Mouse and Applehead - Part 11a

[shinigami518]

Finally completed a full chapter after a lot of writer blocks and distractions, so here's the next part of Mouse and Applehead, in which Bad is worked on, Diana's investigation continues, and Michael and Annie ponder their relationship, making them wonder where do they go from here.

Title: Mouse and Applehead
Author: shinigami518
Rating: PG-13 (but will go into the R territory at times)
Warnings: Swearing, the occasional violence, future talks of attempted rape, abuse, and some racism
Disclaimer: I do not own anything in this story except for Annie, her family, and her friends. All music used is owned by their respective owners, writers, and singers.  I also, unfortunately, do not own Michael.  If i did, he would still be around, playing with his children and making all of his fans happy.
Summary: Late 1979, Michael, after the release of Off the Wall, is longing for a friend.  He walks alone at dusk in hopes to find one.  He discovers one in the form of a little girl named Annie.  This would lead to a long lasting friendship that spans three decades, featuring highs and lows, including: an obsessed older sister, an overprotective father, "Billie Jean", haters, alligations, death, and the pitfalls of being friends with the (currently not as of the time this starts) King of Pop.

Links to last part at my journal: Part 9


Part 11 - Do You Love Me?
The next day
St. Andrews Hospital
“Wait, say that again, you wrote a song about what happened to me and Diana?” Annie asked in disbelief. Michael nodded, sitting on her bed with a notebook and a tape recorder on his lap. He was visiting the still recovering sisters in the hospital, seeing how they were doing so far in getting better. The two girls had been recovering slowly, but nicely without any serious problems. Diana still seemed a bit withdrawn, especially with Tara’s death, but was slowly returning back to her normal self. Annie, meanwhile, was quite embarrassed how she acted when she was on the pain medicine after the surgery, but managed to remain somewhat cheerful, especially when her family, friends, and Michael visited her and Diana.
“In a certain point of view, yes. It’s somewhat based on that, but mostly on a nightmare I’ve been having lately…,” Michael replied, then paused, looking down at his hands, which held the notebook on his lap, “about the two of you being attacked. It was horrible… I couldn’t protect you. I couldn’t even save you… Like with what happened days ago…” Michael mourned softly. Annie sighed, then with a wince, pushed herself up a bit more with her non-sprained hand so she sat more comfortably on the bed.
“Michael, you shouldn’t beat yourself up about this. You had no idea this sorta thing would happen, no one did.” Annie told Michael, leaning into her pillows, which were propped up against the headboard.
“I couldn’t… I wish you never ran away and met me. Then maybe you and Diana wouldn’t have to suffer the way you did…” Michael sighed, still looking down.
“And what would that accomplish for all of us?” Diana asked suddenly, taking Michael by surprise. He turned to look at the older of the two teens, who sitting upright with her back against the headboard of her bed, her sketchbook containing her fashion ideas on her lap. “Sure, it might change some things, but we wouldn’t be as happy as we are now.” Diana went on, looking right at Michael.
“But what about... Tara?” Michael asked softly. Diana looked down, her hands gripping her blanket.
“It still hurts, but I blame Kat for what happened to her, not you. Maybe Tara would still be alive, who really knows for certain? All I know is that ever since we met you, my life hasn’t been boring or seriously bad.” Diana replied honestly, flashing a small smile at Michael.
“And yeah, bad things did happen, but good stuff happened as well. If I never met you, I doubt I’d ever have the courage to follow my passions in art and acting.” Annie put in.
“And look at how happy Mags, Tommy, and Paul are when they’re with you. It’s like they have a second older brother whenever they’re with you. They adore you so much, as do… as do the rest of us.” Diana added, blushing softly. Michael looked back down, keeping silent as he let the girls’ words sink in. Annie, using her non-injured hand for added leverage, inched herself a bit closer to Michael.
“C’mon, Michael, stop with all the ‘what if’s’. It’s depressing and we’ve already been feeling down as it is.” Annie stated, trying to cheer Michael up more. She then started to smirk. “Don’t make me tickle you until you’re smiling and happy.” Annie warned slyly. Michael looked up at Annie in shock and mock fear.
“You wouldn’t!” Michael exclaimed, pretending to be afraid.
