I know its been awhile since my last update and this will be a short chapter. i've been dealing with alot of emotions lately and thanks to Becca and the rest of my girls, I made it through and im continuing with my story. Love my girls! (btw if u wanna know who my girls are...check my profile)

Two Hearts. One Dream Ch. 11

I walked out to meet Janet and we set off on another shopping adventure. Janet seemed unusually happy and I watched her for a minute.

"So, what is on the list this time?" I asked.

"Well, Michael told me to find you a few new pretty dresses to perform in. One of my favorite missions!" she grinned and I rolled my eyes.

"Ugh, I wasn't planning on performing anymore than I have already."

Janet watched me sink into the seat. "You don't want to sing with him?"

"Of course I want to...I just can't. I have stage fright."

"You never have before."

"Before, I was singing with him and dancing with him. I never had to put passion into my singing before. That was just my thing. If I'm not focusing on him, I'll go off key in front of all those people."

"Have you told my brother this?"

I bit my lip. "No. He seemed too excited after he started coming up with these ideas. I didn't wanna hurt his feelings."

Janet giggled. "Talk to him and I promise he will help you. He's a big boy whether he thinks he is or isn't on the inside. And don't sweat it, if for some reason he doesn't help you, then I will. I used to have stage fright too you know. Sometimes I still do."

"You? Really? But you're always so graceful from the very beginning. You don't look scared at all."

"Training, little sis. It's all training. If Mike doesn't teach you that, I will."

"Thanks Tink." I smiled.

"Sure thing Wendy," she winked.

While I tried on some dresses, a few people from the media snapped a few shots. Janet called in a body guard and they escorted us back to the car.

"Sorry, Lola," Janet whispered. "Guess I was getting rusty on my avoiding the media talent."

"It's okay. I'm sure this won't be the last time."

I thought about that on the way home. If Janet hadn't been with me, it could have been alot worse. I don't even have a body guard. When we got home, Janet took the dresses and hid them in the back of my closet. Michael watched her run back out of my room and she eyed him.

"No peaking!"

He grinned and nodded and then she left. He came into my room and sat on the bed next to me. I layed back and stared at the ceiling and he layed next to me.

"Michael...what would you say if I asked to be trained to defend myself?"

"What? I'd say you're silly. Why would you wanna do that?" He raised up on his elbow and looked at me.

"Well, Janet and I were caught by some of the media today and it had me thinking..." I paused and Michael groaned. "I'm not complaining. I know it's gonna happen sooner or later. I just want to be ready."

"You don't have to be. Anytime you leave the ranch, you're either with me or Janet or one of my brothers. There's no need for you to have to defend yourself."

"Michael, I know you hate the idea, but think about it. You with all your touring and Janet doing her own thing, and even your brothers, you guys aren't always gonna be around to protect me."

"I will." I gave Michael a look and he rolled his eyes. "Ugh, Lola...okay okay. If that's what you really want, I'll call my trainer and let him teach us both a few things. I still don't think it's necessary."

I smiled and kissed him and he sighed. I knew he didn't like that idea at all. I know I'd feel safer if I knew I could defend myself. Michael would have argued, but incase someone decided to attack him when his guards weren't around, I could lend a hand. Though I'm pretty sure Michael could defend himself if he really had to.

The next few weeks was spent learning some moves with his physical trainer. He taught us both the basics and he was soon on his way out. Michael and I sparred a few times, but it didn't help that we were dating. It always turned into more than sparring after a few minutes.

The next couple of nights, Michael was called to rehearse by Mr. Davis and I had to stay behind. I honestly didn't mind. I didn't want to say anything to anyone, but stressing over the singing thing, and the pressure of asking for his help with stage fright had acne broken out on my shoulders and part of my back. I spent the nights he was away in the tub. Half the time, I scrubbed until my skin was lobster red.

One night, Janet walked in to keep me company and she saw me try to cover myself. She raised a brow and came to sit down.

"What's the problem Lola? Why are you so jumpy?"

"No reason," I lied. I sank down further into the water.

"Stressed I see. Don't be embarassed, Lola. Michael breaks out when he stresses enough too. It's no big deal."

"No big deal to you maybe." I grumbled.

"Lola, have you seen Michael's pictures when he had acne all over his face?" I nodded. "Think about how he felt. He was already a superstar and the acne was on his face. He couldn't hide from the public."

"The public isn't what I'm worried about." I snorted.

"You're worried about what he will think?" I nodded and she sighed. "Let me ask you this and answer honestly. If for some reason, Michael had a major break out again, would it make you love him any less?"

"Of course not."

"Then you don't have anything to worry about. He loves you for you, not for the way you look."

"I'm trying to keep a good image, Janet. I'm Michael's girl. I need to look good for him."

"But you do look good. It's only your shoulders and back, Lola. With your skin, those can be covered with the right makeup. In the mean time, you can stay covered until they go away. All that matters is Michael loves you."

"I hope so. He's been so busy with rehearsal lately, we haven't had time to talk."

"It's okay, he will be home soon, I'm sure. I'm gonna get going. I have my own tour coming up and I have to get prepared."

She kissed the top of my head and left. I spent a little longer in the tub and got out. I decided to go for a walk around the ranch and when I came out into the living room, I was stopped by Joseph.

"Lola, you got a minute? I wanna talk to you."

Oh great. "Sure," I hesitated and sat on the couch.

"Have you ever thought about what impact you have on my son's life?"

I stared at him in confusion. "What's this about, Mr. Jackson?"

