1 CHAPTER 1 : Ladies Love Lyric

Swords clanging, blood spilled, but this is war. This is what they have trained for. The metallic smell of the blood and steel pierced through the air. Darkness looms over the once golden sky as the sinister figure oozing of corruption began to stand over him. He could see no one else. The figure began to raise his mighty blade towards the heavens. The sounds of war began to fade as his arm reached its apex. The blade began to glow like magma and banshees began to wail their battle cry. Then there was nothing left but the darkness and the silence. ~

As the sun cracked through the blinds of Kamahn's dorm, the annoying alarm on his cellphone blared. Every morning, he asks himself why? Why did he have to make "crazy frog" his morning alarm? Every morning, as he shuffles across the smooth hardwood floor and starts the coffee-maker, he remembers. The time on it read 7:15 am.

Ten years, ten years ago to the day his little sister Eriin arrived. The adorable little Brazilian girl who survived hell was now a part of his family. She was scared, she was alone, she was sad. Kamahn had no idea how to break the ice. Weeks had gone by since the adoption without a word from her. She just stayed in her room until it was time to eat. Then one night at dinner, out of nowhere, he had an idea. He pulled out his blue Motorola raZer and played one video, "Crazy Frog". Eriin's face lit up at the sheer silliness of Crazy Frog. And that day, Kamahn vowed to keep a smile on his new sister's face.

"Oh yeah, damn my nostalgic sentiment," he grumbled as he shuffled to the restroom. As much as he griped about it, he knew he could never change it. It alone defined his best friend and only sister. Kamahn turned on the sink and began to wash the sleep from his eyes. Suddenly there was a banging at the door.

"Yo! Who is it?" He shouted.

"Who is it?" The voice behind the door jokingly shouted back. "It's the Easter Bunny! Who do you think it is, Lyric? You know, nobody else likes you but Erin and me!"

Kamahn knew exactly who the idiot was on the other side of the door. "Whatever Ghost! Dude, why are you knocking if you have a key?" As if on cue, De'Sean Jeffries, Kamahn's absolute best and only Childhood friend, unlocked the door and let himself in.

De'Sean stood 6 foot 2 inches (1.85 meters) with black hair and eyes so rich and brown they almost looked red. His muscular body makes him look like a juggernaut in his football gear, but in his normal clothes, like the black jeans, black, and Orange 'Lyric Madness' Tee, and Letterman jacket he wore now. He looked like an extraordinarily strong model. "Hey, forgive me If I want to make sure you are awake and decent," Sean stated as he walked over to the armchair that Kamahn called his throne. A tall back armchair with the letter L embroidered into the headrest. He and Eriin were the only other people allowed to sit there. "I don't wanna just walk in looking at your giblets. Besides, you could have had one of your groupies up in here!"

"Groupies? I don't have any groupies, Sean," said Kamahn. "Nigga please, if you don't have groupies, I don't have grass stains on my cleats. Everyone knows Lyric is the Hottest artist around. I might just start calling you '3L' because Ladies Love Lyric." Sean loved teasing his friend. He knew that Kamahn was oblivious to how much talent he possessed, but the groupies? How could he not see them? "Ok, first thing," Kamahn had to keep from laughing as he walked over to his closet.

He had more spring in his step now a quick face wash will do that to you. He stood at 5 foot 10 inches (1.78 meters) with a black Locked Mohawk and golden hazel eyes." 3L'? No! … Just No! This is why I do my own branding". He chuckled at the thought of a '3L' song and tee, as he grabbed his favorite 'One Mic' tee. And headed for the kitchen. "And Number B! Who are these groupies? Name one!" As if he knew exactly what Kamahn was going to say before he could say the word.

Sean listed the girls. "Gabby, Sabrina, Danielle, Bridgette, Cammie! And Those were just a few that I saw at the last performance. Hell, Sabrina showed up to practice and begged me for your number" Kamahn's face dropped in horror, "Please tell me you didn't uce." He pleaded. "Bruh, what do I look like? I got you fam I wouldn't do that without your consent. (that you never give me, but I digress) I mean, I'm used to seeing girls at my practice. You know normally they are looking at ya boi the star running back. But ever since you started performing, more and more are asking me for your info. That ain't right," Sean moaned dramatically.

Kamahn couldn't help but laugh. "I'm sorry my songs are ruining your rep, Sean." He mocked.

"Oh, you think you're funny?" Sean jokingly barked. "Sabrina has been at every practice this week! And I just saw Cammie down the hall waiting for you to come to the common area."

"Take the back exit, Gotcha!" Kamahn said happily.

"So, what are your plans today?" Sean asked.

"Well let's see, today is Wednesday! So first I need to go see Eriin. Today is our Sibling-versary!" Kamahn stated in a remembering tone.