“Watch me.” Annie grinned, then, ignoring any pain in her still healing knee and ribs, playfully pounced on Michael, causing him to let out a yelp. She then started to tickle Michael’s sides, making him cry out for her to stop. Then his cries turned into laughter as he succumbed to Annie’s tickle torture, making both young women smile.
“Always fall for the ol’ tickle attack, huh, Mike?” Diana observed in bemusement. Her bemusement then changed to confusion as she saw something interesting change between Michael and Annie. Annie suddenly stopped tickling Michael’s stomach when she noticed something: she was now practically on top of Michael, straddling him. If she leaned back and sat down, she would be practically on his crotch. Plus, she had leaned in so close to Michael’s face that they were only a few inches away from each others lips. Michael then stopped giggling and noticed their closeness as well and started to blush, as did Annie.
“Uh…” Annie squeaked, her face a bright shade of red. She was sweating, not just from the pain rising in her still injured knee, but also from embarrassment.
“Hi…?” Michael gasped softly. They stayed how they were for a few seconds, both unsure what they should do.
“Oh for the love of Gouda, kiss him, you blockhead!” Diana exclaimed jokingly. Both Michael and Annie turned their head to look at Diana, who was still sitting on her bed, watching them with a smirk on her face.
“DIANA!!” Both Michael and Annie exclaimed at the same time.
“Cut the crap. You two’ve been acting odd around each other since Annie danced in that Captain Eo thing a few months ago. What’s going on between you two?” Diana asked angrily and annoyed. “You two didn’t happen to hook up during the making of that thing, did you?” Diana asked, this time quite suspiciously.
“NO!” Annie exclaimed, pushing herself off of Michael and sat down next to him, rubbing her knee.
“Nothing happened!” Michael protested loudly, sitting back up.
“Come on! Ann, you’ve been getting more flustered when you see Michael and Michael’s been getting shyer every time he talks to you.” Diana stated, remaining annoyed and wanting the truth.
“N-no I’m not!” Annie stuttered.
“We’re just friends, good friends, even though she did let me be her first-.” Michael affirmed, but stopped when he started to realize what he was starting to say. “Oh poop.” He covered his mouth.
“Her first what?” Diana asked, now confused along with being annoyed. Before she could get any response, the door to their room opened, revealing Alison, Tommy, Maggie, and Paul.
“Hey, Applehead, what’re you doing here?” Tommy asked, running up to Michael and Annie.
“You two doing alright today?” Alison asked the two young women. Annie nodded, still blushing softly as was Michael. Diana, meanwhile, let out a groan and flopped backwards onto her bed, annoyed that she didn’t get an answer to her question.
“Just wanted to tell the girls about some new ideas I’ve been working up for songs.” Michael replied, still blushing softly.
“Really?! Cool! What kind of songs!?” Tommy asked excitedly, climbing on the bed and sitting next to Michael.
“Any of them romantic?” Maggie asked curiously, noticing Michael and Annie’s red cheeks.
“*Ahem* Well, I have one romantic one in mind, but the ones I wanted to talk about are, well, a little dark.” Michael answered, clearing his throat.
“Dark like Thriller or dark like Billie Jean?” Paul asked, walking over.
“That’s an analogy I’ve never heard of.” Michael smiled, chuckling softly. Michael then started to explain the songs to the two boys and Maggie, while Annie got on some crutches and hobbled over to Diana, who had now sat back up.
“So, what first did you and Michael do?” Diana asked softly when Annie got to her side.
“Not telling you a thing. You’ll just tease me relentlessly about it.” Annie whispered back harshly.
“You actually think I’d do something like that?” Diana asked, insulted.
“Yes.” Annie replied bluntly, causing Diana to pout angrily. Annie then let out a sigh. “Look, I’ll tell you about it when the time is right.” Annie told Diana honestly.
“And when will that be?” Diana questioned.
“Not today.” Annie smiled wickedly.
“Damn.” Diana cursed softly.
“Shut it. I think Michael’s singing one of those songs he was talking about.” Annie elbowed her in her arm. Sure enough, Michael was beatboxing the intro for one of the songs he had just came up with. Annie sat on Diana’s bed next to her sister and the two remained silent as Michael started to sing while snapping his fingers for the drumbeat.
“As he came into the window
It was the sound of
A crescendo
He came into her apartment
He left the bloodstains
On the carpet
She ran underneath the table
He could see she
Was unable
So she ran into the bedroom
She was struck down,
It was her doom…”

