"So, Facebook, huh?" Amber asked as she sat next to Ramona at a table. They were having lunch together at a nice restaurant outside near the boardwalk.
Ramona shrugged as she took a bite of her lasagna. "Yeah. I kind of overheard you talking on the phone about it and I decided to look at it," she paused and then giggled. "You would never believe who I found on there."
Amber put her fork down. "Who?"
"Michael," she grinned.
Amber almost choked on her food. "Are you serious? MJ on Facebook?"
Ramona threw her hand over Amber's mouth. "Hush! And yes he is. Don't tell anyone, please?"
Amber calmed herself. "I won't. Sorry, I keep forgetting you 2 are friends."
Ramona smiled. "Some of the things he says on there are hilarious."
"Like what?"
"He threatens me," she laughed. "I love it though. I have posted some photos from before I met him and photos I have captured of him without him knowing. Of course, he knows now."
"Did you get in trouble?" she asked.
"What do you think?" They both stared at each other before they started laughing again. Ramona was very careful about her friendship with Michael. She now had a Facebook, and she was friends with Michael. Both of them had very little friends on their list. Most people on his list was given the idea that his site was only for play, and it wasn't the real MJ. Ramona knew, but she was also very protective of him. She wouldn't even let anyone know just how close she and Michael were.
Ramona and Amber continued giggling amongst themselves as they enjoyed the rest of their lunch.
Back at the office…
Ramona had just posted a picture on her Facebook of Michael from his last meeting. Derek had emailed it to her and she was so grateful. She had asked Derek to send her every picture he could of Michael to add to her photo album. Michael had been telling Ramona on the website how dull he thought these meetings were. She giggled at his replies. He told her she needed to try and sit in those meetings without being bored to tears.
"Knock knock," Luke came in and Ramona minimized her Facebook page.
"Hey, what's up?" she asked.
"Oh nothing, I just finished my latest story and I was wondering if I could try it out on you," he asked and then paused. "Maybe tonight at your place?"
Ramona froze. "Um, sure, maybe. What time?"
"How's 7?" he asked with a smirk.
"That will be fine. Let me write my address down for you," she grabbed a notepad from her desk drawer and scribbled down her address and handed it to him.
He took it and smiled. "Great. I will bring some Chinese, is that okay?"
"Sure," she smiled. He nodded and waved before going back to his desk. Ramona quickly grabbed her phone to send out a text.
We need to talk, ASAP she typed and then sent it.
Her phone dinged minutes later. Everything okay, babygirl?
I have a date tonight…
Oh? When do I get to meet him?
Ramona froze. Why would you want to meet him?
Well, because I am your friend and I care about you. Don't I get a say in this guy? I have to make sure he's good enough for my babygirl ;)
Ramona blushed. I don't know, tomcat. No promises. I don't know if this guy will be around that long.
Why would you say that?
She shook her head. We'll talk about this later. Please just avoid coming near my house tonight. I'll let you know when he's gone
Okay okay, you win. Be careful, babygirl. Call me if you feel uncomfortable for any reason
Okay, tomcat. I will
Promise me
Ramona smiled again. I promise
She put her phone away and went back to work on her latest column. When it was time to go home, she grabbed her things and shut her computer down. She felt a range of different emotions on her way home. As she drove by the gates of Neverland, Michael walked out and waved her down. She smiled and rolled her window down.
"What's up, tomcat?" she asked.
Michael smiled and leaned forward, handing her a white rose and then bent down to kiss her cheek. "Just in case he doesn't come through on the romantic part."
Ramona blushed and wiped a hair behind her ear. "Thank you, but why give this to me?"
"Every beautiful woman deserves a beautiful gift every now and then," he winked. "Don't forget your promise."
"I won't. Thank you," she said quietly and he smiled and stepped back to let her go. She looked forward to her house and then looked down before taking a deep breath. "Michael?" she asked.
He took another step forward and leaned down once more. "Yes?"
"You're my best friend. The best I could ever ask for. And I just want you to know…that I love you very much," she said shyly.
Michael blushed a little. "I love you more, babygirl. Always will," he winked and then went back inside the ranch. Ramona smiled again as she drove home. She took a hot shower and cleaned up a bit before her date was supposed to arrive. She coached herself in the mirror, trying to remember not to compare Luke to Michael. She loved Michael, but as a friend. At least she thought it was as a friend.
Soon Luke arrived with dinner and they ate at her dining room table and laughed like old friends. They got to know each other a bit more and Ramona was surprised she hadn't once thought about Michael or how much different he was from Luke.
"You are something special, Ramona," he said.
"Thanks. You aren't so bad yourself," she replied.
"Um, thank you?" he asked and they both laughed. They had watched a movie and talked until almost midnight before he stood and stretched. "Well, thank you for such a nice night. I forgot what it was like to date such a gorgeous woman," he complemented her as she walked him to the door. She slipped out on the porch with him and he smiled. "Too bad we never got around to reading my column, huh?"
"Oh, yeah I guess so," she said, looking at her feet.
