~Michael's POV

I awoke to Janet jumping on my chest. "Happy birthday Michael!" I give a sleepy smile. "Thanks Dunk." "I wanted to be the first to tell you." She smiles sweetly. I chuckle "well mission accomplished. I've gotta get dressed, can you close my door?" I ask her as she skips out. After getting dressed I walk downstairs and sit at the kitchen stool. "Congratulations, booger you lived to see another year." Latoya teases, tussling my Afro. "Thanks." I grin. My birthday wasn't a big deal to me, our religion didn't let us celebrate holidays or birthdays, so I wasn't expecting much from anyone, honestly the "happy birthdays" were surprising . I grab a breakfast plate that was already prepared for me by mother and ate. "Tomorrow's the big day.." Jackie taps me on my shoulder causing me to slightly spill my water. "Yeah man it's about to be Tito time" Tito grins popping his collar, pretending to play a guitar. "Wake up tee-toenail... People are coming to see me. Everyone knows I'm the cute one.." Jermaine says, wiping his face. I roll my eyes taking a chomp of toast. "Please, you guys are boys. The ladies wanna see men...and I'm all man." Jackie boasts. "Yeah right gramps. I don't even think we have fans your age." Marlon jokes. I nearly spit out my eggs from laughter, Marlon has always been hilarious. Suddenly, I felt all eyes turn to me. It was like they were waiting for me to join in on their gloating game. I cleared my throat and grabbed my dishes, ignoring their looks. "Ahh, we all know they're all gonna be there for Michael. So you all might as well calm down." Rebbie smiles, placing an arm on my shoulder. I chuckle silently, giving her a side eyed smile. She grins back, nudging my shoulder.

~Rayne's POV

I couldn't help but feel so fidgety. I stood at the airport entrance, my eyes wandering from face to face looking for Derrick. Finally I see his big grin in the crowd. "D!" I yell, charging towards him. "Ray!" He smiles dropping his bag and hugging me tightly. "Happy birthday!" He screams, handing me a wrapped box. "Don't open it til later." I nod and hug him again. "It's so great to see you again... I missed you! Dad is in the car and he is so excited you're here." "I can't wait to see Mr. Fleeson it's been way too long." He smiles lifting his bag. I go to grab one out of his hand and he snatches away. "No no no. I've got it." He smiles smoothly. I throw my hands up in surrender. "Since when have you become the big man?" I tease. "Very funny miss 'Derrick, can you open this?'" He laughs. We finally get to the car to hear my dad's thunderous excitement "Derrick! So good to see you!" He smiles.

Derrick and I bring in his bags to my room and he begins to walk around. "Well, you got settled quick, Looks like your same room back home.." He smiles. I toss his birthday gift on my bed. " I know right? Doesn't feel like I skipped a step.." He admires the tulip on my dresser soaking in water. "Have you made any friends here yet?" I was reluctant to tell him. "..yeah. One." I sit Indian style on my bed. "Really? When do I meet her?" His eyes widen. Michael creaks my door open slowly a small grin on his face. "He's right behind you." "Hey.. Happy birthday." He smiles weakly, his voice filled with caution.

