A Life With Michael Jackson (fictional)

By: Mistah ME

disclaimer: I do NOT own Michael Jackson. (obviously)

Chapter 7

Author's Note: The last chapter was getting too long, so I had to cut it into two parts. This is going to be right before the show starts cause Melanie just watches Michael rehearse for the next two hours. Enjoy and review please:)

"Is anyone using the rainbow rubber suit from the ladies' closet?"

There was a lady going around asking everyone the same question.

"Oh, there you are. There's a skirt that goes with this. I just washed it and I was going to put it with the suit, but the suit was gone!"

The lady wrapped a piece of rainbow rubber around my waist and fastened it at the front. It made a knee-length skirt that parted in the front to show the legs, which were also covered in the rainbow rubber. I had never worn a skirt before and I found I kind of liked it.

"Thank you, ma'am."

"No problem, dear"

I walked away and found the brothers, who were finished rehearsing. Michael saw my skirt and raised his eyebrows, but didn't say anything about the new attachment to my costume. Instead, he gave me instructions as to what I was going to be doing.

"Mel, you're going to be on this aisle and you'll walk up and down and do your thing. Remember the choreography we practiced. Since we're already disobeying Joseph on the costume thing, we might as well do the same with the performance, too. So do the things we practiced and you'll be fine. We're about start now, so go through there and come out and do your thing when the music starts."

I nodded, confident. Now that I wasn't doing what Joseph wanted me to do, I knew I could do this performance. I went where Michael told me to go and waited for the music to start.

"Everyone, please pay attention to the stage. We have a special performance from the Jackson 5 tonight!"

Cheering erupted from the crowd and the music started. The brothers appeared on the stage in single file and picked up the microphones and instruments. Michael started singing and I took that as my cue to come out.

I walked out into the open, sort of strutting and marching at the same time with my head down and my arms by my sides. Michael stopped singing for a second to let me raise my head and I started sashaying up and down the aisle, striking a pose every three steps or so. On my way back after my first lap, I did a three-step the whole way, waving my arms around to make it wilder. I reached a table, jumped on it, and strutted around on top of it high-fiving the people seated around it. When I had completed about two and a half laps, I struck a pose and spun around on the balls of my feet for about four or five turns. When I finished on the table, I jumped off and ran back on the stage with just enough time to get on it and point to the brothers before the music stopped. The brothers bowed and I tried to curtsy. I had never done it before and I probably did it wrong. I looked to the side and saw Joseph, fuming. I was sure he wouldn't let this go. We walked off the stage single file. Michael was behind me and he complimented my performance.

"You did really well for your first time. And you only had a day's notice, too. Actually, you had less than a day's notice. Maybe, like, ten hours at most."

"Thanks, Michael."

We were off the stage, now and Michael and I stood off to the side.

"And I'm real sorry we didn't get to celebrate your birthday today. I have a surprise for you tomorrow. But for now, you're turning seven, right?"

"Yeah."

"OK, then seven birthday kisses on the cheek for you."

Michael leaned down and kissed me seven times on the cheeks. My heart pounded in my chest and I looked, panicked, to see if Michael had noticed how loudly my heart was beating. He didn't seem to notice and was looking around for Joseph. I sat down, waiting for my heart to quit being so loud. That had never happened to me before. I decided to ignore it, thinking it was just a one-time thing.

"I think Joseph wants to talk to us."

I looked over and it was true. Joseph was beckoning to us to come over. My stomach tightened and any warm feelings I might have had turned cold. We walked over to Joseph, who was fanning himself with cash.

"I don't know what you kids did, but it brought in a lot of money. Next time, you WILL do what I say, but I won't be as unreasonable as I was today. And here's your share of the cash."

Joseph handed some bills to Michael and handed the same amount to me. I looked at the money in my hands. It was twenty dollars, the most money I have ever held in my hand at once.

"Thanks, Joseph."

Michael and I thanked Joseph for the money together, but he seemed uncomfortable and looked like he didn't know what to say. After a moment of awkward silence, he walked away. I had no idea what to do with the money I had been given, so I tried to give it to Michael.

"Here, Michael. You could use it better than me."

"I can't take your money. I'm sure you could find a million uses for it. But, for now, let's just go home."

Michael took my hand and we walked home together.