NEXT DAY~ December 26th

I spotted the Jacksons outside, Joseph, Tito and Jackie loading the truck with suitcases and instruments, Marlon and Jermaine horse playing on the grass and Michael on the door steps watching them with laughter.

I wanna talk to Michael so bad but I feel like they'll yell at me if I go over there or maybe look at me weird.

I know Latoya probably told her brothers and her parents about my pregnancy...

I need to talk to Michael... he's my best friend and I don't want to lose another friend.

I slowly walked out from behind the fence and hesitated when I caught eye contact with Michael.

My heart raced as I watched his smile fade. The other Jackson's stopped what they were doing and stared at me.

Exactly how I imagined...

They're all lookin at me so weird.

I don't know whether I should run or risk it all and walk in their yard...

I should probably just go ahead and do it... just to save our friendship.

Here goes nothing...

"M-Michael, can I talk to you p-privately?" I asked my voice shaking.

He sighed and got up from the door steps.

"Uh guys... can y'all go in the house for a second, we need to talk." He told his brothers.

They quietly walked away and went into the house, leaving Michael and I alone in the yard.

Where do I even start?

I nervously scratched the back of my head and felt my body shake as he sat down on a chair and stared at me emotionless.

"Uuh...um." I scratched the back of my head.

"Latoya's told me that you and Sabrina told your mom to tell the police that Latoya is pregnant. Did you know that I had to watch my own sister get beat in front of me..." he squinted his eyes at me.

"It was a whole misunderstanding. My mom heard us arguing that day and she thought Latoya was pregnant. If it wasn't for my mom then she would've never gotten beaten." I explained.

He sighed, "She also told me that you cheated on Prince with another guy and got pregnant...." he changed the subject.

"No. Michael that never happened, she's lying." I denied.

"I know that isn't true because your brother called me last night and explained everything that led up to your pregnancy. He wanted me to tell me this to save our friendship." He told me.

I let out a small sigh of relief.

He sighed, "I don't even trust my own sister anymore. All the lies she's been tellin'" he said quietly looking down.

"I feel sorry for you. You've been bullied, you've been beaten and raped your whole life, I've cried all night last night , I couldn't believe it." He said in disbelief.

My heart broke from the words that came out of his mouth.

"Oh Michael. You didn't have to cry-"

"I do. You've been through so much and people think you're lying most of the times..." he looked down. "I want to stay here and help you get through this and support you but I'm not gonna be able too because I'm gonna be gone for two months..."

I gasped, "Gone? Why?" I asked.

"We're getting ready to go on tour today and I won't be able to see you for two months. Joseph wants us to be on tour for two months." He explained.

My heart shattered.

I won't be able to see him for two months. Are you kidding me? I'm gonna miss my best friend.

"But I promise that I'll call you everyday to check up on you"

I looked down trying to hold back my tears.

No tears today Ariel you've cried enough yesterday.

I saw Michael get up from his chair and walk up to me.

"I thought you were going another day... why so early?" I asked.

"Well Joseph made a change of plans and is making us go early."

"Oh." I looked down.

We heard the door creak open. We looked back to see Joseph carrying a big suitcase.

Joseph struggled down the steps while carrying the big heavy suitcase. He slammed it on the ground after he realized that I'm here in their yard talking to Michael.

"What have I told you Michael! Don't be talking to that girl, she's bringin' drama in." Joseph scolded.

"Joseph just lemme talk to her, she's goin' through a lot and I won't be able to be here for her for two months but just call and text her." Michael argued.

Joseph glared at me and lifted the suitcase. He stormed away to the truck, leaving Michael and I alone.

"Like I was saying, don't be sad okay. You can tell me how your day was and how your baby is doing every once in a while. As much as I don't like Prince, you can even tell me how your relationship with Prince is going.. you can tell me anything just as long as I get to hear your voice and know that you're okay..."

"Well... Prince and I are kinda not together anymore..." I looked down.

"What happened?" He asked.

"Your sister. The fact that she said that I'm pregnant in front of everybody. He says he still loves me but he's just very shocked and think that we should take a break until things ease up a little..."

"I wouldn't do that if I was your boyfriend." He grabbed my hand.

Michael stared at me deep in my eyes.

"Hurry up Michael, we ain't got time. We're leaving in two minutes!" Joseph yelled, starting the truck.

Michael stared at me deep in the eyes.

"Do you know that I have feelings for you?" He asked, slightly smiling.

What a dumb question. He should know that I know that he has feelings for me, for goodness sake he keeps flirting.

"I figured." I nervously chuckled.

"You're gonna have to learn who's best for you. Prince or me?" He smirked. "I think I'm the best for you." He winked.

I giggled realizing that he winked with two eyes instead of one.

"Nah, not at the moment." I sighed. "Prince and I are just taking a break, we're not really broken up, we're getting back together another day."

He frowned, "C'mon. What type of man breaks up with their lady because of a pregnancy that wasn't her fault? A phony man." He pointed out. "He's supposed to be there for you... he's supposed to be doing what I'm doing right now, comforting you." He explained.

"But he-"

"Think about it Ariel." He said softly.

"MICHAEL!" We heard Joseph's voice again.

"I gotta go. I'll call you once we get into a hotel." He let go of my hand and start walking towards the truck.

"Bye Michael." I blurted.

My cheeks start to hurt and tears filled my eyes as I watched him walk away from me.

Oh I'm gonna miss that Afro of his.

He stopped out of no where and turned back around. He walked towards me with a small smile on his face and grabbed my hands.

He bent down to my level and pressed his soft lips on my cheek.

"I love you Ariel." He whispered in my ear and kissed my cheek again, which gave me the butterflies.

He then let go of my hands and walked away, leaving me shocked.

I've never felt the butterflies from Michael until now.

I don't know why I'm feeling this way... it's probably because I'm single.

I can't be falling in love with him... I'm going back with Prince another day.

"Think about it Ariel" Michael's voice replayed in my head.

Prince broke up with me because there's a lot of drama... who would break up with their girlfriend just because there's a lot of drama... he's supposed to be going through this with me.

Michael said he would never do that....

I watched the Jackson's drive off, still standing there speechless.