Mouse and Applehead - Part 1 (repost)
I'm reposting the first part of my story since I've done some recent revisions to it, if anyone is interested. Also, the above banner image is something I created. At least now you can see what Annie, the main girl in the story looks like.
Anyways, here's the first part.
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.
Part 1 - Strangers in the Night
Early December, 1979
7:15P.M.
It all started with the tears of a child who thought her parents didn’t love her.
That’s what Michael would always remember that chilly December night many years from now. Not a misunderstanding, not an accident, nor an incident involving flirting at school or at home involving staff; it was the tears of a child.
Michael sighed, watching the last bit of the winter sun set in the distance as he walked alone down the street. His solo album, Off The Wall, had just been released in August and already two of his songs had been released as singles, one of them already reaching number one on the Top Ten.
He stopped at a crosswalk and looked up at the clouds drifting by over his head. Even with all of the good that happened, he didn’t seem to feel all that happy. Earlier that year, he had a small accident while working out a new dance move that caused him to break his nose, leading to an operation on his nose to fix the break. Plus the tour with his brothers to promote their latest album, not to mention all the work on his solo album, had left him drained and lonelier that ever.
That was why he was there, walking down the darkening street alone, searching for life. Searching for a break. Searching for some peace.
Searching for a friend.
A soft whimpering sound suddenly caught his attention from down the other end of the street he was on. At first, he thought it was an alley cat, trying to find something to eat, but as he listened closely he discovered what it was.
A child crying.
Turning on his heel, he began to follow the sound, traveling down the other road at the crossroad. He continued down the road when he saw the owner of the sound.
It was a little white girl, sitting on the curb, arms around her stomach, crying softly.
Michael’s heart broke at the sight before him as a million questions raced through his mind, ranging from “Who was this girl?” and “Why was she crying” to “What should I do?” and “Where was her family… if she had any.” Slowly, but surely, he began to make his way over to the child.
As Michael walked closer, he noticed more about the girl. She had shoulder length dark brown hair that was feathered slightly, the same style Farrah Fawcett had made famous. She wore a dark blue sweater under a black hooded jacket and blue jeans, plus a pair of sneakers. Michael noted she didn’t look very young, probably around 9 years old.
He stopped about a few feet away from the girl, silently staring at her, listening to her cry.
He then spoke, breaking his silence.
“Little girl?” Michael began, asking softly. The girl in question turned slightly and looked up at Michael, gasping in surprise, her hazel eyes filled with tears.
“Why are you crying?” Michael asked, as innocently as a child. The girl blushed shyly and looked away from the young man. Michael tilted his head in curiosity.
“What’s wrong? Are you lost?” Michael questioned, moving a bit closer as he crouched down next to the young girl. The girl shook her head ‘no’. Michael bit his lip before asking the next question, one he didn’t wish to hear “yes” as the answer:
“Did someone hurt you?”
The girl whimpered softly as she wrapped her arms around her knees, pulling her legs close to her chest, almost curling up into a ball. Michael’s frown deepened as he sat down next to the girl, his right leg tucking under his bent left leg.
“Who hurt you?” Michael was growing concerned. Silence was the reply to his question. “I want to help you, can you please say something.” Michael was a bit scared by the fear growing in the words he spoke. What happened to this girl to make her like this? Or… was she just shy? Like him...
“At least tell me your name.” Michael sighed, looking away for a moment to glance up at the slowly rising moon in the sky.
“Annie…”
Michael almost fell over backwards when he heard the girl speak. Her voice was soft and timid, like a mouse.
“Excuse me?” Michael asked, untangling his legs and then leaned back on his hands.
“Annette, Annette Williams… b-but everyone calls me ‘Annie’.” The girl, now known to Michael as Annie, said, a bit louder but still not facing Michael. Michael smiled softly, relieved to hear the girl finally speak.
