melodies at midnight (a.g x m.j)

much needed apologies

Michael ~ June 2nd, 1978

I hold the curtains open slightly, only letting a sliver of an opening show as I watch her and Bill converse. I don't even know what to think about anything right now. I'm assuming Ariana was here because of the brunch that supposedly took place this morning but I didn't think she'd be here for the entire day.

This has to mean Janet told her everything that went down with Randy from my perspective because it really seems to be that my brother was indeed lying about what she said. The way that Randy didn't even try to deny what she was saying is what sold it to me. Ariana was so angry with him, an angry no one could pretend to be.

Thinking of all this is now striking my own temper because I wholeheartedly believed Randy but wasn't I supposed to? He's my brother.

My brother did this to me. I scoff to myself, the familiar sensation of tears building up in my eyes. I blink them down and focus back on the two outside.

I watch as a cab pulls up, Ariana quickly hopping into it and leaving Hayvenhurst. The last thing I see is Bill walking towards the house before I shove the curtains back fast.

I back up, taking a seat on the edge of my bed and throw my head into my hands. My mind has never felt so shaken up before.

There's no doubt in my mind that I need to tell Ariana how sorry I am for distancing myself from her over this stupid situation. A subtle knock on my door makes me jump, I know who it is.

"Come in." I faintly say, the sound of the door swinging open and then closing doesn't even make me look to see who it could be.

"Michael...I know you're hurting but you owe that girl a really big apology." Bill says, coming to sit beside me.

"Tell me about it." I mumble, fiddling with my fingers nervously.

"I'm not here to blame you though, you know that. I mean, of course you'd think he's being honest. He's your little brother." He sighs, pausing for a few seconds. "But you should have called her the second he told you about that, a phone call would have cleared up everything."

I nod my head slowly. "I know. Gosh, I feel like such an idiot. I was so mad over a few lies...I don't know what I'm even supposed to say to Randy now. I'm so upset but it's just gonna be another argument."

"My best advice would be to talk to him, you're a civil guy. I know you don't like confrontation even when it's your brother's but I know you can do it. Hopefully he takes accountability and recognize what he's done wrong and if he doesn't...screw him."

I raise an eyebrow to myself. Having this conversation with Randy could really go either way but I guess I'll never know unless I try.

"I need to say sorry to Ariana, Bill. I feel terrible...should I call her or...I don't even know..." A sad breath escapes my lips.

"Put more effort into it, I think you should go to her apartment and do it in person. It'll mean more." He suggests.

I wear a confused face. "In...New York?"

He chuckles, shaking his head. "No, boy. Here! She moved to L.A a few weeks ago to work on her album."

I can feel a little smile grow on my face. "I'm happy for her, she would always tell me how bad she wanted to pursue music. I'm glad it's finally in the works...I really haven't been keeping up with her, I had no clue she had her own apartment here...okay, I'll go see her sometime this week."

"With no address?" Quincy questions with a smirk.

I roll my eyes, a quick laugh coming out. "Do you have her address?"

"No but I know for sure Quincy does." He rapidly retorts.

My eyes widen as I shake my head harshly. "Uh-uh. You need to ask him for it for me."

Bill's face grows sour. "Mike...do you know how creepy that sounds? I do favours for Quincy occasionally and I like the man but no way am I going to call him and ask for the place of residence for his 18 year old client."

I didn't exactly think about it that way but I know if I ask him myself, it's going to be relentless teasing and with Quincy, it won't stop.

"Please, Bill! Just make up an excuse?" I plead.

Bill stares at me, clearly not impressed.

"Fine, whatever..." He states bitterly.

I tap the man's back awkwardly on purpose and can't hide my smile. I'm going to make things right.

•••

Ariana ~ June 8th, 1978

I click the button on my answering machine, hearing the very few voice messages people have left me. Those people being my family and Courtney.

"Arianaaaa! You need to call me back asap. I have so much I need to tell you, get back to me quick. Bye."

I smile at Courtney's message, skipping through to the next.

"When are you gonna bring us out to L.A, Ari?" My brother whines playfully. "We miss you so much and when you get a break, you need to come home! Love you, buh-bye."

Frankie's always been my number one supporter and I don't think he understands how much I miss him, I really do need to go back to Florida soon.

I press down on the button, ready to listen to the next message.

"Ariana, please just hear-"

Skip.

"Okay, you don't want to talk and that's-"

Skip.

"I have a perfectly good explan-"

Skip.

God, is there anyway I can bleach my answering machine clean of Randy's voice. He doesn't deserve to have the chance to even contact me.

I know I told him I don't want a call unless it's an apology but to be rather frank, I don't want a call at all.

The only call I wouldn't exactly mind is one from Michael...

I don't even care for an apology from him because he doesn't really have much to be sorry for. Yes, he could have came to me instead of instantly believing Randy but if the roles were reversed, I would definitely take my brother's side.

It's just different when you're in my position, I guess. I don't know. I think Michael is officially done involving himself with me, it's been practically a week and he hasn't reached out to me once. If that's the way he wants to handle this, I can't do much about it but it just hurts.

I walk to my living room, plopping myself down on the couch, picking up the book I've been reading. As I flip through the page I was last on, the sound of a knock on the door gets my attention quick.

I toss the book down, rushing over to the door. I unlock it at my own pace and swing it open. I can feel my eyes go extremely wide and my breath gets caught in my throat.

The man himself stands at the front door of my brand new apartment here in L.A dressed in a perfectly knitted cardigan and long blue jeans even though it's pretty much summer. I look at his face and he sports a super apologetic look.

I shake my head, regaining basic human decency and lick my lips quickly.

"Michael..."

•••

i promise next chapter will be longerrr <3