Michael didn't have the strength to leave his bedroom today or go anywhere at all for that matter.

He hadn't spoke to Shayla in days and the thought of him ruining his friendship over a moment of weakness was too much to bear. No matter how well he isolated himself he could still see her sweet smile, hear her angelic laugh, and taste her candy lips. He couldn't shut his mind off and kept asking himself the same questions over and over again.

"Why couldn't I just be there as a friend?"

"Should I still invite her to rehearsals?"

"Why did I ruin this for us?"

He moved over to his grand piano and retrieved a piece of paper on the keys he had left there for the past few days. He sighed deeply before looking at the lyrics he wrote and placed the paper on the music rack in front of him. He gave his long slender fingers a stretch and began letting them dance on the ivory keys.

A gorgeous melody he created echoed through the room and his pet chimp Bubbles appeared from his usual hiding spot wanting to hear the beautiful sound. Michael closed his eyes trying to muster up any energy or inspiration when he suddenly began to sing the lyrics that plagued him for a while now.

"Speechless, Speechless"

"That's how you make me feel."

"Though i'm with you I am far away,"

"And nothing is for real."

"When i'm with you I am lost for words.

"I don't know what to say."

"My head's spinning like a carousel,"

"So silently I pray."

He sighed once more and ripped the paper from the rack. He felt helpless, hopeless, and didn't know how to fix this. What would he say when he faced her again? What could he say?

"Is that for a new album?"

A voice spoke up making him turn towards his door. It was his sister Latoya.

"Geez, how long have you been standing there?" Michael asked sounding annoyed. "You do realize privacy is a thing right?"

"I was standing here long enough to realize something is troubling you." She answered worriedly. "Why did you stop playing? It was beautiful."

"It was nothing"

"You want to talk about it?"

"Not really." He responded as he walked back over to his bed with Bubbles. "I kind of want to be alone."

"Okay." Latoya nodded her head. "Well if and when you do want to talk. I'll be here."

As she turned to walk away Michael suddenly got the feeling it may be best for him to talk to someone about this situation. Then in return he may get some helpful advice on what to do or how to make a move in order to fix this whole mess.

"I kissed Shayla." He blurted out making Latoya halt at the door. "I kissed her, the aftermath was awkward, and we haven't spoken since.

"What do you mean awkward?" She turned to face him.

"Awkward as in we both realized that it was a mistake and it shouldn't have happened."

"Oh I see, well what was the kiss like?"

Michael just stared at his sister blankly and she rolled her eyes.

"Look, i'm just trying to get to the root of the problem." Latoya stated in frustration. "Was it a peck, a long kiss, was there tongue?"

"Forget it." Michael turned his back to her.

"Okay fine." She replied. "Was the kiss reciprocated? Did she kiss you back?"

"Yes, but that's not the point."

"Am I missing something. If she kissed you back what's the problem?"

"You don't get it do you?" He shook his head and sat up beside her. "I ruined this. I initiated. I messed up a possible long term friendship over a moment I can't take back. I haven't spoken to her in days. She was my friend before anything and I just made it weird between us. Why wasn't friendship enough?"

"Or." Latoya said holding up her manicured finger. "And hear me out...you both have feelings for each other that you're running away from. You may have initiated the kiss Michael but she kissed you back. How do you know she doesn't feel something for you?"

"Latoya, I've never shared a kiss with someone where we both backed away from each other in horror." He clarified sadly. "We couldn't even look at one another after."

"Talk to her Michael." She advised as she laid her head on his shoulder. "It may have scared you both but that doesn't mean feelings weren't there."

"Okay sure, I have feelings for her." He finally admitted. "But I cant be sure she feels the same."

"Only one way to find out." Latoya kissed his cheek and stood to exit. "By the way, I knew you weren't being honest when you said you were just friends. It was written all over your face little brother."

Michael let out a loud groan as his sister closed his door, and he grabbed a pillow smothering it over his face.

