Chapter 11

It's 7:06 pm, and after winning two out of three races, I'm back home, freshly showered, but freaking out.

I'm surrounded by piles of my clothes, heaped up on the floor of my bedroom because I've been going through every article of clothing I own, trying to figure out what I should wear to go to Michael's house.

And the task is extremely difficult. It's in times like this when I wish I was a guy.

If I were a guy, I could throw on a polo and shorts and be done. I wouldn't even have to worry about my hair.

But nope, there are so many possibilities for us girls. Tank tops, jeans, shorts, skirts... the list goes on, and seemingly, forever.

I try to ignore the mess sitting on top of my head that is my hair.

It's wet and down because of my shower, but I've been pulling at it for the past half hour so I'm sure it looks terrible.

"How the hell am I supposed to dress up for this?" I mutter frustratedly to myself.

I pull out a purple sleeveless top, but then toss it to the side a moment later. Maybe that's too casual.

"What are we even going to do?" I ask myself.

I take a deep breath and exhale loudly.

"Get a hold of yourself. You've known this kid for years."

I roll my eyes at myself. Of course, my feelings for 'this kid' are new. But, hey, it's still little Mike as his brothers would call him.

I grunt and grab my favorite pair of jeans. "He'll just have to accept me."

I finally decide, "If he can't appreciate me in some jeans, he sure as hell can't if I'm in a bomb ass, sexy dress."

I slip the jeans on, and they're nice and snug around the hips. I reach down and pick up the purple top I tossed away earlier and pull it down over my head.

I grab a pair of black flats, putting them on my feet, and look in the mirror.

I pick out a black scrunchy and pull my hair into a low ponytail.

Then I reach for my Avon mascara tube and twist it open. I bring the wand up to my face, applying some to both my lashes. Halfway through, I freeze.

What the hell am I doing?

I stare at myself in the mirror.

What am I doing?

The last time I wore makeup was for my cousin's wedding.

Over three years ago.

And now, suddenly, I involuntarily decide to put it on just because I'm going to Michael's house, only four houses down?

"Oh Michael." I sigh and shake my head. "Michael, what are you doing to me?"

With one last look in the mirror after I put my makeup away, I turn the lights off and leave my room, just as Yani comes up the stairs.

"Where are you going?" She looks at my outfit.

I snort. "Why exactly do you care about me and my life all of a sudden? You literally haven't spoken a word to me in over three days."

I roll my eyes and walk around her, down the stairs.

I don't have time for her antics. She's one of the reasons I can't wait to move out. No Yani, no problems. Well, at least most of my problems would be taken care of without her in the way and basically ruining all the good things in my life.

I'm counting down the days to graduation. That freedom will be mine.

"Hey Mom," I call when I reach the bottom of the stairs, "I'll be back soon okay?"

"Where are you going?" She calls back.

"Just over to Michael's."

She comes out of the kitchen, wiping her hands of with a dish towel, and glances at me with a slightly suggestive look on her face.

"And what are you two going to do?" She asks.

I shrug. "He didn't say. I'll find out when I get there."

"Okay, be good." She warns.

"Mom," I drawl and give her a look. I wave goodbye and step out of the door.

I love fall weather. The cool breeze hits me and I breathe in the fresh air.

On the short walk over, I keep thinking about what we might do there. Am I staying for dinner? Will I go up to his room?

I reach his house and its relatively quiet. No cars are in the driveway. That must mean that Jackie and Randy are out of the house, since Jackie's car is gone and those two brothers do most everything together. Along with that, Mr. Jackson's car isn't here, and neither is Mrs. Jackson's. So, the only people probably left in the house are Janet, LaToya and Marlon. Rebbie, Tito and Jermaine are married, so I doubt they'll be in the house unless they're visiting.

I brush myself off one last time before knocking twice on the door.

Michael opens the door almost immediately. "You're late."

