric asked, showing up out of nowhere and rushing over to me. “Mia, are you all right?”
    I stared at him in disbelief. What was he doing here? I mean, I hadn’t seen him in weeks, and just when I need help, he shows up.
    “Mia’s fine,” Cassie said as she dropped my arms and pretended to smooth out the wrinkles in her swimsuit, which would be impossible given its small size and latex content. “We were just having a little conversation.”
    “It didn’t look like a little conversation to me,” Eric said. “It looked like you were attacking Mia.”
    “It’s OK, Eric,” I said, trying to figure out if he was some sort of superhero. After all, he was sweet and giving, and had a killer body. Plus, he disappeared for long periods of time, only showing up when I was in distress.
    “Are you sure?” Eric asked.
    I nodded, trying to peek under his polo shirt to see if he was wearing some sort of cape.
    “That’s good,” Eric replied. “Now, can someone please tell me what’s going on?”
    “Yeah, Mia,” Cassie taunted. “Why don’t you fill your boyfriend in on what a treacherous tramp you are.”
    “Hold on,” Eric said, pulling me closer to him. “Mia’s not like that.”
    “Really?” Cassie said. “Then how come I saw her making out with my boyfriend?”
    “And mine?” Alyssa said.
    “I’m sure there’s a perfectly good explanation for why Mia was kissing...” Eric looked at me. “Uh, who were you kissing?”
    I cringed. “Tim.”
    “OK, now I’m curious,” Eric said. “What possible explanation could you have for kissing the guy who made you so miserable this summer?”
    “I wasn’t kissing him.” I paused. “OK, I was kissing him, but it was during play rehearsal. I was standing in for Katrina as Marian the librarian and he was standing in for Jake as Harold Hill—”
    “But isn’t Tim on the stage crew?” Eric asked.
    “It’s a long story,” I said. “I’ll tell you all about it later.”
    “I’m not sure I want to hear it,” Eric said.
    “I promise.” I crossed my finger over my heart. “It was just a stage kiss. Nothing more. I’m not dating Tim.”
    “Then I believe you.” Eric turned to Cassie and Alyssa. “If Mia says there’s nothing going on, nothing’s going on. Mia doesn’t lie.”
    I smiled weakly, hoping Eric’s superhero powers didn’t include being able to see into the past and discover my previous deviations from the truth.
    “OK, Miss Oh-So-Wholesome-and-Pure may not be with