𝙸'𝚕𝚕 𝙶𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝙼𝚢 𝙷𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚝 - 𝙿𝚊𝚛𝚝 𝙵𝚘𝚞𝚛
summary - you go out on a date with someone from your job, it was something you had been waiting for. you had a crush on him for a long time but everything went down hill when Michael found out
content - lots of angst, slow burn, longing, jealous michael, use of y/n
(photo of model is not a description of reader's look, simply used for the outfit)
tag list - @urprettyangel888 @appleheadsbiggestfan @djotally @maybug028 @victoriaholland
It has been a month since you got back home from your trip to London. A month of talking to Michael over the phone. You continued to get to know each other, told each other little secrets and constantly laughed.
After a long day at work, you finally made it home. The heatwave was unbearable, you despised the heat. There was nothing you could do about it, you desperately wished you could escape to the beach but work was taking up all your time.
You wanted nothing more than to be back home in New England, enjoying the sea and sailing on your dad’s boat. New York was fun, but you missed the quiet of a small town. But if you wanted to work in journalism, you had to stay in New York.
After you opened your bedroom window, you plopped on your bed and let out a deep sigh. The soft breeze blew through your curtains and the sounds of the city came through the window.
You looked over at the clock on your bedside dresser wondering if Michael would call, it was nearly 1 am in Belgium.
While you laid in bed, reading a book, the phone rang just an hour later.
“[Your name.]” His voice was soft, he sounded sleepy.
“Michael, it’s nearly 2 am.” You responded, “I didn’t think you’d call.”
He sighed softly, “I can’t sleep, and I wanted to hear your voice.”
Your heart fluttered, “is everything okay?”
He stayed silent for a moment, almost as if he was thinking about whether he should tell you or not, “I’m just exhausted… This tour has been fulfilling but also very exhausting. Don’t get me wrong, I love to perform and I love my fans… I just wish I could not be… me, just for a few days.” There was hesitation in his voice, and even a bit of regret. He felt bad for saying it, or even thinking it.
He really did love his fans, and you knew that. But you understood how tiring it could be. Michael was the biggest star in the world, people fainted over him. Though you understood he was tired, you couldn’t begin to imagine how it felt to never be able to go outside without being surrounded.
“You don’t have to feel bad for saying that, Michael. It’s understandable, and I would never judge you for feeling the way you do.” You assured him.
“You’re the best, you know that?” He responded.
A smile tugged at your lips, “I’ve been told a few times.” You giggled.
He chuckled, “applehead…”
“Hmm?” You hummed softly.
“You’re my best friend.” He spoke.
Michael was your best friend too, in just one month you felt like you could tell him anything.
Another month had gone by, Michael was finally back in the U.S. for the next 2 months, tonight it was Pittsburgh. For once you were both in the same time zone.
It was 6 pm, the sun was low in the sky, getting closer to sunset time. You were ripping through your closet trying to find the perfect outfit. Someone from work that you had been crushing on for nearly a year asked you out on a date. The nerves were getting to you.
As you held up a dress to your body while you looked in the mirror, the phone rang. You smiled and rushed over to your bed and picked the phone up from the receiver.
“Hi beautiful.” He responded. His voice was as sweet as ever. You missed him so dearly, you wished you could just take a flight to Pittsburgh to see him but that wasn’t going to happen.
“We’re finally in the same time zone!” You exclaimed.
He chuckled softly, “I know, I’m glad. But you’re still so far away.”
“How about I get you a flight out here to join me?” He asked, “are you busy?”
“You’re going to get me a flight right now?” You giggled, “I’m getting ready for a date.”
He got quiet. Too quiet. The silence got a bit awkward, which was weird because that never happened.
“Are you okay?” You questioned, your voice was soft. He seemed to be upset, his voice got quiet and something felt off.
“Yeah, I’ll talk to you later.” He huffed and then hung up.
Your stomach turned and heat flushed into your cheeks, but this time it wasn’t from blushing. You sat down on your bed wondering what had just happened and you were left without a way to call Michael back to ask what was going on with him.
The warm breeze rushed through your window. Despite how hot it was outside, the breeze sent a shiver down your spine. You sighed and looked over the framed picture on your bedside table. You and Michael, standing in front of Big Ben, he had his arm wrapped around you. The day was etched into your heart so of course this had to be the picture that would live in a frame next to your bed. The first thing you saw every morning as you turned off your alarm clock.
You looked over at your closet, no longer interested in trying to find an outfit to wear for your date. You laid back on your bed and fixed your gaze on the ceiling, tracing the pattern you painted with your eyes. Your hair rollers smashed into your head slightly.
The phone began to ring. Your heart slammed against your chest and your breath hitched as you quickly picked it up.
“Michael?” You answered, your voice was a bit frantic.
“No it’s John…” The voice responded, “Who's Michael?” He asked curiously.
