As Ramona and Michael finished their dance on stage, he hugged her tightly and whispered to her to no one would get the hint they knew each other personally.
"Go to your right when you get off stage and find Derek. He will take you backstage to wait for me," he said.
"No, it's alright. I have some friends in the audience. I'm gonna join them for the rest of your show and I will find you later," she whispered back and kissed his cheek. The guard came and pulled her away from him and she reached her arm out with a longing look on her face as she was led back to her place in the crowd with Saph and Jaz. Michael almost smirked at how well she played it off.
The lights went out as Saph and Jaz wrapped their arms around Ramona. The stage light hit Michael as he was toweling off his face. Ramona grinned as she wiped his sweat off of her neck and face. "Are you wiping off his sweat?" Saph asked.
"Yep," she said as she dried her skin with her sleeve.
Jaz began to retort when Michael laughed into the microphone and everyone began to cheer. Michael started blushing as he shrugged off his jacket just to have someone put a different one on him. "Okay, now I'm gonna take off this jacket, put this jacket on…" he paused as the jacket was slid on and a man came up to him with a cup of apple juice. "I'm gonna drink this juice," he said as he took a big gulp and handed it back to the man. "Thank you."
Ramona rolled her eyes and shook her head. "What a dork," she said.
Michael gave a loud "Ow!" and the crowd followed. He grinned and made a few more sounds before laughing. "I love you!" Everyone cheered loudly and screamed they loved him too and Michael giggled again. "I love you more, how about that?" The crowd grew louder, which was hardly possible to Ramona. "No, no, I can beat that. I love you most!"
Saph and Jaz cheered with the rest of them and even Ramona joined in shouting out their love to him. They all laughed as Michael grew embarrassed and blushed. He moved from the microphone and covered his face before making a funny gesture at the dancer next to him.
"How is it you're his best friend?" Jaz said in Ramona's ear.
"Just lucky I guess," she shrugged, never taking her eyes off him.
"Now we're gonna give you…" he paused and laughed. "Now we're gonna…" he laughed again as the crowd continued cheering. "Now we're gonna give you a taste of the old life. Hit it!" he shouted as the familiar music of the Jackson 5 era blared to life. The crowd cheered and danced and sang along with him. Ramona couldn't get over how he glowed as he sang the old songs he sang with his brothers so many years ago.
As the concert grew to a close, Ramona leaned toward the girls. "Come with me and stay close," she said. The girls nodded and grabbed her arm as she trailed them through the crowd near the sidelines. The crowd was still hyped up and cheering for Michael. He was singing I'll Be There. He would sing Man in the Mirror last and that gave Ramona enough time to get back to his dressing room to change clothes and leave before he got back there.
"Are we really going to skip out on the last song?" Saph pouted.
"No way. Man in the Mirror is my favorite song. I wouldn't miss it," Ramona looked back and winked before turning to face a large black man standing by a small staircase. The girls behind Ramona froze and Ramona simply smiled at him and brushed her hair out of her face. The man who was once glaring at her softened his look when he saw her face. "Hey Shawn. Are my bags in his room?" she asked.
"Yep, sure thing. Go on through," he said, handing her 3 backstage passes and moving to the side to let them pass.
"Thanks," she winked and dragged the girls backstage.
"Wow, he was scary. How many connections do you have, Ray?" Jaz asked.
"Not as many as he does. And don't worry about Shawn. He's nothing but a big pushover," she smiled.
She led them back to his dressing room before passing Frank and giving him a brief hug before heading inside. Her bag was lying by the door and she jerked it up as the girls shut the door behind them. They looked around the room as Ramona pawed through some clothes.
"How is it you just happened to bring a bag of clothes with you?" Saph asked as she began touching every inch of Michael's countertop holding his makeup and accessories.
"You always have to be prepared," she said. She settled on a nice black dress and big gold earrings. She sat in Michael's chair and fixed her hair and makeup before turning around to change her clothes. She caught Jaz pawing through Michael's wardrobe.
"Don't take anything off that wrack, Jaz."
Jaz froze and released the black glitter jacket she was about to pull out. "Why not?"
"I don't want him to know anyone was in here," she said as she stripped down her clothes and pulled on the dress. Saph shook her head at Jaz and helped Ramona zip up the back of her dress.
"He wouldn't know," Jaz snorted as she reached for the jacket again.
"Don't," Ramona warned and she pulled her hand back like she had been slapped. "He is very detail oriented. Now let's get back out there so we can watch the last performance," she smiled.
