Between Two Hearts

Chapter 1

Between Two Hearts

Los Angeles, California — 1983

The world had fallen in love with Thriller.

Every radio station played Michael Jackson's newest songs on repeat. Children raced one another down sidewalks trying to perfect the moonwalk, and record stores could barely keep the album on their shelves. To millions of fans, the Jackson family seemed larger than life—untouchable, glamorous, almost unreal.

To twenty-year-old Nia Brooks, however, they were simply the family of her best friend.

She had met La Toya Jackson several months earlier at a charity fashion event in Beverly Hills. What started as a conversation over dresses and music quickly turned into weekly shopping trips, late-night phone calls, and a friendship neither of them expected.

"You have to come over tomorrow," Toya insisted over the phone.

Nia laughed nervously as she tucked the receiver between her shoulder and ear. "Your house?"

"Yes, my house."

"The Jackson house?"

Toya couldn't help but laugh. "Girl, yes. Stop acting like you're meeting the President."

"I think I'm more nervous about meeting your brothers."

"You'll survive. I promise."

The next afternoon, Nia stood outside the gates of Hayvenhurst, smoothing invisible wrinkles from her denim jacket as butterflies fluttered in her stomach. She reminded herself to breathe before the gates slowly opened, revealing the famous estate she'd only ever seen in magazines.

Music floated through the open windows before she even reached the front door.

Then it swung open.

"Nia!"

Toya rushed outside, wrapping her in a warm hug before pulling her into the house.

Within minutes, Nia was introduced to Jackie, Tito, Marlon, and Randy. Each greeted her with genuine warmth that slowly eased her nerves. Jackie, especially, had a way of making conversation feel effortless. His smile was kind, his jokes came naturally, and before long they were laughing together as though they had known each other for years.

Then the room grew quiet.

Footsteps echoed from the staircase.

Nia looked up just as Michael Jackson reached the bottom step.

He wore a simple white T-shirt, black slacks, and loafers—nothing like the dazzling performer the world knew. He seemed almost shy as he glanced around the room before his eyes landed on hers.

For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Michael smiled.

"Hi," he said softly.

Nia returned the smile. "Hi."

"It's nice to meet you."

"You too."

Neither of them realized it then, but that simple introduction would quietly change all of their lives.