“Nice to meet you, Annie.” Michael greeted the girl. He then paused, rubbing the back of his neck. “You, erm, you know who I am, do you?” Michael asked, now being the one feeling shy at the moment. Annie nodded before finally looking at Michael, her cheeks still red with shyness.
“You’re Michael Jackson,” Annie noted, then looked away shyly, “My big sisters think you’re really cute.” She went on, still blushing. Michael let out a small laugh as it became his turn to blush in nervousness. He then moved his legs so they were stretched out in front of him.
“So, erm… why- why are you out here late?” Michael asked, trying to get over his case of terminal shyness.
“I’m running away. Mommy and daddy don’t love me anymore.” Annie replied, her voice growing softer.
“Oh, that can’t be true. I’m sure they love you.” Michael smiled in assurance, giving Annie a small nudge with his elbow.
“No, no, they don’t,” Annie shook her head, “Daddy’s always working since Tommy was born and mommy’s always caring for Tommy, and Maggie. Even Diana, Aimee, and Kevin don’t care!” Annie buried her face into her arms, letting out a small sob, “Daddy yelled at me, said he didn’t love me and I just- *sniff* I just wanted him to notice me… like he did ‘fore Maggie and Tommy were born!” Annie sobbed, let out a small sniffle while crying. Michael was silent, letting what the little girl say sink in. She really was lonely, he thought. He sighed, leaning back against his hands, arching his back as he stretched.
“It’s hard being stuck in the middle, isn’t it?” Michael asked, staring down at his loafers.
“Kevin and Aimee are the oldest, their twins. Then there’s Diana, me, Maggie and Tommy’s the youngest. *sniff* But mommy and daddy, they… they don’t notice me. I want them to love me again.” Annie replied, sniffling with tears in her eyes. She then looked up at Michael, tears starting to stream down her face. “Have you ever felt that way with your family?” Annie asked, innocently, but still sorrowfully. Michael sighed, still retaining his gaze on his shoes.
“I’m more of the opposite, Annie. Joseph - my father - he… sometimes I wish he didn’t pay so much attention to me, especially back when I was… well, your age. Sometimes…,” Michael paused, pulling his legs up and wrapped his arms around them, “you know, sometimes I wish I could’ve been an ordinary kid like you are.” Michael replied, his words soft, but filled with deep sadness and yearning.
“Y-you do?” Annie asked, surprised by what she heard. From what she had seen and heard, especially from her older sisters, she thought Michael enjoyed what he did.
“When I was younger, there was this park across the street of the recording studio where we did our songs, and… I used to see the kids playing, having fun, real fun. I wished so badly that I was out there, playing with them instead of… being inside…” Michael went on, blinking back unshed tears as he remembered that longing he had back then. The same longing he still had even now.
“I… I never knew…” Annie whispered, looking away in wide-eyed amazement and feeling a bit ashamed for making him bring that up.
“No one bothers to ask sometimes.” Michael stated, looking off into the distance before letting out a sigh. It had been a really long time since he had the chance to talk with someone other that his family. He really enjoyed it, even with his companion being at least half his age. He turned back to face Annie, hoping to get back on the subject they’d been on before, the reason why Annie was out there late. “You’re lucky your parents love you and care about you.” Michael told the little girl.
“Hrmph, funny way of showing it, lately.” Annie scoffed, looking away to her right while scowling, crossing her arms.
“Little kids need a lot of love and care, especially the very little ones. They can’t do much by themselves.” Michael explained. He then paused for a moment. “Um, how old are all of you? You and your brothers and sisters, especially the little ones?” Michael went on, asking inquisitively.
“Kevin and Aimee are 15, they’re twins. Di’s 12, Maggie’s 5, and Tommy just turned 2 in September. I’m 9, the middle kid.” Annie explained, beginning to rub her arms in insecurity, still showing signs of being timid.
“See. Since Tommy’s still very little, your mother and father have to take extra care of him. Same with Maggie, since she’s still little.” Michael noted, shifting his body so his right leg tucked under his still bent left and his left arm rested on the bent leg.
