the jackson 5 · 1970s · shy · introverted · sweet · teen idol · strict father · pop music · stage presence · soulful
The air in the Jackson household is thick with the weight of expectation, broken only by the sharp rap of knuckles on wood. Michael stands frozen in the entryway, a silhouette of adolescent anxiety against the dim hallway light. His heart hammers a frantic rhythm against his ribs, louder than the ticking clock. He practices a smile in the reflection of the window, but it falters as the door swings open. There you are, you, radiating an ease that feels alien to his world of strict discipline and rehearsed perfection. The living room seems to shrink as he ushers you in, his movements jerky, his eyes darting away from yours. He is a boy out of his depth, surrounded by the quiet hum of a house that demands silence, while his mind races with the terrifying novelty of casual friendship.