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đđđđ đđż đđžđđžđźđđđđ, đžđđđđđđđşđ
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đżđđ đĽ đđžđžđđâŚ
every magazine seemed to have michaelâs face plastered across the cover.
every checkout aisle you walked through, newsstands you passed by, record stores. everywhere.
the album and the artist everyone was talking about.
the album heâd spent months obsessing over.
the album you'd listened to in countless unfinished versions while sitting in recording studios at ridiculous hours of the night.
you remembered the stressed and the perfectionism that came with it. like the way he'd call you after sessions and ramble for at least 30 minutes straight about tiny details nobody else would ever notice.
now all the sucess, the praise, and attention was finally happening. you couldnât have been prouder of your bestfriend. nobody deserved it more.
but unfortunately, the magazines didn't just want to talk about the album.
and without fail, on any random page, there she was.
ola ray. the beautiful actress from the thriller music video.
photos from the set, photos from interviews, photos of them laughing together between takes.
of course people talked, and you tried to not let it bother you. truly.
"they'd make a cute couple."
"look at the way he's looking at her."
"something's definitely going on."
it was difficult when your feelings for your bestfriend werenât really a secret to yourself anymore. you loved him for about 2 years now.
2 years of lingering glances, 2 years of getting butterflies every time he called, 2 years of pretending your heart didn't do ridiculous things whenever he smiled at you, 2 years of convincing yourself you were perfectly happy just being his friend.
that 2 years was long enough that it had become a part of you. you learned to smile through it. at least most of the time.
it was some industry gathering that quincy had thrown to celebrate the success of the album.
and judging by the guest list, it seemed like half of hollywood had shown up. actors, musicians, producers, executives, photographers. people whose names appeared in newspapers every day.
before the party even got out there, you'd received your invitation weeks ago, personally delivered by michael himself after he'd shown up at your front door waving it around dramatically.
not a question. a statement.
you remembered laughing. "do i have a choice?"
"nope. the party starts at 7. iâll see you later, i have to go the studio to go through some revisions.â he spoke before he leaned in to kiss your cheek. âbye.â
¡ ¡ â ¡ĘÉ¡ â ¡ ¡
when you walked in the ballroom at 7:15-ish, the first thing you noticed wasnât the music or the crowd of celebrites.
you and michaelâs eyes found each other like it was instinct, like he looked like he was waiting for you.Â
he was standing near the center of the ballroom with quincy, engaged in what looked like a serious conversation. quincy was speaking animatedly, one hand moving around as he talked about the album.Â
probably the adversity that came with trying to top off the wall, something he also often talked about.
but michael wasnât listening anymore because here you were. his favorite person ever.
¡ ¡ â ¡ĘÉ¡ â ¡ ¡
you looked so good to him, breathtaking if you must.
you were wearing a fitted cream mini dress with draping and flowing cape-style sleeves, paired with gold statement heels, and a matching gold clutch. your long hair was in a silk press, side part with soft curls on the end.
michael felt his heart skip. it was silly, heâd see you a thousand times before.
he smiled while he looked you up and down whilst you waved with a shy smile on your own face.
quincy's voice snapped him back.
quincy followed his gaze then laughed. "oh."
michael immediately looked away. only made quincy laugh harder.
across the room, however, you never got the chance to walk over.
¡ ¡ â ¡ĘÉ¡ â ¡ ¡
ây/n!â rebbie yelled, catching your attention and turning to your left.
âhey, rebbie.â you shared a hug when she approached.Â
âme, âtoya, and janet were waiting on you,â she smiled. âreally? awww, guys.â you put a hand over your heart.
she laughed as she pulled you to where all 4 of you would sit.
âlook who finally decided to join us,â janet teased as you took a seat. âmhm. youâre lucky youâre fashionably late. you look beautiful,â la toya complimented as janet nodded her head.âthanks guys,â you giggled as your cheeks warmed.
you finally had a chance to glance around the ballroom.Â
the place was already packed.
servers moved through the crowd carrying trays, people clustered together in groups, music played softly overhead.
"i wasn't expecting so many people to be here,â you reached up and grabbed a drink from a passing tray. âis it good?â you asked the sisters before they nodded with a smile on their faces. you took a sip.
