I woke up the next morning on the living room ground.
My dress was across the room as my underwear was down to my ankles.
I slowly sat up, feeling sore.
"Ow.." I whispered in pain.
"Finally, you're up." Uncle Peter said.
I stared at him with fright.
"Come on, take a shower, get ready. You're practicing today." Uncle Peter dryly said.
I quickly nodded, getting up from the floor. I slipped my underwear back on.
I walked as straight as I could. I tried to find a way to walk without pain.
I grabbed my red dress as I headed towards the bathroom.
I quickly shut the door, locking it. I stared at myself in the mirror.
What kind of woman are you? What are you doing here? Why can't you just go tell Michael already? Oh, right. Because he's your brother-in-law and that would be weird. Jermaine and Hazel got married back in 1973. That was one of the last times I ever saw my father.
I sighed, turning on the shower.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After getting ready for my day, I headed downstairs to start practice.
"One, two, three. One, two, three." I counted as I stretched.
I leaped across the room, my legs straight in the air.
I smiled proudly at myself. Perfect.
Uncle Peter stood by the door, his belt in his hand as he watched me.
"Your head needs to be more up." He said.
"Look at the audience."
I twirled and leaped again, my head more up.
I almost landed back on my toes, but I stumbled and fell.
Dammit...
Uncle Peter sighed, "Come on now! It's so easy!" He yelled.
"You landed it the first time! Is one little changed that much of a different?!" He yelled, hitting me on the back with his belt.
"AH!" I screamed in pain.
Uncle Peter whacked me with his belt again for screaming.
I bit my lip hard, trying my best not to yelp in pain anymore.
The phone suddenly started ringing.
Uncle Peter groaned, "Stay here." He firmly said, leaving the room to answer the phone.
I slowly got up, rubbing the lower part of my back.
That's going to leave a mark...
Uncle Peter stomped back in the basement, causing me to straighten up.
"You're lucky. Practice is cut short for today. I've got some business to take care of.." Uncle Peter growled.
I nodded, "Does that mean I-I have free time?" I gently asked,
Uncle Peter sighed, "Fine." He said, putting his belt on.
"Be home by eight, no later." He firmly said, leaving the room.
I bit my lip as joy spread over me.
Another day of freedom, yes!
I heard the front door slam shut.
I quickly ran up the stairs towards the phone.
I dialed Michael's number in quickly.
"Hello, Jackson residence." I heard Katherine answer.
I smile widely, "Hello, it's Mia. Is Michael there?" I asked.
"Oh, hello Mia! Yes he is, let me go get him!" Katherine said joyfully.
"Hello?" I heard Michael's voice say.
I smiled, "Hey, Michael. It's Mia!" I chirped.
"Hey, Mia! You sure sound happy." Michael chuckled.
I smirked.
"Did everything go alright last night?" Michael asked. I could hear the worry in his voice.
I bit my lip, not saying anything.
"Mia...." Michael's voice dragged my name.
"Yes, Michael. Everything went alright." I lied.
I made a fist as I bit on it, feeling guilty for the lie I just said.
"Are you sure, Mia? That took you a long time just to answer..." Michael said, unsure.
"Yeah, yeah. Everything went well, Michael. Don't worry." I said, awkwardly chuckling.
Michael sighed, "Alright, if you say so.."
I smirked. "My Uncle's out if you want to come over. I'm sure he wouldn't mind. Or I could go over there? I just have to be back by eight.." I said.
"We could meet at the local park we went to as kids?" Michael suggested.
I smiled, "I'd like that. I'll meet you there then?"
"Now?" Michael asked.
I chuckled, "Noo, eight o' clock." I sarcastically said.
Michael giggled, "Alright. I'll meet you now then." He said.
I smiled widely, "Okay. Bye, Michael!" I chirped.
"Bye" He said, hanging up the phone.
I put the phone down.
He sounded so odd over the phone.
I looked up at the clock.
7 A.M.
Ah... That's why.
Jeez, I'm up early.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I ran down towards the park, spotting Michael sitting on a bench.