"I was up with Michael all night last night. He's pretty torn up. You told him the media got a hold of you and now he's worried you're gonna be hurt because of him."

"That's nonsense..." I snorted.

"He decided he was going to try and end it between you two. For your own safety, you see. He wasn't sure how to tell you. I'm telling you for him. For you're own protection, you need to leave, out of Michael's life."

"What...?" I stared past his face. I didn't know what to think. It did sound like Michael to want to protect me, but why wouldn't he tell me this himself? "Is that what he really wants?"

"It is. Why else has he been sleeping in his own room instead of yours?"

"I thought he was trying not to wake me," I whispered.

"He's only rehearsing so much now to get away from you. To make it easier for you to leave. You better just go now while he's gone. Saying goodbye won't be easy."

I nodded and ran to my room. I hid my face from Joseph when I came back out. He probably knew I was crying by the way I looked and sounded. I put my hand on the door and sniffed.

"Please tell him I love him and I always will," I whispered. Joseph nodded and I walked out the door. I walked past my car and put my hand on the hood. I knew I couldn't take the car, as much as I wanted to. The media knew this car by now since it was autographed by Michael. I ran past the gate without saying a word to Sam and left for good. As I ran outside, Rebbie was pulling in.

"Lola? Where are you going? What's wrong?" she called out her open window. I shook my head and ran away as fast as I could. Rebbie pulled into the driveway and rushed into the house. She stopped when she saw Joseph sitting back in a chair on the back porch looking undoubtedly relaxed. "What did you say to Lola?"

Joseph turned in his chair and looked at Rebbie. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Rebbie growled and turned back into the house. She went to a nearby room and rewound the security tape from the living room camera and then pushed play. As she watched and listened, she gritted her teeth.

Michael walked in shortly afterwards and ran straight to my room. He came back out when he didn't find me. He called out a few times and then looked at Joseph in confusion.

"Have you seen Lola?"

"Yeah," he smiled. "She left."

"She left? With who?"

"With herself."

"Herself? Where would she go by herself? It's too dangerous to go out alone. But why?" he paced the floor talking to himself.

"She left with a suitcase Michael." Joseph grumbled.

Michael stopped in his tracks. "Her suitcase...she left me? Why?"

"Some people just can't handle celebrity life," he smiled.

Michael stared at Joseph and narrowed his eyes at him. "Joseph...what did you do?"

"I did nothing that wasn't good for you."

"Don't you lie to my brother, Joseph," Rebbie came out of the hallway. "I saw the security tape. Tell him what you said to her."

"Like I said, nothing that wasn't good for you Michael."

Michael folded his arms and clenched his teeth. "Rebbie, show me the tape."

He followed her into the other room and Joseph shrugged and went back to relaxing. Michael watched the tape and stormed back out.

"I cannot believe you would say that! I never wanted to leave her! How could you Joseph?"

"You know, I'm getting sick of my children calling me by my first name," he growled. "Call me father."

"I'll call you father when you act like one. Forget it, I'm going to find Lola," he walked towards the door and saw my keys on the table and grabbed them. He clenched the keys tightly in his hand and turned back to Joseph. "I want you gone by the time I get back. If you're not gone, I'll throw you out myself."

"You can't do that," Joseph growled.

"Oh yes I can and don't think I won't. This isn't your house Joseph. You're in my house now and you will go by my rules."

Rebbie's kids came in and ran to Michael's side. "Uncle Mike, we wanna help find Lola. What can we do?"

Michael thought for a minute. "How bout searching the entire ranch for me? I mean every inch. Look up trees too." They looked at him confused. "She climbs trees. Remember how you always win when we all play hide and seek? Go to all the places you found me. She's like me."

They nodded and grabbed a few flashlights and ran out. Rebbie raised a brow at him. "You know she's not here, right?"

"Yeah, I know but I want them to be safe and still feel like they're helping."

Rebbie smiled and nodded and Michael glared at Joseph again before leaving. He jumped in my car and took off. I guess he figured my car would be faster than his.

I found myself in a nearby park, not far from the ranch. There was no one around and I felt relieved. I didn't wanna be caught by myself by the media. Who knows what kind of stories they would write. I let my mind wander while I paced.

'I don't get why Michael didn't tell me this himself. His dad did say he wanted to tell me, and I understand him wanting to protect me. He would have atleast found me somewhere to stay though.'

'That's right, Lola. He would have done more for you,' damn...good timing for my voice of reason.

'Why are you here? I'm in no danger.'

'You are when you aren't with him. Go back home Lola.'

'Home?'

'Not Oklahoma. You're home is with Michael. You love him.'

'Of course I do but I can't go back if he wanted to leave me.' I thought for a minute. 'But did he really want to leave me?'

I mentally smacked myself in the head. How could I have been so blind? If Michael truly wanted to leave me, he would have had the decency to tell me himself. He would have told me to take my car and he would have found me another place to stay. Joseph did this because I was a distraction to Michael.

I growled and stood up. As I started to walk back to the ranch, I heard footsteps and I stopped and listened. The footsteps stopped and I heard a voice I really wished I hadn't heard.

"Hello, Lola. You look so beautiful in the moonlight...all by yourself," the voice chuckled. My hair stood on end and goosebumps formed all over my body. I clenched my fists and my teeth tightly.

"...Brian..."

Becca is gonna love this cliffhanger :) I would've kept going but its late and its cold and my hair is wet. I think im getting sick too. Not good! Anyway give me some ideas if u have them. No telling how long this story will go on but i still have a ways to go before my ideas are used up! thanks for reading!