Soooo my dad surprised me and got me my new phone a week earlier, and here's the first bonus chapter! I'll post another one in the next few days!

I know it's a bit short, but I promise to try and make the next chapters a bit longer...

Hope you enjoy it! ❤️

~ShoamEmily

~

10th of August, 1977
Brooklyn and Janet are 11, Michael is 18

Brooklyn: I hugged Janet, telling her how much I've missed her.

We haven't seen each other in almost a month, since she was very busy with making her way to star in a new TV show.

"I missed you, too." Janet said.

"So what are we doing today?" I asked once we broke apart from our hug.

"Um, whatever we want... Wanna watch a movie? I could ask one of my brothers to take us."

"Sure. Is Michael here? I have to show him how well I mastered the dance moves he showed me last week."

Janet nodded, "Yup, in his room, upstairs. He said he's working on something, so just knock and he'll open."

"Thanks, Jan. I'll be back in a minute."

I climbed up the stairs of Hayvenhurst and quickly found Michael's bedroom.

"Michael?" I knocked softly. "Are you in there?"

When there was no answer, I knocked again, a little bit louder.

"Michael?"

The door opened on its own, and I could see that it was dark inside his room.

I walked in very quietly, then heard soft sniffles coming from the bathroom.

~

Michael: Ugly. You're ugly, Michael. What woman would want you? And that nose of yours, you certainly didn't get it from my side of the family.

Joseph's words kept playing in my head over and over again; slowly I was starting to believe it.

I rocked myself back and forth while banging my head on the bathroom tile wall.

You're ugly.

"Michael?" a small voice asked. "Is that you? Are you okay? Why is it dark in here?"

I realized it was Brooklyn who was asking all these questions.

"Don't come in here." I said sternly, wiping my tears.

Of course, she didn't listen, and opened the bathroom door. She turned on the lights, blinding me.

I hurried to cover my face with my hands.

No one deserves to look at me if I'm that disgusting, right?

"Turn off the lights!" I unintentionally raised my voice.

"I- I'm sorry..." she stuttered.

I looked in between my fingers and saw her back out.

I sighed heavily as more tears formed in my eyes.

Poor Brooklyn. I yelled at her for nothing.

"Brooke! Come back, please..." I called.

She obeyed, walking back into the bathroom. I watched when she crouched down in front of me, a concerned look on her face.

"I'm sorry for screaming. I'm just upset right now." I apologized, grabbing her hand.

"Why were you crying?"

"It's nothing special."

Brooklyn took a seat next to me. "It's clearly something if you yelled at me for it. I know you, you never ever yell at people for nothing."

I stayed quiet for a few moments; I didn't want her to know that someone like me ever feels conscious about the way they look.

"I, uh," I cleared my throat. "Do you think I'm ugly? And be honest."

Brooke widened her eyes.

"What kind of question is that? Of course not!" she said, looking very shocked.

"Are you telling the truth?"

She giggled, "Yes. You're very, very nice looking."

I felt myself turn hot.

"Michael, you're blushing." Brooklyn smiled.

"No one said that to me in a very long time..." I explained.

"Forget them. You're beautiful in every way, Michael."

"Are you trying to make me embarrassed?" I asked.

"Maybe just a bit. I like your smile." Brooke answered.

"Well, I like yours, too."

She gave a light hug, and pulled away after a couple of seconds. "I came here to show you the dance moves from last week. I know them by heart, and I can do them without failing! Can we go put on some music?"

"Sure."

She helped me up and we went back to my room to put on music. We danced together almost the entire day, Janet joining us, too.