Princess in Love (The Princess Diaries 3)

Oh, no. Nobody thought of that.

No, the lack of actual attainable men on my list was apparently indicative of my unrealistic expectations where men are concerned, and further proof of my inability to commit.

Lilly says if I don’t lower my expectations somewhat, I am destined for an unsatisfactory love life.

As if the way things have been going, I’ve ever expected anything else.

Kenny just tossed me this note:

Mia—I’m sorry about what happened today in the hallway. I understand now that I embarrassed you. Sometimes I forget that even though you are a princess, you are still quite introverted. I promise never to do anything like that again. Can I make it up to you by taking you to lunch at Big Wong on Thursday?—Kenny

I said yes, of course. Not just because I really like Big Wong’s steamed vegetable dumplings, or even because I don’t want people thinking I fear commitment. I didn’t even say yes because I suspect that, over dumplings and hot tea, Kenny is finally going to ask me to the Nondenominational Winter Dance.

I said yes because in spite of it all, I really do like Kenny, and I don’t want to hurt his feelings.

And I’d feel the same way even if I weren’t a princess, and always had to do the right thing.

HOMEWORK

Algebra: review questions at the end of Chapters 4–7

English: term paper

World Civ: review questions at the end of Chapters 5–9

G & T: none

French: review questions at the end of Chapters 4–6

Biology: review questions at the end of Chapters 6–8

Tuesday, December 9, 4 p.m., in the limo on the way to the Plaza

The following conversation took place between Mr. Gianini and me today after Algebra review:

Mr. G: Mia, is everything all right?

Me: (Surprised) Yes. Why wouldn’t it be?

Mr. G: Well, it’s just that I thought you’d pretty much grasped the FOIL method, but on today’s pop quiz, you got all five problems wrong.

Me: I guess I’ve sort of had a lot on my mind.

Mr. G: Your trip to Genovia?

Me: Yeah, that, and . . . other things.

Mr. G: Well, if you want to talk about the, um, other things, you know I’m always here for you. And your mother. I know we might seem preoccupied with the baby coming and everything, but you’re always number one on our list of priorities. You know that, don’t you?

Me: (Mortified) Yes. But there’s nothing wrong. Really.

Thank God he doesn’t know about my nostrils.

And really, what else could I have said? “Mr. G, my boyfriend is a nut case but I can’t break up with him on account of finals, and I’m in love with my best friend’s brother?”

I highly doubt he’d be able to offer any meaningful advice on any of the above.

Tuesday, December 9, 7 p.m.