1978
Brooklyn is 12, Michael is 20

Brooklyn: Michael and I just finished another dancing routine.

"That was perfect, Brooke. I'm telling you, you'll be everywhere in a matter of years." he said, sitting on my bed.

I rolled my eyes, "Yeah, right."

"I'm serious."

We started talking, trying to get to know each other.

"You know," Michael said, "Janet never actually told me how you two met. You've known each other for eight years, and I still haven't heard the story."

"It's really boring, actually. You know how I moved here from Chicago when I was four, right? Well, my dad signed me into kindergarden and it just happened to be the one that Janet went to." I explained. "Boring, right?"

"No, it's actually really sweet." he smiled.

We talked some more, and it led to him asking about my mother. I never talked about her, really, and I never wanted to. I only told Janet what my dad told me had happened to her.

"You don't have to tell me, you know that, right?"

I nodded. "But I want to. I guess it's nice to tell more than one person about it."

He mentioned me to tell me story.

"My dad told me she just left us when I was three years old, and Chris, my brother was six years old. He said he just woke up one day without her by his side, with no explaination or anything."

"Oh, God. Brooke, I'm so sorry for asking. I-" Michael started, but I cut him off quickly,

"It's fine, really. Like I said before, it's nice to be able to tell someone who's not Janet."

He smiled sweetly, standing up.

"Come on," he said, offering me his hand, "Let's dance one more time."

~

1982
Brooklyn and Janet are 16, Michael is 24

Brooklyn: The years flew by, and Michael and I got closer. I considered him as a really close friend now.

But, everyone got so busy suddenly.

Janet started her musical career, and got noticed. I was so happy for her, she was finally doing what she loved, but I was seeing her less than before.

And Michael was now working on his 'Thriller' album, having no time for me.

I really didn't need our dance classes anymore, because Michael claimed I was a professional already.

I was just missing them both, so much.

~

"You HAVE to come over, I need to tell you something." I spoke into the phone, twirling the wire around my finger.

"You're lucky I have a day off." Janet said, and I could hear the smile in her voice. "Michael wants to speak to you."

"Hello?" I asked.

"Hey, Brooke. Listen, I was wondering. I, uh, I have a recording session for the new album with Paul McCartney tomorrow, and since I know how much you adore him, I thought you might like to join me." Michael's voice was a bit shaky.

"Oh my God, yes! I mean- I'd love to, Mike. Thank you for asking." I said, trying to hide my excitement.

"No problem. Janet says she's on the way to your place." he mumbled.

"Goodbye, Brooke. Janet will give you the deatils about tomorrow. I can't wait to see you again."

"Me too, Michael."

~

I opened the door, exposing a smiling Janet.

"Hey." I said, hugging her tightly.

"Here." she said after our hug broke, handing me a copy of her new album.

I smiled, gladly taking it. I walked over to the record player and put it on.

'Say You Do' started playing throughout the house.

Janet sat down on my living room couch, "So, what did you HAVE to tell me?"

"I have a date."

"A date? With who?" she asked, raising her eyebrows.

"A guy from my grade, Ross. He's nice, cute, and good looking. He asked me out yesterday, and we're going out on Saturday." I answered.

"So we can go shopping before that!"

I laughed, "Yeah, but after tomorrow. I'm going with Michael, remember?"

"Yeah, yeah. By the way, he said that you should be ready at about 8 AM, he'll come pick you up from here."

I nodded. Like all teenage girls, we just sat and talked until Janet said she had to go.

"I'll see you on Friday?" I asked, hoping our plans for Friday to go shopping won't get cancelled.

"Of course you will. Talk to me after you meet Paul McCartney." she winked.

~

I walked outside, seeing the Rolls Royce that was supposed to take Michael and I to the recording studio. The window rolled down, revealing a grinning Michael.

"Come on, before I get caught." he said, chuckling.

He quickly opened the door and let me in.

He hugged me tightly, telling me I looked great.

"Not too bad yourself, Mike." I said.

Michael smiled, guesturing to a man who sat across us, wearing a black suit.

"Brooke, this is Brandon. He's my bodyguard. Brandon, this is Brooke, a close family friend."

I shook Brandon's hand.

"So," Michael said, "I heard from Janet that you have a date. Should I be worried?"

"No, he's great. He's a good guy, really." I told him.

"I'm happy for you."

"Thank you, Michael."

"Are you gonna keep that straight face when you meet Paul?" he teased.

I rolled my eyes, playing with my fingers, "Maybe."

~

'Billie Jean' was blasting through the recording studio. Michael was playing it for me, saying that it's one of his favorite songs off of the album.

"Michael, it's great!" I heard a strong British accent from behind me.

I turned around, and saw Paul and Linda McCartney, smiling at us.

They all hugged, and then turned to me.

"Paul, Linda, this is Brooke. She's a close family friend, and a big fan of yours." Michael said, introduing me.

"It's nice to meet you." I said, taking a deep breath. Paul McCartney was standing infront of me.

Paul smiled, giving me a kiss on the cheek. I could feel myself turning red.

"It's nice to meet you, too. This is my wife, Linda."

Linda hugged me, saying it was a pleasure to meet me.

"Shall we get to work?" Michael offered, clapping his hands.

~

"The girl is mine, mine, mine..." Michael and Paul sang.

"They're great, aren't they?" Linda asked me.

"Yeah, they are." I said, smiling at the both of them.

"So, how do you know Michael?"

"I'm his sister's best friend. I've known her for the last twelve years. Michael and I became really good friends as well."

She nodded, "I hope you don't mind me asking, but is there anything going on between you and Michael? It's just that I've known him for a while and I don't think I've ever seen him smile like that."

"Oh, God, no. There's nothing going on. I- I actually have a boyfriend. I guess it's because we're really good friends." I said, twisting the truth a bit.

I've never noticed that before. And now, when I thought about it, it made me feel special.

"He just looks so happy with you."