"Damn uce, can't believe it's been 10 years already. Speaking of Eriin, when are you going to give me the green light for your fine ass sister?" Asked Sean for the one billionth time in the last decade.

"Never!" Kamahn answered for the one billionth time of the decade.

This was an ongoing thing between the two friends. They shared and agreed on just about everything since the beginning of their friendship. However, Eriin Alanza Ortiz-Browne is the one thing Kamahn was protective over and the one thing he was more passionate about, even more so than his music.

"For the last time. I love you like a brother, Ghost. But I'll merk you over E "

'' Yeah, yeah, I know, you say that every time. A man can only hope to soften your stance, Lyric." Sean knew it would never happen, but he kept hope alive. Eriin was the sexiest thing on earth. All he can do is keep planting the seed.

The duo hastily left Kamahn's dorm via the newly refurbished fire escape. "Thank the GODS Headmaster Weaver had this all fixed up," Kamahn stated, almost overjoyed. It's not that he is afraid of the girls or that he doesn't like them. Honestly, most of them are incredibly attractive. However, Kamahn is driven and focused. He has a message to share. Besides, Sean and Eriin are all the companions and distractions he needs.

The two opened the cold metallic doors of Kamahn's Old Hunter green Nissan. The poor car was held together with duct tape, bungee cords, and zip ties. But it was his car. "Bruh! When are you going to fix or get rid of this death trap?" Teased Sean. "You're going to leave my baby alone!" Kamahn jokingly barked back. "Look, this baby got the job done and in a few more paydays I will have saved up enough to get a 'New-err-ish' ride. Until then, shut up, buckle up, and say a prayer if you're scared of Ghost. But stop picking on my baby. She's sensitive."

The ride to see Eriin is approximately 10 minutes from Kamahn's dorm, being that they all go to the same school. But today it takes the two nearly an hour. First, they had to go to Eriin's favorite Café, 'Muddy Water's Coffee Shop'. They picked up coffee for the three of them and a very special muffin. Afterward, they took a drive over to 'Outer limits' Eriin and Kamahn's favorite store. Imagine if Best Buy and Spencer's had a sci-fi baby, add a Smoothie King and that baby would be the 'Outer limits'! Eriin had been eyeing a particular item all year. Normally He would only get them a cake, but today marks a decade.

Finally, the two-headed to the house Eriin shared with her Sorority sisters at 8:52 am. The Sorority has a strict no guy in the house during the week policy. So, before they got too close, Kamahn called his sister. Being that his car was so old, there was no Bluetooth, and the school has a Zero Tolerance Driving Impaired rule. This rule includes driving while texting or holding a phone, period. So instead, Sean will handle the phone while Kamahn talks with the aid of an aux tape deck that came with the car.

RING.RING, RING.RING, RING.~

"Hello? What's up, BIG Bruh?" Eriin said with a voice that clearly said I just woke up.

"Hey, Sissy, what are you up to right now?" Asked Kamahn.

"Nothing yet, why is everything OK?" She asked.

"I'm on my way to you be ready I'm like 20 minutes out," said Kamahn.

"Uh- OK," Eriin stated with confusion in her voice." I'll be outside. Love you, see you in a sec."

"Love you too," Kamahn said as the call came to an end.

Kamahn had told Eriin that they were about 20 minutes away. The truth was they were sitting two blocks down the street. Everything is about a 5 to 10-minute drive away from the dorms. As they sat, the pair would sing Kamahn's songs and joke back and forth. They pulled up to the Sigma Nu Nu Gamma House after twenty minutes and sat patiently watching the door. Once ready, Eriin bolted out of the front door. She stood about 5 foot 7 inches (1.70 meters) with an athletic body. Her skin is the color of delicious, gooey caramel. Her eyes are as bright and green as grass in the suburbs. Not only that but her face was covered in beautiful reddish tribal markings. She's had them all her life. They accent her eyes and lips. The look of pure joy on her face meant one thing to Kamahn, his sister needed to escape from Sigma Nu. Sean got out of the car and held the front passenger door open. Once Eriin was inside, he hopped thot-pocket in the back seat. The front was way more comfortable on his 6-foot 2-inch frame, but even he knew not to come in between "Sibling-versary"

"SOOO? What's the move for today? Or did you just miss my pretty face?" Eriin teased. Kamahn looked at her with pride, remembering the sad, nearly broken girl with extremely low self-esteem he met A decade ago to the hour. "Now, don't tell me you forgot?" Eriin looked confused as she thought about it. Then suddenly she shouted, "OMG, were we supposed to go see mom today? I'm so sorry I spaced out on that. The sisters have been cracking down lately. You see, we just got a new boot, and she's broken every rule already. Big sister Su'ka wants her out. However, the chick's mom is Heritage, so she is untouchable. And"

