In My Shoes || Michael Jackson Love Story

II

After the quintet walked backstage, following their recent stellar display, more pleasantries and conversation were shared between the two family acts. Just as before, the two youngest stars occupied themselves while their elder siblings were trapped in their own bubble. Vanessa and Michael had nestled themselves back against their wall as they asked each other question after question. At first, they started out innocent. Things that just about any individual would inquire about the two of them. Such as how their families got into the business, the different celebrities they've met during their musical careers and the like. Then, slowly, they treaded carefully as they began to ask more personal questions. Such as what their lives were like before their fame.

While he stayed sure not to completely spill everything, Michael still felt very comfortable discussing such things with her and vice versa. She, somehow, had trusted him enough to tell him the secret about her manager, this made him feel like he could be just as open with her. Especially upon hearing about what their home life had been like. Being raised by a single mother in a small, two bedroom house located in a below average neighborhood. They never had many novelties growing up, such as children's toys, and she'd had to share a room with her sisters. It was as if the more they exchanged, the closer they became to feeling like kindred spirits.

For a small period, however, their enthralled conversing was put on hold again when both Michael and Vanessa's attention was called towards Olivia. "It's time to go," she'd told the both of them. She turned to her two oldest daughters next. "Girls, we're riding with them. Their driver is waiting outside."

Vanessa stood up, "We are? I thought you said we were going straight back to the hotel after this." Olivia always had, after all, talked their ears off about how important a role a good night's sleep would play in their careers. Especially during the times when she would catch them goofing around when they should have been in bed already.

"And now I'm saying we're not." Olivia stated. "Mr. Jackson and I still have some things to mull over, we aren't going to be long." They'd been out and about all day before they'd arrived at American Bandstand's Studio B. She was sure they needed rest, but to her this matter was much more pivotal. "So let's go!" she exclaimed to her daughters with a clap of her hands. "Up and outside, now!" Just like little soldiers, the three of them quickly marched outside with the rest of them following.

The ride to the hotel the Jacksons were staying at was filled with small chatter and bouts of silence. Vanessa, for the most part, kept her eyes trained onto the quickly passing buildings as she had her head laid against the tinted window.

Michael had made sure to get the seat beside her when everyone was piling into the vehicle, and he watched her eyes slowly open and close. A small smile formed on his face as he watched, chuckling. It was a little funny, watching her fight sleep and lose. "Eyeballing your girlfriend?" Marlon, who was on the other side of him, leaned over and asked. He began to laugh when Michael swatted his arm.

"Shut up!" he hushly exclaimed, hoping no one else had heard what he said. "You're not funny, and keep it down. Your hyena laugh is gonna wake her up." Michael warned, noticing Vanessa's eyes were now completely shut.

"You shut up, and I don't sound like a hyena." Marlon was quick to defend. "But seriously, you might as well take a picture."

"Shut up..." Michael trailed. The two fell silent afterwards.

Marlon glanced around at everyone in front of them. Joseph was in the passenger's seat next to the driver while Olivia, Jessica, and Jackie occupied the first set of seats behind him. Tito, Jermaine, and Tamera filled the second row, which left he, Michael and Vanessa in the very back. From where he was sitting, he could hear Olivia and Joseph speaking. He could also hear Tamera and Jermaine having their own conversation. Making sure he kept his voice down, Marlon leaned towards Michael.