"Ray," he said as he tipped her head up with his hand. "I don't want you to be afraid of me."
"I'm not," she said quietly.
"Are you sure?" he asked and she nodded. He leaned forward and she froze. She allowed him to get within an inch of her lips, and the moment she felt his breath on her lips, she turned her head and he kissed her cheek. He sighed and then smiled. "Fair enough. I'll see you at work, Ramona."
He sounded almost hurt as he left. She walked back inside and sunk into her couch with a heavy sigh. She had so many new feelings buzzing in her head. It was already late and she knew she wouldn't be able to sleep. She grabbed her laptop and went to her Facebook page. There was a new status message on Michael's profile and it made her smile.
Missing my babygirl tonight. I hope you are okay 3
She brushed a hair behind her ear and glanced at the time he had posted it. Only 3 minutes ago. She decided to comment: I miss you too. Up for a run? I can't sleep. I'm heading out as soon as I change
She stood up and stretched before he commented back. I'm on my way
She nodded and changed clothes before heading outside. She began her stretches and Michael, once again, snuck up on her. This time, he wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. She immediately relaxed in his embrace and leaned back. He smiled and kissed her head.
"Hey babygirl.:
"Hey tomcat," she smiled and then turned around. "How was your night?"
"Boring. Lisa came in and we played a bit of cat and mouse, she being the cat of course," Ramona giggled at him and he smiled. "Then she made dinner which was odd. Let me add, she cannot cook worth a snot."
"Oh come now, be nice. She is your fiancé you know," Ramona teased. "She means well, I'm sure."
"Yeah, so how was your date?" he asked as he stretched with her.
"Longer than I thought it would be."
Michael cocked his head to the side. "Did you get uncomfortable at all?"
"Only as he left," she said. She looked at him and saw the question in his eyes. "He tried to kiss me."
Michael felt a tinge of jealousy for a split second. He didn't know why he felt anger toward this guy. He shook it off. "Tried?"
"Yeah, it didn't feel right for some reason, so I moved away."
"And you call me a diva," he snorted.
"No I called you Mikarella, which is kind of the same thing," she taunted him.
"Take that back!" he said.
"NEVER!" she yelled and took off running. He chuckled and chased after her. Again, they ran about a mile down the road before he tackled her into the grass.
"So, I saw that picture of me from my meeting on your Facebook," he said as he helped her sit up.
"I know," she grinned. "You look so bored."
"Believe me, I was," he admitted.
"What do you guys talk about in those meetings? I thought you liked doing those kinds of things?" she said.
"It depends on the subject at hand. I prefer the creative process, but then it goes into the more boring details that almost have nothing to do with me."
"Oh come on, it can't be that bad," she giggled.
"Hey," he said as he pushed her arm lightly. "You try sitting there for an hour without falling asleep."
Ramona looked away and smirked. "I could do it easily."
Michael shot her a look. "Yeah right. I wish I had a job like yours. I bet it is so much easier than mine."
Ramona raised a brow at him. "Care to make a wager?"
"Let's take a walk," he said as he helped her up. They walked back to Neverland and he made a call to Karen Faye, his makeup artist.
"You're really going to wake her up over this?" Ramona asked him.
"She doesn't sleep very often. She's used to me calling her at odd hours in the night," he winked. "Hey Karen, it's Michael. I need a favor…"
The next day…
Karen still had no idea what possessed Michael and Ramona to want to dress like each other. She had just finished Michael's look and he cringed when she adjusted his fake boobs. "Ramona, I am so glad you are not an overly busty woman," he said as he stood in front of his floor-length mirror.
"Uh, thanks?" she said as she fixed the cuffs on her sleeves. She was wearing his black pants and a v-neck t-shirt. She held the white over-shirt in her hands as she tried to unbutton the sleeves.
When Karen finished, she began working on Ramona, She curled her hair and parted it on the side, just like Michael's. She pulled it into a partial ponytail and sprayed it. "Okay, that does it for the hair." She moved behind Ramona and had her stand in the same spot Michael had been in before. "And you are excused, Michael."
"Me?" he huffed from the chair he was sitting on. "But why?"
"Unless you want to see Ramona topless, you better leave," Karen warned him.
Both Ramona and Michael blushed furiously before he stood and walked out. Ramona giggled and took her shirt off. Her mind was in another time and place and it was only when Karen gasped that she remembered her scar. "Something wrong?" she asked Karen innocently.
"My goodness, what happened?" she asked as she ran her hand lightly over the scar.
Ramona hesitated. "It happened when I was a teenager. I went surfing and I had a slight run-in with a shark," she lied.
"How aweful! Does Michael…"
"No, he doesn't know I have a scar at all. I prefer it that way, if you don't mind," Ramona said quickly. Karen nodded and continued her work. She had to wrap Ramona's chest up like a bandage to flatten her chest and then she finished dressing her. To finish the look, she handed Ramona Michael's aviator sunglasses.
"Ramona, meet Michael," Karen said as she turned her to face the mirror.
