"Are you sure you don't want me to go with you?"

I sighed, sliding my other suitcase to the door. "It's fine Prince thank you."

"You don't sound fine."

I ignored him and walked into my closet to decide which black dress I wanted to pack. My dad's cousin died, so I guess that makes him my great cousin or whatever. I wasn't close to him exactly I was closer to his brother, William. He always called me babygirk or babydoll or something sweet, just like a few of my great Uncles do. William and his brother are both rotten drunks, may his soul rest in peace. But regardless, the family is torn up about it. I figured since people blew me up I might as well come along. I wanted to see my family anyway. I missed the South. 

"Are you still mad at me?" I felt Prince's arm wrap around me, planting a kiss on my ear through my hair. I swear i'm cutting this shit short one of these day. I love my long thick curly hair, I worked my ass off to grow it this long but wash days are hell. 

I exhaled. "I'm not mad at you, jackass."

He cut his eyes. "Is that-I don't know if-....Your not good at this whole nice thing are you?"

"I am so nice."

"Your not nice to me."

I paused, turning to him with my arms crossed. "Yes I am nice to you, shutup."

He placed a sympathetic hand on my shoulder. "No...no you aren't sweetie."

"I am such a good person!" I put my hands over my heart, a little offended. "I'm nice to everybody, if i'm mean to you its because of you end of discussion."

"Oh it's everybody but you-"

"It is everybody but me."

"That's what everbody that's an asshole says."

I scoffed, rolling my eyes. "Takes one to know one."

"I should be saying the same."

I let my head fall to the side, looking him up and down. He mimicked my expression. 

"I love you, you ass."

"Oh my." He started to dramatically wipe his fake tears. "That's the nicest thing you've ever said to me."

"See this right here." I gestured to his current shenanigans. "Is why i'm mean to you."

"Aw come here noodle." his voice went mushy. "Giwve mwe swome wooove."

"No."I twisted my mouth trying my hardest not to smile, watching a mischevious smile spread across his face. "Stop it Prince." I started to back up as he came closer. "Leave me alone." I giggled as he finally pulled me into his arms. "Your so annoying."

He kissed me on the forehead. "I know.." We locked eyes, which made me smile harder since his eyes were so pretty. I can see all the fun we have in his eyes. He's always up to no good. 

"But your annoying too so I guess we're even."

"I am not annoying."

He shot me a look calling my bullshit. 

"Yeah yeah I'll give you that one." I rested my temple on his chin, as he rocked us back and forth.

"You're in a hell of a lot of denial today."

I scrunched my face up. "Your being such an ass today, like the meter shot up from normal asshole Prince to like Joey Coco"

He chuckled lightly. "Is that supposed to be funny? because that was lackluster compared to your another jokes"

"Eh, I'm gonna be gone a few days i'm tryna get it out my system."

He put on a monotone-sympathetic voice. "Oh no, how will you go without insulting me every waking moment?"

"Don't worry" I nuzzled my face into his chest to inhale his scent. "I'm sending Hannah over to insult you periodically while i'm gone."

I heard his breath stop, he stepped away. "No no no, don't you tell Marmaduke to come over here."

I twisted my mouth, trying not to laugh at him insulting my best friend. "And why not."

"You know everytime she come over here, she chews shit up, poops on the floor. I thought we saved up enough money to get put her in a kennel."

I rolled my eyed, returning to my closet. "Your such an ass to her."

"If you had to look at her everyday to you'd be upset too."

"She isn't even here everyday!"

"I see her everyday on the Discovery Channel." he started into his terrible Australian accent. "Here we have Mama Grizzly."

I pressed my lips together trying to suppress my giggles. "Asshole."

"Notice how she rolls around in th-"

I cupped my hand over his mouth before he could go any further. "Stoooop! you too cute to be so damn mean."

He flicked his eyebrows up and down. Ugh! His ego. It was so adorable.

"Leave her alone. she's comin' over here to pick me up and take me to the airport later anyway so be nice. I don't wanna be late for my flight."

I made her swear to not talk about the whole Michael thing. That video does not come up when we talk, I told her i'm not doing it, end of discussion. however knowing Hannah.

