Chapter 56 - going back to the hood (Part 24) - it was a good day

The next day, Mika's newfound fame is causing a stir in Compton, with people swarming around her like bees! The boys are getting uncomfortable with all the attention, so I offer them a job as Mika's bodyguards. At least this way, they'll have something to do besides hanging around.

Meanwhile, Natalie's being summoned to the university for a report, and Damien's being called to the police station again. But hey, that means we've got a lot of free time on our hands!

Mariam tells me her job is almost done, and her audition is being finalized. I tease her, "Who knows, you might end up working with Mika!" Mariam shoots back with a sharp tongue, "Kukuku, at least I'll get to enjoy your love triangle drama with a bowl of popcorn and my honey (Amin) here..." Ouch, that hurts in all ways!

Mariam then suggests, "Hey, how about a tour of the city? We can finally enjoy some quality time together." She's been craving Isabella's food, so I offer to take her to this cute cafe I know. But Mika's getting mobbed by new fans, and I sense something's off... I feel like I'm stuck in a harem anime!

I'm thinking, "Mika deserves a break and some fun!" when Naomi whispers to me, "Hey, can you drag Mika out of here? She just wants to chill and not be busy..." Ugh, Naomi's being super sly right now!

Then, I overhear her spilling the tea to Mariam, "Mika's not going to lose either, since she found out he's got a fan club in Malaysia..." Whoa, who's sharing this juicy gossip?! I glance over, and Mariam's winking at me like a boss - it's definitely her who's been spilling the beans! Who else would have the scoop, besides our resident info-queen Mariam?!

"Come on, knight in shining armor! We can't leave Mika behind!" Mariam teases, kicking my ass (literally!) and pushing me to drag Mika away from the crowd. She knows that if I hold Mika's hand, it'll be a bloodbath between the fans and me - they'll go wild!

Mariam's grinning mischievously, enjoying the chaos she's stirring up. I shoot her a "you're-crazy" look, but she just winks and says, "Hey, someone's gotta keep things interesting!”

I reluctantly grab Mika's hand, and the fans go into a frenzy. Cameras start flashing, and the screams get louder. Mika's laughing and waving like a pro, while I'm just trying to survive the mob. Mariam's skipping ahead, leading the way through the crowd like a general leading her troops.

I swear, that girl's got a talent for chaos…

"Hey Mar!!" I shout, pedaling my bike with Mika riding shotgun behind me. Mariam and Amin are cruising alongside us on their own bike.

"What's up?!" Mariam responds, her hair flowing in the wind.

"Follow me!" I yell, leading them to the iconic Hollywood sign. We skid to a stop, and Amin's eyes go wide.

"Whoa, damn man... if the guys back in school could see me now, they'd never believe it!" Amin exclaims, grinning from ear to ear.

Mika and Mariam are giggling, enjoying the excitement. I'm feeling pretty proud of myself for bringing them to this legendary spot.

"Only in LA, right?" I say, winking at Mariam.

She playfully rolls her eyes. "You're such a tourist, Alex.”

After taking a group photo, Amin and Mariam pose for a romantic couple shot, which I happily capture for them. Mika then tugs on my arm, looking a bit down.

"Hey, what's up? You've got a gloomy look on your face," I ask, concerned.

Mika looks up at me with a hint of sadness. "You're... you're going back, right?" She knows our time in LA is limited.

"Yeah, but Mariam hasn't set the exact date yet. She needs a bit more time, maybe after Christmas," I explain, trying to reassure her.

Mariam interrupts, excitedly holding up her phone. "Hey! Our PMR results are in!" Her mom has been searching for our results online.

We gather around Mariam's mom, eager to hear our scores.

"Okay, here we go... Mariam Binti Junaidi, 3 Buccaneers... English (A), Bahasa Malaysia (A), Maths (B), Islamic Studies (C), Geography (C), Life Skills (C), Science (C), and History (A)," Mariam's mom reads out, beaming with pride.

Amin's scores are impressive, with straight A's across the board: "Amiruddin Bin Faruq, 3 Buccaneers... Bahasa Malaysia (A), English (A), Math (A), Islamic Studies (A), Geography (A), Life Skills (A), Science (A), and History (A)”.

I manage to snag a spot in the top 10, with a mix of A's and B's: "Alexander Imran, 3 Buccaneers... Bahasa Malaysia (B), English (A), Math (A), Islamic Studies (B), Geography (A), Life Skills (A), Science (A), and History (A)”.

Mika's eyes widen in amazement. "Wow, you guys are really smart! Is that exam super hard or something?”

Mariam jokingly respond, "IT'S SUPER HARD, WHAT THE HELL IS THAT FOR ANYWAY!!!! HONEY!!!!!" Mika playfully rolls her eyes at Mariam overreaction.

Mika suddenly starts mumbling to herself, and I catch snippets of her thoughts: "Maybe... I could... be... in his school..." Wait, what? She wants to be with us?