"Michael! Hey!" I shouted, waving at him.
Michael smiled at me.
I ran up to Michael and sat beside him.
"I'm sorry it's so early, I didn't reali-"
"No, Mia. It's alright. I don't mind being woken up by you." Michael said.
I smirked, "Good."
Michael looked at me oddly, tilting his head.
"Your face is all red, why is that?" Michael asked, his face leaning closer to mine.
I pulled my collar up, covering my face.
"Did your Uncle do that..?" Michael carefully asked, focusing on my face.
"N-no, Michael." I stuttered.
"You're lying." Michael said.
I shook my head, "I'm not." I lied.
Michael sighed, "I swear to God, Mia.. If he did that I-"
"Michael." I said, holding onto his hand, letting my collar go down.
"I'm alright. He didn't do this." I softly said.
I hate lying to him! Dammit..
Michael sighed, "Alright... I believe you."
"So, how come you aren't in practice?" He asked, wrapping one arm around me.
I smiled, "Uncle had some business to take care of. He let me have the day off."
Michael smirked, "That's a first, isn't it?"
I chuckled, "Guess so.." I shrugged.
Only because of last night I got a break. I know it.
"I'm sorry I acted a bit weird last night at the restaurant. I get that way at times in public.." I shyly said.
Michael chuckled, "I know, Mia. I've known you for over ten years!"
Michael scooted closer to me. "So, what's the fact of your life today?"
I looked at him oddly, "What?"
"Last night you gave me one fact. I want to know why you feel weird eating in public. A fact of the day." He explained.
I raised an eyebrow, "Well.."
"I just don't feel comfortable with eating around people." I said.
Michael nudged me, "Come on." He laughed. "There has to be more than that." He said.
I sighed, "I feel like people will judge me."
I shrugged, "I don't know. That's just how I get. I don't like eating in public a lot. I prefer to be alone. Alone where no one can watch me even for a moment."
"Mia, people weren't even watching you last night though.." Michael gently said.
I shook my head, "I know. It's just an uncomfortable feeling I get in public. That people are watching me.." I said, not looking at Michael.
"Is that why you didn't like me looking at you last night?" He carefully asked.
I nodded.
"And is that why you won't look at me right now because you're thinking about it?" Michael asked.
I nodded again.
"Yup."
Michael sighed, he gently turned my face towards him.
"People aren't going to judge you on how you eat, Mia. People have to eat to survive, you know? It's something you can't stop. You aren't fat or anything. So, I don't know where you even got that feeling from." Michael sternly said.
Michael let go of me as he turned his body towards me.
"You shouldn't be uncomfortable around me though, Mia. I'll never judge you." Michael sweetly said.
I let out a small smile, "I know, Michael.. I'm sorry." I shyly said.
Michael smiled at me, "It's fine. I just want you to keep in mind of that."
"I'm very comfortable around you, Michael." I said.
"It's just when I really think about i-"
"I know, Mia." Michael chuckled.
"You don't need to explain it to me." He smiled.
I smirked.
"So.. Now that that's settled..." Michael lowly said.
"Michael..." I dragged his name out.
Michael poked my arm, "TAG, YOU'RE IT!" He laughed.
Michael got up from his seat as he ran around the empty park.
I laughed, "I'M GOING TO GET YOU, MICHAEL!" I squealed, getting up from the bench.
I chased Michael.
Michael hid behind a tree, causing me to stand on the opposite side.
I tried to reach for him, but he kept running around the tree.
Eventually, we were running as fast as we could around one tree.
I laughed, "Come on, Michael!" I giggled.
"I could do this all day!" Michael laughed.
"I think we have!" I shouted, feeling that it was now about noon.
Michael stopped running as he looked up at the sky.
"I guess we have.." He said, wondering off in his mind.
I smirked, poking Michael.
Michael looked at me.
"YOU'RE IT!" I laughed, running away.
"OH, I'M GOING TO GET YOU!" Michael said, chasing after me.
I ran straight until I ran up towards the old dock Michael and I used to go to every sunset.