"Look if she start with me I gotta finish it, ok, I ain't gon' let her punk me out like that. I'm a man."

"Ha! Barely." I held a dress out in front of my body. "Should I wear this?"

He quickly looked the dress up and down before waving it away in disapproval. 

"But you love this dress."

"Yeah, but do you really you wanna have your ass out at a funeral."

"He's dead, he can't see what i'm wearing."

"You're in a church, God can see what you're wearing."

I groaned and put it back on the rack.

"And I am manly!"

 I grabbed another dress and held it up to my body. "What about this one?"

He sighed, dropping his head back. "Jas, why do you dress like a slut everywhere you go."

My voice got high. "I do not!"

"Name one item of clothing that you own that either." He started listening them off on his fingers. "Covers your entire stomach, isn't skin tight, isn't cut out in obscene spots or shows your ass."

"Well that's easy I have that hm..." I poked out my bottom lip, feeling stumped. "I have one dress that...Ok well I ha....Shutup Prince" I grumbled, putting the dress back on the rack. "I'm just gonna wear my black jumpsuit."

"The one with the mesh cut-outs oh yes because that's super classy."

I noodled the suit into my suitcase. "This coming from the guy who strutted around in a thong for 5 years....and still does."

"For your information, I don't wear underwear anymore."

I gasped, shooting my hands to my mouth. "I knew it!"

He zipped up my suitcase and slid it to the door with the other two. "What time do you have to leave for the airport?"

I shrugged. "'Bout an hour an a half. You know how the airport is..."

"Wanna go sit outside, it's a nice day."

"Mr. Nelson, are you being nice to me?"

He bent down, his back facing me. "Come on let's go to the kitchen."

"Well.." I hopped on his back. "since your feeding me."

 I held onto him tightly as he stood up. "Ready?"

I put on my best knight impression. "To the kitchen! My trusty steed."

He neighed, causing me to bust out laughing. He galloped all the way down the stairs and into the kitchen. He let go of my legs, making me clench them around him as he pulled food out the pantry.

"Nooo." I whined. "Grab the nacho cheese doritos."

"Well I could reach them if you stopped choking me."

"I'm not choking you."

He smacked. "How are you gonna know how I feel?"

I groaned. "Just grab the Doritos."

He sighed picking out the food, passing things back to me so I could hold them. He carefully walked over to the fridge, rotating us to the side so I could open it.

"Grab the fruit punch."

I frowned. "But I wanted the pink grapefruit."

"Then just grab both."

"I can't hold both."

"Then pass one up to me."

"No!"

He groaned. "Well why the hell not?"

"Cause you'll drop me."

"What- Man I ain't gonna drop you grab the damn juice."

I gave in and grabbed both the juices, handing one to him. I clenched my legs onto him as we walked outside to the back yard. We sat ontop of the trampoline, talking and just plain enjoying this nice sunny day. I really got the chance to fully apperciate his yellow three-story mansion-style house. 7141 Galpin Blvd, Chanhassen, MN. This whole place is on a 30-acre piece of land, with a security house at the entrance of the driveway leading up to our secluded house. Mine and obviously Prince's favorite part of the place was the studio situated on the ground floor of the house. I love how it has stained glass windows, so Prince like. It has an acoustic purple piano on the second floor in the living room, which is wired down to the studio. But the recording area of the studio itself was big enough to set-up drums or piano, not at the same time, and do band recordings. The control room was state of the art, pure high class studio quality. A 24-track recording unit. The Ballad of Dorothy Parker was the first song recorded here, a few days later it was followed by the first band recording, that he just had to squeeze in, Power Fantastic.

I admired the blueness of the sky, the birds chirping. It was surprisingly peaceful. Reminded me of Louisiana. "Babe, what annoys you most?"

"Amusement parks."

"What?! Do you also hate puppies?"

"I can't stand the concept of organized fun. You know, it's like, have fun now!" he made small bursts with his hands. "You know, do it now!"

"It's like New Year's Eve, y'know  Resolution now! Better life now!"

"Absolutely not. New Year's is awesome."  He sat up, looking down at me. "You're just stupid."

