~~Chapter 12~~
~~Virtual Insanity Index~~
Jeff had just taken Crystal on a tour of Neverland. Crystal really liked Jeff, he seemed like a nice, down-to-earth kind of guy. They had just came home from the hospital.
�� "Yeah, it's my boss's creation" Jeff told her as they entered the entertainment room. The room was all white with two couches in front of a large flat screen television. The screen was the size and width of the wall. There were speakers on each side of the room. On the table that was in front of the couches were the controls for the video game system. State of the art music system sat on two selves on each side of the couches. Jeff jumped over the couch and sat on it. Crystal smiled. She thought Jeff was so energetic for his age. Like a kid.
�� "And to think, this place was a mess a few days ago." he said. He grabbed the remote on the table.
�� "It seems so peaceful here. I mean the people who work here seem so nice. Michael must love it here. I feel like a kid again." Crystal said going around to sit next to Jeff.
�� "That's the whole purpose, princess. To be a kid again. This whole place kind of, expresses the person Michael is. I really love it. This place is a work of art in it's self."
Crystal stayed the night at Neverland in the guestroom. Of course there were nice new clothes for her already in the closet of the room. Neverland was like paradise to her. She had never had a chance to see anything that beautiful.
When she woke up the next morning, she felt she had slept late, even before she had opened her eyes. When she did open her eyes, she wasn't sure where she was. She was scared cuz if she slept late James would definitely get her. But when she looked up at the cream colored ceiling, she started to relax.� Crystal got out of bed, still feeling extremely tired, but she wanted to know if Michael was all right. She went to the closet, and put the pink robe provided for her. Suddenly someone knocked on her door
. �� "Jeff?" she said coming to the door.
When she opened the door, she gasped when she saw Michael at the door with a big smile on his face.
�� "Oh my god, I never thought I'd be so happy to see anyone in my whole life!" Crystal said taking his hand. "Now how'd you manage to get released from the hospital so early?"
Michael grinned. "I'm Michael Jackson!" He giggled. "I said I felt fine, and I'll be alright and that I wanted to go home."
Crystal softly touched his blue flannel shirt where he got shot.
�� "Are you still hurting?"
�� "Oh yeah. It's very painful. But it'll be okay." Michael had more concerns. Crystal looked so sick and pale. He really wondered what was wrong.
�� "Did you sleep well?"
Crystal nodded. "This place is amazing."
�� "Thank you." Michael said. "Hey I made sandwiches, ya wanna come in my room and have some?"
Crystal looked in his eyes and just fell in a tunnel of happiness. The childish sparkle in his eyes that everyone in the fan communities had talked about.
On the way to his room across the hall, Michael said, "Well honestly, I didn't make the sandwiches...but...just pretend for me."
Crystal laughed. When walking into his room, Crystal just felt warm all over. It wasn't like how everyone said it would be. The room had a comfortable "home" feel too it. Not too clean, not too messy. The grilled cheese sandwiches were on a plate resting on the bed. Crystal sat on the bed and took a sandwich.
�� "I'm such a great cook, right?" Michael joked.
Crystal smiled as she took a bite. She gazed around the room. He saw his computer on the desk on the right side of the room.
Chewing Crystal gazed at it. "That's where it all started."
Michael sat on the bed also and looked in the direction she was looking.
"Yeah, " he said thoughtfully.
Michael fell silent for a moment.
�� "What ya thinking about?"
�� "Nothing." Michael said.
�� "Come on. What are ya thinkin' about?" Crystal asked.
Michael sighed. "I can't tell you. It's kind of personal."
Crystal put her sandwich back on the plate and scooted next to Michael. �� "I'm kinda nosey." Crystal said.
Michael smiled. "How come you can always make me smile, no matter what?"
�� "How come you can do the same to me?" Crystal said.
Michael ran his fingers through Crystal's hair. Crystal felt so comfortable with Michael. A little too comfortable.
Crystal kissed Michael passionately on the lips. Michael returned the kiss. The kiss lasted for a good minute until they let go of each other.
�� "Whoa." Michael said afterwards.
�� "That was intense." Crystal said. "I've never..." She paused. "...Felt this way in a long time."
Michael nodded, not making eye contact with her.
�� "Michael," she said, speaking up.
�� "yeah?" he asked looking at her again.
�� "I have this feeling that I want to...start.....a relationship with you." she said softly. She was scared.
�� "No," Michael said. "No, it wouldn't work...because..."
�� "I'm married." Crystal sighed.
�� "And other reasons." Michael said.
�� "What other reasons?"
�� "When ever I have a relationship with someone I never seem to--"Michael cut his words off. "It's just a lot of things we would have to deal with."
�� "I love you." Crystal said.
�� "I love you too..." Michael said.
Crystal sighed. " I feel tired, can I take a nap?"
Michael nodded and took the half-eaten sandwiches off the bed. Crystal laid down.
�� "Are you okay?"
�� "Yeah." She said softly.
Michael cut off the lights for her and left the room, pondering over what had just happened. Michael loved her and really wanted to make something work. But she was married and he could never be what she would want. He never was what any girl wanted. That's why he didn't want to be in a relationship. He was afraid of getting hurt.
�� "How's the little princess?" Jeff asked Michael as he came down the stairs.
�� "She seems sick." Michael said in a worried tone.
�� "Yeah I noticed that." Jeff said. "Hey I wanted to tell you that someone called for you. They're on hold right now. I didn't want to disturb the love birds..."
�� "Thanks." Michael said, rolling his eyes. Michael went into the kitchen and picked up the phone.
�� "Hello?"
�� "Hey Michael." Lisa Marie's voice said on the other end.
�� "Why are you calling me?" Michael said.
��� "I'm not going to give up on you, Mike. Now look, do you remember when we were together, how happy you were? Look at you now. A big recluse. A big wreck. Breaking up with you was wrong because now I see how lonely you can get without someone in your life. I can help you Michael. Just give me a chance. I can stop your pain." Lisa said sincerely.
�� "Lisa, just stop....just stop it. No you can't help me, no one can help me. Lisa don't you get it? There is no end to my pain. Just give it up. Because...I have." Michael said, and hung up the phone. A minute later the phone rang again. Michael left it alone.
A week went by and Crystal still didn't feel comfortable going home. Michael sure didn't mind her company. They had so much fun together, going on amusement rides, going out to eat, getting to really know each other. But Michael did notice how Crystal's energy level really started to decline. He was really worried about her.
Lisa continued to call, and leave messages on his answering machine. He tried his best to ignore her.
Tommy Mottola sent many threats by phone to Michael, ordering him to give him the catalog. Michael continued to refuse and TOmmy continued to threaten him by "ruining him". It was as if Michael was living two different lives for a week. One with Crystal, one with stress.
One day, after taking a swim in the pool, Crystal seemed extremely tired. Once Crystal had gone to sleep, Michael went into the living room and sat down at the piano and began to sing.
"Birds sing their cheerful songs
People laugh and enjoy their fun
The world seems to be a fantasy
And my hurtful life is my harsh reality
I am an illusion to everyone's eyes
A thing that's supposed to entertain
Some animal without emotion
Can anyone see my pain
I give so much of myself
In order to please the world
I give so much, but what is left
A hurting soul, fame, and wealth"
Michael sighed after he sung the small tune.
Suddenly, he heard someone stumble down the stairs. Michael turned around. She started coughing up blood. Michael jumped up and ran to her aid. He put an arm around her.
She gasped then whispered, "Michael, what's wrong with me?"
She passed out in his arms.