Later…
"Thank you New York! I love you! God bless!" Michael smiled and blew kisses to the crowd as he ran off stage. He grabbed a towel from a man nearby and wiped his face as he dashed into his dressing room to change. He took a moment to calm down as he changed clothes. He peeled off his clothes and slipped on his black dress pants and a button down red collared shirt. He pulled on a black jacket with a red armband on and walked over to the mirror. He fixed his hair and pulled it back into a partial ponytail and pulled a few strands in front of his face as he placed his fedora on and sighed.
He grabbed his bag off the floor and threw it over his shoulder as he opened the door to meet his many body guards to lead him outside. He wondered where Ramona had gone. "Derek, where is she?" he asked.
"I don't know. She said she would find you. No worries, man. You look sharp!" he said as he patted his back. Michael smiled and nodded his thanks as he headed out the door. Flashes of cameras filled the night sky the moment he stepped out and he pulled his hat over his eyes as he waved to the screaming fans who had spotted him.
As he turned to thank the director for a wonderful show, he felt his hat pull backward. He tensed for a split second when an arm reached over the back of his shoulder and hugged him tightly. "Hey, tomcat," she said in his ear and kissed his cheek. Derek snapped a photo from the side as she did this. He turned and hugged her tightly.
"You look beautiful, babygirl. I'm so glad you made it. It means so much to me," he said into her hair.
Saph and Jaz stood behind her grinning ear to ear. "They look so natural together," Jaz whispered to Saph.
"Yea, I know," she said quietly.
"Who might you ladies be?" Michael asked when he spotted them inside the barricade from over Ramona's shoulder.
Ramona released him and turned. "Oh, these are my friends I told you about. This is Jaz," she paused as Michael stepped forward and kissed the back of her hand. She blushed and bowed in respect. "And Saph," she finished as Michael did the same to her.
"So nice to meet the both of you. We better get going before the media starts a bunch of crud," Michael said.
Ramona nodded. "Alright. What hotel are you staying at?"
Michael leaned down to whisper to her so no one else could hear. "Millenium hotel in Manhattan."
"That sounds…expensive," she cringed and Michael chuckled.
"I'll send Derek with you and you can meet me there. I'll put you ladies up for the night, alright?" he said.
Ramona bit her lip and looked at the girls, giving them a pleading look. "That's kind of you, Mr. Jackson, but that is a lot of money, and…" Saph started.
Michael held his hand up to stop her. "You really are like Ramona," he grinned and she blushed. "And please, call me Michael. I'll see you there," he winked and walked to his car.
Ramona groaned and rolled her eyes and Derek walked up to them, offering his arms on both sides of him. "Looks like I get all the PYT's tonight," he teased.
Jaz and Saph giggled and hooked their arms in his. "For now, yes," Jaz said.
Derek looked at Ramona and she shook her head and began her walk toward their car. "I would rather go solo, thanks."
"Ouch. That one hurt, Ray," Derek taunted her. She flipped him off from under her chin and Saph chuckled.
"Sounds like she is more like Michael than like me."
Ramona shot her a look before she sighed and giggled herself. "Yeah yeah, whatever."
Later…
Ramona sat at her computer in her hotel room and giggled. She was back on Facebook and she had a chat going with Jaz, Saph, and Michael. Michael had somehow booked a triple room with all conjoining doors in between. Ramona had the middle room and a door that connected to Michael's was wide open. The door on the opposite side of the room led to the girls' room and it was closed.
Ramona posted her status with a smile on her face. In New York hanging out with my tomcat again! Oh how I missed you, Mike!
She hadn't expected Michael to comment right away, but ironically he was on Facebook that very moment. I missed you too, babygirl! He commented back.
Ramona blushed and before she could reply, Saph made a comment. Aw how sweet! We all wish we were going with you to Japan, Mike! You have to send us a postcard!
Another comment came after that which surprised Ramona. Tasha was now in on the comments. Yeah, what Saph said!
Ramona heard Michael chuckle from his room before he replied. I'll get you all the nicest postcard I can find.
Ramona grinned and posted a new comment. I'll make sure he does it.
Michael leaned back in his chair and looked at Ramona through the conjoining door and stuck his tongue out at her. She laughed and shook her head and looked back to the computer screen.
Count me in! Jaz commented.
I wouldn't leave you out, Jaz. No worries! Michael replied.
Aw I love you guys! Saph said.
Love you more! Tasha replied. Ramona chuckled at the confused look on Michael's face. She figured he didn't recognize her yet.
Love you the most! Ramona threw in with a smirk.
I love you all the mostest! I have a feeling I will get griped at for stealing Michael's word :P Jaz responded. Ramona giggled again.