Suffocation didn't sound too bad of an idea right now.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

"You have no idea how thankful I am to have you to talk to" Shayla said over the phone. "These last few days have been miserable.

"Talk to me." Nikita responded. "What's going on?"

"Well, you see..." she hesitated.

"I'm listening." They went back and forth.

"Well, I kinda..."

"Go on..."

"Michael and I..."

"GIRL SPIT IT OUT!" Nikita yelled making her move the phone away from her ear.

"Something happened between Michael and I" Shayla revealed with a sigh. "And we haven't spoken to or seen each other since."

"I beg your finest pardon?!" Nikita exclaimed in shock. "I'm sorry...did you sleep with Michael Jackson?!"

"WHAT?" She screamed instantly as her cheeks burned red at the thought. "NO! We didn't sleep together.

"Then what happened? What are we talking about?"

"We kissed. And it was great and all but...I think Michael regrets it."

"You kissed..." Nikita's tone changed to uninterest. "Is that what this is about? A damn kiss? That's why you haven't been at rehearsals? OVER A KISS?"

"You don't get it." Shayla went on. "It's much more complicated than that. The kiss wasn't unwelcomed it just took me by surprise. Michael made the first move and he freaked out afterwards. I think he regrets it and now he won't even talk to me."

"Well it must have been a good one if you guys are acting this way over a measly kiss."

"Actually it wasn't measly." Shayla blushed feeling a warm sensation in her abdomen. "The man's got some skills. I just don't know why he regrets it."

"Then why don't you talk to him." Nikita suggested. "Find out once and for all."

"What if he doesn't want to talk to me? What if he completely shuts me out. I don't think I could handle it. He was my friend."

"Ugh, you two are being so overly dramatic over a kiss." Nikita rolled her eyes. "And anyhow, I thought you two were just friends?"

"Well, now I don't know what to think." Shayla let out a frustrated sigh. "Things are so weird now."

"Well you know what I think? While you've been absent from rehearsals The Wicked Witch Of The West has been slithering by his side any chance she gets, and I think you two need to get it together because I don't want that bitch to have any satisfaction of thinking she's winning."

"Again this isn't a competition and Michael isn't a prize to be won. Maybe she thinks so but I sure as hell don't."

"Yeah I know." Nikita shook her head. "Poor choice of words...I just really hate that bitch."

They both giggled at their mutual dislike of Tatiana until Shayla's doorbell rang interrupting their conversation.

"Hold on" Shayla spoke as she put the phone down on the couch and went to answer the door.

To her surprise a delivery man with a dozen long stem red roses stood before her. A confused look spread about her face thinking he was at the wrong address until the gentleman spoke her name.

"Delivery for Ms. Shayla Iman." He said with a smile.

"Um, yeah that's me." She answered hesitantly as she grabbed the bouquet. "Thank you."

She smelled the gorgeous flowers as she walked back to her couch and inspected them further.

"What happened?" Shayla heard as she picked up the phone. "Who was at the door?"

"You wont believe this but someone just delivered a dozen roses."

"Oh, I think we both know who they came from." Nikita giggled. "See, I told you this would work out!"

"There's a card too." Shayla pulled a stick with a note attached from the bouquet. "I'm actually nervous to read it."

"Girl what does the note say?!" Nikita squawked impatiently. "I wanna know too!"

"Can we please talk?" Shayla read the note aloud and bit her lip to contain her joyous giggle.

"Well..." Nikita chimed in. "What do you think?"

"I think i'm gonna be at rehearsals today." Shayla breathed a sigh of relief hoping Michael wanted to talk things out.

All she wanted was her friend back.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Michael had no idea how long he had been standing outside the arena plucking up the courage to walk in but this wasn't new to him. This had been his ritual for the past few days. Scared to face his feelings. Scared to face the truth. Scared to face Shayla.

He pushed passed the double doors and his heart beat faster as he scanned the room for her. He hoped she had received the roses and read the note he had delivered. After he talked to his sister he found the courage to believe both he and Shayla could move past this. He needed for them to move past this.

