Michael Jackson Imagines

• Guilty (Request) •

*Requested by @MJsometime *

The year is 1991 and you have been hired to work as a makeup artist on Michael's upcoming music video, 'Black or White'. You were of course over the moon to be lucky enough to have this opportunity, and only hoped that you wouldn't be swallowed up by the intimidating showbiz surroundings, due to your shy personality.

"You don't need to be so nervous, Y/N!"

You were currently touching up the makeup of one of the dancers on the set of Michael Jackson's 'Black or White'. Although excited, you were extremely nervous at the prospect of working for such a huge star. Upon arrival, you had got lost in one of the many corridors of this vast film set and luckily bumped into one of Michael's backing dancers, named Maya, who showed you the way and the two of you quickly became friends.

"I can't help it Maya, I feel so inexperienced in comparison to everyone else" you sighed, moving closer to touch up her red lipstick with a lipstick brush.

"Don't be silly. I've literally known you for like an hour and can already tell how talented you are at your job! And I know Michael will think the same."

Just the mention of your boss' voice gave you goosebumps. You had admired Michael for many years, and this job opportunity still felt like a dream to you. As a teenager, you'd had posters of him and his brothers on your wall, and his music had got you through significant milestones in your life; starting college, dealing with your first heartbreak, and getting your first serious job, only being a few to name. You'd grown up with him, and one thing was certain in your mind- you had never seen a man quite as handsome as Michael.

Just feeling his presence, mere metres away from you, felt surreal. One thing was playing on your mind though; you weren't sure that Michael knew about you replacing Karen Faye, his regular makeup artist.

You had been warned that Michael may not be very easy to get through to at first, his insecurities often causing him to put up an emotional barrier, and so standing in as his makeup artist was sure to be a challenge. What you were worried about, though, was the fact that you were so shy yourself. You had met Karen during your interview, and she was so bubbly and vibrant; you could see why Michael would feel safe with someone as confident as her, due to his own famous shyness.

Truth be told, you were slightly dreading your first meeting with Michael. Up until this point in the shoot, scenes involving just the dancers had been shot, and so Michael had only emerged from his dressing room about 10 minutes ago, and had done his own makeup, as he usually did at first. You were sure that it was only a matter of time before he noticed that Karen was missing.

You sighed as you thought this over before letting Maya go back to her place on set, where Michael joined them for his first shot of the day. You backed away into a dark corner, where you were sure you couldn't be seen, and watched on as Michael and the dancers did an amazing job.

"Where's Karen?" a soft voice said in a slightly raised tone after a few takes.

Your heart stopped and you attempted to make yourself busy, going to touch up one of the tribal dancer's makeup. You made small talk with the dancer, but all the while you could hear the conversation between John Landis and Michael not too far away:

"I thought I told you Michael, Karen's out of town for a few days so we hired a temp for the shoot"

"But John, Karen does my makeup, I only trust her"

"I know Mike, but it's just for three days, you'll be so busy you won't even notice her"

"That's not it John, you know I can't just let any random makeup artist do my makeup!"