let me love you ~ michael jackson & ariana grande

nerve-wracking

   June 12th, 2005

Ariana

Michael's chest breathes in and out rhythmically which leaves me the impression that he's finally dozed off. I go to move my head from his upper half to the pillow but I'm stopped by his hands grabbing my waist.

"I thought you were sleeping..."

"I'm too nervous to sleep." He admits, bringing me closer to him.

"Nervous? The Michael Jackson is nervous?" I smile lopsidedly.

"Ariana, I'm serious. Tomorrow decides the rest of my life whether I want it to or not ." My curved lips turn into a dim frown, he's right.

"Michael, I'm sure there's nothing to be worried about. They served barely any proof at all, and they know that the Arvizo's have a past of scamming celebrities. You're going to be proven innocent." I say the last part firmly.

"The more you say that, the less I believe it." He tosses the blanket off of him and turns his back to me, his legs resting on the floor while his body sits tall on the bed. "They'll do everything in their power to take me down. We can't be sure of anything anymore...not with all the snakes we've encountered."

I bite my lip, inching closer to him. I sling my limbs around his torso and kiss his shoulder, relaxing my chin on it after. "Michael, listen to me. They may try their hardest to make you look guilty but actions speak louder than words. The jury needs more than a couple of claims and a sob story, they need actual evidence and that's what they don't have."

He sighs, gently moving my body onto his lap. I stare into his eyes for what feels like ages. My lips part faintly and they're soon met with Michael's warmth mouth. I feel tingles rush through me as the kiss becomes hungry and intense. When I no longer feel our lips in motion, I open my eyes rapidly.

"What?" Our faces are still as close as ever. "If I'm proven guilty tomorrow-"

"Michael, you-"

"Hear me out, okay?" I nod leisurely.

"If I'm proven guilty, I might not have time to tell you this. But if I am...I want you to tell the kids how much I love them..." The most slightest tears brim my eyes as I think about Michael being sentenced. I start to shake my head but he grabs my face with a gloomy smile. "And tell them that everyday."

"Michael, I'm not going to tell them that because you'll be there yourself to tell them that."

"It's just in case...you know that."

My sadness turns into small anger. "Stop talking like you're leaving us! You're not leaving them, Michael...you aren't leaving me."

He caresses both sides of my cheeks. "If it happens, I'm just trying to prepare you." I take his hands off of me, taking myself off of his lap and back to my side of the bed. "Please don't be like this..."

"I'll stop being like this once you realize that you aren't going anywhere, Michael!" I face away bitterly. I hear the sound of the bed sinking in and feel Michael grab ahold of my fist, bringing it up to his lips and kissing it tenderly.

"I didn't mean to make you upset." He whispers, leaning closer to me.

I wearily glance at him, taking in his expression. Guilt hits me like a bus once I see his sadness, I guess I reacted a bit too harshly.

"I'm sorry...I didn't mean to snap like that, it's just-...hearing you talk about this is-" He places a finger to my lips, shushing me. "Don't."

My head shakes gradually as the sobs start flowing out of me. "I'm sorry, Michael. I'm sorry I couldn't protect you from all of these people..."

"No, no, no. You're not going to sit here and take the fault for all of my mistakes, I honestly just couldn't protect myself." The touch of his hands stroking my cheeks brings me more to tears. "I'm sorry you have to deal with this, my love." Now that the both of us are crying, it feels like we're drowning in depression.

I throw my arms around his neck, pulling him closer to me while his hands meet around my waist.

"I love you, Michael. And you already know I'm never going to love anyone else but you. I don't care if I have to put up with all this bullshit, you make it worth it for me. You were my everything ever since I was just Janet's friend and you were just one of her older brother's." He blushes a crimson colour and a faint grin grows onto his face.

"Looking back, it's hard to believe you liked me all those years ago. I mean, I don't recollect it being that clear?" He mentions with a twinkle in his eye.

My eyes widen as I let out an embarrassed laugh. "Oh, it was as clear as crystal. Thinking about all of the things I used to do is painful...I was so pathetic."

"Hey, you weren't pathetic." His tone gets serious. "You've never been pathetic. If anything, I was the pathetic one. Telling you I liked Brooke when it was so obviously you?" I part away from our eye contact, my smile still as bright as day. When I look back up, Michael no longer has that glisten in his eye. "You should have left when you had the chance..."

His words leave me confused but hurt all at the same time, has he finally gotten sick of me?

"Who says I can't leave now?" I question, my grip loosening a bit.

"Because I'm never letting you go." He brings me closer to his warm body, pressing a kiss to my mouth. "This is til the end of time."

I repeat his endearing words. "Til the end of time."

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June 13th, 2005

Ariana

After my night with Michael, he really put some fearful thoughts in my head. I was starting to second guess my sureness last night and all this morning. Now that we're in the car, on the way to the courthouse, my heart hasn't stopped thumping. I'm actually starting to become afraid, what if they decide last minute to believe the Arvizo's just because? So many court trials have gone so unfair and since the world already has something against Michael...would it really be that farfetched for the jury to pin him as guilty?

I look at Michael who's even more shaken up than I am, his leg jitters up and down anxiously. I take his hand and give it a little squeeze, trying to comfort him as best as I can.

"I'm scared..." He says under his breath.

"Hey, there's no reason to be. You're gonna be alright, okay?"

He inclines his head in a sad manner. This trial has been the death of Michael, I've watched the life wash away from him a little more every day. No matter how much my presence helps, this will inevitably leave a scar in Michael's soul. The familiar bump in the pavement that we've drove over multiple times makes it known that we're pulling up to the law building.

As the security clears up the space for us, I watch the usual fans gather outside of the gates. They hold up posters, supporting Michael's innocence and are cheering encouraging things. The love they have for Michael will never fail to make my heart grow two sizes. Once the vehicle door opens for us, I brace myself, taking a few deep breaths. This day really does decide everything, huh?

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okay sorry this chapter was so short and i'm sorry that i'm no longer doing daily uploads, it just got to a point where it was so stressful. especially bc i have a trip coming up so i've been in between packing and writing and it's just such a handful. but yea, i'll see u guys next chapter.