1970
Brooklyn and Janet are 4

Brooklyn: "Come on, Sweetheart, go." my dad said as he gave me a little push towards my new kindergarden teacher. "I'll be back at three, okay?"

I nodded a bit, giving him a hug.

"Hi, Brooklyn. My name is Ms. Hanks, it's very nice to meet you. Now, let's introduce you to the class."

She took my hand, leading me down the hallway.

Kids were sitting in a big circle infront of me, smiling.

"Class," said Ms. Hanks, "Meet Brooklyn. She's new here, so let's all be good friends and welcome her nicely. Brooklyn, you can sit there." she pointed at the empty sit right in the middle of the circle.

I took my sit, and a hand tapped my shoulder.

A black girl smiled at me, stretching her hand to me. "I'm Janet."

"I'm Brooke." I said, shaking her hand a bit.

~

"Brooklyn, your father is here!" Ms. Hanks called.

"Bye, Janet!" I said to my new friend, hugging her.

"Daddy!" I yelled and ran into his arms. He smiled, and stroked my hair.

"How was your first day?" he asked.

"It was good, daddy! I met Janet, and now we're best friends forever!"

"Is that so?" my dad chuckled.

"Yes, we made a promise. And now we're best friends."

~

1972
Brooklyn and Janet are 6

Brooklyn: "Come in, come in!" Katherine, Janet's mother, said as she opened the door.

This is the first time I've ever been to Janet's house, and it's amazing!

By now, eveyone knew who Janet was: the Jackson 5's baby sister.

I didn't care, though. She was still my best friend.

"Brooke!" I heard her yell, and she came into sight. "I missed you!"

"You saw me yesterday!" I giggled and hugged her.

I heard Katherine and my father laugh when Janet pulled me up the stairs.

"I need to show you my room. You HAVE to see it."

~

A knock on the door interrupted Janet and I's drawing session. Katherine came into the room.

"Come on, girls, it's dinner time." she said.

Janet sighed, "I miss Michael, mother. Why can't they come home and have dinner with us?"

"I know, Janet. Joseph and the boys will be back in a few days. But for now, Brooke is here with her father and her brother. You'll see Mike in no time, I promise." Katherine smiled.

Michael is one of Janet's older brothers. And, of course, the lead singer in the Jackson 5.

Don't tell anyone, it's a secret, but she said he's her favorite brother.

We ran downstairs together, Katherine, Rebbie, and La-Toya close behind us.