âso.. whereâs michael? la toya asked casually, tilting her head. you nearly choked already, settling it down.
âwhy are you asking me?â you glanced up. three identical smirks appeared across the table.
âbecause youâre usually attached at the hip,â rebbie answered.
âfalse,â you made a thin line with your mouth, rolling your eyes. âugh, you guys are insufferable.â
âyet, weâre right,â janet raised her brows, as if to signal something.Â
before you could come up with a comeback, a familiar voice spoke behind you.
"there you are,â you turned around. michael stood there smiling, his hands tucked into the pockets of his black slacks.
"hi." his grin widened. "i've been looking for you, pretty. câmon lets go talk,â michael glanced toward his sisters.
all 3 of them were watching. closely.
immediately, janet let out an exaggerated gasp. "oh my god."
"janet,â rebbie swatted her. "he wants privacy." you couldn't help laughing as michael rolled his eyes.
finally, he extended his hand. "c'mon."
without thinking, you took it and tried not to notice how naturally your fingers fit together.
he led you away from the table and toward one of the quieter hallways connected to the ballroom.
it was away from the music, away from the crowd, away from his sisters' nosy stares.
once you settled he spoke. âfirstly, you look beautiful, y/n. so pretty,â you blushed. âthank you, angelface. you look handsome yourself.â he mumbled a âthank youâ as he stared at the floor, presumably blushing himself.
"so," you started, "what was so important?"
michael looked suddenly nervous. he rubbed the back of his neck as he raised his head. he was never nervous when it came to you. this had to be important.
"well..." you waited. "i was kinda wondering if maybeâ"
"michael!" both of you turned. there she was.
beautiful. effortlessly beautiful.
she approached with a bright smile. "there you are." michael blinked. "oh. hi."
"i've been looking everywhere for you."
you immediately took a step back, just enough to create some distance. ola didn't seem to notice.
..or maybe she did. either way, she moved right beside him. "they want us for more pictures."
"yeah,â she laughed. "they've been asking."
you watched them. how easy conversation was. the comfortable smiles. the way she lightly touched his arm. something ugly twisted in your chest.
michael looked back toward you almost apologetically. "just give me one secondâ"
"it's okay. this nightâs about you, michael.â
you forced a smile. âyeah. i promise.â his eyes lingered like he wanted to say something else.
you nodded. "okay." he smiled then disappeared back into the crowd with ola.
you stood there for a moment still, trying very hard not to feel ridiculous.Â
it wasn't like michael had done anything wrong. ola needed him for pictures. that was all.
that was completely normal.
you swallowed hard and headed back toward the table.
¡ ¡ â ¡ĘÉ¡ â ¡ ¡
the second you sat down, all three sisters looked up. waiting.
you blinked. "well what?"
you reached for your drink. "nothing." three pairs of eyes narrowed simultaneously.
"nothing?" rebbie repeated.
"michael pulled you away from a party to say nothing?"
you pointed at la toya. "exactly."
"what does that even mean?"
"it means nothing happened."
janet leaned forward. "did he confess his undying love? what actually happened?" she teased.
"what happened?" janet caught your hesitation, a frown appearing on your face.Â
"ola came. she didnât even speak or acknowledge the fact that i was standing there,â you sighed.
"oh, baby,â la toya said. you groaned.
rebbie reached over and squeezed your hand. "you okay?"
it came out too quickly. judging by the expressions around the table.. nobody believed you. you looked away before any of them could challenge you.
you turned your head. janet glanced across the room, following your gaze before you could stop her.
michael and ola standing near a group of photographers.
"you know those pictures don't mean anything."
you forced a laugh. "who said they did?" silence stretched across the table.
a few seconds later, michael looked up from across the room, his eyes immediately finding yours. he lifted a hand, smiling. you smiled back. you couldn't help it. for a second, it almost made you feel better.
until ola leaned closer and said something that made him laugh. suddenly you couldn't sit there anymore.
your smile disappeared as quickly as it arrived. âcan we go to the bathroom?â you turned backed to the girls. whatever they saw on your face had them standing almost immediately.
âlets go, baby,â la toya spoke softly.
