Mouse and Applehead - Part 8b
Sorry for the long delay, been trying to work more on both stories, especially Conspiracy Next Door. I managed to complete another chapter of this one and tinkering away of Conspiracy.
Anyways, here's the second half of Part 8 - in which Annie performs at school, Oliver shows his true self, and Michael gets angry.
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
Part 4b
Part 5a
Part 5b
Part 6a
Part 7a
Part 7b
Part 8a
June 8th
Annie and Diana’s High School
In the back of the Theatre area, behind the curtains, people were running around franticly, trying to get everything ready for when the curtain rises in about ten minutes. Stagehands, including the lighting crew, the set designers, the sound technicians, and the orchestra were going around making sure their final night of performing would go off without a hitch. People were already filing into the Theatre, finding their seats and chatting pleasantly with each other as they awaited the show to start.
In the area for the actors and actresses, the performers were getting their costumes on and their makeup done up for the first scene. In there, Diana was applying the final touches to Annie’s makeup as Peppermint Patty.
Annie wore a green t-shirt with black vertical stripes, black shorts, and green sandals, making her look like a real life Peppermint Patty… minus the fact that she wore glasses. Diana, meanwhile, wore a white button up blouse under a black vest and dark brown slacks, making her look like a stunt double for Diane Keaton in Annie Hall, minus the tie and black hat. She had said she knew the movie was over five years old, but since this was her last high school play she’d be involved in before she graduated, she wanted to have a little fashion fun.
“This is it, Di. I’m finally going to tell him.” Annie stated suddenly as Diana applied some blush to her cheeks.
“Tell who?” Diana asked halfheartedly, focused on her work.
“Oliver. I’m going to ask him out.” Annie answered, sounding both proud and nervous. Diana fumbled with her makeup brush, nearly dropping it and the compact on the floor.
“W-wow! Really? T-that’s quite… forward of you, Ann.” Diana remarked, very surprised by Anne’s remark.
“My mind’s made up. I’ll ask him during the intermission tonight.” Annie nodded. Diana let out a sigh and placed the compact and brush to the side, grabbing a make-up pencil to add ‘freckles’ to Annie’s cheeks.
“Annie, you know I love you sweetie, but…,” Diana began, placing little dots on Annie’s cheeks, “I’ve done some asking around the school and Oliver’s got a real big following of girls from your grade. Hell, even some girls my age and grade are following him around like lovesick puppies.” Diana explained what she had discovered. It was true what she said. About a fourth of the freshmen, several sophomores, dozens of the juniors, and about a sixth of the senior girls were all gaga over Oliver Hart.
“W-what are you getting at, Diana?” Annie asked hesitantly, not liking what she was hearing. Diana capped the makeup pencil and placed a hand over Annie’s hand.
“I just don’t want you to get hurt by him. Believe me; I know what it’s like. Remember when I told you about how I fell hard for that one guy in 8th grade and he completely trashed me in front of those kids in home room? I didn’t want to show my face at middle school for at least a month.” Diana told Annie seriously.
“I just got a good feeling its going to work, Di.” Annie stated, pulling her hand away from her sister.
“Five minutes to curtain!” One of the stagehands announced, walking into the dressing room. Annie gave a nod before standing up.
“We can talk about this later, Di.” Annie told her sister, turning and exiting the room, followed by several other cast members. Diana sighed, slumping in her chair, one of the only ones left in the room.
“Guess I’m not the only one worried about her, too, am I?”
Diana nodded, knowing who was talking. She then turned to who had spoken, Michael, who was sitting by the doorway. He was in disguise, wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt over a white shirt, blue jeans, black cowboy boots, a dark blue baseball cap, fake glasses, and a fake goatee. No one had noticed he was there; he had kept silent as he entered the room to talk to Annie before she went out to perform. Unfortunately, he couldn’t say a word during the few minutes he was there. Not only was Annie working on her lines, but she was also focused on other things.
“I tried to warn her about that guy and what I’ve heard lately about him, but she’s totally in love with him. I couldn’t even get a change to tell her about-,” Diana began to tell Michael when her words were cut off as the orchestra began to warm up and began to play the beginning instrumental of the musical. She shook her head, dismissing the thoughts. “Never mind, you better get to your seat.” Diana told Michael.
“Yeah.” Michael nodded, standing up. He started to walk to the door, but stopped, turning to face the young woman. “Catch you at intermission?” Michael asked.