“Oh, uh, hi John. Michael is a friend, I was expecting a call from him.” You responded, your voice low and filled with hurt.
He was quiet for a second, “sorry to disappoint. I just wanted to tell you that I’ll be on my way soon, I’m really excited to take you out. I’ve waited a long time for this.”
You tried your best to push Michael out of your mind, you were excited too. You didn’t want to let what just happened take that feeling away from you. But even though you were excited for the date, you were disappointed that it wasn’t Michael on the other end of the call.
“I’m excited too, I can’t wait to see you.” You spoke softly.
“Bye beautiful.” He said before hanging up.
Beautiful. Trying to push Michael out of your mind was impossible. All you could think about was Michael being the one calling you beautiful. It lingered in your chest. His voice, the memory of him saying he was drawn to you because you were so beautiful.
You got up from your bed and walked over to your closet, you needed to hurry before John made it to your apartment. You slipped out of your silk robe and threw on a black high waist pencil skirt that hugged your hips so perfectly. Just as you were about to run your fingers through your hair, you remembered you hadn’t taken out your rollers yet.
“Shit.” You muttered under your breath.
You let out a frustrated sigh and snatched a slightly sheer blouse that matched your skirt and slipped it over your white lace bra. You then rushed to the bathroom to take out your rollers. Your lip began to quiver, you didn’t understand why Michael hanging up on you was making you feel this way. You were just friends, after all.
There was a knock at your door.
“Ugh.” You sighed. “Coming!” You rushed to the door while buttoning up your blouse. This is something you would’ve worn on a date with Michael. But alas, that would never happen, and you knew that.
As soon as you opened the door, there was John, rocking back and forth on his heels. He smiled warmly at you. And oh, how desperately you wanted it to be Michael.
“Oh, I’m sorry, I thought you’d be ready.” He spoke.
You shrugged, “it’s okay. It’s my fault, I couldn’t decide what to wear.” You let out a forced quiet laugh, “come in.” You stepped to the side.
“I’m almost done, I promise. I just have a few rollers left to take out.” You assured him.
He nodded, “no problem. This outfit is great, by the way.”
You rushed back to the bathroom to finish your hair. You fluffed it up a bit with hair spray and sighed as you looked at yourself in the mirror. You ran your lipstick across your lips then went back to your closet and pulled on a pair of white heels.
“Okay, I’m ready!” You exclaimed as you grabbed your purse from your desk, trying your best to push Michael out of your mind. You stepped out into the living room.
John was focused on the pictures hanging on your living room walls, he turned to face you. “Wow, [your name,] you look… Beautiful.” He smiled.
There it was again, beautiful. It made your heart sting, but you couldn’t let this get to your head. You took a deep breath and grinned.
“Thank you…” You responded shyly, as you pushed your hair off your shoulder.
You were quiet in the elevator, the silence was uncomfortable. Until John broke it, “I didn’t realize you and Michael Jackson got so close.”
It felt like your heart stopped, “Huh?”
“The photos… In your living room.” He responded.
You bit your lip, “oh, well since I stayed a little longer because of the backstage footage I got for the news segment, we just spent a lot of time together.”
He nodded, “hmm, all of the celebrities you’ve met are so drawn to you. All the photos on your walls show that. And I don’t blame them… You’re incredible.”
Heat rose to your cheeks. Michael’s words came into your mind. ‘I was so drawn to you when I saw you.’ No, you needed to stop thinking about him and focus on being with John. He was attractive and sweet, you had both been waiting for this. You did have a crush on him after all.
You could feel butterflies start to form in your stomach, “stop… You’re making me blush.”
The elevator dinged, you both stepped out and made your way out to his car.
John opened the car door for you, your heart fluttered.
Michael paced around his dressing room. His heart pounded against his chest with jealousy. He wanted nothing more than to pick up the phone and call you again. So he did, but there was no answer. That only made the jealousy worse. Who was the guy taking you out? Was he even interesting? Did he make you laugh? How long had you known him?
Bill knocked on the door, “joker?”
“Come in.” He sighed as he sat down on the chair.
He didn’t understand why he felt like this. You were just friends, after all.
“Is she coming?” Bill asked.
Michael shook his head, “she’s on a date.”
Bill was shocked, “oh… Well, maybe for tomorrow’s show?”
And for some reason, he no longer wanted to entertain the idea of having you around. He was hurt and he desperately wished that he wasn’t. The show was the absolute last thing on his mind but he couldn’t let it get to him, he needed to get you out of his thoughts. He needed to focus on giving his fans the best show, because that was far more important than how he was feeling at that moment.
He didn’t know how he was going to push you out. He wanted to hug you and see you smile but all he could think about was that someone else would have their arms around you.
