Boston

December 30th, 1988

*Rose*"Wake up love. We gotta say goodbye to the kids." Michael gently shakes me awake. I open my eyes and look at the clock. It's 6 am.

I groan and yawn, stretching out my body. I get out of bed and put on the pajamas I was going to wear on the plane. I decided to get ready on our way over there.

"Is everything all packed?" I ask, still half asleep.

"Yes Rose. Come on, they're waiting for us."

Michael grabs my hand and we leave the hotel room, and we're surrounded by security since they opened up the theme parks today. We went through a secret entry way and met with the kids that we spent the day with prior.

Michael and I give each of them hugs and kisses, and made promises that we would come back to visit soon. Well, Michael really made that promise.

The last ones to get on were Tommy and Tabitha, and they looked sad to see us go.

"Even though I just met you Rose, you were the coolest chick I've ever met." Tommy smiles, and leans into my ear, "If Michael gives you a hard time, let me know. I'll deal with him."

I laugh and give him a hug. "I'll see you soon alright. Make sure you write me sometime, I wanna see nothing but good grades in collet also, or we're gunna fight." I playfully scold.

Tommy smiles and goes over towards Michael, and gives him a handshake before getting inside the van. I see Tabitha giving him a piece of paper, and giving him a tight bear hug before coming to me and doing the same.

"I had a wonderful time Rosie."

"I'm glad you did love. Take care alright? And keep drawing! I wanna see your art in movies." I give her a kiss on her head and she jumps in the van, waving at the both of us.

"Sir, it's time to go. People are starting to show up." Bill whispers to Michael.

Michael nods his head and looks at me. "You ready?"

I watch as the van drives off out of the parking lot, and I sigh. "No. But what other choice do I have?"

3 Hours Later,Logan Airport - Boston.

We get off the plane and we're instantly bombarded with media and some fans. Asking questions all around, and I wasn't in the mood for it.

"Guys, get out of the way." Bill says, pushing the paps away. They seem to be getting more and more bold.

We finally get outside towards the car and Bill opens it, and Michael let's me in first. Before I could even put a foot in the damn car I'm on the ground. Somebody grabbed my arms and literally pulled me towards the ever growing circle of paparazzi.

"Hey! Who did that?! Stop that guy!" Some airport security yelled, and started running after the person who pulled me down.

"Oh my God Rose!" Michael grabs me off the ground and quickly shoves me into the car. I wipe off my pants and check the mirror to see if there were any marks on me. I was shaken up from what just happened, I didn't realize Michael was talking to me.

"Huh?"

"I said are you alright? I can't believe that person tackled you! Is he out of his damn mind?!" Michael yells, looking at the back of the car.

"Yeah I'm fine. What an asshole! This is surely going to be on the news tonight." I bury my head in my hands and Michael rubs my back.

"Hey now, you'll be okay. They caught him and I'll make sure they put him in jail for harassing you."

"Michael it's fine. I don't need another spectacle to happen right now. Hey Bill, how long is the drive?" Trying to take my mind off of what just happened I pull out my notepad and start looking at some songs I had written lately. The only thing that seems to be calming me down besides Michael is writing. I would give anything to just go into the studio now and sing. Not be in court.

"Um, I'd say about 45 minutes. We gotta drive to the other side of Boston."

"Perfect." I sigh, and take out a pen. I had so many ideas floating around in my head but I couldn't think of a new song to put together.

Michael nudges me. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing. I wanted to see if I could come up with something for a song, but I'm coming up blank." I frown, looking out the window.

"You'll think of something Rose, just relax and brainstorm."

I look over to Michael. "How can I relax AND brainstorm?" I chuckle.

"It's possible. Trust me. Go to your happy place."

I close my eyes and try to go to a happy place. After about five minutes of silence my eyes pop open, and I start writing.

"I take it you found something." Michael smiles.

"I actually think I did. But, this is inspired by you." I look over to him and stares at me for a while.

"Inspired by me?"

I nod my head. "When you said I need to go to my happy place, I thought of when you would tell me to keep the faith. Remember?"

"Yes I remember. So how did that come out to be a song?"