"What?" I shot up, just inches from his face. "You're stupid."

"Your face is stupid."

"Your penis is stupid."

He raised his brow. "My what." 

"Your penis-" I bursted into laughter as Prince attacked me with tickles.

"My penis is what, huh? what were you saying."

I couldn't get out a coherent sentence, through my horrible horrible sounding laughter. 

"ARE Y'ALL BITCHES OUT HERE?!"

We both paused and cursed under our breathe. "Shit." Hannah was here, all hell was to break loose.

"Damn, I told them not to graze the cattle until I left today."

I slapped his chest. "Shutup."

"Hey Jas." her face dropped. "Prince, you look...terrible as usual."

Prince cut his eyes at me. 

I clasped my hands together and poked my bottom lip out begging him to be nice. I wanted just one, one day of peace before I have to go deal with the mess that is my father's side of the family. 

"Hannah you look great today and did you-" Prince sniffed the air. "Is that-Girl you must've gotten a fresh flea bath today."

She flicked him off. "Off you, Jasmyn girl, I saw your bags by the door. How long did you plan to be out there a month?"

I opened my mouth to speak but Prince beat me to it. "Everybody don't grow a new fur coat every Winter like you baby."

I threw my hands up in defeat.

"Shouldn't you be singing It's A Small World somewhere."

"And shouldn't you be in a river swattin' fish just.." he swatted his hand in the air dramatically, I swung my feet over the edge of the trampoline and hopped off. I figured the faster I got ready, the faster I would leave. The faster this would be over. I quickly hurried inside the house leaving them to their bickering and gathered my things.

I jogged down the stairs, their yelling growing louder until they came into view.

"ALRIGHT ALRIGHT!" They both paused looking at me. "Can't the both of you just compliment eachother for once?"

They both grumbled under their breath thing I knew for a fact weren't nice. I snapped loudly hushing them, it was moments like this that reminded me of my mother. 

"Compliment eachother...Hannah you go first."

"Man why do I have to go first-"

I gritted my teeth. "Because I said so."

"Prince.." she cleared her throat, looking Prince up and down. She coyly pointed to his feet. "I like your shoes, how much were they?"

He shrugged, a smile forming on his face. "Couple hundred."

She chuckled. "For that much money, they better make you taller Natpolean."

I face palmed myself, I knew I was thinking way too far ahead but just imagine the bullshit that would take place at our wedding.

"Natpolean huh." Prince nodded, sucking his teeth. 

Hannah clapped, craking up at her little joke. "I crack my self up."

"You do, you do crack yourself up."

I sighed, sensing the oncoming insult. 

"But I guess you do know about shoes.." he looked up her and down. "You've fetched enough slippers in yo' lifetime."

"Annnd it's time to go." I grabbed Hannah's arm as she raised her fist and yanked her out the door. "Bye baby i'll miss you. I'll call you as soon as I land."

Prince walked behind us out the door, Hannah was grumbling and growling under her breath threats that would put her in jail if anyone else heard them.

"Wait, Hannah." Prince called, running towards us. I just wanted to get out of here before I had to pry her hands from around his throat.

Hannah snapped. "Man what!"

Prince peered into her eyes, with so much sincerity I started to get worried. "I have a serious question for you."

Her voice went soft. "What?"

"I was just wondering um...how much food do you got stored in yo' cheek for the flight. My...My baby gets hungry after a few hours."

"You see how he start Jas..." I pushed her into the limo before he could piss her off even further. 

________________

"I'm coming." Prince called, lightly jogging up the stairs. He didn't invite anyone over today. He opened the door and saw Liliana standing there. Jasmyn must've forgotten she invited her over or something. 

Her eyes widened, remembering their last brief encounter. "Hi."

"Hey." he smirked looking her up and down, sensing her nervousness. "You must be looking for Jasmyn."

"I am, she said told me to come over today so we could discuss the album."

He bit his lip not really knowing what to tell her. "I mean she had a family emergency so she had to go, she should be back in 2 or 3 days."

"Oh." she nodded, looking at her feet. He was intrigued that she had yet to make eye contact with him. 

"You like lookin' at the ground or somethin'?"

