The Come Up

Chapter 46 - California II

Trisha and I are escorted to a large grey building with jet black windows labeled High Top Studios in the middle of Los Angeles. As soon as we get out of the car, a stream of paparazzi's flock towards us, losing interest in the front entrance where they seemed to have originally been stationed. 

"Chanel!" They begin to call. 

My shades, though protecting my eyes from the bright sun, were also helping me shield my shocked expression. When would I get used to this invasion in public? 

I lift my red MK bag over my shoulder and wave casually as Trisha steps in front of me to block off a paparazzi who is getting too close. 

"Some space." she says politely. 

He staggers back but continues to take pictures. 

"What are you doing here today, Chanel?" They shout. 

"Chanel over here!" Calls another. 

I turn my head slightly and smile. He snaps. 

"Love the outfit, Chanel." Another calls. 

I am styled simple but still chic and in my opinion too expensive. 

A white low cut shirt, Calvin Klein boyfriend jeans, Yeezy sneakers, my red MK bag and Dior shades. The entire outfit totaling up to $900. Back in the hood, you could have gotten the knock off for all of these and only had it come up to like $20. Trisha dressed me and did my make up and the paparazzi were just soaking it all up. 

"Trisha!" One of the paparazzi call. It throws me off and Trisha turns her head to look. 

She smiles and literally stops walking. 

I can't help it but I start dying of laughter. 

"Yo, I can't stand you." I say as I pass her and continue the rest of the walk into the studios. 

She laughs as she stays back. 

"Girl! You makin me famous with-" 

She poses again and they snap. 

"You making me famous with you!" She finishes.  

I hear her running to catch up. The paparazzi are laughing too. I can't be mad at her because this is exactly what I wanted. I wanted all of my friends to come up with me. It gets lonely. I remember being in my new apartment by myself before the accident. The apartment is nice but with just me in it, it's just too quiet. I can't wait to move mom in. A part of me wishes Trish could move in too. 

The High Top studios is very beautiful. It looks like a fancy warehouse. The walls on the insides are grey too and it is spacey and dimly lit but so nicely decorated. A blonde lady with glasses take us up to the 7th floor in the elevator and walks us quickly to a large and open room. She walks like she is late for something but I realize that she is just busy, because when she drops us off, she notifies someone and then leaves just as quickly as she came. 

A long white background is to the side of the room, cameras as well as large beams of light point to the white background and the photographer is on the ground angling the camera towards someone we cannot see due to the corner of the wall. Trisha and I glance at each other confused. 

"Hello, come in." A white man with black hair and a fitted t-shirt motions to us. 

As we fully enter the large room and walk to the man, we can see that the camera and lights are aimed at Mila and she is dressed in a pink silk shirt exposing her bust line, white heels and white short shorts. There is purple lipstick on her plump lips and her curls blow with the fan as she takes the directions from the photographer. She doesn't even look at us or stop to greet us.