"I don't really know to be honest."

"Can I see it?"

I hand him the paper and he reads it over.

"This is really nice Rose. It's positive and has meaning."

"Thank you. It would be nice if I could get to the studio and record some of it." I sigh. "I miss the studio."

Michael grabs my hand and I look at him. His face expressing sympathy. "You'll be in the studio as soon as you know it. I promise."

I smile and he leans in to give me a kiss. I kiss him back and smile once again. "You always know what to say to make me feel better."

Michael rubs my hand and kisses it.

"We're here." Bill says, and we pull up to the front of the courthouse, Bradley and Jameson were already at the front of the steps.

"You'll be fine right Michael?" I ask him, grabbing my coat and putting it on.

"Yes. I'll be at the hotel if anything. If I leave it's not going to be long."

"Okay love. I'll call the hotel when I get a break." I open the door and before I stepped out Michael grabs my hand.

"I love you."

I smile back at him. "I love you more darling."

He kisses my cheeks and let's me out the door. Once I get towards the steps I turn around and wave, letting the driver know it's okay to leave. The driver beeps his horn twice and drives off, and I turn around to face my lawyer.

"Are you ready Rose?"

For the first time in a while I got some confidence back.

"Ready as I'll ever be. Let's do this."

•••••••••*Michael*

I get the hotel ten minutes later and was escorted in by Bill.

"Roses parents will be here at about four o'clock. They took a later flight so they wouldn't run in with paparazzi." Bill states.

I nod my head. "Alright thank you. I'll be sure to call Dalma when I'm settled. You're free for the moment, I'll call the front office if I need you."

Bill does a curt nod and leaves my room, and I look around the living room, my eyes stopping at Roses notebook.

I grab the book and go to the song she wrote just a while ago. I read the lyrics over and over and started hearing beats come into my head. I mimicked instrument sounds and I started singing a little bit to myself.

'Because it's just a matter of time

Before your confidence will win out

Believe in yourself no matter what it's gon' take

You can be a winner

But you got to keep the faith'

I gotta make sure she records this song. It was one of the most amazing pieces she's ever written. Even in her most trying times she still managed to have some hope left, and that sends a powerful message.

I put down the notebook and sit down on the couch, grabbing the remote and turning on the tv.

I started watching cartoons for a while, just letting time past by. I look at my watch and groan when I see it's only 1 pm. Rose wouldn't be back until 7.

Since I'm bored, I decided that I would do a little prank on Bill. I get up and ran towards the bathroom, giggling to myself with what I had in mind.

I grabbed a little trash can bucket, and went towards the room and grabbed my suitcase, digging into the bottom and smiled when I felt the can of silly string.

What? You never know when you need to attack someone with silly string.

I fill the bucket up with water and grab a chair, placing it by the door and standing on it. I carefully maneuvered the bucket onto the top of the door and smiled to myself when I got down.

I run to the phone and call the front lobby, I was trying my hardest not to laugh while they were connecting me to Bill.

"Sir?"

"Bill, could you come up here for a second, I need your opinion on s-some clothes I got for New Years."

"Alright sir I'll be there in just a second, I'm doing something down here."

"Okay, you have the spare hotel key right?"

"Yes sir."

"Great, see you in a few." I hang up the phone and start laughing, grabbing the can of silly string. When Bill opens the door the bucket will fall on his head and then I'm going to blast him with the silly string. It's not the first time I did this to him but it gets funnier every time.

After waiting for five minutes I hear footsteps and someone fumbling with the door. I slowly walk towards the door, my silly string aimed and when the door finally opens, the bucket of water falls and I scream laughing, spraying the silly string everywhere. My eyes were watering from laughing so hard, when I regained control of myself I notice that Bill was smiling, and he was completely dry.

"Your ass is grass sir." Bill smiles. I look at the person that I did attack and I felt my heart drop to my stomach.

Oh shit.

"I. Am. Going. To. KILL. YOU." Dalma says, and she tackles me onto the floor, slapping me.

"Dalma I'm sorry! Ow!" I laugh. Her tiny self was drenched and she had pink string all over her hair.

