~ Oh, I'm just a girl
Trying to find a place in this world~

Crystal | 20/12/1982

"Crystal! Hurry up and get that box over here!" Velma waves her hand to beckon to me, shouting at me from a distance only enough for me to faintly hear her.

"Coming," I wince as I transport the boxes to her.

After years of finally being homeless, I was picked up by a kind soul. That kind soul was Velma. I could never express how much gratitude I have towards her, although she asked for something in return for her kindness. It was simply nothing more than to help out around the house, help her in everyday chores. It was difficult to begin with since I had no idea how to maintain a home, but through her guidance, I've learned to manage. She also taught me English along with a few other basic skills, like math and reading. Velma is also an avid music listener and brings me to record stores from time to time, as well as buying back records.

Today, the radio was on, so we had a little taste of new music. I'm not paying attention, but I do hear a nice groove going on.

"Do you need help, Crystal?" Velma asks from upstairs. I shout back, "It's okay here, Velma! Thanks!"

"As long as you're not overexerting yourself there, Crystal! Those boxes are really heavy," Velma says as she comes downstairs, giving an encouraging smile. Velma's old enough to be my mother, in all honesty. Yet, she treats me like a sister, and yet her daughter at the same time. I'm glad she even took me in.

"What's the song playing on the radio right now?" I ask, intrigued by the beat going on in the background that just feels irresistible. It makes me wanna dance.

"Oh, it's Billie Jean, by Michael Jackson. He's rising up top these days. I should get the record back home and give it a spin to see how it is. You like it?"

"Michael Jackson? Well, I'm up for an outing!" I can't figure. It's a name so familiar, but no memory comes to mind. I continue moving the boxes quickly, so I can help Velma with lunch, and then go out as soon as possible.

"No need to rush, once we're done with the boxes, we're going to get takeout, and go to the record store today. Since both of us are intrigued by this Michael Jackson, let's go and have a listen soon as we are done."

I'm shocked. Velma has never been so excited to go to a record store. Michael must be a strong new force in the music industry.

I place the last box in it's place in the garage and Velma beckons me to our humble Ford Mustang as she locks the door. She takes her seat, starts the car as I strap myself in, and with the roar of the engine leading the way, we were off to Leah's Records.

I've never been on the road much, but every time I am on the freeway, Velma tends to go fast, and it's always a fun ride. The radio accompanies the entire journey, but I take this time to think over my future. Velma says that I should try to go to school, if I'm really determined to, she doesn't mind paying for my education. I don't know what I want, I'm already very grateful towards her hospitality, for even taking me into her care in the first place. What more can I ask? Everything else, is a bonus, and I shouldn't ask for too much.

"Well, do you have any aspirations, Crystal?" Velma asks me over dinner one day.

"I don't know... I've never ever thought about this, is there something I should know? I mean, being able to live under someone's care, having a roof over my head... I'm already blessed enough to not be sleeping on the streets."

"Well, I'm sure you've thought of something further beyond getting out of being homeless, Crystal."

"I want to see someone again... he's given me hope to live. I still remember his voice, how innocent he is because he's a child..."

"I just want to see him again..."

I return to reality, the engine going to sleep and the radio switched off. Velma leaves the car and I get out, looking at the signboard of Leah's Records.

We're here! I open the door and rush in, taking in this special place once more. The abundance of music here... seemingly endless, possibly infinite. Now to find the artist Velma and I were discussing about.

"Hey Leah, do you have any Michael Jackson records?" Velma asks Leah at the counter.

"Michael? He's sold out, Velma! You haven't bought yourself a copy of Thriller?" Leah was shocked, but she quickly takes out a record hidden away.

"Y'know, Velma, I kinda saved this from the stack for you, so do go get your spin of it quick!" I see a picture of a man lying on his side, the words written on it spelling out, "Michael Jackson" and below it the album name, "Thriller" in cursive handwriting. It seems to be bundled with another record, perhaps by Michael Jackson as well.

"Thanks Leah," Velma hands her a wad of cash, and takes the plastic bag which Leah placed the records into.

"Alright, Crystal, we've got our records, let's go home and give it a listen!"

♡♡♡

I've just placed the stylus onto the record, and we're hearing the album from the beginning. I'm greeted with a groove I simply wanna dance to, again.

"It's good stuff, Velma!" I say, completely intrigued. The music seems to beckon to me, pulling me into an embrace I don't want to leave from.

Michael Jackson.....

"I... I'm Michael, Michael Jackson. Michael Joseph Jackson. Crystal - it's nice to meet you!"

This! Is Michael the Michael I've met years ago? The one that passed me money that day, that I was feeling so devoid of hope for the future?

But... he sounds and looks... different.

Is it really him?

"Velma, I... I'm not sure, but if this Michael was the boy I've met back on the streets..." I let my thoughts run, but they were halted as I forgot what to say next.

"Crystal... you think he's the boy?"

"The name, I can't be wrong..." I hold up the record sleeve and examine it closely; the features of the boy from years ago... faintly show up, but I can't confirm it. The other record, also by Michael Jackson, named Off The Wall, shows Michael with an afro, compared to his jheri curls in Thriller.

"Just so you know, Leah does sell some of his early records, based on what I've heard. He's been recording since he was a child, with his family. Maybe I can let you see some of his early records, see whether you recognise the face." With that, Velma leaves and I'm left in the house, all alone. In a flash, the house seemed so strangely quiet, with only the record spinning to negate this silence.

It's as if the music was with me, but something felt off. I'm pulled towards Off The Wall, and I stop playing Thriller, to hear it.

Time seems to pass as I hear every single tune. With every single second I'm hearing this record...

Music's never made me feel so connected to someone before. Is this the work of fate? Is it really the work of fate letting me know that this is the Michael I've met years ago?

But how am I going to see him again? Without Velma, I'm alone, on my own.

But even tomorrow's a mystery - I don't know what's down this road; for all I know, miracles exist, because I've experienced one.

Till then, I'm just a girl, finding a place in this world.

Author's Note

Hi readers! Hope you've enjoyed the chapter as usual! This chapter is really an introduction to Crystal's new life with Velma and her intense connection to music through Velma herself.

For readers who have seen the evolution of the table of contents and my announcements, you would have realised that this is one of the chapters where I've edited the titles. "This Must Be Love" will be the next chapter's title, after yet some more thinking. Hopefully, the table of contents and chapter titles won't change anymore, because I'm sure your heads were rollin' around, tryna figure out what's going on HAHAHA

I've chosen Taylor's song because I feel that Crystal is really just nowhere for now. She's relying on someone to live, but she knows she's trying to find a place for herself, which could probably be with Michael, but she can't be with him, she doesn't have the means. And technically, she can't be with Velma forever. She has to be independent one day.

Taylor mentions this when asked about the song, "I made this song when I was thirteen and had just moved to Nashville. It was tough trying to find out how I was going to get where I wanted to go. I knew where I wanted to be, but I just didn't know how to get there. I'm really happy this is on the album, because I feel like I finally figured it out."

Till the next chapter :D