“Right.” Diana smiled. Michael started to leave out the door. “Oh and ‘Darryl’?” Diana called out, calling Michael by the disguised name they were using for him. She knew there were others in the room, so before the show, Annie and Diana decided to give Michael an alias to hide who he really was. Michael turned to face her, a look of concern on his face. “Glad you could at least make it to see one of the shows.” Diana told him, smiling sweetly. Michael grinned with a nod, then finally ran out of the room to get to his seat. Diana, still smiling, exited the room as well to watch the show.
The first act went off without a hitch, with everyone performing doing their absolute best since it was the last night of the show. Annie, especially, poured her heart out into the roll and sang her absolute best, knowing it was her final night and she wanted to go out with a bang. Plus, she wanted to do her best in front of Michael.
Michael sat secluded near the back, still in disguise, and enjoyed the show immensely. He was very surprised to hear how good Annie had become in both singing and acting after all the help and advice he gave her. He noted silently that her one solo song - “Hurry Up, Face” - seemed to mirror her own insecurities of her appearance, just like how her character, Peppermint Patty, was insecure about her own looks.
After the full cast song called “When Do the Good Things Start?”, the show went into a several minute intermission and Annie found herself walking with the rest of the cast backstage to get a twenty minute break before the second act begun.
“Alright, guys, twenty minutes before the second act. No more, no less, got it?” The stage manager told the cast as they entered the backstage area.
“Got it, Mac.” The girl playing Sally winked, rushing off to use the bathroom. Oliver, loosening his black dog collar, turned to face Annie, who was cleaning her glasses with a tissue from her pocket.
“You were great out there, Annette. I think that was your best “Hurry Up, Face” ever.” Oliver observed, smiling politely.
“T-thanks, Oliver. Y-you were great out there, too.” Annie thanks shyly, blushing nervously as she stuffed the tissue in her pocket. Oliver continued to smile before turning away, placing the black dog collar on a nearby table. ‘Ok, now or never, ask him.’ Annie mentally thought to herself, biting her lip. She cleared her throat and began to speak, slipping her glasses back on. “Hey, um, Oliver? I was just wondering if, uh, if you were-?” Annie started to ask, gathering the courage to even say the question.
“Hey, Ollie, baby.”
A feminine voice not belonging to anyone Annie knew cut her off. The brunette turned and saw a very thin young woman with long blonde hair, blue eyes, and wearing very fashionable and sexy clothes, plus a lot of makeup saunter over to her and Oliver. Oliver saw the approaching woman and grinned broadly; embracing the blonde once she was close to them.
“Hey, Kat, how’s my little pussy doing?” Oliver greeted, flirting openly in front of a stunned Annie.
“Oh, you dirty boy!” the woman called Kat giggled, slapping Oliver’s chest playfully. She then looked over at Annie, noticing her for the first time. “Hey, who’s the nerd?” Kat asked. Annie flinched.
“Oh, that’s just my costar, Annette. Annette, this is Kat Blanchard, my girlfriend.” Oliver replied, introducing the two women to each other.
Annie felt her heart shatter into thousands of pieces. Oliver already had a girlfriend, and it happened to be one of the more popular and prettiest girls in her grade. Kat was the envy of all girls due to her looks, but also one of the most hated due to her stuck-up attitude and the fact she frequently drank beer and smoked. She also had a tendency to flirt with all the boys and put down any girl that she deemed to be ‘ugly’. That, unfortunately, included Annie.
“H-hi.” Annie shakily got out, trying to force a polite smile even though her heart was still breaking apart.
“God, isn’t this that little dweeb that hangs out with that Wacko Jacko wannabe?” Kat made a face of disgust.
“Yeah, and I actually saw the guy once when I went to see her slutty older sister to check on my costume. Was probably was some stupid, crazy friend of the family pretending to be Jacko or something.” Oliver remarked coldly, his true personality and self beginning to reveal itself. Kat barked out a harsh laugh.
“Ha, yeah, who’d wanna be friends with an ugly little dork like that? You up for a smoke, baby doll?” Kat remarked, then asked Oliver, looking away from the severely heartbroken Annie. Oliver chuckled, putting an arm around her waist.
“Always with you, babe.” Oliver replied, smirking as he led the blonde out of the room. They then leaned in for a very sloppy and hot kiss as they exited through the door, leaving Annie alone with tears in her eyes. Diana, walking into the backstage area, let out a sigh as she began to talk to her sister. The older girl had seen and heard what just happened from the doorway and hated how uncaring Oliver and Kat were to Annie and her feelings.