After realizing she wasn't present Michael moved through the arena with his head down not wanting to make meaningless conversation. He just wanted to get through this final rehearsal and go home to be alone with his thoughts.

"Damn, so no welcome home party?"

A booming voice stopped him in his tracks. He turned around to see his Manager Frank Dileo with his hands on his hips and his signature cigar firmly perched between his lips. Michael giggled to himself missing his friends sense of humor and walked over to greet him properly.

"Welcome back Frank." Michael hugged the 5'2 stout man and was reminded how strong his cologne was. "How is your Mother?"

"Much better." Frank responded. "She scared us there for a second.

"Good. Let her know i'm coming to see her as soon as possible. Especially for her famous snickerdoodles."

"You better know it." Frank placed a hand on his shoulder. "See Michael, you can survive without me for a week or two."

"If you say so Frank." Michael smiled and rolled his eyes.

"Look's like i'm back not a moment too soon though." He looked at his boss with worry. "You kinda look like shit buddy are you okay?"

"Gee thanks." Michael crossed his arms and shook his head.

"Just checking in on you." Frank explained. "I know you tend to overwork yourself when you're trying to create projects like this."

"It's nothing Frank."

"Well you know i'm here if..."

"IT'S NOTHING FRANK." Michael repeated loudly letting his manager know he wanted no part of any conversation he was trying to have.

A cloud of silence blanketed the two until Vince ran up to them dripping sweat from practice.

"Glad you're here Michael." He wiped himself with a towel. "The boys and I are ready, Tatiana still isn't here, And your sister wants to see you stage left whenever you can."

"Thanks Vince." Michael responded. "Tell the boys i'll be with them in a moment. I'll try to get in touch with Tatiana myself, and let my sister know i'm busy."

Michael walked away leaving the two men with puzzled looks on their faces.

"What the hell is his problem?" Frank asked placing his cigar between his fingers. "Is he okay?"

"Honestly I have no clue." Vince shrugged his shoulders. "He's been acting kind of strange here lately."

Michael had every intention of walking straight to his dressing room and locking himself in at least for a moment. He needed at least 5 to 10 minutes to gather his thoughts and empty his mind before doing anything else. He was emotionally exhausted and he hated the way he felt because he knew his work would suffer.

He walked down the hall full steam ahead until he came upon the locker room area and noticed Tatiana sitting alone. Something deep inside of him wanted to keep walking but instead he found himself at the door knocking softly getting her attention.

Tatiana's eyes widened seeing The King Of Pop standing outside. Once she looked up and noticed he was standing there he invited himself him.

"Hi." Michael greeted in a very monotone voice."

"Hi Mr. Jackson." She fixed her hair.

"You know Vince is looking for you." He eyed her slender frame and dark curly locks. "We were just wondering where you were."

"Oh God, sorry." She flashed him a cunningly gorgeous smile. "Los Angeles traffic. You know how it is sometimes."

"Sure I do. Now that you're here please catch up with Vince before he self destructs." He joked, making her laugh. "I guess you and I will be catching up later to polish things off."

Her dainty giggle sent a chill down his spine and he cleared his throat watching her walk in his direction towards the door.

"Oh, before I leave." She turned to face him. "I hope you don't think me forward or anything but i've truly enjoyed this experience this week. You know, getting to work alongside you. Getting to know you a little bit."

"I see." Michael admired her dazzling hazel eyes.

"Well, if you don't mind id like to get to know you a little more." Tatiana stepped closer to him making his heart beat faster. "Maybe over coffee, lunch, possibly dinner."

Before his brain had enough time to process what she was saying his mouth opened giving her a response.

"Well you know these things aren't necessarily easy for me." Michael answered truthfully. "But maybe I could come up with something at some point."

"Please do." She kissed him on the cheek and gave him a wink. "Goodbye Mr. Jackson."

She caressed his shoulder as she moved passed him and sashayed her way down the hall. It wasn't until he sat there for a moment watching her walk away when his brain finally caught up with the rest of his body.

