Mouse and Applehead - Part 4b
Was going to post this last night, but thanks to a power outtage, it was shifted to tonight. So here is the second half of Part 4 - in which Aimee and Diana get an offer they can't refuse, Michael nearly gives Annie a heart attack, and the Thriller video.
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 past parts (at my journal)
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3a
Part 3b
Part 3c
Part 4a
Two days later
Hayvenhurst
Michael was enjoying the spring breeze outside his home, sitting on the edge of the fountain out front. He had on his sunglasses and black fedora, but he had his head raised up, eyes closed as he let his face get kissed by the warm sunlight. He was taking a moment away from the book in his lap, a book of short sci-fi stories he had gotten a few weeks before he had put off from reading and was finally getting a chance to read a few of the stories in it.
“Mikey!”
Michael looked over to the entrance. Walking towards him were Alison, Aimee, Diana, Annie, Tommy, Maggie, and Paul.
“Hi guys. Where’re Kevin and Jack?” Michael asked the approaching group, standing up and starting to walk over to them.
“Dad was called in on a shoot and Kevin’s visiting his girlfr-.” Annie began to answer when her words became muted by Aimee, who shot pass her and everyone else, and then hugged Michael, nearly knocking him over backwards by the force of her body making contact with his. Annie huffed in annoyance.
“Oh Michael, sweetie, you were incredible the other night! Every one of my girlfriends has been going nuts about it!” Aimee squealed, hugging Michael tightly.
“T-thanks, Aimee.” Michael blushed. Despite knowing how clingy she can be, he still got very embarrassed over Aimee’s overly-affectionate behavior.
“Aimee, stop molesting Michael.” Diana groaned, walking up to Michael and her older sister.
“I’m not molesting him, Di-ana!” Aimee glared, still hugging Michael and not letting go. Alison, Annie, and Tommy shook their heads in disapproval while Paul, who was in Alison’s arms, just stared in confusion.
“Well can you at least let him go and allow him the chance to breath?” Maggie asked, annoyed. Aimee slowly released Michael from her grasp, still glaring at her sisters. “Thank you.” Maggie then smiled politely.
“Like Aimee was trying to say, you were great the other night. You blew everyone away.” Annie told Michael, walking over to him. Michael was rubbing his sides, which ached from Aimee’s vice grip she had on him.
“Yeah! That backwards walk-slide-glide-thing you did was awesome.” Tommy agreed happily, bouncing with each step he took as he made his way over.
“I’m glad you enjoyed it. I wasn’t sure I was any good. I messed up a few times.” Michael smiled, then frowned.
“What’re you talking about?” Maggie asked innocently.
“Mikey, you stole the show!” Diana exclaimed.
“What did you mess up on, Michael? I didn’t see any mistakes in your performance.” Alison queried, placing Paul on the ground.
“That move Tommy mentioned, I botched the spin and the toe stand after it. The spin was supposed to be shorter and the toe stand was supposed to last a bit longer.” Michael explained, sitting down on the fountain’s edge.
“So what! You’re only human. And besides, I don’t think anyone noticed.” Maggie retorted, patting Michael’s arm comfortingly.
“I think everyone was more focused on that backwards glide move you did. It blew everyone away. What the heck do you call it anyway?” Annie agreed, then asked as she sat down next to Michael.
“The Moonwalk.” Michael answered matter-of-factually.
“The “Moonwalk”? Why you call it that?” Paul blinked, asking Michael as he walked up to him.
“That’s what it’s called. I saw some kids doing it the day before the show and that’s what they called it.” Michael explained.
“Well, whatever it’s called, everyone loved it, Michael.” Alison spoke up, ruffling Paul’s hair playfully.
“So what’re you gonna do now?” Annie asked, swinging her legs back and forth.
“I’ve got a few ideas for the next video I want to do. Probably one for Thriller, I got a really cool idea for that song. I’ve also got that collaboration with Paul - McCartney, I mean, not Paulie here - we’re working on, Say Say Say. We might do a video for that song.” Michael thought out loud.
“Is there anything we can do to help?” Aimee asked, sitting at Michael’s other side.
“What can we do, Aimee? We can’t dance-,” Tommy asked, climbing onto Michael’s lap.
“I can, and so can Aims.” Diana pointed out proudly.