“I tried to warn you about this, Annie. I’m… I’m so s-.” Diana started to say, but she didn’t finish when Annie rushed past her, tears in her eyes, and exited the room. Diana sighed once again, shaking her head. She did try to warn her about Oliver’s frivolous flirtations with the ladies at school, but Annie, like her years ago with a boy in 8th grade, was blinded by her first crush.
“Another heart broken by Oliver Twit.” Remarked a young man, who was now leaning against the doorframe. He has light brown hair and chestnut brown eyes and was wearing a yellow t-shirt with a black zigzag pattern around the waist and black jeans with matching black shoes and yellow socks.
“What do you want, Peter?” Diana asked, narrowing her eyes at the newcomer. Peter pushed away from the door and made his way into the room.
“Just disappointed that your sister would even think that asshole would even think twice about her. Another helpless and mindless bimbo that fell for his so-called ‘charm’.” Peter went on, walking over to Diana.
“That ‘bimbo’ is my little sister, jerkwad.” Diana snarled angrily at the young man.
“And my friend.” A new voice added to the conversation. Diana and Peter turned to see Michael, entering the room, having heard the ending of Annie’s conversation with Oliver and Kat and entered the room right behind Peter did. He still was wearing his disguise and thankfully, Peter didn’t recognize him.
“And what’s it to you, spook?” Peter asked frostily. Michael and Diana both flinched at the same time, but Michael had started to glare at Peter.
‘So this is the Peter Riley that Annie’s always talked about.’ Michael thought to himself. He then spoke up. “There’s no need to be rude.” Michael stated, polite but growing mad.
“Hey, that pudgy little four-eyed geek needed a serous reality check, and she got it. No one would ever go out with her. Why? She’s ugly, she’s insecure, she thinks she’s best friends with Michael Jackson of all people, AND she has a psychotic sister in the nut house-!” Peter ranted off, listing off various ‘faults’ and ‘reasons’, which further infuriated both Diana and Michael.
Michael, however, cut Peter off before he could go any further by grabbing Peter’s shoulder and pushing him into the wall.
“Shut. Up.” Michael hissed through gritted teeth. Diana’s eyes widen in surprise and fear. Michael wasn’t just getting mad, he was getting pissed off. And having seen Michael when he was very pissed off a year before, she did what she believed was the best and smartest idea, and backed away a few steps.
Peter, on the other hand, looked worried for a few seconds, but then smirked cockily. “You don’t have the guts to hurt me. You’re just a wussy black guy…” Peter coolly remarked, trying to sound brave. His words trailed off when Michael removed his fake glasses and goatee, and then pushed off his baseball cap, revealing his real appearance. Peter began to pale in realization. “Holy shit.” He whispered. The rumors were, indeed true, much to his horror. Annie and Diana really did know Michael Jackson and he had been badmouthing Annie in front of the REAL Michael Jackson all this time.
“I’ve put up with your bad attitude and your heartless words about Annie ever since I learned she got the part in this musical. You’ve insulted her about anything and everything, from her appearance to her ‘fake friendship’ with me, but now you’ve gone too far with what you said about Aimee. She was sick and nearly killed not just Annie, but also Kevin, Annie’s older brother and Aimee’s twin,” Michael hesitated for a few seconds, “…and also attacked me.” He added in a whisper. He then took a quick breath before speaking again. “So shut your trap and stay away from my friend until you decide to be nice to her.” Michael went out, almost growling out the words.
“W-what will you do if I don’t?” Peter asked, trying his best to remain brave and calm. Michael pulled Peter close until their faces were only a few inches from one another.
“This is how I am when I’m just a little bit angry. You don’t want to see me when I’m really, really angry. Got it?” Michael threatened the young teen. Peter now knew that Michael wasn’t kidding. First, Michael had a look that would’ve killed him several times over. Second, Michael was speaking not in his soft, calm, and high voice, he was speaking in a low, cold, and very serious voice, the same voice Diana heard the year before when Michael snapped at her father. Third, Michael’s grip on Peter’s shoulder was tightening, showing how strong the willowy young man really was.
“Y-yes, sir.” Peter weakly squeaked out. Michael nodded, then released Peter, letting the teenager drop to the ground on his butt with a thud.
“And that goes double with Annie’s sisters and brothers.” Michael added, still speaking deeply as he bent down to pick up the pieces of his disguise that he had removed.
“R-roger.” Peter nodded quickly, staying on the ground, deathly afraid. Michael nodded again, standing back up. He then turned to face the amazed and shocked Diana, his features changed from scowling to gently smiling.