John took you to a French-Italian restaurant called Le Cirque, very popular in celebrity circles. Everything that John was doing reminded you of Michael. Calling you beautiful, telling you that everyone was drawn to you, and then a French restaurant. It took you back to the night you met Michael, sitting at a table away from the crowd of people that filled the restaurant. Entranced in your conversation with him up until after the restaurant closed for the night.
You began to question if you even really wanted to be on the date anymore because you weren’t seeing John when you looked at him, you were seeing Michael. Imagining him sitting with you.
The sound of chatter consumed everything around you, the dim lights of the restaurant made your skin glow softly.
“You look beautiful in the light.” John spoke, he intertwined his pinky with yours. The way you and Michael had.
There it was again, that pain in your heart. Your eyes began to sting. You forced a smile as you looked into John’s eyes. He could tell something was bothering you.
“Are you okay?” He whispered in your ear.
You nodded, “mhm. All good. Why do you ask?”
He shrugged slightly, “you just seem a little… Distant.”
“I’m sorry, I’m not trying to b-” You began but he cut you off.
“It’s almost as if you wished you were here with someone else.” He continued.
Your heart dropped to your stomach, your eyes widened slightly, “no… Of course not.” You lied.
He put his hand on the nape of your neck and ran his finger along your jawline, “are you sure?”
You nodded. His hand caressing you instantly reminded you of Michael. Damn, you were sick of this feeling.
Inner thoughts: Get out of my head! For fucks safe, let me just focus on John.
You took a soft deep breath and pushed everything away. Finally, you let yourself enjoy your dinner with John. You talked and laughed. You were actually enjoying your time.
After dinner John walked you all the way back up to your apartment, and for once your mind wasn’t on Michael.
Until… You were both standing in front of your door, and John gazed deeply into your eyes. “Can I kiss you?” He whispered.
Your heart fluttered, part of you wanted to say yes but the other part of you wanted to say no. You looked down at your feet.
“Okay,” you responded, your voice was barely above a whisper.
Your palms began to sweat and your hands got shaky. Maybe you weren’t ready for this. You stepped back, “a-actually.”
John smiled sweetly, “it’s okay. I can tell you’re nervous.”
You bit your lip, “sorry.”
He shook his head, “don’t be.” He then brought your hand up to his lips and planted a soft kiss on the back of it.
Shit, Michael was back in your head...
You smiled at John but when you looked at him, Michael’s face came to your mind. You said your goodbyes and stepped into your apartment. You waited about 15 minutes to assure yourself that John was gone. You looked at yourself in the bathroom mirror and decided you wanted to change. You slipped into a low waist tan skirt and a light colored tie front blouse. The ruffles along the low cut neckline accented your chest. It was perfect.
Your heart pounded so hard you could feel it in your head. It was almost hard to breathe. You walked back into your bedroom to look at yourself in the full length mirror that stood next to your closet. You ran your hand along the smooth fabric of your skirt and nodded to yourself.
You quickly swiped your purse from your bed and rushed. As soon as you made it to the lobby, you were practically running to make out the front doors of your building. So fast that you nearly slipped on the marble floor.
“Whoa! Be careful, kid!” Charlie called out.
“I’m okay, Charlie! I’ll see you later! Or maybe tomorrow!” You shouted as you waved goodbye.
He chuckled and shook his head, watching you push through the doors.
You rushed down the steps of the building and stepped off the sidewalk to wave down a taxi. And you got lucky, a taxi approached you quickly.
“Where to, miss?” The driver asked as he looked at you through the rearview mirror.
“LaGuardia Airport, please.” You responded, completely out of breath.
The drive felt like an eternity, but once you made it you quickly paid the driver and hopped out of the car. You rushed inside to get to a desk to buy a plane ticket.
Your heart was beating what felt like 1,000 beats per minute.
“Hi, welcome to LaGuardia, how can I help you?” The ticketing agent spoke as soon as you approached her. She had a warm smile. Her ginger hair fell down just below her shoulders and popped against the light blue uniform dress. Her name tag read Lisa.
“Hi Lisa,” You smiled, “I need a ticket to Pittsburgh please. For the soonest flight you have available.”
She nodded and began to type on her computer.
“Okay, miss, we have a flight leaving in 1 hour. They are going to start boarding soon so I’ll start getting this ticket for you.” She responded.
You couldn’t stand still. Your hands began to shake as you pulled your ID and your credit card to hand to her. “Thank you so much.”
“Is everything okay?” She asked as she glanced up at you.
“Yeah, I’m just… I’m going to surprise someone. I haven’t seen him in 2 months.” You spoke, your voice trembling.
As soon as she handed you your ticket, you thanked her over and over before sprinting to the gate. You slipped off your heels and gripped them in your hand, you definitely wanted to avoid tripping as you ran through the airport. The cold tile sent a shiver down your spine.
