The Come Up

Chapter Eleven

1 month passes and everyone is started in their career. Arika and Cece, are officially Medical Assistants at a doctors office. Jermaine and August, have began music careers and are about to start touring in a year. And Michael is ready to leave for LA today.

Cece's POV

I paced back and forth as Michael would now be on his way to come get me so that we can leave for LA. I don't know how I was going to tell him, that I wanted to stay to start my career. I ran my fingers through my hair, as I continued to think. I was going to the kitchen and the doorbell rang. I quickly ran to the door to see a smiling Michael.

"Baby what's wrong?" he asked coming in and closing the door.

"I...have a seat" I said motioning for him to follow me to the living room.

"What's wrong, where are your bags?" Michael asked looking around.

"Michael...lately I've been thinking and...I'm not ready, to move to LA...I have to get my..."so what you're saying is that your not moving with me to LA" Michael asked cutting me off.

"Yes...but only because my career is just starting here." I said reasoning with him.

"Baby when you move to LA with me, you'll have way better opportunities. You'll get paid more money there, than you do here." Michael said grabbing on to my face.

I thought for a moment, before looking at Michael. I smiled at him and placed a hand on the side of his face. "Baby I'm sorry...I'll go get my bags, BECAUSE I'M GOING TO LA!" I screamed the last part.

I ran up to room with Michael so he help pack. We packed my clothes and loaded them into the trunk of Michael's car.

Jasmin's POV

My birthday is in 2 days which means I'll be the big 1-8. I still have 6 months of school left then I can go off to be with August and don't have to worry about anybody telling me I can't be with him. I flipped my TV on to 106 & Park, and saw August on there promoting his album and new song. 106 was over and I went to iTunes to buy the album. I'm glad he's sharing his story, its about time that he opens up to people. My phone was ringing as I was listening to "Kissin' on my Tattoos" when my phone began ringing. I looked at the screen and saw August pop up.

"I saw you on TV babe" I hollered answering the phone.

"How I look?" he asked laughing at my excitement.

"Sexy as always. How is the new life treating you?" I asked him getting serious.

"Thank you, you know I try. Life is great for me. I have two albums out, Testimony, and Downtown: Life Under the Gun. I'm opening up and letting people know my story. I'm glad God has given me this life, because I can testify that people can change." he said clearing his throat.

"I'm glad you decided to do this. And I'm happy that your opening up. Where are you living?" I asked scratching my neck.

"I'm living in Atlanta, I moved my nieces and mama out here. Besides that someone has a birthday in two days. What're you going to do?" he asked smiling through the phone.

"I'll probably spend it with Quincy since Dymunique is going to be busy. And my mom and dad are going to be busy with work."

August sucked his teeth through the phone and sighed.

"What's wrong?" I asked him.

"Do you like Quincy? Every time I call you, you talking about that Quincy nigga." August said getting mad.

"Would you rather me lie to you and tell you, I'm spending it alone?" I asked getting mad as well.

"Maybe I wanted to spend my girlfriends birthday with her." August said still mad.

"August your in New York, I'm in Houston how are you gonna spend my birthday with me?" I asked.

"We're already on the road heading there, but since your spending it with that nigga there's no need for me to come." August said hanging up.

As soon as the call ended "Kissin' on my Tattoo's" resumed. I sighed and turned on my side in bed. I fell asleep with August singing in my ears.

Arika's POV

Life couldn't get any better for me and J. I've officially became a Medical Assistant, J is now a rapper, and we just moved to ATL.

"Bae I'm hungry!" J yelled to me from downstairs.

"Fix you something to eat then" I yelled as I pressed the last bit of my hair.

"I want you to cook for me." He yelled back.

I got up from the chair and went downstairs, to the living room, where he was sitting.

"What do you want?" I asked sitting on his lap.

"I want smothered pork chops, cabbage, sweet potatoes, macaroni, and cornbread. Oh and I have some friends coming over." He said kissing the back of my neck.

"You should have told me this earlier. Now I have to rush at the grocery store." I said getting off his lap.

I ran up the stairs and quickly put on some clothes. I left for the grocery store and collected everything I needed. I paid for the groceries and quickly went home to start cooking.

"J help me so dinner can be done on time." I said washing off the pork chops.

I seasoned the pork chops and began cooking them. While the pork chops were cooking, I put some water on for the cabbage, and macaroni. J was cutting up the cabbage while I cut the sweet potatoes.

*1 hour later*

The food was done and I sat it up on the table. I was finishing my outfit, when J's friends had arrived. I walked down the stairs and nearly fainted, when I seen Kirko Bangz, Chris Brown and Karrueche, and Kendrick Lamar.

"This must be the lady of the house" Kirko said staring at me.

"That is I" I replied smiling. "No need to introduce yourselves I already know who you all are." I said with the biggest grin on my face.

"Well what's your name?" Kendrick asked smiling.

"I'm Arika, spelt A-R-I-K-A" I said smiling again.

"Different" Karrueche said holding on to Chris's hand.

"Well come on into the dining room we don't want the food to get cold." I said leading them into the dining room.

"Wow shawty cook" Chris Brown said looking at J then at Karrueche.

She smacked his arm then we sat down and ate dinner. After dinner was over I collected everyone but Kirko's plate, because he was still eating. I took the plates in the kitchen and rinsed them off and placed then in the dishwasher.

"I'm done ma" Kirko said standing behind me and placing the plate in the sink.

He pushed up on me before he moved to the side. I turned around to face him and he pecked my lips. I didn't fight it because I liked it. He walked out of the kitchen with a smirk on his face. I rinsed his plate, and put it with the others and brought out dessert. Lawd knows I don't need this.