“Sorry you had to see me like that, Di-Di. You know how much I hate hurting or threatening people, but…, sometimes it has to be done.” Michael apologized to the young woman, returning to his soft and caring speaking voice as he put back on his baseball cap.
“Eh, he deserved it.” Diana shrugged, starting to smile. She then chuckled. “Besides, I’ve seen you like that before, and that still scared me…. Even though that was still pretty damn awesome what you did there.” Diana continued. Michael said nothing, but followed Diana as they exited the room, leaving the shocked Peter alone in the room. At least a minute later, a young teen with curly black hair and blue eyes, who was playing “Linus” in the musical, stuck his head into the room and saw Peter still sitting on the floor in shock.
“Hey, Pete, what’re you still doing in here?” the young man asked his costar.
“Ray, get my extra pair of pants. I think I just pissed myself.” Peter remarked, white as a ghost and still scared straight.
“Why?” Ray asked, wary and a bit disgusted by Peter’s bluntness.
“Because I think I just got threatened by who I think was the real Michael Jackson.” Peter replied, completely spooked.
Ray just stared at Peter for a few seconds, still in disgust and now in confusion and disbelief.
>>>>><<<<<
Michael and Diana soon found Annie, sitting alone in the girls’ bathroom nearest to the theatre room back area. This was the only bathroom the performers and stagehands were using and was blocked off from the audience. Annie was sitting outside of it, knees pulled up to her chest and sobbing into her arms, one of her hands holding her glasses. Diana sat down next to her and began to comfort her while Michael stood on the other side of her, keeping a protective vigil over the two sisters.
“Annie, I did warn you about this, but I wish this didn’t have to happen this way. He does this to every girl who think they have a shot with him. As for Kat, she’s the only girl he really gives a crap about seriously, unfortunately.” Diana explained to her sister, putting an arm around her shoulders to comfort her. Annie looked up briefly, revealing tear trailing down her face, smearing her makeup.
“I can’t believe I fell for it. The flirts, the comments, everything, and he played me like a fool. God, I’m such an idiot.” Annie cried, trying to calm down.
“No you’re not. You were just blinded by love and your first crush. It happens to everyone.” Michael told Annie, looking down at her. Annie looked up at him, tears still streaming down her face.
“Even you?” Annie asked weakly. Michael let out a sigh and closed his eyes.
“Even me.” Michael stated truthfully, but not wanting to talk about it further.
“And me too, remember? But that’s for another time, c’mon, lemme get you cleaned up. You got several more scenes to do and you don’t want to go out there looking like a cheep hooker with your makeup running like this, do you?” Diana added, then stated, helping Annie to her feet. Both Michael and Annie stared at Diana incredulously, once again due to her colorful word choices and descriptions. Diana blinked a few times. “…What?” she asked.
“Diana, you really need to watch what you’re saying in the future.” Michael told her, sounding disturbed over Diana’s vocabulary.
“I can’t go back out there…” Annie whispered, shaking her head.
“You gotta, Ann. We’re all counting on you. You have your second solo left and two other songs to sing in.” Diana told her sister, putting her hands on her shoulders in reassurance.
“How can I do “Poor Sweet Baby” and “Just One Person” after what that… that… that jackoff said?” Annie asked, trying not to crying anymore.
“Try to imagine someone else than that prick. That’ll work.” Diana suggested matter-of-factually. Annie frowned at that thought. Michael took Annie’s hands into his own and walked in front of her, smiling proudly at her.
“I know you can do it, Mouse. You’ve been doing so great so far, you can’t give up now.” Michael encouraged strongly. Annie blushed softly at Michael gesture, then nodded timidly.
“Alright, I’ll try.” Annie relented, gathering the courage inside her.
>>>>><<<<<
After getting her makeup redone and having a chance to calm down, Annie returned backstage with Diana and the still disguised Michael to continue the musical. Once back, she avoided eye contact with Oliver, who was acting like his revelation never happened. Diana glared at him coldly several times when he did look over at the trio, but just blew her off like it was nothing.
Once everyone came back into the Theatre, the second act begun and pretty soon, it came to Annie’s second solo song - “Poor Sweet Baby”. She and Peter were now doing the lead up scene while Diana and Michael watched backstage, waiting for the song to start in anticipation and worry.
“I didn’t say ‘a great big nose’, Chuck!” Annie growled out at Peter in annoyance and in character. Both she and the young man were sitting against a fake tree on stage, Annie glaring at the young man.
“You not only can’t explain love, actually, you can’t even talk about.” Peter told the audience, causing chuckles through most of the audience. Annie then started to smile, looking away sheepishly from Peter.