I quirk up an eyebrow. "You never told me when to come. And, hello to you too."

I walk past him into the house, inviting myself in.

I turn around to face him when he closes and locks the door behind me.

"So, what did you want?" I ask.

"Come with me." He takes hold of my hand and leads me to the backyard. We walk to the garden shed.

I look up at him. "Are you confused or something? Why are we here?"

He scoffs and pulls one of the wood doors open.

"You always have something smart to say, don't you?"

"I didn't tell you to answer my question with a question, sweetie." I smirk.

Michael steps over a garden hose and reaches for two shovels leaning against the wall, then hands me one.

"Oh hell no. Now I know you lost your mind," I exclaim.

He sighs, looking up to the ceiling.

"Ani..."

"You had me get ready, looking nice, I even put on makeup, and now you're gonna hand me a damn shovel?" I go on.

He grins at me. "You're wearing makeup for me?"

I playfully shove his shoulder. "Did you not hear what I just said?"

Michael places the shovel in my hand. "Come on girl. It will be worth it, I promise."

I walk behind him out of the shed and we walk to a patch of grass. Then he sticks the shovel in the ground.

"Let's get digging."

We were at it for about half an hour. And, honestly, Michael made it fun. I never realized how exciting shoveling can be. I guess you have to do it with the right person. A person you really, really care about.

I can't help but notice how handsome he looks. And damn, he isn't even trying. With his grey shirt and black jeans, he looks... wow. Those Jackson genes.

I adore his huge grin. It reminds me of a giddy child who just opened a present on their birthday and received what was number one on their wish list.

"Okay, I see it!" Michael declares.

Another thing that's built up during my time with him, is what exactly we're digging for.

He gets to his knees and pulls out a box. I guess I'll find out in a minute.

Michael beckons me towards him with his hand and sits cross-legged on the ground. "Sit on my lap."

I do just that and rest my head on his chest. Darkness had fallen like a blanket over the earth and the stars are shimmering glamorously above our heads.

In front of us, he holds the black box. On one side is his initials, MJ. On the opposite side is AD. I frown in slight confusion.

"It's a time capsule." He starts to explain as if he read my mind. "I buried it in this spot the night before we left for Encino. I kept all these things in a box for years."

"Open it," I say quietly, desperately wanting to know what's inside.

He takes off the top and there are small pieces of paper with notes and drawings, and pictures.

I pull out one of the notes and read it. It's been yellowed with age.

"Aniko is the prettyist girl in the hole world!"

A lopsided heart is drawn next to it and the year 1969 is written in the top corner.

My heartbeat speeds up when I realize that AD, stand for my name. They're my initials.

I reach into the box and pull out blurry photos. They're of both of our families, and my face is circled with hearts.

Oh my god.

He's revealing his deepest feelings for me.

For me? This has always been a... thing?

"If this is getting creepy for you, just tell me," Michael chuckles softly.

I wipe the oncoming tears that are welling in my eyes. He's making me cry.

I smile through my tears. "No, no. This is just incredibly sweet and I'm shocked. Really."

I turn around and face him, wrapping my arms around his neck. I search his warm, chocolate eyes and feel his hold around me tighten.

"All this... why are you showing me all this?"

He tucks a strand of my brown hair behind my ear.

"I want you to know exactly how I feel about you. And if I just told you, I would get tongue-tied by staring in your eyes and you would think I'm a fool. So, showing you this was my best option."

I lean into him and kiss him softly, the pull away. "This is the sweetest thing ever. Why did you bury it?"

"It gave me something to look forward to when we came back." His kisses my forehead. "You."

Damn, he is making all the right moves. I can't stop smiling.

"I want to be with you. I really want us to try this. Will you please be my girl? I can't take it anymore." Michael whispers hopefully.

"Yes. Yes a million times," I giggle and we both lay back on the soft grass.

Counting the stars.

--

Chapter 11

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~Joy ✌🏼️