Mid March, 1987
Recording Studio
“Annie are you ok
Will you tell us that you're ok
There's a sign in the window
That he struck you - a crescendo Annie
He came into your apartment
He left the bloodstains on the carpet
Then you ran into the bedroom
You were struck down
It was your doom.” Michael sang as he recorded the song that would become the hit “Smooth Criminal”. Watching from the other side of the glass of the recording booth were Diana, Annie, Tommy, and Paul. Diana was on crutches as her still bandaged ankle was almost healed. Annie, however, had a knee brace on her leg, her knee almost completely healed as well.
“You find it odd that Applehead’s singing your name, Annie?” Paul asked his sister, looking up at her curiously.
“Not as weird as hearing him sing that one song, “Dirty Diana”, whenever Diana’s nearby.” Annie remarked with a smirk. Diana let out a pained sigh.
“Now my friends and classmates are going to have a field day when that song comes out.” Diana stated with a frown of trepidation.
“At least they won’t be asking you constantly if you are ok. They’ve already outgrown the ‘Little Orphan Annie” phase, now this’ll start them up again.” Annie stated, also frowning in trepidation of things to come.
“I dunno about you, but I think both songs are pretty cool. I wonder if Michael’ll keep that song, “Streetwalker”, in the set list. I really like that one.” Tommy stated, then wondered out loud.
“Me too. It’s so… peppy, and it makes me wanna dance. Same with this song, too.” Diana nodded, swaying to the music coming from the other room with a smile on her face.
“Streetwalker sounds like that other song Applehead’s doin’, that “The Way You Make Me Feel” song. And I heard they were going to put “Another Part of Me” in over “Streetwalker”.” Paul noted, remembering what he heard.
“Why? I like Streetwalker.” Tommy asked, frowning.
“Probably because Another Part of Me was in Captain Eo.” Diana replied. Annie blushed suddenly, the mention of Captain Eo causing her to remember the kiss she gave Michael during the making of it. Diana couldn’t help but notice Annie’s reaction and started to smirk as she turned to her younger sister. “Ann, you did say you’d tell me what happened during the making of Captain Eo, right?” Diana asked slyly.
“When the time was right, which it isn’t.” Annie sighed, feeling a headache coming on from Diana’s digging.
“And when the hell will that be?” Diana asked, forgetting that Tommy and Paul were still there.
“Not now, Di-.” Annie started to say, growing annoyed.
“Still no word?”
Diana, Annie, Tommy, and Paul turned to see Michael walking over to Frank Dileo, his manager for the new album.
“Sorry, Mike, but they’re busy with other projects.” Frank told Michael. Tommy and Paul ran over to see Michael, Diana and Annie walking slowly behind them, minding their still healing injuries.
“Hey, Applehead, what’s the matter?” Paul asked as he approached Michael and Frank. Michael and Frank turned to see the two young boys and their older sisters.
“Oh, hi guys. I’m just having some trouble finding someone for this duet I’m working on. I’ve had a few on my mind like Whitney Houston and Barbara Streisand, but they’re busy with other projects.” Michael replied, smiling briefly when he saw his younger friends.
“Why not let Annie do it? She can sing.” Diana pointed to Annie, nearly making her sister fall over in shock.
“W-what?” Michael blurted out in shock.
“Di, wh-what are yo- what?” Annie stammered, trying to regain her balance while starting to blush softly.
“C’mon, Ann, you can sing and you work so well with Michael. Heck, he was the one who helped you practice singing, too.” Diana remarked proudly.
“Yeah, you’d be great!” Tommy agreed.
“So great! And you’d be helping Applehead, too!” Paul put in.
“But I- I don’t- I mean-!” Annie tried to protest.
“Why don’t we do a demo track of it first with her and Michael, and we’ll see what happens.” Frank cut in. He then turned to Michael. “Is she any good?” Frank asked, pointing to Annie.
“Huh? Oh- oh, s-she’s good, Frank.” Michael replied, still in shock. Annie wanted to disappear right then and there, face burning red in embarrassment.