"What the hell just happened?"

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Finally after what seemed like forever rehearsals were complete. All the muscle aches, lack of sleep, and long nights were about to pay off. This last day of preparation Michael allowed himself to have an out of body experience. He turned everything else off and left his heart on the stage. Anyone who bore witness to the spectacle that was Michael Jackson in his element would agree tonight the man was truly on a different level.

Tatiana was glued to his side after everyone else cleared the stage giving him her best laugh, batting her eyelashes, and flashing her dazzling smile. Latoya took notice of this however and kept her promise she made to herself by making her way to her brother and promptly intervening.

"What in the world got into you tonight you maniac?!" Latoya jumped in Michael's arms making him giggle. "I've never seen you like that before."

"Well, you know i've been in a slump lately." He responded not saying too much in front of Tatiana. "I just decided to empty my head and leave it all on the stage."

"That couldn't have been easy."

"No not at all."

"Yeah cause you've got such an enormous head." She shoved her brother and both of them chuckled.

Tatiana was a little annoyed that her conversation was interrupted. She figured this was a losing battle and took the opportunity to bow out. Considering how much closer she and Michael had gotten there was no doubt there would be more chances to be alone with him. Hopefully at her proposed date.

"I'll talk to you later Michael." She caressed his arm making his sister eye her up and down.

Michael bid her goodbye and Latoya relaxed her facial expression turning her attention back to her brother.

"I'm so proud of you." She held his hand. "Tonight really was great."

"Thanks Toy." He pulled her in for a hug. "For all your advice."

"But um listen..." she pushed him away slightly. "I need to say something."

She looked down at his shoes hoping he wouldn't be upset and he noticed her whole demeanor changed making him nervous.

"This isn't gonna be easy but I..."

"Michael!" Frank called from across the room cutting her off. "Can you come here for a second?"

Michael let out a frustrated sigh. "Is this really important or can it wait for a little bit?" He asked his sister.

"Go on, its okay." She reassured him.

"Are you sure?" He looked her in her eyes. "It seemed pretty important?"

"Michael GO!" She pushed him in Frank's direction.

Maybe it was for the best. She hated seeing him upset just as she did in his bedroom that day. And if he was on the right path back to himself then maybe this wasn't the right time to call out his leading lady for who she really was. Latoya sure as hell wasn't gonna let the situation go though. She would bide her time for now.

"What is it Frank?" Michael crossed his arms.

"There was a lady asking about you." Frank told him. "A Shana, Sienna, Shayla."

"Shayla!" His boss's eyes lit up. "Where is she Frank?!"

"I think I may have saw her leaving a little bit ago."

"God, Frank." Michael rolled his eyes. "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

"Well forgive me." The short stubby gentleman held his chest. "Unbeknownst to you, you are a hard man to keep track of. You've been bouncing across this entire arena all night."

"Wonderful." The King Of Pop walked way. "Thanks Frank."

"Well do you want me to get in contact?"

"THANKS FRANK!" Michael slowly disappeared making his way down a hall.

"Well who the hell is this girl?!" Frank said more to himself as he puffed his cigar.

As Michael walked the hall he somehow knew just what he needed in that moment. After a few turns down the left corridor he came to a flight of familiar stairs. He took a key out of his pocket and opened the door to the roof climbing up to the top of the building and enjoying the California night sky.

He looked out at the City Of Angels and didn't try to force any thoughts from his mind. He thought of his tour, he thought of his short film, he thought of Tatiana, and more predominately he thought of Shayla.

He gazed up at a single star and closed his eyes making a wish only opening them when a velvet like voice caressed his back and sent butterflies coursing through his stomach.

"I figured you would be up here." He turned to see Shayla at the entrance. "You forgot to shut the door."

"Frank told me you were here." Michael informed her. "I thought you left."

"Nikita and I hung around for a bit with the boys."

"Have you been here this whole time?" She was still at the door and they both seemed worlds apart.

"Yes I have." She answered. "I didn't want to disrupt you working so I kind of stayed in the shadows."

