Book 5- 1969 (Michael Jackson)

Chapter 12- A Little Misconception

                Chapter 12- A Little Misconception

                Date: Tuesday, July 15, 1969

                Time: 12:41AM

                MICHAEL'S POV

"Oh! Baby, I need-a one more chance to show you that I love you!" I spun once, clapped, raised my hands in the air, and slowly guided them down in a rhythm matching this tune. My brothers and I had been practicing the choreography for this song, titled "I Want You Back", in Miss De Passe's apartment for nearly four hours now. I'll be honest, it was beginning to wear me out. All of this dancing and shouting could really take a toll after a few hours of constant repetition.

Suzanne sleepily gazed at her watch, rubbing her eyes in the process. Even she, who was able to pump us up in the beginning, was wearing down for the night. Then again, at the hour I guessed we were at, who wouldn't be utterly exhausted, especially when we had been up since the break of dawn this morning?

Kayla turned from her bench and huffed, obviously grumpy. "What time is it? I'm getting kinda tired."

I held back a tiny snicker. Ever since the advent of her career with the Jackson 5, everyone had noticed how her behavior went when she was reaching the end of her consciousness. Instead of acting sleepy or whiny, she became cranky, just as Randy would behave. Her remarks would become sharp and almost spiteful, yet everyone knew that it was sleepiness talking, and not really Kayla.

Well, that was my theory.

Suzanne took another peek at her wristwatch. "12:41 in the morning," she yawned. "Guys, I  think this is enough for the night. We can just tell Gordy to extend our practice another day. He hasn't got too much planned, anyways."

"Are you sure we can do that, ma'am? I don't mean to question your methods, but it seems kinda risky to me." Tito rubbed his nails while holding a quizzical stare at Suzanne.

"I know what I'm doing, I promise you guys. Mr. Gordy told me if we needed any extra time, we could work something out. Trust me, we all know what we're doing." 

After that statement, a light came to her eyes, as if she dawned upon something she had never noticed before. "... Speaking of Berry, I have a couple things to talk about to you guys. It's actually rather important, I do believe. I was supposed to be back at the studios for Berry to tell you guys himself, but seeing how that isn't going to happen," she paused briefly, "I may as well spill it out myself."

"Is it about the album?" I chirped. "'Cause I got a great idea for a song to add. You know "A Hard Day's Night" by the Beatles? That's real popular, and I think we could do something to that song and make it just as good. You know, if we tried really hard." My eyes paced all over the room, seeking approval from the others.

Kayla muttered to herself, "Or a Nat King Cole melody..."

Suzanne let out a mild chortle. "Actually, I have things I need to address about the band in general. The album's working fine, and everyone's got songs set out already. That's no issue. However, we're just gonna tweak a couple things about you guys, if you know what I mean."

"I'm afraid I don't know what you mean," Jackie interjected. "Could you please elaborate on what you said?"

"Sure thing. Well, for starters, we're just gonna change a little of your band information. By that, I just mean that we're gonna bend the truth just a smidge to the public. You know how Mister Bobby Taylor got you guys an appointment at Motown last year?"