tabloid junkie (Michael Jackson)

May 6ᵗʰ ─ 1:00 ᵖᵐ

I'd been snooping around in the hospital, getting information from nurses and janitors. Michael was going to be hanging around for a while, I guess he was being friendly with the other patients, or he was just giving all his time to Nadia. I don't know how I should feel about that.

The nurses had applied another bandage to my eye, I still had to undergo some more surgery to correct the crushed parts of my face, but neither Milo nor I could afford the surgery.

And still, just to be safe I decided on a new disguise. A half-mask, it was white, a woman's face with pink lipstick on it. I liked the fracture mask, it made me feel enigmatic.

I tied it onto my face, sighing of contentment. It was these moments that I wouldn't mind wearing this half mask for the rest of my life.

Nurse Bakers peered into the room. "Susie, Michael's coming up to see you. Wish you luck." She slipped away.

Wish me luck?

I sighed, it was pretty unexpected that Michael would come visit me especially when he really didn't know I was actually Diana.

I was waiting patiently, and then I saw him. He was talking to Nurse Bakers, wearing tight black pants and a glittery white designer jacket, his hair was tied in a ponytail, in that wet curl style.

He'd never looked more like Michael Jackson.

And then he was walking toward my room, carrying a vase full of red, and white flowers. A bright smile was shining on his face, but I couldn't help but notice the dark circles underneath his eyes.

"Hello, Ms. Rivers." He addressed me, setting the purple vase on the bedside desk, I watched him pull up a chair and sit beside the bed.

I nodded in greeting, slightly waving my hand.

"I like the mask, it makes you look...mysterious."

I'm glad he agreed.

Michael sighed. "Look, Ms. Rivers, the nurses told me about your situation and I just wanted you to know I was here to talk if you wanted."

This made me scoff. "You're the most famous singer in the world, how will I ever talk to you?" I had surprised myself, I didn't mean to use my voice, and the look on his face-I thought he recognized me.

"But I'm still a person," he said, brushing some of his hair back and staring me deep in the eyes, I saw a flash of recognition in them, and I shifted on the bed. "And I'm as normal as you'll get. We can talk, Ms. Rivers-"

"Please," I said softly. "Call me Susie."

He nodded as if in relief. "Alright."

Before I could say anything, Janitor Charlie peeked into my room. "Hey, Susie." He grinned at me and then looked to Michael. "Mr. Jackson, Nadia says she's ready for you in the dayroom."

Michael sighed in relief or dissapointment. "I guess this is a goodbye for now, Susie." He stood slowly, heading over to my bed and kissing my mask on the forehead. "Like I said, cool mask."

And with that came his exit, and with his exit came my tears.