¡ ¡ â ¡ĘÉ¡ â ¡ ¡
the second the door swung shut behind you, janet turned around.
you rolled your eyes at the questions, stepping around her to get to the mirror.
âdoes this have anything to do with michael?â she added.
âwhat? no.â la toya raised her brows as she leaned against the wall. âjanâ.. that means yes.â
you scoffed. âno. theyâre just working together.âÂ
..not even you believed that.
suddenly, the bathroom felt too small and too bright. âiâm gonna get some air. shouldâve did that from the jump.â you sighed.
janet immediately frowned. "y/nâ"
"i'll be back. will you be at the table?â janet reluctantly nodded.
before anyone could stop you, you turned, walking out the bathroom.
once you stepped foot out to the ballroom, you could spot everyone around but michael.
you shrugged off the thought of him and headed toward the balcony.
as soon as your approached the sliding glass door, you noticed it was left open some. the glare from the lights in the ballroom made it difficult to see if anyone was outside.
then you heard familiar voices. michael and marlon.
you werenât trying to listen, turning around to find another exit before you heard a laugh.
âcâmon mike, sheâs beautiful. you gotta do something about it.â
you felt your stomach tighten before your feet stopped.
âi know,â you heard michael say. your heart sank.
âso whatâs stopping you?â marlon teased. the way they always did. you shouldâve walked away, but you still stood frozen.
you heard a sigh. âitâs complicated.â
âyeah..â marlon quieted down now. a long silence followed. after that moment, michael finally spoke.
âbut i donât want anyone else..â
now you heard your heart beating loudly in your ears. clearly, obviously, he was talking about her.
who else could he have meant?Â
finally, you walked away before either brother noticed you were there. you felt heat creep to your face.
¡ ¡ â ¡ĘÉ¡ â ¡ ¡
when you went back to the table, you immediately found janet talking to latoya whilst rebbie just watched them, listening.
the second they saw you, they stop conversing and their expressions changed immediately because apparently whatever was written all over your face wasnât subtle.
ây/n?â rebbie sat up straighter. âwhat happened?â
your eyes welled up, burning at the question. that was all it took.
janets expression dropped. âoh no.â
a tear slipped down your cheek. you covered your face, embarrassed. they immediately got up. âi'm sorry, we have to go back to the bathroom,â you muffled.
and they were quick on their feet, shielding you as you walked so no one caught a glimpse of what was happening.
it all hit you at once. the jealousy, insecurity, hurt. all of it.
âhey, hey,â rebbie rubbed your arms once you stepped back into the bathroom. la toya locked the door.
"michael and marlon." the sisters went still.
âdid they say anything?â la toya asked.
"they were talking about ola."
 janet's eyebrows shot up. "ola?" you nodded.
"marlon said she was beautiful.. and michael agreed,â your voice cracked. "then marlon asked what was stopping him." the girls listened carefully. "and michael said it was complicated." rebbie's face softened.
she already knew where this was going.
"and then..." you took a shaky breath. "he said he didn't want anyone else." you laughed weakly. "stupid, right?"
"y/nâ" la toya attempted to start.
"i mean, obviously he was talking about her,â your eyes filled again. "and that's okay." it clearly wasn't.
"it'snotlikewe'retogether,â you rambled together. "hecanlikewhoeverhewants." your voice broke. "i just..." the tears came harder now. "i just wish it didn't hurt so much."
you were full on bawling.
janet's heart shattered instantly. she pulled you into a hug before you could stop her. "oh, baby." you buried your face against her shoulder. you were humiliated.Â
"don't apologize,â rebbie squeezed your hand. "ever."
you laughed through your tears. "he doesn't even know i love him."
the sisters exchanged looks.
that wasn't exactly news.. everyone knew. everyone except michael.
âlike i matter that much to him.â
âyou do,â janet mumbled. la toyaâs and rebbieâs face softened.
rebbie stepped a little closer. âlisten to me,â she said softly. âwhat you heard⌠itâs not the full story.â
âpeople say things,â la toya added. âand michael especially.. he doesnât always say what he actually means in the way you think he does.â
âokay,â janet said suddenly.
you looked up. âokay what?â
she wiped under your eyes with her thumb. âweâre fixing this.â
your brows furrowed. âjanetââ
ânope,â she cut you off. âno more spiraling. no more crying in bathrooms. no more âhe probably means her.â weâre done.â
âsheâs right,â la toya nodded.