"Sorry my ass! I come here early to surprise you and this is the welcome I get?! Pendejo hijo de puto! I oughta fuck you up!" She managed to throw me onto the couch and hit me some more. It didn't hurt, but I thought it was funny how she was trying to beat me up.

"Bill! You're not gunna help?"

"No offense sir, but hell no." Bill laughs, and Dalma finally gets off me.

"I'm telling Rose what you did. And I just got my hair done Chico!" Dalma whines. Now I know where Rose gets her brattiness from.

"Dalma I'm sorry. I didn't know you would be here so soon. I got bored and wanted to prank Bill, who I wished had told me you were here when I called." I give an icy stare to Bill, who's still laughing.

Bill puts his hands up, "Hey don't put me in this."

I laugh and look at Dalma, who's finally starting to soften up. "Whatever Chico. You owe me lunch now."

"Hey, my treat. Whatever you want, you'll get. How about this? You don't tell Rose what happened, and we'll go shopping. Don't you want a new dress to go with the necklace I got you?" I smile, trying to buy her love.

"Hmm. Bribing your girlfriends mother. You're slick Chico. Deal. But only because you said shopping."

I laugh, breathing a sigh of relief. "Go get washed up, then we'll go."

Dalma leaves and I look at Bill. "You should've told me she was here."

"You really didn't give me a chance to tell you boss." He chuckles.

"Yeah yeah. Whatever. Now I know to really get you next time."

"Next time remember to look through the peephole, just so you know who it is at the door." Bill laughs, and I attack him with silly string.

•••••••••*Rose*

I spent the majority of the day daydreaming, none of this shit really had anything to do with me, but they needed me here for proof that I showed up.

"Alright everyone, we are done for today. We'll pick this up tomorrow morning." The judge says, and everyone is leaving the conference room. I smile and grab my things. I'm happy to be leaving because I can finally see Michael. I called him earlier but they said he was out for the day, and I missed him terribly.

"Rose!" Bradley calls after me and I turn around, waiting for him to catch up.

"What is it Bradley? I want to get out of here."

"I wanted to talk to you about the incident that happened at the airport today."

I close my eyes, groaning. "You heard about that?"

"Yes. The security team called us. They caught the guy who did it."

My eyebrows shot right up. "Who?"

Bradley sighs and looks at me. "Rodrigo."

"What? My agent?" I was shocked. "How the fuck did he know I was even here?"

"I have no idea. But because of that he got sent to jail for the night. He's going to have harassment on his record and he'll be at the trial when it starts. Which is what I also needed to tell you, your former assistant and mother has dropped the charges of you fighting but now want to press charges for emotional trauma when they came to your house a month ago."

I roll my eyes. "They can't be serious? They basically broke into my house and put me in a coma! No I'm not having it, if anything I'M pressing charges."

Bradley nods his head. "Understandable. That's all I had to tell you. Make sure you're here at eight. That way you can leave at three and have the night to yourself alright?"

"Yep. See you tomorrow." I wave and walk outside, the cold air hitting my cheeks. The sudden climate change was kicking my ass, I could already feel a cold coming.

I get inside the car and drive towards the hotel. I started twirling my ring around my finger, looking at the old neighborhoods in Boston again. When I notice where we were at I tell the driver to make a sudden turn, and we're in front of a tall, rundown brick building.

I get out the car and gasp. I look at the yellow tape all around my old apartment building and frown. It's been condemned. My childhood home was gone. The air was thick, and eerie since there was nobody around. It was dark, but I decided to walk towards the building anyways.

I see a piece of paper attached to the padlocked door and grab it, reading it.

"Shut down Sept. 1986, Court hearing in May 1989 for demolition proposal." I whisper to myself, scanning the paper. "They wanna tear this down for a strip club!"

"They took away a housing building, for a place where strippers shake their pussies for a dollar. Un-fucking-believable." I shake my head and walk away from the door, not looking back at what was once my normal life.

It hit me knowing how quickly everything was changing. It was almost as if I couldn't get a grasp onto something comforting to me. Everything was going away, and even though it's making way for new things, they were new and terrible things. I'm not ready for that.

Not at all.