~Michael's POV

Who the heck is this guy? I think to myself. He turns to look at me, a smile playing on his face. He was a tall thin guy, a little taller than me. Brown skinned with a distinct mole on the top of his lip. "Oh my God. No way, You're friends with Michael Jackson?" He grins, looking at Rayne. I smile weakly. "Yep." She says reluctantly. "I didn't hear you come in, Hi Michael.." She adds. "Hey, uh.. Happy birthday.." I say cautiously. I'm not sure how she's feeling about me right now, and I definitely have no clue on what she's told this guy. "This is crazy, you're friends with Michael Jackson. It's so cool to meet you! Big fan." He smiles widely extending his hand for me to shake. I smile cordially. "Michael this is my best friend Derrick from Detroit. He's been around since I was 4..." I nod and smile again. "Nice to meet you Derrick. Uh, Rayne. I got you a gift. Happy Birthday." I say, pulling the roses from behind me. Her face lights up causing my heart to skip. "Are those for me?" "Yeah" I laugh, handing her 11 red roses with one white tulip in the middle and a birthday card that reads "in every 12 people at least one stands out. You are that one. Happy birthday to an amazing person." "Thanks Michael. They're beautiful." She gleams, smelling bouquet. "I got you something too." She smiles, going in her closet. She pulls out a framed photo covered in white wrapping paper. "Happy birthday." I quickly unwrap it finding a very articulate colored painting of myself in mothers garden a crown sitting atop my Afro. My eyes scanned every detail of my face. It's a beautiful portrait, I just hated how I looked. "This is amazing Rayne. Did you do this??" She nods proudly. "That looks awesome." Derrick adds. I grab her for a hug and almost attempt to plant a kiss on her lips, but I catch myself. I was dedicated to Tate now. Rayne sighs, separating herself from me and sitting back on her bed. Derrick looks around at us confused. "So Michael, it's your birthday too? What do you have planned?" Derrick asks. I shrug. "Nothing really, I never celebrate my birthday." "What??" Rayne exclaims. "Why?" "It's my religion, we don't celebrate birthdays or holidays. It's no big deal." I chuckle. Derrick excuses himself to go, after Mr Fleeson calls his name. "It is a big deal!" I see Rayne crawl towards the bottom of her bed where I stood. I look at her smiling. "No it's not.." I lean over towards her. "It is!" She crawls closer. I roll my eyes playfully, "it's really not.." She stands on her knees and clutches my collar. "It is Michael.." Her eyes meeting mine again and I swear I heard one of our stomachs flip. I feel her hands wrap around my neck. Her eyes begin to shift, "I-I-I'm just saying. Do you have any idea what you've missed in the past 20 years?" She stammers. My lips desperately wanted to meet hers, and I felt like she wanted the same. Her fingers still laced around the back of my neck, the only thing separating us was the bed banister. She removes her hands, quickly, the tension between us rising slowly. Why does this girl have such an effect on me? She stands and moves around the banister to face me. Her eyes narrow and focused, she grabs my hand causing me to tighten up. "Thank you for the roses..." She frowns, "why can't you just tell me how you feel?" My mind races, I think I love this girl. I don't know why I can't fix my mouth to say it. I always end up saying something stupid instead. She pulls herself closer to me, our bodies touching. "Talk to me." She pleads stroking my cheek. "I can't. I gotta go." I squeeze her hand and rush out. I couldn't take another second of holding back from her, but I had to, Tate was waiting at home.

Tatum scheduled a date that evening for she and I, and I have to say I'm pretty excited. I meet her at the restaurant and she comes in with a beautiful dark dress. I stand to greet her, "you look great." She smiles, kissing my cheek. "Happy birthday." "Thanks." I grin. "Where's your friend? Raid?" My eyes flicker from my plate to Tatum. "Rayne?" I ask slightly annoyed. "Right. Sorry." She giggles. "Where is she?" "She's got a friend from out of town over." I say fiddling with my fork. "Well that's good, I was hoping I could have you alone for the night. I have stuff planned" she smirks.

~Rayne's POV

Derrick and I went to a small beach not far from my neighborhood and set up a little evening picnic. Derrick was an awesome friend, and I never looked at him romantically, he's just a great person. "That bracelet I gave you is stunning." He smiles. "Yeah. It is." I gaze smiling weakly. "You don't look so happy." He frowns. I shrug, "I'm just thinking.." "What about?" He asks. "Michael." I groan. "I saw him leave so quickly earlier today...what happened?" He asks. "Michael is complicated. I know he has feelings for me but I want him to say it. He has to make the first move. I'm not going to do it." I cross my arms. "Well, let's not worry about him tonight. It's your night and were gonna celebrate." He goes into his cooler. "I snuck us some wine coolers" he chuckles handing me one. I gasp. "Derrick, you know I don't drink. Plus it's illegal!" "Ahh stop being a goody two shoes, you'll be drinking by next year anyway.. Besides its just a wine cooler, try it." He smiles. "It's your birthday!" I shrug, why not.