"I mean." she pushed her hair behind her ear. "I guess it's ok I uhm-I wouldn't say I like looking at the ground or anything.."

He slit his eyes at her, watching her fidget. He noticed her accent through her babbling.

"You must be Australian."

"I am."

"Why'd you come to America?"

"Same reason everybody else doesn...its the land of opportunity."

"Ah." he nodded, eyeing the notebook that she was clenching onto. "What's this?" he snatched it from her grip. 

"Wait!"

He popped it open to a random page and skimmed over it briefly, just admiring her handwriting "What's this?"

"Poetry."

"Mmm." he flipped the page to a poem called Waiting.

They say wait for what's worthwhile.

And I've never been more patient in my life.

I feel like I'm stepping on knifes whenever we talk.

Always trying to avoid the sharp end of the point.

I've got too much pride to admit anything.

Especially when there's so much to jeopardize.

Would I really risk blowing up the building?

If it contained everybody that I have ever loved.

It seems so silly to dart away from such things. 

But we're just insecure lovers, scared to death.

Not wanting to make a fool of ourselves. 

So we never dare speak of the possible.

It's like a painful game of Russian Roulette. 

But is there really a loss if one of us dies.

Shedding our bare skin on a fragile light.

I wish one of us would just bleed already.

It's a slow agonizing death.

To wait for someone.

"But we're just insecure lovers, scared to death." He felt the words more than he cared to admit. "Not wanting... to make a fool of ourselves."

He felt those words on a spiritual level. Yes, their relationship was happy, aside from the meaningless bickering but was he actually comfortable with how serious this could get? Jasmyn knows what she wants, she wants to get married and have three kids, settle down and have a life. A normal life. He wasn't the settle down kind of person and didn't know if he could be. He was too free a spirit to be the husband she would need for him to be. She needs somebody who's always gonna be there. He sometimes wonders if she would've been better off with Michael. He's never been in a truly serious relationship. He could barely hold a girlfriend for 2 weeks, back in his younger days. His first serious relationship was with Vanity and even that wasn't the best. Their relationship was filled with infidelity. He cheated on her and she cheated on him, they'd get mad at each other about it but the cycle continued that way until Jas came into the picture.

He scoffed. "What do you know about love?"

"Well..." she cleared her throat. "I know the bad side of it."

He nodded towards the inside. "Come to the studio, let's listen to some music."

He walked off, he didn't worry about whether she was following him. He knew she was, everyone always followed. Except Jasmyn, she always had to talk shit. Where are we going? What are we doing? Why is it dark in here? He sighed, listening to her voice whine in his head. 

He sat down in his chair, ignoring her eyes practically begging for her notebook back. At first he just wanted to mess with her but he couldn't help but notice the girl had some talent. 

"Who's the guy?"

She blinked, as if she was taken aback by his invading question. "Excuse me?"

"Should I be asking who's the girl?"

She started to stutter, "No-I mean- Why would you ask.."

He laughed at her shyness, it was kind of endearing. Reminded him of Jasmyn when she was younger, Jas was a lot feister though. He guessed he had a thing for women with an edge.

He flipped through the pages, skimming over the rest of her work. "Tell me about him." he commanded without looking up at her, trying to see if she would put a story to the pained poetry she was writing.

She sighed, realizing she wasn't getting her notebook until she spilled the beans. "He was the greatest guy, he always cared for me. We were both very lonely people when we first met and so we were together constantly... in the beginning. He was in college and I was a high school dropout so of course, I relied on him more. I think I fell in love with him at the very start."

He nodded, connecting her words to some of her lines. "I stared into your eyes, your soul played all the memories we had shared."

She paused and cut her eyes wondering what he was doing, he waved at her to continue. "But I denied my feelings constantly due to my fear of rejection and also myself refusing to believe that I loved him in the first damn place. I was afraid."  He looked up at her, zoning out her words. He noticed how she just looked into the empty recording booth. He studied her body language. She was almost robotic. He chin propped up on her fist, tracing small circles around a small knob on the soundboard. He doesn't think she noticed she was doing it. He saw a piece of himself in her. She seemed to be the reserved and lifeless type. The type to solemnly drone on about what's troubling them and when people get sympathetic, they try and shrug it off as if it's nothing which is completely false because her voice sounds like she's about to burst into tears right in front of him but she won't cry. The reserved lifeless type never do. They can never cry in front of people because they hate to be seen as weak. So they never do. However her eyes definitely show how she really feel about the situation. 