Mika shakes her head, snapping out of her reverie, and playfully pushes me aside. "Hey, come on! Next stop, the Walk of Fame!" Mariam chimes in, "Who knows, Mika might be here on the Walk of Fame someday!”

I tease her, "Yeah, you could be famous too, putting your footprints there!" Mariam instantly kicks my butt, her face red with annoyance. "Shut up! You know I don't like the limelight!" Mariam's an artist who loves music and art, but she's never been one for fame. It's a bit strange, but hey, that's our Mariam!

As we stroll to the Walk of Fame, Mariam and Amin are being lovey-dovey, holding hands and gazing into each other's eyes. It's a bit too much for me, so I playfully kick Amin, grinning mischievously. "Hey, since I'm here, you better behave!”

Amin glares at me, his face scrunched up in annoyance. "What the hell was that for?!" Mariam shoots me a warning look, but I just chuckle, enjoying the banter.

As we stroll along Hollywood Boulevard, the iconic Chinese Theatre comes into view, its bright red and gold exterior gleaming in the sunlight. Mariam snaps a photo of our group, and Mika suddenly grabs my arm, making Mariam grin mischievously. "Well, well, I wonder if Nat and Sil will react to this if they find out…" Mariam teases, enjoying the thought of stirring up trouble. I shoot her a warning look, knowing that our friends back home will kill me if they see Mika and me together like this!

We continue our LA adventure, visiting the legendary Walk of Fame, where we spot the stars of our favorite celebrities. Mika squeals with excitement, posing for photos with the iconic Hollywood sign in the background. We then head to the Pantry Cafe, a 24-hour diner famous for its local eats. Mika, being a vegetarian, is thrilled to find some veggie-friendly options, while we make sure to choose halal dishes.

As we explore the city, we soak up the vibrant atmosphere of LA. We stroll along the Venice Beach Boardwalk, where street performers mesmerize us with their skills. Mariam, being the free spirit she is, can't resist trying to imitate their dance moves, drawing a small crowd of onlookers. But when some fans recognize her and ask for autographs, we quickly make a exit, trying to keep a low profile. "No paparazzi, please!" Mariam jokes, laughing.

Next, we hit the vintage shops on Melrose Avenue, where Mika discovers a quirky souvenir to commemorate our adventure - a retro-style postcard with a cartoon palm tree. "This is so LA!" she exclaims, grinning. We browse through the eclectic stores, uncovering hidden gems like vinyl records, vintage band tees, and antique jewelry. Mariam tries on a pair of oversized, glamorous sunglasses, striking a pose in the mirror. "I'm a Hollywood star!" she declares, making us all chuckle.

Our day ends with a stunning sunset view at the Griffith Observatory, where we gaze out at the sprawling cityscape. The smell of food trucks wafts through the air, tempting us with halal options like shawarma and falafel there is some middle eastern food that we could eat.

As the night deepens, we linger at the Observatory, gazing up at the starry sky, enjoying each other's company. The city lights twinkle below, and the cool breeze carries our laughter. As the hours slip away, we reluctantly say our goodbyes, and Amin and Mariam head back to their place.

As I'm about to call it a night, Mika suddenly tugs on my arm, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Hey, take me somewhere," she whispers, her voice barely audible over the crickets. Mariam, ever the keen observer, grins at me, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Looks like you're the one getting into girl trouble, eh?”

I shoot Mariam a mock glare, but Mika's persistence wins me over. "Where to?" I ask, curiosity getting the better of me. "Pendleton Hills," she replies, her smile hinting at secrets. The same spot where we shared a magical moment before.

As we drive through the quiet streets, the night air filled with the scent of blooming flowers, I realize that this might be more than just a friendly outing. Mika's hand brushes against mine, sending a spark of electricity through me. I glance over, and our eyes meet, the connection between us palpable.

As we reach the top of Pendleton Hills, Mika gazes up at the starry sky, her eyes shining with wonder. "Looks like you're going back, eh..." she says, her voice barely above a whisper. I nod, feeling a pang of sadness. "Yeah... this is the last time we'll meet again..."

Mika's grip on my arm tightens, as if she's about to confess her deepest secrets. I try to brush it off, not wanting to get entangled in a romantic drama. "You know what, I'm not going to let you forget about me," she says, her voice filled with determination.

I try to reason with her, "Uh, you know what, you're going to be busy with all the new things I've introduced you to. Like I told you, you don't need me. I'm not the kind of guy who'll hold you back." I attempt to convince her that I'm not interested in anything more than friendship, hoping to avoid another Priscilla situation.

Mika looks at me, her eyes searching for something more. She takes a step closer, her face inches from mine. "I don't care about any of those things, Alex. I care about you." Her voice is soft, but her words are laced with conviction.

I feel a flutter in my chest, but I push it aside. I'm not ready for love, and I don't want to lead Mika on. "Mika, please... let's just enjoy the moment, okay?" I try to deflect her advances, hoping to preserve our friendship.