Hey! That's my word! Oh well, I will think of a new one, most likely… Michael retored.
Uh oh, he sounds determined Saph replied.
I could be… he shot back.
He is stubborn Jaz shot back
He is, isn't he? Saph added. Ramona could hear them giggling from their room. My weren't they getting brave from 2 rooms away? Ramona smiled at her own thoughts.
I'm right here, you know! Michael commented.
Point being? Saph replied.
Yeah, what's your point, Mike? Jaz added.
Michael sighed deeply. Nevermind.
Oh, I think we pissed him off now Saph tried to get a rise out of him.
Yeah right Jaz didn't seem so sure.
Michael shook his head. You girls are silly :P
Ramona shook her head as well and decided to intervene. Oh come on, girls. Leave my tomcat alone :P You both know it's impossible to anger him :)
Yeah but it's fun to try Jaz replied.
Yes, but that, Jaz is called an epic fail Ramona shot back and smiled when she heard Michael chuckle.
You tell her, babygirl! He commented.
I always have your back, tomcat ;) Ps – I can see you! I love conjoined rooms ^_^ Ramona giggled at her own comment and looked over at Michael. He looked back at her and waved. She giggled and waved back.
And I always have yours, babygirl. Ps – I can see you too! He replied and chuckled again.
Yeah, that's not creepy or anything Saph commented sarcastically and Michael rolled his eyes.
You guys are facebooking each other and you can see each other? Weirdos Jaz added.
Ramona laughed. You would understand if you saw the funny looks he gets on his face when he reads what we write She glanced back at Michael and he scrunched his nose at the computer screen.
What funny looks? He replied and then looked around the room innocently. She giggled as she noticed how red he was turning.
Why are you blushing, Mike? Ramona added with a smile.
Michael blushed even more and snorted. I am not blushing!
"Uh huh, sure you're not," Saph's voice came from the other side of Ramona's room. They looked up and saw Saph and Jaz now standing in the doorway of their own conjoined door. "Sorry, I had to see for myself."
"Me too," Jaz said. They sat down on a couch near the window and watched Ramona and Michael with amused looks on their faces.
"Yes you are," Ramona said to Mike. She grabbed a nearby pillow and threw it at him and he dodged it.
He picked it up and threw it back at her. "Am not! Take that back!"
Ramona stood up and folded her arms. "No."
Michael gave her a look as he stood up and started walking toward the door. "Ramona…"
"What are you doing? Go sit back down! Don't give me that look! Sit down!" she started backing up when he entered the room. "Uh oh…" she ran and dove over the bed and hid on the other side where Michael couldn't see her.
"I'll get you, babygirl. You know you can't hide from me," Michael sang like he had before. Ramona rolled her eyes and looked around for a moment before dragging the blanket off of the bed and throwing it over her head and stood up.
"Don't mess with me, Michael Jackson! I am a ghost!" she said and then began making spooky ghost sounds. Michael quirked a brow at her and glanced back at the girls.
Jaz and Saph stared with incredulous looks on their faces. "She's lost her mind!" Jaz said.
"Probably from hanging with the applehead over there too much," Saph muttered and then slapped a hand over her mouth when Michael shot her a look.
Ramona scoffed at the girls from under the blanket and continued her ghost sounds. "Fear the ghost!"
Michael chuckled and walked over to her. "Real convincing, Ramona Greene!" he laughed as he ripped the blanket off of her. She squealed and wrapped her arms around herself as if Michael had caught her in the shower.
"Don't look at me! I'm not decent!" she squeaked.
"I think Michael spiked her drink or something," Jaz noted, pointing over at Ramona's glass of pepsi on the counter by the bathroom.
Michael ignored the girls and focused on Ramona. "Decent or not, oh well!" he said as he began attacking her with tickles. She laughed and jumped back against the wall, falling to the floor with Michael over her, tickling her sides and laughing with her.
"Ahh! Stop it!" she yelled as she tried to push him off. "Michael Joseph Jackson! Cut it out!"
Jaz looked around for a moment. "Where's my camera?"
"What's with the full name usage, here?" Michael said as he continued his attack on Ramona. "You'll never win, girl!"
Ramona scoffed at him. "Wanna bet?" she asked as she pulled her feet in between them and shoved him off, landing herself on top of him and started tickling him. "Oh how the tables have turned!" she taunted him.
Jaz handed Saph a bag of candy she had nearby. "Might as well get comfy," she said. Saph nodded and they both sat back.
"No, no, no!" Michael yelled, laughing uncontrollably under Ramona's toruture.
"You guys are gonna get the security all riled up," Jaz muttered.