“But what about me? What can I do?” Annie wondered out loud, looking up at the stars that began to appear in the night sky.
“Help your mom and dad, especially with your little brother and sister. That’s what I did with Janet and Randy when I was home, and well, Janet and I have been really close since then.” Michael answered with a small, wistful smile on his face as he remembered how things were back then. Annie became silent after that, letting Michael’s words sink in. Michael looked away and stood up, taking a moment to stretch his cramped legs, adding a few quick dance steps to get the blood circulating. He glanced down at Annie.
“Ready to go back home now? I’m sure your family’s worried sick about you now.” Michael asked, extending his right hand for Annie to take. Annie stared at his hand, hesitating. Here was this complete stranger - well, not a complete stranger, since it WAS Michael Jackson - offering to bring her home. She should be running in the opposite direction like her mom and older sisters often told her to do in a situation like this. Then again, it WAS Michael Jackson asking her to do this.
Finally she relented and put her small hand into his quite larger hand and allowed the 21-year-old to pull her up onto her feet. Annie began to blush again when, after a few seconds of the two staring at each other, they hadn’t broken the hand hold.
“Um, can you show me the way?” Michael asked, nervously while scratching the side of his cheek with his left index finger.
“Why?” Annie asked, tilting her head slightly in confusion.
“I want to make sure you, you know, make it home alright.” Michael replied, shyly. Annie blinked in surprise. In the back of her mind, a little voice screamed “What are you doing!? This is a stranger and he’s offering to take you home, why are you not running for your life?!” That was when a second voice retorted back “It’s Michael Jackson!
How could you say ‘no’ to that?”
Annie nodded with a growing smile on her face. “Ok!” She exclaimed as she began to lead Michael to the right, down the street towards her home.
Annie glanced up at Michael as they walked; really looking at him for the first time without bleary, tear filled eyes. Against the setting sun, it seemed like Michael was glowing. The way his short, curly black hair, his ash grey jacket, his red sweater, the white button up shirt under the sweater, the black slacks, and his brown skin shined in the setting sunlight made him look regal. But the way he talked to her, the way he sat, and the way he stretched when he stood up, he was more… childish, innocent like her baby brother, only with the appearance of a college student.
When he looked down at Annie and smiled, his big chocolate brown eyes shinned as well, but with the joy, love, and innocence of a child. Annie blushed when Michael smiled at her, causing her to look away shyly. She heard a soft chuckle rumble from Michael’s chest, making Annie look back up at Michael.
“Do I scare you?” Michael asked curiously.
“N-no.” Annie shook her head quickly.
“Then what’s the problem?” Michael asked with a slight laugh. Annie tightened her hold on Michael’s hand, her fingers trying to grip onto one or two of Michael’s long fingers.
“It’s just… you’re the nicest big kid I ever met.” Annie replied. It was true. Even though there was an obvious age difference, Michael had begun to appear to the girl as an older kid and not as an adult, not like how her older sisters and parents painted him out to be. Michael gave a big, wide smile.
“Thank you.” Michael thanked, honestly and obviously touched by that comment. They continued their walk in silence, broken by Michael occasionally humming a song or two or by Annie telling Michael where to go.
Annie never let go of his hand until they arrived ten minutes later at Annie’s home, where her mother was waiting on the doorstep. She was of medium height with dark brown hair and hazel eyes like Annie, and was carrying a small boy with short, curly lighter brown hair and big blue eyes, in her arms.
“Mom! Tommy!” Annie exclaimed, waving at her mother. Annie looked up at Michael. “That’s my mom, Alison, and Tommy, my baby brother.” Annie told Michael, pointing to the woman who was now standing up, a look of relief washing over her face.
“Annie, oh thank heavens your all… right.” Alison exclaimed, rushing over to her daughter, but stopping when she saw who her daughter was with. “Oh, oh my goodness. You- You’re…” She exclaimed softly, shocked. Tommy just stared at Michael silently, his big blue eyes wide with innocence.