Ramona looked identical to Michael. She was impressed. Michael came in when he was told he could and handed Ramona his fedora. "Okay, let's see how good you can be," he teased. "You have a meeting to discuss a show in New York that is for a special charity. While you are there, you have to take toys to the children's hospital."
Ramona scowled at his cocky tone. "Alright, and you have a new column to write about the new boardwalk they are building, and you must interview a few people about the change. Then you have to do an easier task and design another column about you," she smirked and he blinked.
"I love designs. Consider it done," he said.
"Good luck," they said to each other in unison and headed out. Michael headed to the LA Times building and Ramona climbed into the limo and headed to New York.
Each of them had a pretty easy go, pretending to be each other. Ramona had everyone convinced she had a sore throat which is why her voice was different. As long as she kept her glasses and fedora on, she could fool anyone. That was an easy task. Michael always wore his hat and aviators everywhere he went.
She put in her own input on the show, in her own words and Frank was actually excited to see his new inspiration. "Michael, I didn't know you knew how to play guitar," he said.
Ramona, or Michael, nodded. "Yes. I want the fans to have a little something extra when they see me play." Ramona spoke in a lower voice and then coughed a bit. She knew Michael had a talent with the guitar, so he wouldn't necessarily embarrass himself during this new show.
Meanwhile at the office, Michael had interviewed a few people about the change and he loved it. He adored going out in public and not being noticed by a bunch of people. He sat back as he wrote the column. When someone knocked on the door, he grabbed a scarf and threw it over his head and turned his chair around. He made sure to keep his back to whoever walked in.
"Are you sure you're feeling okay, Ramona?" Amber asked.
"Yes, just a little cold," Michael coughed.
"Okay then," she said before leaving.
Both Michael and Ramona had fun being each other until it was time to go home. Michael had Ramona's house key and she headed to Neverland. When she walked in she smiled, that is until she was hugged from behind.
"Mikey sweetheart, I am so glad you're home!" Lisa said.
Ramona cringed. "Me too, honey," she coughed.
"You don't sound too good, sweet face. What's wrong?" Lisa grabbed Ramona by the arm and pulled her around to face her.
"Just a cold, nothing to worry about," she lied.
"Aw, my poor baby," Lisa caressed her face and Ramona bit the inside of her cheek. She needed to switch back with Michael fast.
Meanwhile, Michael walked inside Ramona's house only to be followed by Luke. "Hey beautiful. I know you're sick, I just wanted to come see you," he walked towards Michael and Michael stepped back a bit. This wasn't good.
"Yeah, sick," he coughed. "Better stay away, it could be contagious," he said, coughing again.
"It's not like I mind it," Luke touched his face and Michael danced around him and headed outside. Luke followed with a smile on his face. "I like it when you play hard to get." Oh crap.
Back at Neverland, Lisa was advancing on Ramona. "Mike, how about I run you a nice hot bath. Would you like that?" she said seductively.
"M…maybe later," she stuttered. "I have to go…"
Lisa pushed herself against Ramona and leaned in to kiss her. Ramona instinctively put her hand on Lisa's face and pushed her back, causing Lisa to fall over the back of the couch and land on the floor. "Mike! What the hell?"
"I…I'm sorry, I just…oh!" she grumbled and bolted out the front door.
"Michael Joseph! Come back here!" she jumped up and chased after her.
Back at Ramona's, Luke was inches away from Michael. He had him pinned against a tree. "Luke, I really am sick," he coughed again.
"I don't care," he leaned forward and Michael bolted to the side, causing Luke to fall over and land on a water bucket nearby. It fell on his head just as Ramona ran by. She grabbed Michael's arm and they ran inside the house, leaving the door open.
They ran into her guest room and looked around frantically. "Okay, now what?" Michael asked.
Lisa and Luke's voice echoed through the living room and Ramona's eyes landed on the closet. "In here!" she whispered as she pulled him into the closet and shut the door. They both took a sigh of relief before they noticed their bodies were squished together. Ramona pulled off the hat and glasses and Michael took his glasses and the scarf off of his head.
"Michael, where are you?" Lisa came into the guest room and they froze.
"Ramona?" Luke came in behind her.
"Luke, what are you doing here?" Lisa asked him.
Ramona and Michael froze. They knew each other? Just as Ramona moved her head to look up at Michael as if to question him, Michael did the same thing, and before either of them knew it, their lips were against each other. Both of them remained frozen, not daring to move. Ramona's face flushed and her belly did flips. Her eyes slid closed and Michael did the same. He carefully tilted his head to the side to deepen the kiss, and she followed. Both hearts raced in tune with each other.
"I was looking for Ramona," Luke's voice snapped them back to reality and they moved away from each other. They stared at each other for a moment until Luke and Lisa finally left. When Ramona's front door closed, they both fell out of the closet on top of each other.
"Well, that was fun," Ramona giggled as she lay across Michael's chest.
He laughed. "That's what I call keeping it in the closet."
