Life As A Pop Star

Chapter 1

1969

Michael

"Marlon sit down, La Toya leaves her hair alone," Joseph said in his scary, stern voice I don't like.

"Sorry Joseph." Marlon and La Toya apologised.

"Okay, let's finally eat." Mother claimed.

As we were eating, I saw that Joseph had a stern look on his face again.

"Who's shoe is that on the floor?" he asked us.

"Not mine," Rebbie told him.

"Mine's over there in the shoe raft." Marlon pointed at the raft.

"Not ours." Jermaine insured pointing at himself, Jackie and Tito. Everyone looked at me with concern.

"I didn't." I lied. I didn't want to say the truth because Mother and Joseph will be mad at me and tell me off.

"Stop lying. We can see in your face." Marlon accused.

"Be quiet!" I exclaimed. He can be annoying most of the time.

"Fine, I did."

"Michael, you know the rules now. Don't leave the shoes out. Understand?" Mother reassured.

"Fine." I sulked putting my shoe in the raft.

"And you boys also after, you need to rehearse. The show is due tomorrow." Joseph spoke.

"Okay." My brothers and I chorused.

After dinner:

"Michael, what are you waiting for? Do 'I Want You Back' now!" Joseph yelled. I started to sing as I did in the last performance. As we were practising, in the corner of my eye, I saw Marlon trying his best to keep up with us but he couldn't. Out of nowhere, he accidentally slipped on the microphone cable and fell on me.

"Ow Marlon!" I yelled.

"Sorry!" he yelled back feeling ashamed.

"Marlon, you never get anything done correctly! What is wrong with you? Go upstairs and get my belt!" Joseph bellowed.

"I was trying my best, I promise, I was." He begged; for Joseph to give him another chance.

"I swear at God, boy. Stop acting like a three-year-old! Be a man! Go now!" Joe shouted.

"Mother?" he mumbled.

"I'm sorry but I have no choice." Mother whimpered feeling guilty. He ran upstairs upset. After he came back, Joe whipped him hard.

"You never do anything right. I wish you were never born. Go over there." Joe shouted as he pushed Marlon in my direction as we both hugged each other and cried.