Dangerous & Anew (Sequel to Inhaling Alongside You)✔️

Chapter Two: Drawn

The bird that grew and flew from the comfort of the nest, was the bird that strived for the best. Upon first flight the bird did stumble through the wind, only to revive his wings and continue onward. Yes, he cried. Yes, he fought. He cried and fought for his awaiting family to see that he will only return when he has found his rightful path on the wind. Even then, his family didn't listen. Somehow the bird was tornadoed back into the nest, where he was pestered until he once again decided to leave. He promised himself he wouldn't return, yet he didn't suceed.

I am that bird.

Jesse, the guards and I have just arrived at the hotel. I'm so happy to finally be able to inhale and exhale as slowly as I please. No more touring. No more jumping from flight to flight. And lastly, no more interuptions between my life and my career, so I thought.

One step out of the midnight SUV brought my reality to deafening sounds. The new perk of finishing a pretty successful tour, the pleantiful of attention received afterwards.

Each of my fans chant in his and her own language of love as I dodge their claws and desperately try to keep hold of Jesse who is equally gaining just as much attetention. The amusing thing about returning to my hotel after a concert is how quickly my energy returns when I meet the awaiting fans.

Maybe it's their dedication, their chants, their posters, their gifts, or their joyful tears. Whatever it is, this energy revives me. And when I'm revived I have to repay them.

"Bill... I need to sign a few autographs. I can't just leave them like this" I call to Bill as we near the hotel door.

He turns his head slightly for a glimpse of Jesse and I before glancing at the fans in perplextion.

"He wants to sign autographs" He yells over to Scotty who is busy blocking a young, sandy haired young man from climbing over the metal bars that seperated us from him and the other raging fans.

Scotty breaks concentration to give me a quick glance as well before sighing heavily and mumbling beneath his breath. I only smile sweetly and give Jesse's hand a small squeeze as indication that thing's are fine. Giving into my request, Bill informs the other guards and they arrange a last minute autograph session.

My heart flutters gleefully. I love giving back to my fans, it's a mirandas right for me. I have to give back, otherwise I would be selfish and even callous of God's gift of these experiences. Many have dreams, that I live through because they are my reality. I can't take that for granted. I won't take that for granted.

"I love you so much Michael. I love you!" One fan would scream after I return their notepad and or poster.

"Yes King of Pop!" Another would enthuse, tears cascading their cheeks happily.

This is what makes my blood, sweat and tears worth it. These beautiful people ake it all worth the temporary agony. God I love them so much.

"Babygirl, say something to them" I giggle, nudging Jesse forward.

She has been hiding behind me like a small adolescents this entire time. I presume she still isn't use to my madness, though this is only half of what is to come. I do try to encourage her because these wondeful people are as muchas her fans as they are mine.

She licks her lips nervously and obeys, bashfully waving to a group of young women. In response, they squeal and elatedly thrash their notepads and posters her way. I smile, watching from the corner of my eye in awe. I live for moments like this as well, sharing the very things that brought me to this point, love.

Thirty minutes pass before Bill annouces that this is the end of my autograph session. The crowd only ignored him and continued to roar as he carefully escorts Jesse and I along to our secret path. This path is a bit more silent due to the fact that the fams have no knowledge of it's location. From time to time I do hear the faint chants of the adoring crowd, but for the most part this path invites beautiful silence.