“- And the only ones who can really do anything with videos or editing are Kevin and daddy. That leaves the rest of us out.” Tommy went on, resting comfortably on Michael’s lap.
“M-maybe we can be extras?” Maggie asked nervously. Everyone turned to look at Maggie. Maggie felt smaller than ever with everyone staring at her. “I know, I know, it’s a stupid idea.” Maggie groaned, holding up a hand, believing that’s what everyone would respond with.
“Don’t you ever say something like that, Maggie Mae.” Michael shook his head.
“But Tommy’s right. There’s nothing me, him, Paulie, or Annie can do. Diana and Aimee can dance, but we’re too young to do anything.” Maggie continued.
“How about being there for support? Besides, you might learn something when watching them work.” Alison suggested.
“That could work.” Maggie nodded
“Well, we’ll see what the future holds. And Diana, Aimee, I think, if my plan is realized, there might be a possibility for the two of you to be dances in the Thriller video.” Michael agreed, then told the two older girls. Diana and Aimee immediately perked up, eyes glowing with joy.
“W-what. Really?” Aimee gasped.
“You’re not toying with us?” Diana asked cautiously.
“I’ve seen the two of you dance, you’re pretty good and I think you might pull it off. But I need to know something.” Michael answered, then asked curiously.
“What?” Aimee asked, softly and sweetly.
“You’re not allergic to latex or certain kinds of makeup, are you?” Michael asked.
Diana and Aimee stared at Michael in bewilderment.
“…What?” Diana asked finally.
>>>>><<<<<
Mid-November
“I feel stupid.” Diana moaned with a frown as the makeup artiest applied the finishing touches to her zombie makeup.
“Nah, you’re just getting into the role.” Tommy smiled, sitting on a chair nearby, swinging his legs playfully.
“It’s a good look for you, though.” Maggie smirked. Diana shot her little sister a glare. Diana and Aimee managed to pass the auditions for back-up dancers for the Thriller video and were given the rolls as zombie dancers. Annie, Tommy, and Maggie were there to watch the filming of some of the dancing. The three of them, plus Paul, who was a little too young to be up late for the filming, were also in the “Say, Say, Say” video, which was being finalized at that time as some of the orphans during the second verse of the video.
“Aimee’s done in makeup and boy, does she look creepy.” Annie announced, walking up to her siblings. Like she said, she had been with their oldest sister, observing her transformation from teenager to zombie via makeup and prosthetics.
“Really creepy?” Tommy asked worriedly.
“Like ‘before her morning cup of coffee’ creepy.” Annie replied with a grimace. Maggie and Tommy winced; they knew how she looked at that time of day. A look that screamed both “Night of the Living Dead” and “Talk to me right now and you’ll eat hot flaming death”.
“And what about me?” Diana asked once the makeup woman was done with her face. Maggie took a few seconds to observe Diana’s appearance before making a response.
“Like when you had the flu really bad two years ago, but much, much worse.” Maggie observed casually. Diana slumped visibly.
“Oh thank you, that makes me feel a whole lot better.” Diana groaned sarcastically.
“Glad to be of service.” Maggie grinned cheerfully. Tommy looked around in hopes to change the subject.
“Where is Applehead?” Tommy asked curiously.
“Last I heard, he was getting his jacket on along with the last bit of zombie makeup.” Annie answered, leaning against the doorframe that led outside.
“I’m telling you guys; that red leather outfit of his - oh my God, it is soooo hot! Those pants really set off his-.” Diana began to gush in love and lust, briefly falling into her fangirl mode.
“Ewww! Diana, gross!” Tommy made a face.
“Di, there are little kids here.” Annie groaned.
“What’re you kids talking about?” Aimee asked, walking up in fully zombie makeup. She was wearing a wig that made her look like her hair hadn’t been washed or brushed in years, makeup that made her deathly pale and thin, and an old dress that not even the most desperate of shoppers would want at a thrift store. Maggie and Tommy turned to see Aimee and both kids let out loud screams when they saw her. “Oh shut up.” Aimee glared in annoyance.
“Annie wasn’t kidding. You really do look like how you are before your coffee.” Diana snickered.
“And you’re gorgeous.” Aimee shot back, narrowing her eyes. Diana shot her sister a glare.
“Guys, knock it off. We gotta be on our best behavior here. We’re not at Michaels’ house or out home.” Maggie reprimanded sternly, recovering from her shock.