"Oh." He looked down at his penny loafers. "Well can we talk?"

"Of course." She finally moved to stand by him.

"Michael I..."
"Shayla Listen..."

They both spoke in unison and giggled at themselves.

"You first." She nodded at him.

"I didn't mean for things to get this way." Michael explained. "I lost control and i've just been afraid of what it may cost me."

"Do you regret it Michael." She looked him in the eyes searching for any hint of doubt.

"The only reason I regret it is because I believe I value our friendship more than anything. I don't want things to change. I can't lose that."

"Then you won't." Shayla assured him as she took his hand. "And if friendship is what our relationship needs to be then i'll nurture that. Lets just go back to the way things were and leave it at that. No need to overcomplicate."

"I'd like that." Michael responded as they embraced each other under the moon.

In truth, Shayla was conflicted. Did she believe the words that just spilled from her mouth? If so, then why was she desperately trying not to crumble in his embrace. Doing her best to not be swooned by his scent or lost in his heartbeat as her head caressed his chest. If she believed all she said to be true then why was she struggling not to lose control? This man was becoming more and more intoxicating to her every day. And she didn't know how long she could stand in his presence and stay strong being his friend.

Would she truly be happy and able to leave it as just that?

"Michael?" Shayla spoke softly as she closed her eyes trying to make any conversation to distract her from her thoughts.

"Yeah?" He looked down at the beautiful woman enveloped in his arms.

"Thank you for keeping your promise to me."

"My promise?"

"Your promise to bring me back up here." She looked up at him making him smile.

"Thank you for holding me to it."

He kissed her on the forehead and they stayed locked in their embrace for what seemed like hours enjoying the still of the night.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Nikita watched Tatiana as she paced back and forth across almost the entirety of the Livewire Gateway Center. It made her sick to her stomach and she knew exactly what Tatiana was up to. She was anticipating Michael leaving the arena.

Nikita tried to be civil and she tried desperately to keep her cool. But Tatiana's actions was starting to piss her off.

Nikita grabbed her bag from the locker and walked back down the hallway ready to leave before she did something she would regret. She was about to pray for the strength to just go to her car, turn the key, hit the gas, and drive when Tatiana turned the corridor walking back towards the locker rooms."

"Had enough?" Nikita didn't mince words or bite her tongue. "Done being a whore for the day?"

"I'm not in the mood." Tatiana spat back. "I advise you to keep walking."

"Awww is somebody upset." Nikita pouted. "What's wrong Maleficent? Can't find your imaginary boyfriend?"

"For the last time. Stay the fuck out of my business."

"It is my business!" Nikita dropped her bag and stepped forward."

"And how so?" Tatiana crossed her arms.

"Because I don't take too kindly to bitches who step on others or try to take something that isn't theirs.

"Sweetheart whether you realize it or not Michael IS mine." She stated proudly. "And if you must know, we'll be going on our first date very soon."

"You psychotic ass bitch." Nikita squinted her eyes and looked at her in disgust.

"Believe what you want to believe you reject." Tatiana now stepped to her face. "Your opinion doesn't mean shit to me."

"Okay, you lonely miserable slut! If Michael is in fact "yours" then why isn't he with you? Answer me that? Why is he with my friend right now as we speak."

Silence crept over the room and she could practically hear Tatiana's heart sink to her feet.

"I'm sorry, cat got your tongue?" Nikita continued. "Now you wanna be quiet?"

After a few seconds Tatiana just laughed it off.

"Keep talking and i'm gonna make you regret you ever decided to look in my direction." Tatiana gritted her teeth as a fire blazed in her eyes. "I'll make it my personal business to burn your entire world to the ground."

"Don't test me bitch." Nikita said now nearly nose to nose with Tatiana. "I promise you I will wipe this entire corridor with your delusional ass."

"Hey." Vince Paterson appeared down the hallway confused as to what was happening. "Is everything okay here?"

