Chapter 6
“Am I moving too quick for you?” Michael asked me as he unlocked the front door.
“Not at all. I’m glad to have a friend already and I’m glad Janet wanted to see me.”
“Janet’s not the only one,” I heard him mumble.
“What do you mean she isn’t the only one?”
“Nothing. Janet!” He shouted as we walked in. His house was so lovely and organized. I don’t believe tabloids, but they said the Jacksons’ house was crazy and wild. I know not to believe them anymore. “Janet!”
“What?!” She shouted back as she ran down the stairs. “Harmony!” She hugged me.
I looked at Michael and smiled, “hey Janet. How have you been?”
“I’ve been great. Michael talks about you a lot,” she whispered in my ear.
“Really? What does he say?”
“Come to my room. Michael, I’m going to steal Harmony for a while,” she told him as she grabbed my hand and led me upstairs.
“Janet, she needs to meet everyone else first.”
“This is important. We’ll be back.”
“Alright,” Michael said as we entered her room.
“Janet, who is this?” A woman asked.
“Mommy, this is Michaels’ friend, Harmony, that he’s been talking non-stop about,” Janet introduced me.
“So, you’re Harmony,” she smiled.
“Yes, I am.”
“I’m Katherine. Michael says so much about you. Tell me about yourself.” Michale must’ve talked to everyone about me.
“Well, he probably already told you, but I was born and raised in China since I was five. My dad sells for a Chinese company and is next in line for CEO. We’ve moved all over the United States since I was six and when I came here, I found out the high school I go to was founded by my grandfather, whom I never met.”
“So, are you Chinese?”
“No, ma’am.”
“Then why were you in China?”
“I don’t know the full story behind that. I’ve just been there for my first five years and Chinese became my native language.”
“Wow. I see why Michael likes you so much. You’re so beautiful and experienced.”
“Thank you very much,” I smiled.
“Janet, why did you bring Harmony up here when she’s supposed to be with Michael?”
“I wanted to tell her something important. She’s my friend too.”
“Am I interrupting?” Katherine laughed.
“Yes…”
“Okay. I’ll leave. It was really nice meeting you, Harmony.”
“Nice meeting you too.” Janet shut the door as soon as her mom walked out. “What did you want to tell me?” I asked her.
“Michael likes you a lot. He said he’s going to ask you to be his girlfriend one day, so he really hopes you don’t move.”
I blush when she tells me that. “Janet, were you supposed to tell me that?” I laugh.
“No, but I couldn’t hold it in. He likes you a lot.”
“Thank you, Janet.”
“You’re welcome. Don’t tell hi I told you. Keep it a secret. Promise?”
“I promise,” I laughed as I opened the door to find Michael standing in front of the door.
“Michael, were you listening to our conversation?” Janet asked.
“No, Janet. Can I have Harmony back?” He asked with a straight face. He looked so cute. Awwh.
“Yup. We were already finished,” Janet ran past me and down the stairs.
“Want a tour of the house?” He smiled.
“Sure,” I say and follow him around. In each room, someone is in there, so I meet some of his brothers and sisters. I met Marlon, Randy, Latoya, Debbie, Jermaine, and Tito. Then he took me to his room.
“It’s a little dirty, so don’t laugh,” he said as he opened the door. His bed was neatly made and his boombox was playing. There was only a coke bottle on the floor and a button down shirt on his chair.
“Michael, that isn’t dirty.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, just pick up your-”
“Michael, who is this?” A deep voice behind me asked.
Michael turned around, “Joe, this is my new friend, Harmony Jacobs.” Michael’s face had turned from happy to dead serious.
“Um, hello, Mr. Jackson,” I held my hand out to shake his hand.
He shook my hand and let go quickly, “I’ve overheard Michael say a lot about you.” Joe looked between us and noticed how close we were. “Michael, nothing better happen. I’m serious.”
“She’s just a friend, Joseph. Nothing will happen.”
“Then get out of your room,” he said and walked away. Michael stared at him as he walked away. I’ve never seen Michael like this and it made me wonder.
“Come on, Harmony. Let’s go to the living room.” I followed him to the living room and stood. “You can sit,” Michael told me.
“Actually, it’s eight twenty. I think I should be heading home. My dad wants me home by nine since it’s a school night.”
“Oh, right. Let’s go. Mother, I’m taking Harmony home,” Michael told his mother and kissed her on the cheek.
Soon, we were on our way to my house. I couldn’t wait for my dad to meet Michael.