tabloid junkie (Michael Jackson)

December 25ᵗʰ ─ 4:00 ᵃᵐ

{Edited}

Dec. 25th

4:00 am

I shifted around in the bed, surprisingly not awaking Gloria who was snoring loudly. It's winter and I'm so hot. I'm sweating and my head is pounding.

I can't stop thinking, thoughts keep flashing in my head. Thoughts about my mother, about how much I want to head back home. I just want to leave this sadness that my family keeps causing.

My heart is beating so fast, I can hear it in my ears.

Oh god, I just want to go back to New York. I want to wake up and know that everything is okay.

I wonder how anyone in this house can sleep after what Mom told us, because I can't. I never thought it'd be this, I thought she'd be announcing a new boyfriend or something. Not this.

Swinging my legs over the edge of the bed, I landed on my feet. I don't find comfort with sleep right now, I just want something to drink.

I considered throwing a light jacket over my clothes since I was wearing a purple tank and white pajama shorts, but decided it would be too hot for that. I slipped my feet into slippers and headed down the stairs.

Once I reached the kitchen I realized the light was on in there, when I peered through the door I saw-I saw Richard. He was seated at the table, picking a fork through a salad.

My heart slammed in my chest, I twisted on my heel to head back upstairs.

"Leaving so soon?"

I cringed, turning toward him. "I was just tired." I lied.

He stood from the table and stepped out into the middle area. "That's why you came all the way down here? Because you were tired?"

I swallowed, my body thrumming with fear.

"Come on, Wesley, admit it. You came to see me." I always hated how he nicknamed me with my middle name.

I backed up a bit, my ankle knocking painfully against the last stair.

"Actually, I think I'm just going to get some sleep." I prepared to head upstairs when his hand wrapped around my wrist and slammed my back against the wall.

"You think I'd give up the chance of seeing you in your perky little shorts?" He trailed a long finger up my olive toned thigh, I stiffened under his touch. "You look cute, Diana."

I blinked, trying to avoid eye contact with him. I don't want to look this monster in the eye. "Please, just let me go to bed."

"Why have you been avoiding me, huh?" He pressed himself up against me, I could feel the burning of his jeans against my knees.

"I-I haven't." I have, since I moved to New York. "I've been busy with work." I told him, nodding.

Richard shook his head, refusing. "So, arriving one day late for the Cartwright Holidays all have to do with work?"

"Yes."

He mushed me harder into the wall. "Don't lie to me, Diana." He rubbed his nose over my cheek and inhaled my scene. "Mmm, you smell good and you're so warm, and plump. Not like all these skinny bitches walking the streets of Virginia."

I cringed in disgust. Who did he think he was?

"I really am tired, Richard."

I resisted the urge to push him away. Because I still remember the things he used to do when I did.

"I know. But I still want you."

I pushed him away roughly, it worked. "Stay away from me or I swear I'll tell Freya."

I stomped upstairs, my throat no longer dry.