He skimmed his finger over a line. My heart shattered once again, just like on the day you said goodbye. "Did you ever tell him?" 

"I told him and he didn't feel the same way."

"And I thought of you many days after that, I still craved your soul. I'd do anything to hear your lips utter my name again, I hated my name, but you made it sound beautiful, like it came out of a Shakespearean play." He admired her vulnerability. She blushed, listening to him read her poetry. He could tell it made her a little uncomfortable having him read her work outloud.

"Keep going."

"Well I um...I-I think he unintentionally led me on a bit, I mean he was really affectionate with me. But I think it......I think he-...I think it was only 'cause he cared about me deeply... as did I with him."

He closed her notebook and handed it back to her. She snatched it back, cuddling it into her chest. He turned back to the soundboard, adjusting some of the knobs. He could feel her watching his hands. He signaled for her to continue her tale. 

"Well." she tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear. "We had a real special connection, like a great understanding of each other, being able to talk hours on end until it was 5 in the morning. I miss him and he misses me, but we both have to move on. I still think about him and it hurts, but it's for the best. I hope that's enough." she let out a little giggle, which made him smile. She's been on the brink of a unknowing breakdown since she walked in. 

He swiped his fingers under her chin."Well if you ask me he missed out on a great girl."

"Uhm...well I-" she giggled nervously. "Thank you."

"Sounds like you two have no bad blood, did things end mutually."

"Well i mean we never dated and he was just a real decent, good but insecure guy. We knew each other too well. He was actually the first person who believed in my poetry."

"Mmmhm." He got up and walked over to his guitar and sat in the stool, starting to play. She watched him in awe.

"He was the first person who really made me believe that I was good. Oh, and he's a musician by the way."

He snickered. "Great side note, what did he play?"

"He played guitar, wrote his own songs and he could sing too."

"Oh." Prince raised his brows. "Do I have competiton coming my way?"

She giggled. "Well I wouldn't think so, he's not famous but he plays at clubs and bars for little acoustic performances. Shit, I nearly forgot that." she mumbled to herself. "My mom says never fall in love with musicians."

"Don't do it, we're awful." he joked, placing his guitar back on the stand. "Jasmyn complains abiut me all the times."

She snickered. "If you ask me she should have nothing to complain about, perfect voice, perfect career. Shes got it all."

"Happiness occurs when the soul is at peace and the mind is at ease. If either one is out of whack then you have a problem that no amount of money or status could fix"

"I know that I was just saying, that-"

"Parent's still together?"  He decided to change the subject.

"No..they uh...they divorced when I was young."

He crossed his legs. "Tell me about it?"

"Well I was seven years old and I was in the living room eating noodles for dinner watching Bambi."

"Psh." he chuckled. "That movie ruins more childhoods.."

 "I still cannot watch that movie til this day! I fucking hate it."

He rolled his eye, agreeing. "I wouldn't blame you."

"Well anyway my parents came into the room and quietly told me. My dad was fake crying and at the time, I was just a kid. I had no idea what it meant or how much it would effect me later on in life. Now I do, I've grown up without a father...no man to rely on....ever." she pausing going into deep though. "He still some finds a way to make me feel, utterly worthless" 

He nodded, fulling understanding her. She's a fragile woman more than she cares to admit. Jasmyn's the same, daddy issues and now they don't trust men. Jasmyn has a few more emotional problems laced in there that he has yet to figure out since Jas won't open up about her illness. She still has outbursts but after their over she refuses to talk about it again. He knows it's only a matter of time before he won't be there and she'll be alone to go through it, she'll hurt herself and it'll be his fault because he wasn't there. He cocked his head to the side looking in her eyes. She tried to look at everything but his gaze. He wanted to pick her brain some more, but he had to get her talking on her own.

