Book 4- 1968 (Michael Jackson)

Chapter 7- Yet Another Secret From Mom

                Chapter 7- Yet Another Secret From Mom

                Date: Monday, April 1, 1968

                Time: 2:56PM

                REBBIE'S POV

Love, Nathaniel. 

I grinned as I closed my little love note. In an effort to hide it from everyone else, I wedged it in between my chemistry and trig book, and shut the locker closed. I slowly ran my fingers down the ridges of the worn locker, sighing with thought. Oh, Nathaniel has to be the sweetest, most amazing boyfriend anyone has ever laid eyes on. These love notes are just... too much. 

My heart thumped wildly at just the simple thought of Nathaniel- his soft, subtle eyebrows, his melty eyes, the way his lips curved... He was perfect, just like a big, strong guardian, yet a soft, loving companion. He was perfect for me, Rebbie. He was mine.

I must be the luckiest girl in the whole world, I thought dreamily. I rested my head on the front of my locker, reminiscing about the first time he kissed me. I was only fifteen, but it was so sweet, so real. So... perfect. Perfect described Nathaniel.

"Rebbie?" a familiar deep, yet gorgeous voice rang. I faced the left of me, where my Nathaniel was standing. He, too, was resting on his locker, gazing lovingly into my eyes. His fingers extended, like he was aching to hold my hand.

Of course, I let him take hold of me. "What is it, love?" I beamed with the joy of his presence. Oh, how it felt to be in love... 

"I love you, Maureen," he said soothingly. I was nearly on the verge of melting. I sighed, letting him caress the length of my face with his free hand.

"I love you, too... Nathaniel," I cooed, my eyes only on him.

"Um... There's something that I've been wanting..." He paused, as if to think of what to say. "There's something I want to tell you, Maureen. But, um..." He let go of me slowly. "I think we need to sit down first."

My feelings suddenly dropped. "What is it?" I whispered, my heart pounding. It can't be bad, can it?... What is he going to say? I knew that I was probably was getting myself psyched up.

"Just come here... Please," he urged, heading to a bench just outside of school. My breaths got heavier with fear. What could he be doing? Was this good... or bad?

"Y-yes, Nathaniel," I obliged. My hands shook as I cautiously made my way to the bench he was sitting at. I knew just by his posture that he was very serious about what he had to say. He sat straight, and his legs were close together. His eyes were serious, and not nearly as laid-back as they normally looked.

"Rebbie," he started, "you know I love you. Very much, I do. Do you love me?" His voice deepened with every word.

I nodded shakily. "Yes, of course I do... I will always love you, Nathaniel."

He nodded, pursing his lips. "Okay. Well... what I'm about to ask may sound crazy. In fact, it probably is. But, but.... I can't hold this back any longer." He turned to his knapsack and rummaged through, looking back at me every couple seconds. He must have been extremely nervous about what he had to say. I, too, was becoming more and more anxious by the second.

After a moment, he pulled out a simple wooden box, sort of like Kayla's watch container. I narrowed my eyes, now perplexed. He's got something in that box... I don't know if it's good or bad. I had a sudden urge to open it up myself.

"Rebbie," Nathaniel restated. He gulped and blinked a few times before carrying on. "You know that I love you very much, and I would do anything for you, right?"

My eyes widened as realization dawned upon me. Is he-? No, he couldn't... But I'm only seventeen...! He's really, oh my God! 

I didn't even have tie to cover my mouth. Before I knew it, Nathaniel was on both knees, opening up the box. On the inside, there was a little, simple gold band- size seven. On the velvet inside of the box, the letters L-O-V-E were emblazoned. I let out a tiny scream, not able to hold my emotions back any longer. 

"Will you please take my hand in marriage?" he asked, his voice just above a whisper. 

There was no question to my answer. "Yes," I uttered, barely able to keep my composure. "Yes, yes! Of course!" I nearly tackled Nathaniel as I tried smothering him in kisses.

I backed away, trying to give him some space. After a few moments of heavy breathing and calming down, I reanswered his question. "Yes, always, Nathaniel. I would have said yes years ago. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes...." 

He never responded; just held me close. His arms wrapped around my back protectively, as if I were a precious object. He nuzzled his nose against the nape of my neck, as if to take possession of me. I closed my eyes and grinned, feeling the best I had in a long time. My boyfriend just proposed to me...

Then, as if evil had made its way into my perfect fantasy, a tiny voice in the back of my head whispered, Joseph... ever so slightly.

Unfortunately, that was enough for me to open my eyes and lift my head. I had completely forgotten about Joseph and what he would say. Hell, I knew how mad he would be if he knew any boy pulled a stunt like proposing to me. He'd be so mad that he would probably disown me, if not worse.

Panic suddenly filled me like a balloon. What am I gonna do?! I inwardly shrieked, the romantic feeling dissolving away. He can't know this. He'll hate me... he'll hate- no, loathe- Nathaniel... 

"Is something bothering you?" my wonderful soon-to-be husband inquired, running his hands through my straight hair. He, too, obviously knew something was up. There was no way that I could lie with him.

"Wh-what about Joseph?" I trembled. "He won't like this. He could stop the marriage entirely. Nathaniel... I don't want that to happen. Please, do you know what's going to happen? Wha are we gonna do?" I could feel my eyes wettening.

"Don't worry about him," he chirped deeply. He leaned in for a short, sweet kiss before saying, "I'll break the news when you want me to, alright? We can't get married until you're eighteen, after all."

I rested my head on his shoulder and considered this. He was right; I couldn't get married until after I was eighteen, and probably a little after that. So... why should I fret about telling anyone until I'm legal?

"... Oh, okay," I caved. "I'll wait. You don't have to worry, Nate Bear, I'll tell them." I placed my pointer finger on his nose and voiced, "Boop."

He chuckled, his laughter filling the now-noiseless air. "So it's official."