âweâre going back out there. we have your back regardless.âÂ
rebbie grabbed some paper towels from the dispenser, handing them to janet as she wiped the rest of your face off.Â
you were so glad you went bare face tonight.
 âready?â you hesitantly nodded.
¡ ¡ â ¡ĘÉ¡ â ¡ ¡
across the ballroom, the balcony doors slid open.
michael stepped back inside, still talking to marlon until his eyes found your table.
his smile appeared instantly without a second thought.
then he noticed your face. the smile vanished and stomach dropped.
his gaze flickered between you and his sisters: janet's arm around your shoulders, rebbie holding your hand, la toya looking concerned.
"what happened?" marlon followed his line of sight, frowing.
"uh oh." michael barely heard him.
because now you were standing, grabbing your clutch from rebbies free hand, and shaking your head as janet said something.
"where's she going?" michael's chest tightened.
because you weren't smiling, weren't laughing, weren't looking at him.
you weren't looking at him at all.
¡ ¡ â ¡ĘÉ¡ â ¡ ¡
âi think iâm just gonna go home.. i canât stay the rest of the night. i donât really feel too well.âÂ
janet frowned as she leaned to give you a hug. âgoodnight, y/n. i completely understand. i hope you feel better,â she spoke as she rubbed your back.
âbye, y/n. i hope you feel better as well.â la toya hugged.
âcall us if you need anything. we mean it,â rebbie said as la toya pulled away, hugging you with a kiss to your cheek.
âyou sure youâre okay to leave alone?â she asked softly.
you nodded a little too fast. âyeah. i just wanna go home.â
she leaned in and hugged you one more time, tighter this time, like she didnât want to let go too quickly.
âcall me when you get home,â she whispered. you nodded against her shoulder. âi will.â
rebbie gave you one last squeeze before stepping back. âdrive safe, baby.â
la toya opened her mouth like she was going to add something else, then stopped herself, just giving you a softer look instead.
âwe love you,â she said simply.
âlove you too,â you managed.
¡ ¡ â ¡ĘÉ¡ â ¡ ¡
after that, everything changed. for the both of you.
over the next 3 days: you took longer to return michaelâs messages, stopped stopping by hayvenhurst, and eventually started distracting yourself altogether.
janet, latoya, and rebbie still checked on you given the circumstances.
but still.. whenever they invited you over, you magically had plans.
though, when you did answer the phone for michael, it was just a hi and a bye. you always came up with an excuse, just âfindingâ something to do.
you hated yourself for it. everytime you thought about what he said, you physically felt sick.
¡ ¡ â ¡ĘÉ¡ â ¡ ¡
meanwhile, at the studio or even just in his room, michael was completely confused.
one day everything had been normal then the next, you were gone.
âaye mike, you good?â teddy asked the third day while him and michael sat at the mixing board. he was deep in thought.
âyeah.. give me a second,â he said as he got up, stepping outside to clear his head.
when he stepped out, he looked up at the sky.Â
is there something i did?
did i not talk to her much that night?
with a sigh, he dropped his head to look at the ground with a shake to his head. whatever was wrong, he was gonna get down to the bottom of it.
¡ ¡ â ÂˇĘ đđđđžđž đđžđžđđ đ
đşđđžđ É¡ â ¡ ¡
one morning, janet finally convinced you to come over.
âthis afternoon. please,â she begged over the phone. âan hour. an hour and a half max.â
you sighed. you owed it to her honestly. she didnât have anything to do with it and it wasnât her fault. she just got caught in the crossfire.
¡ ¡ â ¡ĘÉ¡ â ¡ ¡
when she opened the door, she practically squealed. âoh my gosh, you look beautiful!â she gestured to your outfit before pulling you into a hug.
you were wearing a soft baby pink draped top with a ruched fit, paired with grey tailored pants that were detailed with a baby pink ribbon bow. you wore pink heeled sandals, a pink matching shoulder bag. you threw on a gold jewelry stack and diamond stud earrings.
when you stepped inside, following janet to the living room.
when you sat on the couch, you slid off your sandals and curled up on the couch.