I turned back, seeing Michael running towards me.
"HA! YOU'RE TRAPPED!" He laughed.
I screamed, pulling myself onto the dock.
"OH, NO!! CHEATER! DON'T YOU DARE JUMP INTO THE LAKE!! CHEATER!!" Michael yelled, running faster towards me.
I smirked.
Michael ran up to me and almost touched my leg. I jumped off the dock into the lake.
Splash!
I started swimming at the deep part of the lake.
I could hear Michael's laughter.
He leaned over the dock, staring at me with a huge grin.
"Oh my god! I can't believe you just did that, Mia-May!" He laughed.
I blushed at him calling me by my nickname, Mia-May.
"I'm coming down!" He yelled, pulling himself onto the rail of the dock.
I saw Michael take a deep breath as he jumped into the lake.
I laughed, "WOOO!" I shouted.
Michael swam towards me.
"I think I won that game." I gloated.
Michael playfully punched my arm, "Whatever. I'll give you points on that one." He smirked.
I raised an eyebrow, "So you're keeping points on our games, huh?" I asked.
"Yup. You have 212 points and I have 235!" He stuck his tongue out.
"Mmm.. I'm sure you just stole some of my points!" I giggled.
"Nuh-Uh!" He said.
"Yeah-Huh!"
"Nuh-Uhhhh!"
"Yeah-Huhhhhhh!" I giggled.
"Nuh-U-"
"MIA!" I heard Uncle Peter's voice boom.
I gasped.
I saw Uncle Peter staring at me from the park.
"GET YOUR ASS OUT OF THE LAKE!" He shouted.
I sighed, "I have to go, Michael.."
"I thought you could stay until eight?" He asked.
I shrugged, "He said that."
I swam towards the hill along with Michael.
Michael and I got out of the lake, walking towards Uncle Peter.
I looked down at the grass, not wanting to face my Uncle again.
"Look at me, right now." He sternly said.
I glanced up at him.
Uncle Peter harshly took my chin, as he lifted it up.
I winced in pain.
"Is this what you do with your spare time? Hanging around with some superstar?" He growled.
"Michael's my friend, Uncle." I said.
Uncle Peter let go of me.
"I thought you'd be a responsible lady and practice your ballet." Uncle Peter growled.
"I-I was for hours, Uncle. I promise! I always practice." I said, feeling frightened.
Michael just stared at Uncle Peter and me.
Uncle Peter slapped me across the face hard, causing me to fall onto the ground.
Michael gasped as he helped me up. "Are you okay?" He kindly asked.
I rubbed the right side of my face, "Yes, Michael." I said.
Uncle Peter pushed me away from Michael.
"I don't want you to see Mia until she is able to become a responsible girl." Uncle Peter glared at me.
"Sir, Mia always practices. It was just a little fun. Everyone deserves a break." Michael softly said.
"I thought you two had your fun last night, huh?" Uncle Peter spat.
Uncle Peter looked at me, "Because I know I sure did." He lowly said.
I suddenly felt tears form in my eyes.
"Uncle, I'll practice harder. I promise! Just please, let me see Michael. It's just Michael!" I begged.
Uncle Peter lifted his hand up as he threatened to slap me again.
"Girl, what the hell did I tell you about begging?" Uncle Peter growled at me.
"It doesn't get you anywhere in life" I whimpered.
Uncle Peter put his hand down, "Good.."
Uncle Peter harshly grabbed my wrist, "We're leaving." He said, dragging me towards his car.
"Bye Michael" I sadly said.
Michael didn't say anything. He just looked at me with pain. Michael doesn't like seeing me with my Uncle, because he knows how he is.. This hurts deeply.
Uncle Peter pushed me into his car.
"I'm guessing I'll have to keep punishing you until you get it right." He smirked.
I gasped, "Unc-" I stopped myself.
If I beg for forgiveness, it's going to make things worse.
I shut my mouth, knowing my punishment was going to be like the night before.
There's nothing I can do about it but cry to myself.