Set Me Free (Michael Jackson Fanfiction) (Completed)

Chapter Six

Michael walked inside the computer lab around 12:30 the next day.

Marlon was at his normal spot behind the check-in desk browsing his computer. His eyebrows lifted with surprise at his brother's arrival. "Do I get another free lunch today?"

"Not likely." Michael handed Marlon his school ID. "I'm meeting Blair here."

"Who in the world is Blair?" Marlon frowned as he checked him in.

"Blair. The woman you had given a hard time to when she was trying to check in the other day."

It took Marlon a moment to remember. "You mean the girl with the bad attitude? I gave her a hard time?" he asked in disbelief.

"You better not upset her again," Michael warned before saying a little softer, "She has a lot going on right now."

His brother was bemused. "How did you even get on a first name basis with her?"

"Dad took us to her father's funeral when we were kids. Dewayne Chambers. He and dad used to build houses together. Anyway, I was able to make her smile that day," Michael explained. "She was sitting alone at the cemetery in the grass by the road. And I came over to cheer her up." Michael smiled thoughtfully. "And it worked."

Marlon still eyed him with confusion.

Michael glanced down at his brother and frowned. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"That was more than a decade ago, and you still remember all that?"

Michael shrugged. "Yeah. I guess I do."

Marlon watched his brother closely. "So now you two are talking?"

Michael narrowed his eyes. "We're hanging out, yes. Is that a problem?"

"Just a little weird. I hardly remember that funeral, let alone what she looked like back then."

"Well, you didn't talk with her like I did."

"How come I didn't know anything about this? You never said anything about her."

Michael raised one eyebrow. "Am I supposed to tell you everything? Besides, you were going to notice sooner or later. I don't have any intentions to stop hanging out with her."

"You actually like this girl?" he asked skeptically.

"I mean it, Marlon. You better not upset her today." Michael noticed a student coming up behind him so he stepped out of the way to let him check in. Michael pulled his phone out his pocket. No text messages yet but she should be getting out of class soon. He shoved his phone back in his pocket and waited for Marlon to finish checking in the other student. When he walked off, Michael told his brother, "When she gets here, tell her I'm sitting at one of the computers by the mirror walls."

***

Blair dried her eyes before walking into the lab. The guy at the front desk noticed her as soon as she walked in. At least she didn't have to worry about getting ignored this time. She handed him her ID without a word.

"Apparently, I'm supposed to apologize to you for the other day," he told her blandly as he scanned her card.

"Who's making you?"

He chuckled and handed back her ID. "Take a wild guess."

A smile threatened to curve her lips. "It's cool. I'm not worried about it."

Michael's brother snickered. "He is though. The name's Marlon, by the way. Better known as the better-looking brother."

"Nice to meet you," she mumbled distractedly as she glanced around the room curiously. "Is he here yet?"