let me love you ~ michael jackson & ariana grande

no secrets

December 9th, 1984

Michael

"She'll think I'm a monster, Janet!" I shout.

"This is Ariana we're talking about! The most understanding, supportive person we know." She argues.

"She won't be so supportive and understanding once she sees the spots. She'll be disgusted and break up with me."

"Just tell her the truth, Michael."

"You don't think I'm working on that? It's hard to tell your girlfriend that you're practically changing races!"

"It's your complexion, Michael. Your skin colour could be blue but you'd still be black."

"Still. I don't think you know how hard this is to keep up with. She's never seen me without makeup before and has never questioned it."

"Has she seen you naked yet?"

"Janet!"

"I'm sorry...but has she?"

I shake my head. "No. No she hasn't."

"I've seen the way she looks at you, Michael. Shes too deep in love to ever leave you over something that you can't control."

I bring my eyes up to her and almost burn through her sockets.

"Just butt out of my relationship." I state, absolutely done with this conversation.

Suddenly, I hear something hit the ground.

Janet seems to hear it as well since we're both looking in the direction of where the sound came from.

There stands Ariana picking up the tipped over broom with a shameful look on her face.

The embarrassment that overcomes me in that moment is overwhelming. This is it. We're going to have our big final argument and then she's going to leave me alone and heartbroken.

"He's all yours, Ariana." Janet says like she's been waiting for this for forever.

Ariana still stays in place and watched Janet walk right past her and shut the back door.

"Ariana, I-"

"Spots? Changing races? Michael, you better tell me what's going on before I leave." She crosses her arms with worry on her face.

"Take off my shirt." I tell her, not even bearing to look into her beautiful eyes.

"What does this have to do-"

"Just take it off." I calmly say.

"Okay." She throws her hands to her sides.

She tensely pulls the white fabric up and off of me and all I can do is wait for her reaction.

When the shirt is about halfway up, I can hear her little gasps. I shut my eyes and take in the shame.

"Michael..." She skims her finger on my skin.

"What are these white patches? Is it some sort of birthmark?" She curiously asks with no judgement in her voice.

"I wish." I let out a bitter scoff and sigh.

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