“H-hello, Mrs. Williams. I believe this belongs to you.” Michael greeted, releasing Annie’s hand and patting the small girl on the back in a “go on” gesture. Annie then rushed forward and hugged her mother tightly, tears in her eyes.
“An-Annie! A-and M-Michael J-Jackson!? Oh my goodness! Jack! Jack! Come out here, quick!” Alison exclaimed, turning to the house and calling for her husband. She turned back to face Michael. “I am so sorry if Annie was bothering you-.” She began to say, putting a free hand on Annie’s shoulder while adjusting her other arm, which still held Tommy.
“No, she wasn’t any trouble. I was out walking and I found her several blocks from here, crying.” Michael smiled in response, shaking his head. His smile turned into a frown when he went on. “I hate to butt into your business, but we had an interesting conversation when she finally decided to talk. She said that she felt no one loved her and she was running away because, well, what she told me was that you were paying more attention to her little brother and sister.” Michael continued, seriously. Alison looked down at her daughter in surprise. Annie pulled away, looking ashamed as she remembered the words she said when she vented at Michael.
“Applehead!”
The sudden exclamation caught all three by surprise. Michael, Annie and Alison looked at the one who had spoke, Tommy. Tommy reached out with his small hands at Michael, wanting to be held by the young man.
“Applehead!” Tommy said again, reaching out for Michael.
“Applehead?” Michael and Alison repeated in confusion.
“Don’t look at me, I dunno.” Annie shrugged, sharing her input.
“Alison? What’s going on out here?” A man asked from the front door. Standing next to him was a girl a little older than Annie who was trying to look past the man. The man had short, light brown hair that was graying at the sides and blue eyes while the girl had long medium brown hair up in a high pigtail and hazel eyes.
“Jack, Annie’s home and… she brought a friend.” Alison shouted to Jack, hesitating before saying the last several words. The girl with Jack let out a loud gasp when she saw Michael.
“Oh my goodness!! Dad, that’s M-M-M-M-Michael Jackson!!” The girl exclaimed, squeezing past Jack and running out of the house, her pigtail bouncing up and down with every step she took. Annie groaned, running a hand over her face in irritation.
“Oh great. Here comes Hurricane Diana, just what I don’t need.” Annie muttered as the girl, whom Annie was referring to as Diana, ran over to the group of four.
“Diana, behave yourself.” Alison warned the young woman. Diana, ignoring the comment, halted to a stop once she got next to Annie and took several deep breaths to calm herself.
“N-no way, are you r-really Michael Jackson?” Diana asked, stuttering in excitement and hesitation. Michael looked over at Annie, who shot the young man a look of sympathy.
“Michael, this is my older sister Diana. Di-Di, this is… *sigh* Michael Jackson.” Annie introduced the two with great reluctance. Diana began to bounce up and down on the balls of her feet in excitement and delight.
“Ohmigosh, this is incredible! But wait! Are you REALLY him?” Diana exclaimed joyfully, then asked cautiously, pointing at Michael. Annie buried her face in her hands while Michael laughed nervously.
“Diana Linda Williams! That’s very inappropriate, and aren’t you even happy to have your little sister home?” Alison reprimanded the older girl. Diana blushed, looking down in shame and embarrassment.
“Sorry, mom.” Diana whispered out the apology. She turned to Annie and gave her a friendly noogie. “Welcome back, squirt, and good going, too.” Diana told her little sister. Annie managed to break away from her sister’s sign of affection and rubbed her head, shooting her older sister a dirty look.
“For what?” Annie asked, still glaring in annoyance.
“Well, not only did you nearly worry mom, dad, Kevin, and Maggie to death, but you come back, hand-in-hand with MICHAEL FRICKING JACKSON of all people! How the hell did you pull THAT off?!” Diana replied, gesturing at the man next to Annie, who was now looking quite nervous while eyeing the older girl warily.
