Pernicious

|Chapter 7|

February 23, 1988
Kansas City, Missouri
Naya's Perspective:

We enter into Michael's room and Michael slowly closes the door behind him, being careful not to make much noise.

I take a look around the room. It was almost identical to mine.

I knew Michael always had good taste.

But the only difference that stuck out at me is that Michael's room was a lot messier than mine. He had some food wrappers around, some clothes on the floor, and his bed was untidy.

Oh Michael, always a slob. I remember I used to pick up after him all the time.

"So, you can have a seat anywhere you like." He said gesturing over to the bed.

"Ok, thank you." I awkwardly slump down onto the bed.

He sat down next to me. I could tell he showered. He smelled a lot better than what he would have smelled like right after the concert.

"What do you need to talk to me about?" I asked like a total idiot.

Stupid, stupid, stupid! What do you think he's going to talk to you about? He's going to talk about how he's dating Tatiana and how he's going to make sure you aren't bothered or whatever.

"Uhm I just needed to talk to you about Tatiana. I'm really sorry you had to see that earlier, that was really inappropriate on her part. I shouldn't have let it happen." He apologized.

Oh no, here it comes.

"No, no, no." I began. "You have every right to move on and be happy. Even though I really don't care for Tatiana, I'm sure I'll get over it." I said hanging my head.

"Move on?" He asked puzzled. "What are you talking about?" He questioned me.

"Aren't you seeing Tatiana?" I asked.

"Heavens no! I mean, Tatiana can be very sweet at times, but by no means am I seeing her." He said with a chuckle.

I didn't laugh back and kept a confused look on my face.

"Michael, she told me that you two were dating. In fact she told me not to try to do anything with you, so I wouldn't get in the way of your relationship." I said shaking my head.

"Michael, she's either crazy or crazy for you." I finished.

"Probably both." He joked.

I let out a smile and a little laugh.

"You're probably right!" I joked back, punching him playfully in the arm.

"Ow! That hurt!" He said with pain.

"Oh I'm sorry!" I apologized instantly.

He started giggling mischievously.

"Gotcha! Why are you so polite?" He asked.

"I don't know...Why are you so childish?" I said pushing him back playfully on the bed. 

"Hey! That's not fair!" He exclaimed while still laying down.

"Whatever." I said rolling my eyes.

"Remember when we would tour and get giant rooms to ourselves." He asked.

I nodded.

"What about it?" I asked back.

"We would spend hours just being kids and having pillow fights, watching movies, and we would cause so much mischief." He said smiling at me and looking me into my hazel eyes.