"E," Kamahn said patiently. `No, we are not supposed to see Mom today, that's in three weeks. Today, however, marks our 10th anniversary! Sean has your breakfast and your gifts in the glove box." He looked over to her and saw she was grinning from ear to ear. A tear slid down her right cheek, trailing her markings perfectly. "I love you Kamahn! You are truly the single most important person to me, and I hope you know that. Don't get me wrong, I love Mom and Dad also and appreciate everything they have done for me. But you are my best friend. Without you, I have no idea where I'd be. You are my rock, and that's why we are going to go to your gift now." Kamahn was caught off guard, "What do you mean to go to my gift?" Eriins smile grew wider at the thought of her gift to him. `I mean, you are going to pull over. Get in this seat, and I'm going to drive you to your gift. Wait, did you seriously think I forgot Sibling-versary? I could never." She stated as the car stopped, and they switched sides.

Eriin sat in the driver's seat and buckled up. As she pulled off and reached a comfortable speed. A speed where she knew her brother wouldn't jump out of the car. She said with a huge grin," oh Sean, did I forget to mention to my amazing brother that he needs to be blindfolded?" Before Kamahn could respond to what he heard, Sean had a black sack over his head. "And If you love me, you'd keep it on," Eriin added. "I hate you both right now," Kamahn barked. They both knew how much he hated surprises. A simple gift is fine, but this, this was too much.

The ride was completely annoying to Kamahn. It was dark. He refused to talk the entire drive in protest of the surprise. Sean took this time to shoot his shot a little and flirt with Eriin. He knew his friend would get him later, but he could not resist. Kamahn just sat and listened. He knew he didn't have to worry about Sean because Eriin had already told him Sean was not even an option. Besides, He'd kick Sean in the balls for this later anyway. The car came to a stop. He could hear Eriin put the car into park and unbuckle her seat belt. "Sean, make sure he doesn't peek," Eriin ordered. "Yes, Ma'am, Mi love," Sean said in his flirty voice. Once Eriin was out of the car and the door closed. Kamahn took a deep breath and said, "Sean?" "Sup Lyric?" He answered. "Remind me to Super Kick you in the balls later, m'Kay?" Kamahn said sarcastically. "Yeah, I know, Bruh. But I'll enjoy this while it lasts,' Sean said, laughing. The car was quiet for the next few minutes.

Without warning, a car door opened. Soon after Kamahn's door opened, he was pulled out of the car. "Follow me, here hold my hand" Kamahn heard Eriin say. After a short walk, she asked him if he was ready. "Honestly, No!" Kamahn barked with uncertainty. He could not see a thing, but he could hear the traffic. All he knew, he was standing in the middle of the highway. Before he could make other verbal protests. Sean ripped the sack off as he and Erin yelled, "Surprise!" Kamahn was blinded by the sun for a moment, then once his eyes focused, and he saw his gift. He fell to his knees and wept tears of joy. Standing in front of him, looking as pretty as can be, was not only Eriin but a brand-new Martin Payne DBX all-terrain SUV. It was all black with orange and silver accents.

"What… Why… How?" Kamahn was near speechless and completely overjoyed. "Dude" he ran up to Eriin and squeezed her with a huge hug, lifting her off the ground. "It was all Eriin's Idea," Sean said. Eriin replied, "Sean and Mom helped me pay for it. It's all yours, title and registration are in the glove box. Mr. Atkinson is even going to buy your Nissan. All he asks is that you perform at his grand reopening next month and show up in your new SUV." He had yet to let go of her. He never thought he could love someone so much.

"All I got you was coffee, a red velvet muffin with cream cheese filling, a box set of the Anime you've been wanting to watch, a hoodie to match that hid in the trunk. I was going to give it to you when I treated you to dinner tonight at Blanca's." He said with tears falling down his face. "Now we can go in style," Eriin said with a grin as Kamahn finally put her down and headed for the car. After fawning over the car for a while, Kamahn thanked Mr. Atkinson, moved every single thing from his former vehicle into his NEW SUV. He said goodbye to the Nissan and kissed its roof, thanking the car for being so reliable over the years. He traded keys with Mr. Atkinson, and the trio got into the jeep and drove away.

After dropping off Eriin at Sigma Nu House, Kamahn and Sean headed back to the dormitory. They had Kamahn's last mixtape streaming via Bluetooth to his new SUV. His music has never sounded so good as it pounded through the Bose speakers. A tear fell down his cheek. A sign of his joy. As they pulled into the parking lot, heads turned from all over. As they parked, people started to gather. "Are you ready for this, bro?" Sean asked. "Honestly, yeah," Kamahn answered. People were straining to see due to the dark tent of his windows. When the doors finally opened, and they saw who it was, they began to cheer. "If you weren't famous on campus before, you are now Uce," Sean said in awe of the sight.