>>>>><<<<<

Few minutes later, in the hallway…
“Diana, what the heck were you thinking?!” Annie shouted, both livid and embarrassed. Diana, Tommy, and Paul cringed from the volume of Annie’s voice. Michael, who had been walking by, stopped walking and ducked behind the corner to see what was going on.
“Jeez, I do something nice for you and you get so angry at me. How about some gratitude or something, huh?” Diana fumed, pouting angrily.
“‘Nice’?! How about humiliating me in front of Michael and Mr. Dileo?!” Annie repeated mockingly, then snapped angrily.
“C’mon, Annie, you can sing really good. You’ll be great.” Tommy remarked, hoping to calm his older sister down.
“They wanted someone like Whitney Houston to sing this, Tom-Tom, not some no-named, plain looking, high school girl with glasses to sing with Michael.” Annie told Tommy, trying to calm down, but her anger was still high.
“But what if they like your singing?” Paul asked innocently.
“Yeah, you’d be famous!” Tommy agreed.
“What if I screw up, I’m no good or someone like Madonna accepts?” Annie shot back.
“But isn’t this a chance worth taking?” Diana asked back. Annie sighed, turning away.
“Maybe, but I… what if I…?” Annie asked, closing her eyes and being unsure about what she should do and say.
“I know you’ll be good, Annie.” Michael stated, making his presence known. Annie spun around in surprise upon hearing Michael’s voice. “Sorry, I heard your outburst and wanted to know if you were alright.” Michael apologized, stepping from behind the wall.
“How long-?” Annie started to say, but then shook her head. “I don’t want to embarrass you, Mikey. You’re my best friend a-and I-.” Annie went on, looking down at her sneakers.
“Don’t.” Michael cut her off briskly, but kindly. “Didn’t I tell you once before to stop berating yourself, to stop comparing yourself to others, saying you’re not ‘good enough’? Ann, you are! You just have to believe in yourself.” Michael went on. He then walked over and placed a hand on Annie’s shoulder. “I do. So what do you say? You wanna help me with the demo?” Michael finished, asking softly. Annie was silent, glancing at Michael’s hand for a second. She then gave a small smile before nodding.
“Alright, I’ll do it… for you, Michael.” Annie relented, still smiling. Michael smiled in response.
“Great.” Michael remarked. He then kissed her on the cheek, surprising her, Diana, and their brothers. “I’ll make arrangements with Frank to do the recording tomorrow, then I’ll give you a run down of the song!” Michael told Annie. He then ran off to find Frank, leaving Diana, Tommy, and Paul in shock and Annie blushing in stunned silence.
“Uh..?” Tommy spoke first.
“Eww.” Paul shook his head.
“She has to tell me what happened last year.” Diana muttered to herself in annoyance.