“Yeah, we gotta behave for Applehead.” Tommy nodded promptly, still shaken by Aimee’s apperance.
“So quit bickering when you’re out there dancing. And the three of us have to be quiet and not-.” Annie began to state when she felt someone tap on her shoulder. She turned around with a moan. “Yes, wha-?” Annie started to ask. She then froze when she saw who was behind her.
Michael, in his fully zombie makeup and attire, was staring at her.
“Boo!” Michael said plainly.
Annie let out an ‘Eep’ and jumped back in fright, her arms flailing as she backpedaled into Diana, who caught her in her arms before she could fall or hurt herself.
“Gotchya.” Michael grinned cheekily. Annie sighed, in both relief and in annoyance, and then straightened up, trying to recover from her embarrassing reaction.
“Wow, Applehead, you look scary!” Tommy exclaimed in admiration.
“You make a wicked zombie, Mikey.” Diana nodded in approval. Michael grinned, then made a menacing face, making Tommy and Maggie shiver in fright.
“Did I scare you, Annie?” Michael asked in a sinister voice before he started to smile. Annie huffed after she was able to catch her breath.
“Well, no… alright, maybe a bit, how about that?” Annie replied after relenting when Michael, Diana, and Aimee shot her disbelieving looks when she said “no”. Michael laughed softly before turning to face Aimee and Diana.
“You two ready yet? We got less than a half hour before we’re need on the set.” Michael asked the two older girls.
“Just need to get my wig on.” Diana replied, going over to the makeup table where one of the makeup girls was, to retrieve the item in question. While Diana did that, Aimee made her way over to Michael, eyeing him like a lion would eye a piece of meat.
“Those pants really, really look nice on you, Michael.” Aimee observed, eyeing Michael while launching into “flirt mode” as her siblings called it.
“Th-they do?” Michael asked, startled and nervous.
“Yes, they do. The whole outfit makes you a really… really… really gorgeous and sexy zombie.” Aimee nodded, flirting hotly with Michael, which looked really disturbing since they were both dressed as zombies. If it was possible to see through under all the makeup on his face, anyone in that room could see Michael pale as he backed away from the young woman.
“Aimee, stop that! Maggie and Tommy are here, remember?” Annie snapped, pointing to her younger siblings.
“I can show affection towards the man I love, Annette!” Aimee glared at her sister.
“Eww gross.” Tommy made a face, shaking his head in disgust.
“Just wait until you grow up and fall in love for the first time, Thomas.” Aimee told her little brother, rolling her eyes.
“Hope it’s not as creepy as your feelings for Applehead.” Maggie muttered under her breath. Aimee turned to face the little girl, still glaring, but it was now colder and meaner.
“What did you say?!” Aimee growled angrily. Maggie backed up, scared of how Aimee sounded. She sounded almost… crazed.
“Alright, I got my wig, let’s head to the soundstage.” Diana announced as she walked back over to the group, adjusting the messy old lady wig on her head.
“Great, let’s go.” Michael exclaimed quickly, already on his way out. Annie, Maggie, and Tommy couldn’t help but snicker. Michael was getting more and more nervous around Aimee and was already backing away from her. When Diana said she was ready, he was more than willing to get away from her. Aimee, oblivious to the fact, sighed in romantic bliss.
“Oh Michael, you are so sweet and shy. Look at him, playing hard to get. But one day, he’ll realize that it’s futile to resist and he’ll tell me that he loves me.” Aimee gushed. She then skipped off after him, which looked completely ridiculous considering the fact she was dressed up as a zombie.
Diana let out a low groan as she massaged her forehead. “If that’s what she thinks ‘hard to get’ is, then I hate to see what she thinks ‘total rejection’ is.” Diana told her three siblings. She then made her way out of the makeup room and was on her way to the shooting area. Maggie, Annie, and Tommy looked at each other in worry, partially over how the shooting was going to go, but the worry was over Aimee. Her actions towards Michael was growing pass the school girl crush stage and was dangerously getting towards something wore.
She was really starting to get obsessed, crazy obsessed, over Michael. And they had no idea where this was going to lead.
They would not know the full extent of her crazed love for Michael until a few months later when her love would lead to.
So ends Part 4. Part 5 will once again skip a bit forward and will cover one of the most scariest moments that ever happened to Michael - the Pepsi commercial accident.