Falling In Love With Him

Chapter 7

"Well? What do you think?" I spread my arms out so Nicole could get a better look at my dress. She smiled and nodded her head. "You look gorgeous! That is definitley your dress." I smiled to myself, and brushed off a few lint pieces off of the Fana Couture original design gown. "You don't think it's too much? Not too formal?." "Mariah, it's the Grammy's. Formal is key." It was just six days until the Grammy Awards, and my Fana Couture satin gown was finally customized. She was ready for me to wear. I turned facing the mirror, and I began to imagine how I'd look. It was almost Grammy night, and I was going to "knock 'em dead." As my mother would say. My bedroom telephone rang.

Nicole answered the telephone. "Hello?" I turned my head back in Nicoles' direction. I could hear the muffled voice on the other end. I tried to, but couldn't make out what they were saying. "Yeah we should've. It should be in the mail box, I think. Why?" I picked the bottom of my gown off the floor and walked over the Nicole. "Who is it?" I asked. She put her finger up, silencing me while the person over the phone continued to talk. "Well what does it say?" she said. I looked at Nicole with a confused look on my face, but she looked more clueless than I did. "Oh my gosh. Alright I'll go check. Thanks. I'll call you back later." Nicole slammed the telephone back down on the hook and dashed out of the room. I ran after her, still holding the bottom of my gown. "Nicole, what is it?" I yelled after her. I stopped at the top of the steps. I could hear the front door open.

"Nicole?" I looked over the banister to try and see the front door. The chandelier was blocking my view. "Oh my gosh!" Nicole screamed. "Mariah!" I ran down the stairs. "What? What happened?" Nicole had a magazine in her hand. "Look!" I took the magazine from her hands. My eyes widened with disbelief. I could feel the tears starting to form. "Hot New Couple?" The magazine title read. I read the caption out loud.

New and upcoming singer Priscilla Davis attracts the eye of teen heartthrob Michael Jackson.
The magazine read. I looked up at Nicole. "Mariah, I'm so sorry." she continued. "That was Sam on the phone. She told me to look at the magazine, but she didn't tell me why. I swear I didn't know." I dropped the magazine on the table and ran back to my bedroom. I closed the door, locking it behind me. I walked over to my walk-in closet, taking off my gown and hanging it back into the closet. I put on my pale pink silk pajama set, and walked out of my closet into the bedroom area. I laid down in bed, throwing bedsheets over my head. I silently cried to myself. This was what I was afraid of. It was over, before it had even started.

**Michael's Point of View**

"Ow."
"I'm sorry Mr. Jackson, too tight?" I tugged on my bow tie and nodded. "Yeah, just a little. It's alright, I've got it." It was five days until the Grammy's. My brothers and I were having last minute alterations done to our suits. "Alright, how's that?" Our designer, Kim Lee asked. "Perfect, thank you!" She smiled. "No problem. Now make sure you properly hang those on their hangers and cover it in the protective plastic." We all nodded. "Good luck boys!" Kim cheered. "Thank you, Kim." We all smiled, while giving each other high fives. It was almost Grammy night, and the guys and I were performing.
"Hey fellas," Tito added. "maybe we should practice, for the performance again." We all groaned at the suggestion. "Man, we've been practicing all day. I think we got it!" Jermaine whined. "Besides, I want to hurry and get home. Mother's making dinner tonight." "Oh yeah." We nodded and hurried getting dressed, so we could go home. Marlon and I left with Jackie in his car, while Jermaine rode with Tito. I must've dozed off in the car, because I didn't remember the ride home.

"Mother, we're home." Marlon called, as the rest of us came in through the door behind him. Mother was sitting in the living room, reading a magazine. "Hello, boys. How was the fitting?" We all crowded around her, each giving her a kiss. "Tiring." I said. "Oh well I left each of you a plate in the kitchen. Get cleaned up and then you can eat." Everyone left for upstairs, leaving me behind with mother. Just as I got up to leave she called my name. I turned back facing her. "Yes, mother?"
"Come sit." mother patted the seat next to hers. "I want to talk to you." I sat down next to her. "I know that you're relationship with that Priscilla girl is for publicity, but now the media are talking about it. I think it's being taken a bit too far." I was confused. "The media? No mother, it's supposed to be a secret until the Grammy's." She picked up a magazine from the side coffee table, and handed it to me.
Hot New Couple?
I read a-loud. No.

    This couldn't be happening.
How could they think it was true? I never said anything.
So many thoughts were running through my head. "Mother I swear this isn't true. I know what the plan was supposed to be, but I love someone else." She smiled at me. "I know you do, Michael." Mother places both of her hands on my face, palming each cheek.
"You do?" I asked. "Of course! Ms. Mariah Taylor. Right?" My eyes widened with disbelief. "Yes!" I smiled. Just hearing her name made me smile. "How did you know?" I asked. "Oh honey, sometimes a mother just knows." she grinned. "I see the way you look when you see her on the television, or in the magazines. I wish you could see your face now." Mother and I both chuckled. "Do you know who you remind me of?" She continued.
I shook my head. "Myself. I look at your father that same way. With such love, and amazement. I was around your age, too." Mother took my hands into hers. "I know that you care for her, Michael. And she's beautiful. That's why you need to be honest with her, and tell her how you feel."

"I couldn't agree with you more, mother. But, how can I tell her how I feel now?" I picked the magazine off the table, and held it up. "Now that this is out in the open. I don't want her to think I'm not serious." I dropped the magazine back down. "Well music is your gift, right? Use it." I nodded. My mother had a point there. "But, what about Joseph? You know how he is. He won't let that happen."
"Michael, Joseph is your father. I know sometimes he doesn't always act like it, but he is. He just wants what's best for you. He wants what's best for all of us." Mother put her hand on my face. "This is your life. Always follow your heart, and if you truly feel that you love her, then you go on and tell her. Trust me, as long as you're happy your father and I will be just fine." I gave mother a kiss on her cheek. "Thank you, mother." I smiled. I ran up the stairs heading for my room. The fellas, and I had some planning to do.