~Michael's POV

After dinner, we went back to Tate's place and she cut on some music. "Have a seat on the couch." She smiles, gesturing to the sofa. I watched her as she walked to her window and opened her curtains, showing a beautiful skyline of the city of LA. She sauntered back towards me placing herself on my lap. Examining my muggy face. "What's wrong?" I didn't want to ruin the mood by bringing up how I missed Rayne, but that was the truth. "Is this about your friend Rave?" I roll my eyes. "Rayne.." I correct her. "Honest mistake. Anyway, I'll make you forget all about her tonight." She says seductively in my ear, she begins kissing down the side of my neck, her fingers sliding down my shirt. I stop her, "Tate.." I whisper. "Don't worry, I'll take good care of you I promise." She smiles. "No..I'm not ready." I explain. Her smile turns into a pout. A deep sigh escaping her lips. "Ok. It's fine. I'm sorry." She rises off my lap allowing me to stand. "Thanks for dinner..." I say awkwardly and I turn to leave.

~Rayne's POV

The room was spinning. I couldn't walk straight and everything was hilarious. "Come on, I've gotta get you home." I hear Derrick giggle. I lean on his shoulder trying to gain some kind of balance. "Derrick, why'd you give me those??" I chuckle. "I gave you one, you gave yourself two more." He laughs. I sit in the passenger seat of my car attempting to strap in my seat belt. Derrick reaches and straps me in. "Why won't Michael admit to me how he feels?" I slur. "I mean, I really like him and he won't make a move." I pout. "Maybe he's scared.." Derrick responds, his eyes focused on the road. I take a second glance at him and put my finger to his ear. "You're such a terrible friend for getting me drunk like this." He laughs. "I'm a little drunk too! Not as drunk as you but I am." "Finally we're home!" I yell. I walk to the door and glance at Michael's house. His bedroom light is on so he must be home. "I'll be back, I'm going to Michael's" "are you sure you wanna.." Derrick asks before I pull away. I take three knocks on the door before Michael opens it. "Rayne, what are you-" Without second thought, I kiss him as hard as I can.

~Michael's POV

Her lips tasted like strawberries with a hint of alcohol. I pull her off of me, a look of confusion on my face. "Rayne. What are you doing?" "I don't know.." She whines. I take her upstairs to my room and get her out of her sandy clothes handing her a pair of my boxers and a t-shirt, covering my eyes as she changed after a shower. She comes and stands in front of me. "Sorry." She says. "What happened?" I ask "I drank a wine cooler.. Or two...or three." She shrugs. I giggle, shaking my head. "Michael I really like you, and I just want to know how you feel about me. I can't take not knowing anymore." I swallow hard. Time to be a man and just tell her. "I really like you too, I think I might love you.." Her eyes soften immediately, like this is what she wanted to hear. She pushes her knee in between my legs and leans down to kiss me, this time softer than the one at the door. I didn't fight back, I pulled her into my lap until my back was to the bed and she was on top of me. Our lips collided again and again as a put my hands on her waist and caressed her back. She removed her shirt slowly and began to fiddle with my buttons. I stopped Tate, but I couldn't stop her. I wanted Rayne. My eyes roamed from her face to her beautiful body, I felt myself starting to harden through my slacks. I unbuttoned my pants and she pulled them off. We switch positions where she is on her back and I hold myself in my hand staring at her. She nods willingly and pulls me back in between her. "This is my first time doing this.." She whispers. "I promise I won't hurt you." I whisper back. Slowly entering inside of Rayne felt like walking through heaven. I heard her moan lowly as I slowly pushed more and more inside her, filling her deeply. Suddenly I felt her body clench around me, causing a shudder through my spine. Her arms wrap around my back pulling me in. I start to move faster as I watch her grip the sheets behind her. Her bottom lip disappearing into her mouth. She whines our my name in pleasure as I lean my head into her neck. I get closer and closer to a euphoric state and feel the sweat between the two of us causing our skin to stick together. Her mouth meets mine once again for the last time as we both slow down our heart rates and catch our breath. A smile on both of our faces. I lay next to her giggling. Watching her grab her shirt. "What are you doing? You don't need that.." I smirk. I pat the empty side of my bed as she curls into my arms, Her hot body sticking to mine. "Happy Birthday.." She grins, resting her head in the crook of my neck. "Happy birthday." I smile. It's obvious Tate and I were finished before we could begin