>>>>><<<<<

Later that day…
Michael’s room.
“Are you sure you want to do the rehearsal here?” Annie asked nervously, sitting on Michael’s bed with him sitting next to her.
“Sure. It’s raining, Diana’s with mother, and Tommy and Paul are playing games.” Michael replied. Annie let out a sigh.
“Alright, so what’s the name of the song you’ve got?” Annie questioned curiously.
“I just can’t stop loving you.” Michael answered shyly. Annie started to blush.
“That’s the-? You want-? Oh….” Annie remarked, quite flustered and now looking away.
“Ann…?” Michael asked softly.
“Michael, this is a love song, isn’t it?” Annie asked, still blushing.
“What were you expecting, hard rock?” Michael asked back, a bit sarcastically.
“No, it’s not that… Mikey, it’s…” Annie started, sighing. She knew there was something she needed to talk to him about. Something they hadn’t talked about yet since it happened. “It’s about what happened to us last year.” Annie stated.
“Annie, is this really…?” Michael started, being very dismissive.
"I kissed you! TWICE!" Annie shouted.
"I know that, Ann." Michael noted plainly.
“And you know Di’s been bugging me about what happened and when she learns what the song is called, she’s bound to figure out that I… that….” Annie trailed off, blushing while looking away from Michael.
“That you what?” Michael asked, starting to grow worried. Annie doesn’t respond, nor does she look at him. “Ann, don’t tell me…” Michael began, starting to realize something big was happening with his friend.
“I just... don’t know anymore. Michael, I’m not that little girl anymore. I’m a teenager, practically a woman now, and I’m… I’m seeing you in a new light. My feelings, my thoughts about you… I’m confused as hell. I mean, I still really care about you. You’re one of my closest friends, like a big brother to me at times, but now… it’s different… and I don’t want this to ruin our friendship.” Annie explained, standing up and pacing around the room. She still didn’t look at Michael as she talked, making Michael worry more and more.
“Do you… love me? As in love-love me… in the romantic way?” Michael asked, standing up and feeling a lump in his throat, barely making him able to ask the question.
“I don’t know… maybe. I’ve been feeling… weird around you. I feel safe with you and… Hell, I kissed you twice. And now… it’s different… everything’s different now.” Annie revealed truthfully, trembling as she spoke her uncertain thoughts. Michael walked up to her.
“I think you were just experimenting, testing to see what it was like to be in love for real… and you know what?” Michael theorized. Annie finally looked up at him, fear and uncertainty in her hazel eyes.
“W-what?” Annie asked weakly.
“I was honored that you picked me to… to be your first kiss.” Michael replied, blushing a bit.
“But-?” Annie asked, knowing there was more to what Michael had to say about this.
“Ann, I don’t want to push you into doing something you don’t want to do or you’re afraid of doing. I don’t want to ruin our friendship, either. You’ve been such a good friend, Ann; I don’t want to change it for anything.” Michael went on, his brown eyes warm but filled with sadness.
“What if… What if I start falling for you? I don’t want it to… to ruin what’s between us… and push you away…” Annie asked timidly, tears starting to form in her eyes. Michael was silent for a few seconds before he let the hand on Annie’s shoulder move around her back, grasping her other shoulder and pulled her into a one armed hug.
“We’ll see when and if that happens.” Michael whispered, planting a gentle kiss on Annie’s head. Annie blinked a few times, letting a few tears fall, and leaned into Michael’s embrace.
“I… I understand… and I’m still gonna sing with you, Michael.” Annie stated after seconds of silence and letting Michael’s words sink in.
“Thanks, Ann.” Michael smiled, releasing his hold on Annie. Annie pulled away reluctantly and looked up at Michael, pushing her glasses up in order to rub her eyes.
“Michael?” Annie asked.
“Hmm?” Michael stared at Annie curiously.
“Why’ve you been calling me Ann lately?” Annie asked, also curiously. Michael just shrugged, causing Annie to giggle and leaned against Michael’s chest, her hands grabbing the front of his baggy red shirt. Michael smiled and placed a hand on her back, fingering the tips of her now shoulder length hair.
“You’re gonna make someone very happy someday.” Michael whispered softly to himself. Annie tilted her head up and stared at Michael.
“You say something?” Annie questioned.
“No, nothing. Uh, you wanna look at the lyrics I wrote up for the song?” Michael denied, then asked in hopes of changing the subject.
“S-sure. I-I mean, yeah, I gotta at least get a feel of the song.” Annie replied, pulling away. Michael nodded, then walked to where he put his lyrics while Annie sat down on the bed. Annie, once she was sitting, smiled as she watched him walk.
“Whoever you marry will be one lucky lady.” Annie observed softly.
“What was that, Ann?” Michael asked, looking back at Annie. Annie blanched, realizing that she had said that out loud.
“Nothing, just wondering out loud… about love.” Annie replied, telling a half-truth.
“Hopefully not about hooking me up with someone.” Michael smiled warily, holding his notepad with the lyrics on it.
“Is that the song?” Annie asked, changing the subject quickly. Michael nodded, handing the notepad to Annie. She started to look at the lyrics. “Is this gonna be a sappy slow song or a rock ballad?” Annie asked curiously.
“Slow romantic song, but I guess it’s kinda sappy.” Michael replied, sitting down next to Annie on the bed. Annie nodded, then read the lyrics with interest. She could tell it was quite romantic, about two people that really love each other and are vowing they’ll keep on loving each other. She smiled slightly as she read on.
“I just want to lay next to you for a while…” Michael said softly, startling Annie. She looked up at him in surprise. “You look so beautiful to-,” Michael paused when he saw Annie staring at him. “What?” Michael asked confused.
“What the heck were you saying there?” Annie asked back.
“That was the start of the song.” Michael explained.
“O-oh, ok. I thought that you-… never mind, keep going; you want me to learn this song, right?” Annie started to say while blushing again, then shook her head to clear her thoughts.
“Ok.” Michael nodded in understanding.

The second half of this is coming shortly.