"Of course Vince." Nikita spoke as her gaze never left Tatiana's. "Just grabbing my things."

She picked up her bag and tossed her hair in Tatiana's face before storming passed Vince. Meanwhile Tatiana angrily marched into the locker area and slammed the door creating a loud ringing noise throughout the hallway.

Vince now stood alone and dumbfounded.

"What the hell is going on around here lately?"

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Shayla laid in bed struggling to go back to sleep. She only slept for an hour and woke up in a sweat to find Michael also plagued her dreams. His gorgeous face was haunting her now and alone with her thoughts at night she couldn't keep him at bay.

The dream she awoken from replayed over and over again in her mind making her entire body grow weak. She rarely ever had such dreams. Her mind was spinning and her heart was racing at the thought of him.

She tried to close her eyes and shake her less than holy thoughts but then she began reliving the kiss...that was no dream, that was reality. His lips were pressed to hers. Their tongues shared an embrace. It was enough to drive her crazy yet in her short lived slumber they accomplished so much more.

In her dream he tasted her like she was a rare delicacy, he thrusted in and out whilst in between her thighs, and her legs wrapped around him forcing him deeper making her name seep from his tongue. All things she wished he was here now to fulfill. She was drunk with passion and couldn't deny her feelings for him anymore.

Her dreams, her thoughts, her reality was now all consuming her at once and she lost all control letting her hands explore her body.

She teased her breasts with one hand and placed her other inside her lace panties caressing her moist flower.

She envisioned him touching her, his lips on places other than her own. She gripped the sheets now, gently placing a finger inside letting out a sigh of ecstasy. She wished he was here so his hand could replace hers.

"Oh God." She moaned slipping in another finger. The thought of him pleasuring her made her entire body hot to the touch and in that moment she wanted him, no, needed him.

She moved her fingers faster and faster grinding her hips now pondering what he would do to her if he knew her body was crying out for him.

Her legs began to shake and her lips slightly quivered feeling so much euphoria at once.

She propped her left leg up and placed her free hand on the headboard keeping her steady as her eyes rolled in the back of her head. Her body practically begging for a release.

"Oh God yes." She moaned as she felt her climax near. "MICHAEL"

His name echoed off the walls as a stream of forbidden honey ran down her hand.

She laid her head on her pillow to try and steady her heartbeat when suddenly the phone rang loudly next her scaring her half to death.

As if by some coincidence she already knew who was on the other line. Now that the hypnotic trance of lust dissipated from the room she felt absolutely mortified. How could she speak to him right now? Could she even pick up the phone? What would she say to him?

Her hand visibly shaking she reached over and answered the ringing phone.

"Hello?"

"Hi!" His sweet voice made her feel even worse. "Are you okay? You sound as if I just woke you up?

"No, i'm fine." She responded as her cheeks burned with embarrassment. "You just caught me I was about to go to sleep." Her lying never sounded convincing to her own ears.

"Oh well, we just never spoke after you left I wanted to know you got home safely."

Shayla couldn't help but smile. What did she do to ever deserve someone in her life such as him?

"Thank you for always looking after me Michael." She stated sincerely. "You're the sweetest."

"I'll always look after you." He replied. "I love you Shayla, I truly hope you know that."

A lump formed in her throat hearing those words.

"I love you too Michael." She said as a tear rolled down her cheek.

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

She practically threw the phone on the receiver, buried her face in her pillow, and screamed.

What did he mean by "I love you"

What did SHE mean by it?

She was so riddled with conflict the she gave up and knew sleep wasn't going to be a thing tonight. She flung the covers away from her body and got up to go take a shower.

If anything came from tonight she could finally say she had clarity. She knew for certain she no longer believed the words she uttered to Michael earlier.

"If friendship is what our relationship needs to be then i'll nurture that."

But what if she no longer needed friendship? Would that overcomplicate things again?

One thing's for certain and two things for sure...she wouldn't be able to maintain her control for much longer. She needed Michael Jackson, and she didn't know how she could go on and continue to suppress that in order to save a friendship.