Saving Michael Jackson

Recording with Michael

"Is she still asleep?" I heard someone whisper.
The voice was soft. Very soft. Familiar too. Michael.

"No, Mickey," Wanda replied. "She's practicing for her funeral."

I groaned.

The second I opened my eyes, I regretted it.
Michael was literally kneeling beside my bed, staring at me. Wanda stood behind him with her arms crossed. The moment Michael realized I was awake, he immediately stood up as if he hadn't been caught doing anything suspicious.

"Were—"

I frowned, pushing my messy hair out of my face. "Were you watching me sleep?"

"We just got here," Michael said innocently.
A giggle escaped him. Liar.

"Well, now you know how Rockwell always felt," Wanda said.

She looked at Michael and nodded. Immediately both of them started singing. "I always feel like somebody's watching meee..."

They pointed dramatically at each other. "And I have no privacyyy..." Both burst out laughing.

I grabbed the pillow and threw it over my face.
"Y'all are creepy. Get out."

"Wake up." Michael pulled the pillow away. "I'm leaving soon."

I blinked. "What?"

"I have to be in the studio."

That woke me up faster than coffee.I sat upright.
"What?"

"Yeah." He walked over to the table and started straightening some papers. "You know, I'm putting the album together again. It'll be a busy month. I just finished the photo sessions a few weeks ago."

I stared at him. Then I laughed.
"Photo sessions? You were literally here the whole time."

Michael stopped moving. Slowly he turned toward me. Then toward Wanda. Then back toward me. His eyebrows rose. "What did you give her?"

"Wha—"

"I told you only headache tablets." He pointed accusingly at Wanda. She looked offended.

"Headache tablets?" I repeated.

"That's the only thing I gave her." Wanda touched her forehead dramatically. "Come on, you think i would drug my friend? I had some too. I got a headache after that party."

Party? What party? I stared at her.
The last thing I remembered clearly was Ryan. Then dinner. Then sleep. Had I passed out again?
Like at the hotel? Please tell me I didn't sleep for another week. Or month. Or year.

"You guys..." I said slowly. "What day is it today?"

Wanda crossed her arms. "June eighteenth."

For a moment I just stared at her. June eighteenth. No.... No. Absolutely not. I jumped out of bed so fast I nearly tripped.

"Cindy?" Michael called.

I ran. Straight downstairs. My heart hammering.
The front door. The living room. The hallway. I looked around wildly.

"Is he here?"

Michael and Wanda rushed after me. "Cindy!"

"Is he here?" I repeated desperately.