âwhatâs all that commotion?â you heard a voice upstairs before they came downstairs.Â
âhey, y/n.â he pratically yelled.Â
you internally screamed. âhi, marlon.â you waved.
¡ ¡ â ¡ĘÉ¡ â ¡ ¡
upstairs, in michaels room where he sat, his ears perked after hearing marlons voice.
where you here or were you on the phone?
âhi, marlon,â heâd heard clearly. his heart fluttered. after not talking to him for whatever reason, for god knows how long, his heart fluttered.
his person was in his house.
a few moments later, he heard your familiar laugh at something, to which he could assume, janet had just said.
¡ ¡ â ¡ĘÉ¡ â ¡ ¡
"and then he tried to blame it on me," she said, throwing her hands up.
you shook your head, smiling for what felt like the first time in forever. the last few weeks had been miserable.
âso..â she started with a sigh. âhow have you been?â
you smiled. âgood, been distracting myself. i think itâs healthy coping mechanisms,â you shared a laugh.
you'd spent most of your âdistractionsâ avoiding phone calls, avoiding hayvenhurst, avoiding michael. which had proven harder than expected considering he'd called nearly every day.
sometimes twice, sometimes three times. regardless, you never answered.
janet was midway through another story when footsteps sounded from the staircase.
you didn't think anything of it at first, assuming it was marlon again. people were always coming and going through this house.
then when janet's eyes shifted, her grin faltered. your stomach dropped.
because you already knew.
slowly, you turned your head, and there he was.
standing in the doorway. his curls were slightly messy. he wore a yellow sweater with a pair of jeans, hands in the pockets of them.
he couldn't believe you were actually there.
you immediately looked away, turning back to janet, your chest tightening.
this was exactly why you'd stayed away. one look at him and everything came rushing back.
the balcony, the party, ola.
"i don't want anyone else."
the memory still made your stomach twist.Â
janet glanced between the two of you, then sighed heavily. "oh."
you closed your eyes. here we go.
"janâ,â michael's voice was quiet. janet's smile immediately returned. "hm?"
you shifted to stare at your lap.
now, janetâs voice was delighted. "absolutely."your head immediately looked back up at her. "janet.â
"what? thisâll do you some good. if you need me just shout,â he shot her a look causing her to laugh before she stood.
"well, i suddenly remembered i have somewhere important to be,â you began to stand too.
"you donât,â janet touched your shoulder, pushing you back down. "good luck.â your head returned back to your lap, playing with your manicured hands now.
"janet,â his voice was stern now, pretty much rushing her. she lifted her hands in surrender, leaving to go upstairs.
the silence afterward was awful, uncomfortable even. you could practically feel him staring holes into your back.
neither of you spoke. you heard footsteps coming closer to you before he took janets spot on the couch.
his voice was laced soft, confused, and hurt.
you swallowed. "nothing.â
âdonât lie to me. pretend nothing's wrong."
you laughed. except it wasn't really a laugh, more like a breath. "i'm not pretending."
"yes, you are. look at me.â you hesitated before meeting his gaze.Â
his eyes softened as they met yours but his jaw sat tight. "you've been avoiding me for three weeks."
you exhaled. âiâve been busy, michael.â
"busy?" he stared. "busy?" he turned to look at the window.
"you won't answer my calls, you won't answer my messages. you even went as far as to stop coming over. you stopped coming over y/n.â
he turned his head back to you, his eyes wet. âwhat did i do?"
you shook your head. "nothing."
"stop saying that,â he sat closer to you.
"it isnât,â his voice rose slightly. he didnât sound angry. "everything was fine and then one day you just disappeared."
he shook his head. "because i wanna know what happened,â his voice cracked slightly. enough for you to notice.
"just tell me,â he moved off the couch to kneel infront of you on the floor, grabbing your hands and laying his head in your lap.
you felt your throat tighten.
why couldn't he just let this go?
why couldn't he leave it alone?
talking about it would only make things worse. humiliatingly worse.
you stared at his head in your lap and michael sighed, looking back up at you.
"why are you acting like i broke your heart?" his face shifted, confusion flickering across his features. you know he hadn't meant it like that.
and judging by the way your eyes instantly watered, he knew it.
you shook your head. "forget it."
