𝕷і𝗍𝗍ᥣᥱ 𝕭ᥙ𝗍𝗍ᥱr𝖿ᥣᥡ

Chapter 3: 𝕿rᥱᥱһ᥆ᥙsᥱ

{Hayvenhurst}
Encino, California
June 2, 1979

Sunjai lay on the hammock outside. She loved coming back here because it was so peaceful. It was 7:45pm and the sun was beginning to set. She loved to look at the view when she wasn't working. She ended up falling asleep before she realized it.

"AHH!!" Someone jumped out of the bushes. Sunjai squealed almost falling out of the hammock. Michael made himself visible laughing so loud.

"Michael!" Sunjai glared at him.  "You play too much!" She started hitting him.

"Ow," Michael rubbed his arm. "You have to admit that was funny."

"It wasn't"

"I thought it was."

"Of course you did." She rolled her eyes but couldn't stay mad at him for long. "So what's the reason that you woke me from my slumber?"

"I wanted to know if you wanted to hang in the old treehouse?"

"We haven't been up there since we were twelve."

"I know I'm feeling a bit of nostalgia right now."

"Fine, I'll humor you." He helped her out of the hammock. The two walked over to the treehouse. Michael allowed her to climb up first with him following after. They sat on the edge with their legs dangling. "Everything is still the same."

"Remember all of the sleepovers we used to have in here?"

"Yeah, your mom had to get your siblings to come get us down."

"Yeah, and we threw water balloons at them." Michael laughed. "Jermaine was so mad when his hair got wet."

"I think he wanted to kill us both." Sunjai laughed with Michael. "Those were good times."

"Those were the best times for me. I felt like a normal kid for once." Sunjai empathized with him. Most kids aren't selling records and performing all over the world. "You always made me feel normal."

"That's because you're normal Michael. You're like any other guy I've met. You have a gift and your job is to entertain people."

"Yeah, but you're the only one that treats me like I am. We can have a conversation like we're doing now." He shrugged. "Most people don't care about getting to know me. They only like me because I'm Michael Jackson the person they listen to on the radio and see on TV. It can be exhausting you know. You're the only person I have outside of the industry that knows me. The real me."

"I'm glad that I met you, Mike." She smiled at him.

Michael and Sunjai met back when they were both twelve years old. Sunjai and her father moved to Encino when her father got his new job as an engineer. The first thing he wanted to do was move his daughter to a nicer neighborhood. Giving her opportunities that he never had as a child. They moved in right across the street from the Jacksons. Joseph and Shawn met one day which sparked up a friendship leading to Sunjai meeting the Jackson family. The moment Michael and Sunjai met the two were inseparable.

"I'm happy that we met too. After all of these years, I still have you by my side." Michael was grateful to have Sunjai in his life.

"I'm always going to be here for you," Sunjai reassured him. "Now you're about to release your first album where you have complete control. That's so exciting!"

"Yeah, I'm proud of what I've been able to do with this record. For once I get to decide what I want for the album. It feels good to be able to tell my own stories. I don't want it to sound like a Jackson album.

"I understand I'm so proud of you."

"Thanks, it would be cool if you could come to the studio with me?"

"Michael you're trying to get me to sing again." She rolled her eyes at him playfully. "I'm not a singer remember? I'm going to be a lawyer that's the goal."

"I know but it would be a lot of fun." He tried to convince her. "You can hear what I've been working on with Quincy. Please Sunshine."

"Okay okay." She gave in. "When I'm off I can go with you. I guess it wouldn't hurt to do it."

"Yes," He threw his first in the air.

"You're so annoying." She laughed at his antics. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

"I have to ask you a serious question though."

"What's up?"

"Do you like living here? I know things can be crazy with my family. I don't want you to feel overwhelmed."

"You don't have to be concerned, Michael. I love being around your family. I appreciate your parents for letting me stay here so I can finish school. They didn't have to agree to do that." She could have been across the country right now. "I wouldn't had a choice to stay in California. I'll never forget their kindness."

He felt relieved to know that she was happy. "We're all happy to have you here with us."

"Your mom makes me lunch for work. I tell her she doesn't have to but she insists on doing it. Her food is really good though."

"Mother loves you Sunjai. You're like another daughter to her. I think she loves you more than me." That caused Sunjai to laugh.

"Your mom is the best. She's been more of a mother figure to me than my mom." That was a conversation for another time. "She always gives good advice from a female perspective. Sometimes my dad doesn't understand. He's a guy so I am too hard on him."

Sunjai Voiceover: The relationship with my mother is a complicated one. Unfortunately, I can't speak about everything I've been through with her. But..I'll admit it hasn't always been great.

"I have three sisters and at times I still don't understand them."

"Women are complex so we have a lot of layers."

"I know and I respect that." He looked at the school. "The stars are shining tonight."

"Yeah, looking at the sky at night is peaceful. I remember when we would make wishes on shooting stars." She smiled. "Hoping that our dreams will come true. I hope your album touches everyone."

"Thank you, Sunshine. I don't know where'd I be without you. I appreciate your support." The two sat there in a comfortable silence enjoying the view.

Sunjai Voiceover: Michael and I had this unique bond with one another. We're a package deal at this point. Where he goes I go and where I go he goes. We've always been close to one another. It was us against the world. Over the years people have tried to break that bond between us. Despite their attempts, we're still here.