Peyton is your typical high school outcast. She doesn't follow trends, she has a very low tolerence for others and she lacks a sunny disposition. But when she meets Michael, the friendly college student who is the complete opposite of her, it seems as if he can be the one thing that will actually make her somewhat enjoy school. Will they become really close friends or will it eventually evolve into something more? Find out in Give It Up!

cat·fish

'kat';fiSH

1.

fish for catfish.

"with the Mississippi River far below its normal level, the catfishing kept getting better and better"

2.

US - informal

lure (someone) into a relationship by means of a fictional online persona.

"she was being catfished by a cruel prankster"

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In recent years, online dating has become the latest trend in finding committed relationships. The success rate of these happy couples has stirred the interest of single career woman Jasmine Dimes, a senior graphic designer who spends a fair chunk of her free time browsing the internet doing everything from visiting forums, chatting, and dabbling a bit into the online dating scene.

She connects with a striking older man named Damien who shows to be a compatible match on a dating site. Sweet, charming, and incredibly attractive, the two hit it off through multiple emails and late night instant chats. Finally! Her Mr. Right was here! Except for the small fact that they aren't actually dating. Or at least he hasn't asked her and vice versa. Despite the sparks, their arrangement was seen as a close friendship developed over the internet. A friendship that hints at the possibilities of something more.

But when Damien announces his plans to visit the city, Jasmine starts gearing up for an opportunity to finally see if those sparks fly in person just as heavily as they do online. Despite the criticism by her friend, she sets out and arranges the meeting to see where things lead.

There's just one slight problem ... he never shows up. Not once, not twice, but a constant string of excuses that leaves her wondering if this is even real. Something always comes up where she's left hanging dry. Where is Damien? Is he real or is this some game? It's now uncertain if she should be concerned or simply angry.

And why is it that Michael Jackson, the worldwide renown pop musician who happens to be visiting the city, seems to always be somewhere around or mentioned to be within the vicinity of their intended meeting spot?

Probably just a coincidence.

... Right?

“You didn’t have to get me anything, Michael. This must have cost a fortune,” I smiled as I brought my hand up to the diamond choker around my neck, my fingertips brushing against the precious stones.

He grinned and leaned back against the headboard, aimlessly brushing my tresses off my shoulders, “I just wanted to get you something special.” His hand trailed down from my shoulder to my arm and then to my hand resting on the satin sheets. His skin was warm, but I instantly stiffened as the metal ghosted over my skin.

I ignored it and looked up at him through my eyelashes, my cheeks rosy, “You make me feel special just by the way you look at me.”  It was true, more than he’d ever know. With him, I felt like I mattered. That I wasn’t a complete failure.

I also could pretend that he wasn’t married.

"I'm attracted to intelligence.

Don't get me wrong, a perfectly crafted body will certainly get my attention, but I'll get bored with it. I always do.

I need you to outsmart me. Make me feel like I could learn from you, grow with you. Do that and you can have me forever."

But is finding someone like that really worth the forever? Is it truly worth all the trials and painful tribulations?

To the world I'm the reason the Jackson Five is breaking apart. 
To the Jacksons I'm the reason Michael Jackson's career is ruined. 
To my family I'm the reason for my parent's broken heart. 

But to him I'm the love of his life. 

Pregnant with Michael Jackson’s baby at nineteen years-old, Renee finds her life turning upside down.

“None of this means anything if that means you’re going to leave.”
···
“Everyone is blaming me like I made this baby by myself when I didn’t!”

Sometimes, all it takes is having one person in your corner, without any ulterior motives, that makes all the difference. That's what Melony and Michael were to each other. 

She was the best actress in the world, but never truly believed it. Kept in control by the people in her life for a long time, she eventually breaks free. But there are always consequences, and long-term effects. The things that get her through the hard times, are her new family, and her friends, the Jackson family. With one Jackson in particular being her best friend. Someone who understood the life, the pressures, and the stress of being controlled. Someone who was going to change the world one day.

This is the story of how one person can change your life, for the better.  

Categories: Jackson 5: 1965-1975, Off The Wall: 1975-1981, Thriller: 1982-1983, Adult, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Romance
Characters: Michael, Original Girl
General Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Violence, Strong Language
Trigger Warnings: Child Abuse, Emotional Abuse, Physical Abuse, Racism
Series: None
Chapters: 11 Table of Contents
Completed: No Word count: 61162 Read Count: 580