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Chapter 3

After school I meet up with Sheyenne at our lockers. I didn't realize I was ignoring her until she said my name continuously.

"Nat?" I turn to her with a shocked expression. 

"Yeah?" 

"What is with you? You're acting like your dog got hit by a bus or something." I shake my head and finish gathering the things I need for home.

"No, I just have a lot on my mind, is all." I say and quickly walk down the hallway toward the exit. I hear Sheyenne call after me, but I ignore her. I need to go home and make sure this is real life.

As I speed walk down the hallway, I feel someone bump into me. I apologize quickly before looking up. My heart thuds when I see who it was that I had mistakenly bumped into.

"Blanket." I whisper, then shake my head when he gives me a look of. . .anger? Distraught?

"M-Michael... I'm sorry, I should have-"

"Save it." he mumbles then begins to walk away. I turn around and watch him walk. I begin to think of anything more rude that he could have said, but just then, he turns around and half smiles as if to apologize.

I walk home alone holding the part of my shoulder that Blanket bumped into. I feel like a fool, but nobody else can say that their idol's son goes to their school- let alone touched them...by accident.

I enter my house through the front door with a wide smile on my face and my mother gives me a look of confusion.

"Someone must've had a good day." she says with a smile as big as mine. I nod and head toward the stairs. "You have no idea."

"Well, what happened?" She calls. I stop walking and answer, though I am not facing her. 

"Let's just say, I regret the question I asked this morning." I turn around and smile at her again, then turn back toward the stairs and begin walking up to my room.

"Natalie?" my mother says loud enough for me to hear from the kitchen. I stop at the top of the steps and turn my head to listen. "Is there a boy involved?" my smile softens and I stare at the ground.

"Yeah," I begin, clutching the strap to my over-the-shoulder bag. "and he's very special." without further words, I walk down the hall and into my bedroom.

I throw my bag next to my desk and allow myself to fall onto my bed with wide arms. "There's no way. Why would Blanket Jackson go to my school?" I whisper to myself. It's all too strange. someone as popular, or famous as him going to a public school.

What about his brother and sister? Where are they? This makes no sense. I sit up and lean over my night stand. I open the drawer and grab one of the many MJ CD's in my collection that have been left untouched for two years. I lay back down and hold the CD above my face, examining it carefully.

"Why? I don't understand. Why is your son going to my school? I mean it's pretty awesome, but it's strange. It's like having you here, but different. It's-"

"Nat?" my mother knocks before opening the door to my room. She smiles when she sees the CD in my hands. "Is it back?" she asks, leaning against the door frame. "Is what back?" I ask, lowering my arms and looking at her. 

"The obsession." I close my eyes and sigh. 

"What did I say about using that word?" I say in annoyance. 

"Sorry," she says. "Dedication, I meant." she corrects herself and I sigh again; and when Blanket's image forms in my head, I smile. "Yes."

I can hear her footsteps inch into my room and I keep my eyes closed as she sits in the bungee chair next to my dresser.

"You haven't talked about him for months. I don't even know if you've been listening to him very much anymore."

"You sound pretty worried about that." I sit up and lean forward, and she shrugs. "I haven't been as much." I say softly, then lean back against the bed frame.

"So what made you come back all of the sudden?" I entwine my fingers over my stomach and breathe deeply. "Promise you won't say anything hurtful?" I ask and I can imagine her facial expression.

"Nat-"

"Promise?"

"Swear."

I open my eyes and sit up. "Blanket goes to my school." it felt so good to tell somebody when I felt as if I should keep it a secret, even though he has been put out there, considering he goes to a public school now.

My mother's eyes widen but she tilts her head in confusion. I sigh, knowing I have to explain myself. "Michael's youngest son: Prince Michael ll. He goes to my school, he's in some of my classes." my mother's eyes widen and her mouth drops.

"Way." I answer her mental "No way." 

"Are you serious?" my face falls at her doubtfulness. "You really think I'd lie about that?" I ask, feeling hurt. "No, honey! I'm just saying, it pretty rare for a celebrity's child to go to a public school where he could get hounded and pressured for being related to someone who was as famous as Michael Jackson." I shake my head and look down, then back up at her.

"I'm not crazy, mom. He was new today. I'll prove it." my mother smiles and I can tell she's trying not to speak.

"Bye." I say and lay back down. She tries to speak, but stands up and walks out the door instead. She stops and turns around. 

"I do believe you. I just think it's in your best interest to stay away from him." I sit up and glare at her, but she's already down the hallway by the time I make the face.

"No, that's not my interest!" I say to myself.