MJ IMAGINES (World with Applehead) ON GOING

3:00 A.M Trouble

"Wait, hold up—he actually did that? Is he crazy or something?" Janet blurts out, eyes wide like she just heard the wildest plot twist ever.

You let out a small laugh, shaking your head. "Yeah... loco is one way to put it."

Janet leans forward, already fired up. "Girl, did you see how I almost kicked Randy's ass earlier? That should've been you back then!"

You laugh, a little louder this time. "Oh, I definitely had that in me somewhere. It was just... buried under fear and bad decisions."

Janet's expression softens. "That must've been terrifying, Y/N."

You nod, but there's a calmness in your voice now, something steadier, lighter. "Yeah. It was scary. I can still remember that night so clearly, like my brain decided to keep it in HD for no reason." You chuckle softly. "Every little detail."

"He wasn't always like that." You pause, then shrug lightly. "Turns out, he was a complete monster.

Janet snorts at that, but stays quiet, letting you go on. "He changed. Became cold, distant, and rude. Like I was suddenly a stranger he didn't like very much."

You exhale, but there's no heaviness in it anymore. "And me? I stayed. Thought if I loved him harder, tried more, stayed loyal enough... maybe he'd go back to who he was."

You give a small, knowing smile. "Spoiler alert: he did not."

"I was hopeful. A little too hopeful," you admit. "Until that night." Your tone dips slightly, not fragile, just honest. "He showed up at my house, drunk, in the middle of the night. And of course, my parents had to be out of town, so I was alone. Very main character, very horror movie setup."

Janet groans, "Oh hell no—"

"I know," you cut in with a soft laugh. "Trust me, if I could go back, I'd rewrite that whole scene."

You glance at her, reassuring. "But hey, I'm here. I got through it."

"I'm glad you saved yourself from that relationship, girl." Janet said. "Since it was a long time ago, maybe you should start dating again. Anyone in particular you have in mind?" she asked, way too casually for someone clearly fishing.

You just laughed, yeah, no words, no clues, nothing. Your lips? Sealed. Your secret? Very much alive. Because how exactly were you supposed to tell her you were now dating her brother? Her brother. As in, family. As in... a potential funeral for your friendship.

"Hmmm..." Janet squinted at you feeling like she was about to unlock a hidden level. "I'm sensing something."

You raised a brow. "Oh, what is this? You a psychic now?"

"Don't play with me, girl. I know you," Janet shot back, pointing at you like she had evidence stored somewhere. "And I don't care if you won't tell me—I'll find out anyway."

Yeah... that sounded exactly like her. Which was precisely why your heart started doing jumping jacks. You opened your mouth, ready to throw out the most believable lie your brain could manufacture under pressure, when suddenly the door burst open like it had its own dramatic entrance cue.

"UGH!"

Both of you freeze, heads snapping toward the door at the sudden outburst.

"You will not believe what happened today!" a voice exclaims as the door swings open. No knock, no warning, just pure dramatic entrance.

You and Janet exchange a quick look, both blinking. You tilt your head slightly. "What happened?" you ask.

She flops onto the bed like she's just been personally victimized by the universe. "The jerk I was dating?" she starts, staring up at the ceiling. "Dumped me. Get it?" She sits up halfway, eyes wide with disbelief. "DUMPED. ME."