Mika's gaze lingers on mine, and for a moment, I think she's going to give up. But then, her expression changes, and she smiles, a hint of mischief in her eyes. "Okay, Alex. But this isn't over.”

Mika's grip on my arm tightens, her eyes shining with emotion. "You know, if it wasn't for you, God knows where I'd end up... Naomi would be heartbroken, and Xavier, my brother-in-law, who's more like a father to me, would be disappointed too." Her voice cracks, and I can see the sincerity in her eyes.

I try to reassure her, "Mika, you're already an amazing person, and I'm honored to be your friend. That's all I can offer, and I hope it's enough." I attempt to explain that my heart isn't ready for love, but my words come out softer than intended.

Mika's gaze lingers on mine, and I can sense her longing. "Friendship isn't enough for me, Alex. I want more. I want someone to share my dreams, my fears, my life with. And I thought that someone could be you." Her voice barely above a whisper, she adds, "I know you're happy with just friendship, but I can't help how I feel.”

I take a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "Mika, I care about you deeply but you know that we could be only friends. I'm happy that you're already a friend to me, and I don't want to risk losing that. Can't we just appreciate what we have and enjoy each other's company without complicating things?”

Mika's expression falters, but she nods slowly, a small smile on her lips. "Okay, Alex. I'll try. But know that my feelings won't change overnight." She pauses, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Who knows, maybe someday you'll realize you feel the same way."

As we sit on the bike, Mika suddenly leans in and kisses me, just like in those classical Hollywood romance movies. I'm caught off guard, and my heart skips a beat. "I'm not going to lose to Nat... I'm going to be someone who takes your breath away..." she declares, her eyes sparkling with determination.

Mika jumps off the bike, stretches, and takes a deep breath. Then, she starts singing "Take My Breath Away" in a stunning soprano voice, just like Sylvia. I'm mesmerized by her talent and passion.

As I watch her, I realize what draws me to Mika - her private nature, her strength, and her courage. She's not an easy girl to handle, but that's what makes her so captivating. And, damn it, she's sexy in my eyes! What am I thinking?!

Mika finishes her song, and we share a moment of intense eye contact. I know I need to have a serious conversation with her. "Mika, listen... I care about you deeply, but I'm not ready for a relationship. I don't want to hurt you or lead you on.”

Mika's expression turns serious, and she nods. "I understand, Alex. But know that my feelings won't change overnight. I'll wait for you to realize your feelings, no matter how long it takes." She smiles mischievously. "Besides, Mariam will have fun teasing you about this!"

I chuckle, feeling a mix of emotions. "Yeah, she's going to have a field day." We share a laugh, and I know that our friendship has reached a new level of complexity.

As we sit together, watching the sky lighten, Mika asks me a question that catches me off guard. "I just wanted to ask you... what about your family?" I hesitate, unsure how much to share, but something about Mika's genuine interest puts me at ease.

I explain my complex family situation, and Mika listens intently, her eyes filled with understanding. I tell her about Damien and Natalie's connection to my life, and how my first love, Frederica, was a clone. Mika's expression changes from curiosity to empathy.

"I couldn't imagine how you handled all this," she says, her voice soft. She reaches out and gently holds my shoulder, lying next to me. "I wish I was there with you... if this happened to you, I'd be there for you.”

I chuckle, knowing that my past self wasn't exactly the most charming guy. "You wouldn't have been interested in me back then, trust me. I was a dorky guy forced into coolness by Natalie.”

Mika smiles, her eyes sparkling. "I think I would have liked you just the same, Alex." Her words send a flutter through my chest, and I realize that Mika might be another person to truly understand me.

As the sun rises, casting a warm glow over us, I feel a deep connection to Mika. It's as if we've shared a lifetime of secrets, and our bond has grown stronger.

As we return to Compton, Naomi and Mariam ambush me, their faces filled with mischief. Naomi winks at me, and I sense trouble brewing. "Did you do it?" she asks, her voice dripping with intrigue.

Mariam chimes in, her grin wicked. "Kukuku, it's already late, and Amin and I are wondering what's happening to our lady-killer playboy here!" Amin nods in agreement, and I realize I'm in for a lecture.

Naomi turns to Mika, her expression serious. "You're still young, Mika. Don't get too caught up in things." Mika looks at me, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

Xavier, Mika's brother-in-law, approaches me, his voice stern but warm. "You know, Mika is one in a million for us. I really hope you make her happy." I'm taken aback, wondering if he's implying what I think he is.

Just then, Hardware, Mika's manager, bursts in, looking frazzled. "Mika, as your manager, I have to warn you - the paparazzi will have a field day with this! We need to keep your image clean!”

The scene erupts into chaos, with everyone talking at once. I'm surrounded by a cast of colorful characters, all vying for attention. It's like a scene from a romantic comedy anime, complete with over-the-top reactions and comedic misunderstandings.