Saph glanced at her and then shrugged. "I don't think they care."
"Yes, yes, yes!" Ramona yelled back, still tickling him. "Do you give up yet?"
"Never!" he yelled as he grabbed her wrists and forced his weight to overtake Ramona, sending her back down under him and he started tickling her again. "Ah ha!"
Ramona screamed and laughed, trying not to kick Michael. "Derek! Help!" she yelled, hoping he would hear her.
"Derek can't help you now, babygirl!" he laughed. "Give up?"
His hands slipped by Ramona's head for a moment and she jerked her head to the side and licked his hand. She remembered wrestling like this with her brothers when they were younger, and the only way to get them to stop was to lick them. Michael's eyes widened and he jerked his hand away.
"Ewww!" he cringed and wiped his hand on Ramona's arm. "Gross Ramona!"
"Dang where the heck is security?" Saph asked.
"Too bad there's no bugs, huh? Wait…we have dinner in the other room, remember?" Jaz said as she grabbed Saph by the arm.
Saph's eyes widened in realization. "That will get his attention for sure!" she jumped to her feet.
Ramona laughed and tickled Michael with her free hand. "Give up, applebutt!" she fought to regain control and he laughed and fought back.
"Never!" he yelled.
"Mike, stop it!" she laughed uncontrollably.
"No, you stop it first!" he retorted with a laugh.
"Nooo!" she yelled and continued fighting him.
Just then, Saph ran back into the room with a big bucket of friend chicken. "Hey look, Jaz! Someone brought us some KFC!" she said loudly on purpose.
"Give it up Ram…" he paused and sat up for a moment. "KFC?"
Ramona pushed Michael off and jumped up, suddenly smelling the chicken in the air. "Yum! I'm starved!"
Saph handed a leg to Ramona with a smile. "Okay, here you go."
"Wait, hey! No fair!" Michael jumped up on his feet and pouted.
Jaz laughed at Ramona's sudden attraction to KFC. "Ramona really has been around Michael too long."
"Obviously," Saph added.
"Hey! KFC is good stuff! Right, tomcat?" she winked at Michael and he smiled and nodded.
"Yeah it is! Can I have some now? Please?" he begged.
"Aw, Saph, don't make the man beg like that," Jaz nudged her.
"Why not? It's kind of funny," she retorted.
Michael pouted again and Ramona rolled her eyes and snatched the bucket from Saph and handed it to Michael. "Here, tomcat."
Michael grinned widely like a child. "Yay! Thank you, babygirl," he winked at her.
"You're welcome," she smiled and started tearing the skin off of her chicken. Michael smiled back at her and tore off the skin of his chicken as well. The girls exchanged glances and stared at Ramona and Mike for a moment.
"Similar much?" Saph said.
Ramona shrugged. "Michael has me hooked on the organics now," she said simply.
Jaz chuckled. "Next thing you know, she's gonna start grabbing her crotch and moonwalking all over the place."
Ramona sucked in a piece of chicken and started choking on it. "Wh-what?"
Michael coughed a little and turned bright red. "Huh?"
Ramona coughed. "No! I mean…I can moonwalk…" she paused as she started blushing at her confession. "but the other thing? No…no no no and NO!"
Jaz laughed. "Wow, she even embarrasses easily like Michael."
"Yeah, she is, isn't she?" Saph agreed.
"Yeah, well, I mean that move…" Michael started and then paused, shooting Ramona a look. "Wait a minute, you can moonwalk?"
"Um," Ramona blushed even more and walked to the other side of the room and sat on the edge of the bed. "yes?"
"And you never told me?" Michael asked, setting his chicken aside and folding his arms.
"Well, it was more of a…um…a newly acquired skill?" she bit her lip nervously. "It's really no big deal! I mean, I'm not that good at it, really…" she looked down at her feet in embarrassment. She was planning on telling Mike about her passion to dance, but not this soon. She wanted to make this visit with him more about him. Not about her.
"You have to show me," Michael said suddenly.
Ramona shot her head up and coughed again. "Wh-what? I can't! I mean..it's so late and we don't even have any music!"
"We've got music," he smirked. "Please?"
"We do?" she coughed again. She was so nervous now. She knew how stubborn he was. He wasn't going to let this go. "Didn't you get enough music earlier at your concert? My goodness, you played for 4 hours straight and you're not even the least bit tired?" she tried desperately to get out of this.
"No. You're trying to avoid this…oh please, just show me. Please?" he put on his best sad face and Ramona felt herself grow frustrated.
"Oh come on, Ray. What harm could it do? He's your best friend, remember?" Jaz encouraged.