All of this made you feel like you were in a movie, on your way to make some kind of grand romantic gesture. The night you met Michael played in your head. The thought of hearing his voice left a trail of soft kisses through your mind. It was as if you could already feel the warmth of his skin on yours.
Finally, you made it to the gate. Your heart was pounding so much, you could hear it in your ears. It was drowning out the craziness of the airport. The voices over the speakers letting people know when it was time to board, the sound of suitcases rolling down the tile, and the sound of guests talking as they waited to board their flights.
After about 20 minutes of waiting around, the flight began to board. Now your legs were shaking, a combination of all the running and being so nervous about getting on a flight to Pittsburgh to surprise Michael at his show. You didn’t know what got into you to do something like this.
You showed your ticket to the agent at the gate and then made your way down to the entrance of the airplane. You weren’t usually anxious when it came to flying but something about getting on this flight kick started a feeling you couldn’t escape. This hour and a half flight was going to feel like 10 hours.
𝙿𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚜𝚋𝚞𝚛𝚐𝚑 - 𝙶𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝙿𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚜𝚋𝚞𝚛𝚐𝚑 𝙸𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚗𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚊𝚕 𝙰𝚒𝚛𝚙𝚘𝚛𝚝
One of the things you hated about flying was how long it took people to get off the plane. You got up as quickly as possible to be able to beat the people who had to take their carry-ons out from the overhead compartments.
But they weren’t completely avoidable because it was a last minute flight and the seat available was in the middle of the airplane. You were growing frustrated as you impatiently tapped your foot, waiting in the aisle to start walking towards the front of the airplane.
You took a deep breath as soon as you got off. You quickly made your way towards the exit of the airport to catch a taxi in the pickup area.
Lucky again, a line of taxis were already waiting. You got into the first one closest to you, right outside the door.
“Where to?” The driver asked as he opened the door for you.
“Civic Arena, please.” You responded, “as fast as you can.”
He nodded and quickly got into the driver’s side of the taxi. And he did get you there as fast as he could. Your only problem was… How were you going to get inside to see Michael backstage?
You made your way towards the doors of the venue and approached the press entrance, hoping to see someone you knew.
“Miss, do you have credentials?” A security guard asked.
Your heart was racing, “um, no, not on me. I’m actually looking for someone.”
“We can’t let you through without the credentials.” He responded.
And then, there she was, Jolie. Michael’s assistant. She was the one that approached you backstage in London to tell you that Michael wanted to meet you. You got to know her a little better when you went to record backstage with Michael.
You shouted for her, “JOLIE!”
She looked over in your direction and walked towards the security and crew, “[your name]? What are you doing here? Michael didn’t say you were coming.”
“He doesn’t know I’m here.” You mumbled and bit your lip.
She let out a light chuckle and looked at security, “she’s okay to come in, she’s with me.”
The security stepped to the side to let you through the door. Jolie handed you a backstage pass and had you follow her. “So you’re surprising him.” She spoke.
“I think that’s great, he’s been upset about something. He’ll be very happy to see you.” She smiled.
Your heart dropped. Good thing she had no idea that you were the reason why he was upset. The shouting and talking from the fans were drowning out what Jolie was talking about. You started to feel dizzy. You couldn’t breathe, or walk without stumbling, you couldn’t even think. What if he didn’t want to see you… What were you going to do…
Jolie pushed through the backstage doors and led you to Michael’s dressing room.
“I’ll leave you here, I have some stuff to take care of. Have fun! It’s so great to see you again.” She said as she pulled you in for a quick hug.
You took a deep breath and knocked on the door softly.
“Come in.” His soft angelic voice traveled through.
You slowly turned the knob and opened the door. It creaked quietly.
He was sitting in his chair powdering his face. His eyes widened slightly as soon as he laid his eyes on you. His heart dropped. You closed the door behind you.
“[Your name…]” He said in disbelief. A few dark curls framed his beautiful face. He looked so perfect.
“Michael.” You spoke almost too quietly, tears began to form in the corners of your eyes.
He shot up from the chair, rushed to you and pulled you into his arms.
The smell of his cologne hit you like a ton of bricks, you missed his scent so much. You wrapped your arms around his neck and melted into his warm embrace. His slender arms felt like the safest place to be in. All of the buckles from his belt pressed against your slightly exposed belly, the cold metal sent goosebumps all over your body.
He rested his chin on top of your head, and you pressed your head against his chest. His heart was beating fast, it began to match the fast pace of your heart. He placed one of his hands on the back of your head and held you so gently.
After a while of hugging each other in complete silence, he pulled away, just enough to look at you up and down. You hoped for him to do that. You wanted his attention on you. His eyes focused on your chest for a while and it made you feel hot.
“You look beautiful.” He spoke softly and bit his lip.
Those were the words you longed to hear, not coming from John, but slipping out of Michael’s mouth. You focused on his lips, you wanted to kiss him so bad.
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