“Well, there’s something else I was sorta curious about.” Annie began, starting to mentally prep herself for the big moment. She then glanced up at Peter, doing her hardest to pretend to be flirting with him. “Do you think you'll ever get married, Chuck?” Annie asked Peter.
“Oh, I suppose so. Just about everyone does.” Peter shrugged in response.
“Well, what kind of girl do you think you'll marry?” Annie asked, putting her hands behind her head as she leaned against the tree.
“Well, I always kind of hate to talk about it, because I'm afraid, it-it might sound silly. But I like the kind of girl who would call me 'poor, sweet baby'.” Peter replied, acting nervous and looking away from Annie.
“'Poor, sweet baby'?” Annie asked incredulously, lowering her arms to her sides and staring at Peter in disbelief.
“Uh-huh. If I was feeling tired, or depressed, or something, she'd cuddle up close to me, kiss me on the ear, and whisper: ‘Poor, sweet baby’.” Peter dreamily replied, closing his eyes as she ‘fell asleep’ against the tree. Soft music from the orchestra started to fill the theatre as Annie frowns, looking away as she tried to use the ‘picture him as someone else’ trick Michael told her. As she turned to look at Peter, her expression changed as her imagination began to work into overdrive, changing him not into Oliver, but into some else.
‘Michael?’ Annie thought to herself in surprise. She then shrugged mentally. ‘Well, why not?’ she thought and began to sing.
“Poor sweet baby
Poor, poor, sweet, sweet baby…” Annie started to sing with the same passion she had when she first nailed the song when rehearsing with Michael months before. She finishes the scene with loud applause and cheers as the lights dim after Annie stated “Forget it, it’ll never happen, Chuck.”
Annie rushed backstage off the stage and received a bone crushing hug from an overjoyed Diana while Michael just clapped for her, smiling proudly at the young woman.
“Mousie, that was incredible! That had to have been your best out of all performances!” Diana gushed, then broke the hug while smiling proudly at Annie. Annie just nodded, feeling overwhelmed by Diana’s joy. Michael then gave Annie a hug as well, but a much gentler one compared to Diana’s super hug.
“I’m so proud of you, Mouse. I know you could do it if you truly believed.” Michael told Annie, very proud of the younger teen. Annie smiled and leaned against him, returning the hug.
“I took your advice and imagined someone other than that man. It was the only one who has never abandoned me and is my truest and dearest friend.” Annie confessed to Michael, enjoying his hug. Michael pulled back to look at Annie.
“Who? Who was it?” Michael asked curiously. Annie giggled, then got on her toes to kiss Michael squarely on the tip of his nose.
“You, silly.” She smiled, making Michael blush. To hide his embarrassment, he pulled the cap on his head down to try to cover up the redness in his cheeks. Diana smirked mischievously, already thinking of ways to tease the two. “Don’t even think about it, Di…” Annie started to warn her sister. Before Annie could continue her warning, Oliver made his presence known by walking over to the trio.
“Not bad, Annette. Congratulations on getting praised for a slightly better job than last night’s performance. If you keep it up, you might actually go somewhere.” Oliver remarked coolly with false sincerity. He then made his way to the stage to begin the next scene. Annie’s smile faded while Diana and Michael both glared at the young man.
“That son of a cobra, how can he be so sincere when he’s spewing out insults like that?” Diana growled out, glaring daggers into the back of the young man.
“I agree.” Michael said harshly, also glaring coldly. He then paused and stared at Diana, finally processing the insult Diana had cleverly created. “Son of a Cobra?” Michael repeated in surprise. Diana started to blush.
“Well, I know you don’t like to swear, so I, uh, I made up my own censored ones.” Diana replied sheepishly.
“It’s alright, you two. I don’t hear what he says anymore, I’m just blocking it out. Anyway, I gotta get ready for the next song.” Annie told the two before rushing off to get ready, the two watching her run off.
“That a girl. I’m glad she’s doing ok right now.” Diana smiled in approval, watching her sister go off.
“I hope she really is. She was pretty hurt after what that sick bastard said about her.” Michael nodded in agreement, frowning faintly.
“She can be tougher than she looks. Remember w-,” Diana started to say, but stopped and did a double take at Michael, realizing exactly what he just said. She then stared at him in shock. “Did… did you just call someone a bastard?” she asked the young man, eyes wide in surprise.
“M-maybe.” Michael whispered shyly.
Will be posting a mini part to finish off Part in a second, so keep your eyes peeled.