Ever Victorious (A Michael Jackson Tale)

Nightmares

Michael's P.O.V

I couldn't sleep at all.

It wasn't because I was in a different place, I was more than used to sleeping just about anywhere, I had been crashing out in all types of places ever since I could remember.

No, I was having trouble sleeping because of my insomnia, at least that's what I told myself.

In reality, my mind was full of, well, Maria. There was no denying that she had a strong hold on me.

I had nearly lost all control with her, I couldn't let that happen, we were both vulnerable, and I was more than a little tipsy.
But I knew deep down that even if I had been sober, the same things would have happened.

I loved her and I wanted her. Pure and simple.

But it wasn't simple. She wasn't my girl and I had to leave her behind as my tour continued. I said I had no ties, but I think I had more than Maria. My work is my entire life and I have to put it before anything else, even the ones I love.

It was no use lying there trying desperately to sleep when it wasn't going to happen. I got out of the covers and turned on the bedside light; pulled on a tshirt and jeans Maria had leant me, courtesy of one of Roxanne's past lovers, and looked around the unfamiliar room.

It was neat and tidy, except for the desk by the window which looked out onto the street. There were files stacked underneath the table and loose paper falling off the top of the pile of books she had attempted to clear off one side of the desk. The centre was an empty space, with nothing more than the notebook and pen she was holding earlier.

I decided to take a look.

I flicked through and was amazed by the sheer amount of poetry she had written in only a couple of months according to the dates at the top of the dog eared pages.

All of a sudden, my name jumped out of the string of words scrawled on the page. She had written about me. My heart thumped loudly in my chest. I had to read it.

Funny how the insignificant person can still be rescued
By none other than the most significant.
Can opposites truly attract?
Or am I just kidding myself, the fire that glows in my heart when our eyes meet
Is it just my imagination? A mind trick?
Michael Jackson.
The name. That name. The only name I could never get close to.
But when I am with him he is nothing more than Michael.
He is different to what I imagined he would be.
Perhaps I thought he would have stars in his eyes, but they glitter just the same as mine.
When he looks at me, I stop.
When he laughs, I flutter.
When he smiles, I melt.
There is a sound that surrounds him, his presence the sweetest music. Music only angels can create.
If only I could sing the melody, but it is too spectacular.
He plucks my heart strings like a heavenly harp.
I wish I could know his but he knows nothing of mine.
Shrouded in secrets and bruised, that's all I can offer.
Where his is as pure as the sun.
I ask again, Can opposites truly attract?

I put the notebook down, stunned by the honesty and emotion I had read. All too soon, the feeling of flattery and affection was taken over by confusion. What had she meant by "Shrouded in secrets"?

I had to find out what was really going on, but I wasn't sure how.
Then I heard a whimper.
My heart slammed to a stop as the memories of the apartment flooded back to me like a nightmare.
I didn't think, I just ran, with the same emotions as before, and only one thing on my mind.

Craig.

Maria's P.O.V

The dream. The same nightmare I had had ever since that day. Each night it came back, but each time I saw something else. But this time around, I saw the face of the person who was restraining me.

Craig.

He had a sneer on his face and I was terrified. He grabbed a handful of my hair and threw me to the ground, but I didn't fall through it as I usually did. I crawled backwards as he advanced on me. He put his foot on my chest so I couldn't move.

I couldn't breathe, I had to get out of there. I desperately tried to grab onto consciousness so I could get out of this nightmare, with each second thinking maybe I wasn't dreaming at all. I knew Michael was about to be shot again so I screamed for him.

Then the bright light of the desert sun shattered and I was bolt upright in bed, holding onto someone.

"Maria it's okay, I'm here" It was that beautiful voice. I felt instantly soothed.
He wasn't dead. He was alive. And so was I. It was all too much at once and I cried into his shoulder, I didn't want to let him go.

"There'll be no darkness tonight, lady our love will shine, lighting the light"

He was singing to me, stroking my hair.

"Just put your trust in my heart, and meet me in paradise, now is the time." As he sang he laid me back onto the bed, pulling the covers over me.
"Girl, you're every wonder in this world to me, a treasure time won't steal away... So listen to my heart, lay your body close to mine let me fill you with my dreams, I can make you feel alright. And baby through the years, Gonna love you more each day, so I promise you tonight, that you'll always be the lady in my life..."
Before he could start the next verse, I was asleep.

Michael's P.O.V

She looked beautiful as she slept, her long eyelashes stroking her cheeks.
The covers only came up to the top of her arms, exposing her shoulders. I saw bruises where I had previously seen red marks. I couldn't help but feel angry, but I wasn't sure whether that anger was directed at Craig or myself.
I knew that there was more that happened than Maria was willing to tell me, but whatever had really happened, it was affecting her still.

I had never sang to a girl before, except for maybe my sisters or Diana Ross, but this was different. It felt so natural, just how I felt on stage, usually I hated to sing in front of a few people, I preferred a crowd.

It was then, more than ever, that I knew I was completely in love with her.

I sighed as I thought about what would happen next, I couldn't stay with her, I had to get back to my work.
But I didn't want to lose her either, if I left her for too long, she would more than likely move on, I didn't like that idea, what if she went back to Craig?

I mentally shook myself, that would never happen, I knew she was scared of him, I just wish I could make sure there would be no way of him getting anywhere near her again. I felt an urge to protect her, even if I had no right to feel that way.

But in her poem, she had expressed emotions beyond anything I knew she could say. It was fascinating to read her thoughts, I was literally reading her mind.

It made me sad that she felt that she wasn't good enough for me, if only she knew how much I felt the same way, I wasn't good enough for her, I couldn't even look after her properly, or be with her as often as I should be, my life kept getting in the way. I felt that I had to choose between my life and my world, and that was something I could never do.

With more thoughts running through my mind, I eventually managed to close my eyes and slip into sleep, with my arm around the one thing I couldn't have.

*