"I like you." he nodded, poking out his bottom lip. "And I like your work, I like how realistic it is."

She smiled coyly. "Well thank you, I'm painfully realistic in the sense that I'm honest with my words. But my mind is far from reality for the most part, at least." she looked up rethinking her words. "I like to think it is. That's why my imagination is so vivid I would say but then again, that could turn into a long ass conversation about what we perceive to be reality but I don't think we have the time for that.."

A smile spread across his face. "Actually my schedule just cleared up."

He could tell he was gonna have fun with her.

He poked his lip out in thought. "Hm....let's go for a drive actually."

She furrowed her brows. "What?!"

He rolled his eye and grabbed her hand. "Come on you can bring the notebook too."

_________________

"But Jasmyn."

I huffed, propping my chin on my fist. "I'm not doing the fucking video. I don't care how innocent it seems. Are you trying to get me hung. Why can't Diana do that shit."

She grinned, nudging my arm. "But he wants yooou."

I scoffed. "So the fuck what? I'm not his girl anymore and him trying to seduce me in a video won't change that."

"He said you guys made up, so if there wasn't any feelings left between you two, this wouldn't be as big of a deal as what your making it."

I closed my eyes, trying to calm myself. The bitch who can't hold on to a man is trying to make sly comments on my relationships. I love Michael. I always will, he was my first love. He's always special in my eyes but..first love doesn't mean only love and that doesn't mean I forgot everything he did. Granted, i'm no saint but dammit he started it.

"Look if it were me i'd do the video, it's good exposure for me to be in a Michael Jackson video, y'know Michael Jackson, the most powerful man in music."

"Ok Hannah you didn't date him, your not gonna be a tabloid pariah like I could be. I don't need that kind of exposure, I have a career of my own ok boo."

"JAAAAAS." She whined, shaking my arm.  "it'll be so much fun."

I snatched my arm away. "Then you do it!."

"I would but he's begging me to get you to do it, he even offered me a bonus."

I rolled my eyes. Ugh, typical Michael, thinking he can pay people to get his way. "How much?"

"He told me not to tell you but...he's got a health amount of zeros. With some of the sexiest commas I have ever seen girl."

My face dropped. "Hannah we've been best friends for years."

"I know but he's my boss...as of right now and girl I got bill to pay, everybody can't sing like you can...and y'know fuck rockstars."

The pilot come over the intercom before I had a chance to speak. "Welcome to Louisiana Ladies.." 

When the plane landed, I carefully held onto both the rails as I made my way down the stairs. I had a huge fear of heights. You would think I would be scared of planes but i'm not, unless we're ascending that's when I freak the hell out but once we get past the clouds.

Once I hit the ground, the security guards surrounded us as we made our way to the van.

"How's Michael doing since the break up?"

" Jasmyn! Jasmyn! Is it true that Prince is secretly a woman?"

"You haven't toured since 82', can you not sing live anymore."

I rolled my eye at that. I haven't toured because I wanted a big outing at the end of the decade. I wanted to release enough albums to where I could have a lot of material to tour with. It's gonna be huge and all this building anticipation was gonna sky rocket my ticket sales. 

Victor closed the door behind us as I secured myself in my seat belt. I reached in my bag and whipped out my latest Joker tale, To Laugh and Die In Metropolis. Prince got it for me, I've already read it but why not read it again. 

"But now... before they take you away Joker, I've got one question for you. Your usual turf is Gotham City. For years you've contented yourself with driving the Batman crazy. You've never come to Metropolis before. So... Why now, Joker? Why???"

"Oh, Superman... Why not???"

I cIosed the book and clutched it to my chest. "Amazing."

"Your such a geek Jasmyn."

"Psh, I wish I was a geek."

"Don't worry girl." she closed her compact and tucked it in her purse. "You are."

"I would drop the ground and live if anyone ever let me play Harley Quinn,.." I gasped. "Or Poison Ivy!"

"So if Michael asked you to play Harley you'd do it."

I cut my eyes at her. "Let it go."

"If you saw the amount of zeros he had on that check, you'd be as adamant as I am about this."

I whipped out my Walkman and turned it up as high as I could, ignoring her as she droned on and on and on.