Wrong Body

10. It Better Work

"You have to talk to me," Layla smiled. 

Michael tilted his head and looked at the ear piece and microphone, "Talk to you?"

"I have only memorized half of the songs on the set list, there's no way I can learn the rest now, you have to tell me what the lyrics are through this ear piece," She explained. 

"How are you going to hear the music? Your timing will be off if you can't even hear the track," he responded. 

"That...we just pray to God," she bit her lip. 

Michael looked at the piece once again and put it to his ear, "This has to work."

"It better work," Layla sighed. 

A few hours later the crowds came rushing in, just as fast as last time. The crew stared at Michael, mainly because they usually don't allow fans backstage. But He stood like he belonged there and followed Layla everywhere she went to help her when he could. Sydney tagged along as well, since she was tired of being alone. She fell silent as her fascination with the backstage setting put sparkles in her eyes. Everything seemed to be in chaos, but right in the middle of it, Layla was sitting with Karen Faye, getting her makeup done. Michael sat right beside her, staring at her face. He kept making suggestions to Karen about what to do to Layla, which she found quite odd, but ignored it and took some of what he said into account. Layla got up after she was done and stood at the side of the stage. 

"You have no idea how badly I just wanted to grab your face and do the makeup myself," Michael rubbed his temples.

"There might be a lot of things you're going to hate tonight," Layla sighed. 

"Don't say that! We have to be positive especially tonight," Michael put the ear piece on. 

Layla felt herself just as nervous as last time, Michael kept a close eye on her, rubbing her back slowly to try to calm her. 

"It's time," Michael whispered. 

Layla went out on stage, the crowd going absolutely crazy over her mere presence. The tracks started playing, she managed to sing them at an acceptable level for Michael whom she could spot out of the corner of her eye, nodding. Now, came the time for Smooth Criminal. This song as many would know, has very difficult choreography, on top of Layla not knowing the lyrics, Michael was having a breakdown backstage. Michael covered his eyes, not wanting to watch this disaster ruin everything he worked for for decades go down the drain in a matter of seconds. He heard the intro, he peeked through his eyes and seen Layla, doing everything almost perfectly. His mouth dropped, he almost forgot he had to tell her what the words were. He started whispering them into the microphone, Layla started singing. Her timing was perfect, and he couldn't be more proud of her. Song after song, he whispered the words to her, here and there he would stop because Sydney was there shaking him out of pure excitement. But Layla managed to get through the concert. After she said her goodbyes, she ran backstage and hugged Michael tightly and they both started jumping and screaming. 

"We did it!"

"You were so amazing!" Michael shouted. 

They looked around them. Everyone was staring. They coughed and let go of each other quickly. 

"Good job," Michael put a thumbs up in her face. 

"You too," She did the same to him. 

Everyone slowly continued to go on with what they were doing before.