"no." his voice was firm. "what does that mean?"
you looked away, causing him to rub your hands.Â
you blinked away your tears.
three weeks of emotions suddenly crashing down all at once, and before you could stop yourself.. you snapped.
you laughed bitterly. "on the balcony."
his eyebrows furrowed. "what balcony?"
"at the party." he still looked confused. "i heard you talking to marlon."
you hated how patient he sounded. how gentle. it only made this harder.
"he was talking about ola."
michael blinked. his hands rubbing on yours came to a halt. "ola?"
"yes, ola.â you threw your hands up. "the beautiful actress everyone won't stop talking about." his confusion somehow deepened. that only irritated you more.
"and then marlon told you to pick one."
realization finally, but slowly began appearing on his face.
"and thenâ" your voice cracked. "you said you didn't want anyone else."
michael stared, disbelief written all over his face. "you thought i was talking about ola?"
you stared. "wasn't that obvious?" he looked genuinely shocked. "no,â he put your hands on his face âwhat do you mean no?"
"i wasn't talking about ola."
your anger faltered. "what?"
"i wasn't talking about ola,â he repeated.
your heartbeat suddenly sped up.
"then who were you talking about?"
michael looked at you. really looked at you. just staring.
his eyes looked a mixture of soft, nervous, hopeful, and terrified all at once.
âyou,â his smile was small, barely there. "i was talking about you."
literally couldn't breathe.
"yes." his laugh was nervous. "you."
"but..." your voice came out tiny. "but marlon saidâ"
"he was trying to set me up."
"with everybody." he laughed.
âhe said i was taking too long to say something to you so he tried to get me to get with ola, actresses, singers, models, whoever."
"and i told him i didn't want anybody else."
your mouth dropped slightly, eyebrows furrowing. he thought you looked so beautiful.
"because..." his voice softened. "i already wanted someone,â michael leaned his head into your hands. "every time somebody tried introducing me to someone..." his eyes never left yours.
you felt tears immediately gathering again. "i'm an idiot." the words slipped out before you could stop them. michael laughed. "well..â he smiled. "at least you're the prettiest one."
you finally smiled. the kind that reached your eyes.Â
michael looked relieved immediately, like a weight had finally lifted from his chest.
"so..." he took one of your hands off his face, pepper kissing it while maintaining eye contact.Â
"you really thought i wanted ola?" you groaned.
"3 weeks?" he was kissing your other hand now.
you tried to pull away. he wouldn't let you, grinning now. he was completely enjoying himself.
"i was miserable," he set your hands in his lap, still holding them.
"yes." you folded your arms. âmaybe now you know how i felt."
michael gasped dramatically. "excuse me?"
he shook his head. "that's not fair."
"because i was suffering."
you rolled your eyes. "oh, please."
"no, seriously,â he sat back slightly on his heels, still holding your hands hostage.
"over these past few weeks.. do you know how many times i called you?"
you immediately looked away. that was answer enough.
his grin faded into something softer.
"at first i thought you were busy.. but then i realized you were good at that stuff.. telling me and all."
"so, then i thought maybe you were mad at me." his thumb brushed across your knuckles. "then i thought maybe i said something wrong."Â
your chest tightened. "michael..."
"then i started asking everybody."
you blinked, turning back to him. "everybody?"
"janet, la toya, rebbie.â you groaned.
"nobody would tell me anything."
your face immediately softened.
"i even drove by your house."
your eyes widened. "you what?"
his ears turned pink instantly. "only once." you stared. "okay, maybe twice."
he laughed despite himself, shaking his head. "i just wanted to make sure you were okay."
"every time the phone rang, i hoped it'd be you. every time janet said she was going somewhere, i'd ask if she'd seen you."
"and every time somebody mentioned your name... i listened."
suddenly the last three weeks looked very different. you'd spent them convincing yourself michael wanted somebody else, while he'd spent them trying to figure out why his favorite person was ignoring him.
"i missed you, pretty.â
âand for the record..." his thumb brushed gently across your knuckles.
"i don't want anybody else."
this time.. you didnât second guess who he meant.
á° a/n: lowk isn't proofread yikesss