tabloid junkie (Michael Jackson)

February 10ᵗʰ ─ 11:00 ᵃᵐ

"He woke up?" I could barely comprehend what Janet was saying, the utensil I'd been using to eat some Honey Nut Cheerios had slipped from my hand and I didn't care anymore. I was out of my seat, leaning against the counter.

I heard Janet breathing happily on the other end of the phone. But there was something in her voice, something that was indecipherable at the moment. "Yeah, I was sleeping on the chair and he woke me up."

I heard a smile in her voice and grinned along with her. "What did he say?"

"He said," I heard her clear her throat. "Janet, my throat is dry." I giggled at the soft note her voice had taken for the impression. "And...it was amazing."

"Well?" I said, walking over to the coat hooks.

I heard the confusing silence. "Well what?" Janet asked, her voice shaky.

"Is he allowed non-related visitors?" I asked, pulling a red denim jacket over my arms and going over to the bureau, trying my best to fix my horrid hair.

Janet was silent for a while, and I creased my brow with worry. "Yeah, he's allowed but-"

"But what, Janet? What haven't you been telling me?" I asked, turning my back to the mirror, not bothering to calm my thumping heart.

"He said he doesn't want to see you." Janet said slowly.

I swear, I literally heard my heart crack.

I exhaled, trying to be strong. Be strong, Diana. "What do you mean, 'he doesn't want to see me?' What does that even mean?" My voice was climbing octaves.

"I asked if he did, and he said no. Did you two have a fight or something?"

I shook my head, messing my hair by running a hand through it. "No, Janet, why would you think we had a fight? Real stupid of you."

"Diana, I know you're on edge right now but--"

I shook my head. "Are visiting hours over?" I asked suddenly.

"No, why?"

I grabbed a scarf from the hooks. "I'm going down there."

"Diana-" I clicked off, leaving my cell phone on the shelf near the door.