“Diana, watch your language! And stop embarrassing yourself, your sister, and Mr. Jackson.” Alison reprimanded, a bit louder than before. Diana shirked away, her cheeks red once more.
“If you think she’s bad, you should meet Aimee. She’s way much worse than Diana.” Annie warned Michael.
“I’m afraid that would have to be for another time, Annie. I better be on my way before mother begins to worry. I told her I’d be back by eight.” Michael told the young girl, checking his watch for the time. Diana pouted childishly.
“You’re leaving already?” Diana asked, pouting while making puppy dog eyes. This earned a dirty look from Alison, shutting the young pre-teen up.
“I’m afraid I have to. It was a pleasure meeting all of you.” Michael smiled apologetically. He shook Alison’s and Jack’s hands, and gave Diana, Annie, and Tommy hugs before he turned away to leave. Diana sighed happily as she and the others watched Michael walk away.
“Bye, bye, Applehead!” Tommy called, waving his small hands at the young man. This exclamation nearly made Michael trip, but did make him let out a loud giggle as he turned to wave back at the family. He then broke into a small jog as he disappeared into the horizon.
Annie took several steps forward, then stopped. She then waved at the disappearing figure.
“Goodbye Michael! If you ever need someone to talk to, you can always visit!” Annie called out, hoping he could hear her.
“Annie, do you really think he would waste his time with people like us?” Jack asked his younger daughter, a bit coldly.
“Oh, Jack, go easy on the poor girl. The reason why she even ran away was because you were too hard on her today. She’s still just a child.” Alison told her husband.
“No, mommy, it’s ok.” Annie stated, turning back to face her parents, sister and brother. She walked back to her family. “By the way, can I help Maggie with her letters and words?” Annie asked innocently. Alison looked at her daughter in surprise.
“Y-you want to help your sister with her kindergarten homework?” Alison asked, amazed by her daughter’s question.
“It’s the least I can do. That was you can look after Tommy… if you want me to help, anyways.” Annie replied, shifting her feet in nervousness. Alison and Jack exchanged looks of surprise.
“Alright, who are you and what did you do to the real Annie? Earlier today, you were complaining about all the attention Maggie and Tommy were getting and now you want to help take care of them?” Diana exclaimed in disbelief. Annie giggled at Diana’s comment and took Tommy from Alison’s hands.
“Michael said some really good things to me about being a big kid, and about loving my little sister and brother. They need a lot of attention since they’re little.” Annie explained, bouncing her little brother in her arms. Tommy laughed and put his arms around his sister’s neck, hugging her and then kissed her cheek. “Thanks, Tommy.” Annie smiled at her little brother. Diana still looked at her disbelievingly.
“She’s actually right. Remember how you was when Annie was a baby, Diana?” Alison agreed, approaching Diana. Diana thought about it and nodded, remembering that she was as annoyed of the attention the same way Annie was.
“We better get inside before Maggie decides to put chalk all over her face like last time we left her alone.” Jack told his family, breaking the mood.
“Yeah.” Diana nodded with a snicker, taking Tommy out of Annie’s arms.
“Right. Come on, honey.” Alison nodded, then extended a free hand for Annie to take. Annie accepted the offer, grabbing her mother’s hand. When they touched, Annie noticed something.
When she held her mother’s hand, she realized that she didn’t feel the same security as she did when she was little. In fact, she felt like she was clinging for something she lost.
But when she held Michael’s hand when he walked her home, she felt… safe; a warm feeling she never felt whenever she held her parents or her brother or sisters hands.
As the family walked back to their house, Annie shot one last glance back down the street, only to see nothing there. Michael was gone, vanished into the night, probably never to return.
“Thank you.” Annie whispered into the night, hoping her words would reach Michael.
I will post the next part when I've written a little more, but that's the first part of this epic.
Next part will have the introduction the rest of the Williams family, Michael reunites with Annie, signs of trouble begin to brew in the form of Aimee Williams, and Orange Juice.