Saph nodded. "Yeah, it couldn't hurt."
Ramona sighed and stood up. "Fine, but you have to do it with me or it's no deal. Got it?" she said in a frustrated voice. Michael smiled and nodded. He stood next to her in the middle of the room and she glanced around nervously. "Where's the music?"
"I've got that covered. Are you ready?" he asked, giving her his infamous dazzling smile.
She blushed and drew in a deep breath. "I'm ready."
Michael began beatboxing to Billie Jean for a moment as he moved his hips from side to side. Ramona's eyes grew wide at this new sound and then she smiled and followed him, moving her hips just like him. After a moment she decided to beat box with him, adding additional sounds that worked well with his.
Michael smiled slightly at the girls' reactions behind them. They were getting a free show and there was no camera in sight. This was all him and Ramona just having a little fun, and he was loving every second of it. He was surprised she could beat box as well. He liked the new sounds she made with him.
Ramona began humming the beginning parts and she jerked her chest forward to the beat. Michael smiled and followed her moves and began to sing the song. Ramona turned slightly and began to follow him, moving her hips like him and smiling a little more with every move.
"That right there, is the Ramona we know," Saph nudged Jaz and she nodded.
As the dance continued, Ramona began a side shuffle and grinned at the look on his face as she began to harmonize with him. His eyes were practically sparkling at this new side of Ramona he had never seen before. She winked and spun around and began the moonwalk. He grinned and followed her and side by side, they moonwalked across the floor. Michael was trying to show her how to move her head to make the illusion better, but she hadn't quite mastered that part yet.
They both began the kick walk back to the center of the room and both smiled widely.
"That is so cool!" Saph clapped.
"It is! But I think Ramona is about to get owned," Jaz added, seeing the smirk on Michael's face.
He began to do the infamous robot that no one but Michael could do. Ramona giggled and tried her best to follow him. She made the illusion believable but she still wasn't as good as Michael. Let's face it, no one is as good as Michael.
"She's good!" Jaz cheered.
"Yeah she is," Saph agreed.
Michael tried not to laugh at her enthusiasm. She hadn't quite mastered it yet, but she was doing very well. Better than he imagined. Ramona gave him a look and shook her head. "Don't give me that look! I'll mess up!" she breathed as she continued to dance. Michael gave her a funny look and she decided to make him laugh by grabbing her crotch. Michael laughed lightly and Ramona strolled up to him and purposely kicked with the wrong leg. Michael started laughing like crazy.
He regained his focus and moved away from Ramona to the center of the room and he went into a fast spin before stopping on the tips of his toes and pointing at Ramona, urging her to follow his moves. Ramona hesitated for a moment before moving forward. She spun perfectly and as she went up on her toes, she stumbled and yelped, feeling her ankle roll from under her. Michael was quick to grab her before she fell.
"Careful there, wouldn't want you to hurt yourself," he winked, setting her back on her feet.
She blushed and sat on the edge of the bed. "Thanks, tomcat. I told you I wasn't as good as you."
Michael smiled and sat next to her, both had forgotten they weren't alone. "Aw, babygirl, don't be so hard on yourself. You'll get it in time. Besides," he lowered his voice to a softer tone. "I think you did a wonderful job."
Ramona blushed even more and hugged Michael tightly. "Thanks, tomcat." She yawned and stretched when she saw the clock nearby. "I think we better get some sleep. We have so much to do tomorrow before you leave the country."
Michael looked down at the floor with a sad look on his face. "Yeah, I know," he sighed.
Ramona nudged Michael and stood up, hugging the girls as they stood to head to their rooms. "Goodnight ladies," she smiled and then turned to Michael, kissing him on the cheek. "Goodnight, tomcat." She paused and then added, "would you mind leaving the door open between our rooms? I'd feel safer knowing there's nothing standing in between us," she blushed again. "I'm not quite used to being so far from home."
Michael blushed as well. "Of course, babygirl. I'd feel better knowing that too," he smiled softly.
The girls smiled at each other before wishing them a goodnight and headed to bed, closing their door behind them. Ramona smiled and crawled into her bed, shutting out the light on the table nearby. She glanced at Michael has he backed into his room and blew him a kiss. "Goodnight, tomcat. I love you," she blushed at her own words and curled her toes from under the blanket.
Michael caught the kiss in the air and blew one back to her. "I love you more, babygirl." She smiled and he winked and crawled into his own bed. Both sighed into their pillow at the same time. They didn't want to be countries apart, but Michael knew it was all a part of the job. Ramona however, wasn't used to his kind of work. He hoped she would be alright while he was gone.