The two walked towards Kamahn's dorm. When they were approached by the infamous Cammie. "I hope you haven't been avoiding me, Lyric. I like the new jeep, you want to take me out in it tonight?" She boldly asked, sending as much sexual vibe as she could in his direction. Normally Kamahn would be bashful and not know what to say, Sean would make up an excuse for him. Not today. Today he had an answer.

Today, the pure joy he felt gave him extra confidence and charm. "I'm sorry Cammie." He stated. "But I already have a date tonight. Maybe some other time. Gotta jet," He walked away right up to the elevator. Sean and Cammie both stood in awe and shock. "Well you heard the man," Sean said laughing as he ran to catch up with Kamahn.

"I didn't know you had that in you, bro," Sean said after the doors to the elevator closed. "That was epic, so who's the hot date?" "Sean, you're my best friend and I love you, but you're an idiot sometimes," Kamahn said. "What did I do?" Sean asked. "I'm going to dinner with Eriin. Remember?", He said. "Oh" Answered Sean. "Are you going to give Cammie a shot tho?" He asked. "Hell no!" Kamahn yelled in laughter, "The girls a thot-pocket, bro. She jumps onto whatever dude is the flavor of the month. Before I started getting clout for my music, she was looking at you, remember? And before that, she was Jay's groupie. That's not what I'm looking for."

The duo exited the elevator and walked to Kamahn's room. Kamahn opened the door. As the two walked in as he sat on his throne. Sean went for the couch. Kamahn received a buzz on his phone. It was a text from Eriin it read :

E: Let's dress up tonight

K: Sure, I guess… How fancy?

E: Let's look like superstars

Not fancy but nice

Like your stage clothes but better

K: Ahh… Got you

Ok let's do it

Damn now I have to go to the Mall lol

E: Ok me too

"Who's that?" Sean asked.

"Eriin, she wants us to look like stars tonight. I've got to go to the mall, wanna ride with?" Kamahn offered.

"Nah, I'd love to, but we have a scrimmage tonight. So, I need to rest up."

"Ok, Yo you wanna just crash here? I'll be gone for a minute, and you still have your emergency bag here if you need to change." Kamahn offered.

"Ok, that's a good idea, I could sleep a little longer that way too. AND your room is closer to the stadium. See that's why you're the smart one, and I'm the cute one" Sean said with a laugh

"I let you think you're the cute one. Now get some rest," Kamahn answered as he walked out the door.

As he walked towards the elevator, he pulled out his phone to text Eriin:

K: Yo 😆

E: What's up? 😁

K: Since I'm going to the mall anyway

Do you want me to pick you up?

E: Uh?… sure, 😋 you otw?

K: In the elevator now

E: Ok then we can grab lunch at the mall

K: Sounds good to me

E: kK see you soon

Be careful 😇

K: 😏 I will

E: Love you 😘

K: 😍 Love you too E

Kamahn made his way downstairs and out the front entrance. As he walked to his truck, he could still see people checking it out. He opened the door and hopped in. Buckled his seatbelt and rolled down his windows and cranked up his system.

Upon his arrival at Sigma Nu House, he turned his radio down a few notches. Eriin was already sitting on the porch wearing her new Chobits Hoody. She smiled as Kamahn pulled up to the curb. "So. How do you like your NEW ride."

She asked as she entered the truck and buckled up. "It's still amazing, E. I can never thank you enough." He answered humbly. "Thank me!?! Kamahn this was a thank you to you from me. You've given me the best ten years of my life. I was so damaged before you 'Mon. Without you, I would still be that damaged little girl." Eriin said, trying to hold back tears. "No, Eriin, you wouldn't. You're a survivor, don't you ever forget that."

They pulled up to the Mall. It was fairly big and filled with outlet stores. As they parked, Kamahn had an Idea. "Eriin," he said, let's do something fun". He pulled out his phone, the time displayed at 11:16 am. He started taping and swiping. "Check your Ka'Ching app." "Why?" She asked. "Just do it," He playfully barked. Eriin looked at her app, her brother just deposited $500 bucks into her Ka'Ching app. "Why so much Kamahn," Eriin asked, wondering what her brother's plans were. "So, here's what I'm thinking." He started, We both go shopping alone. When we are done shopping, we will meet up at the food court. We'll eat lunch and chill, then head to the car." "Why alone?" She questioned. "Because I want our outfits to be a surprise to each other when we meet up later," he explained as they both left the car and headed inside.

Kamahn headed to his favorite shoe store first. There he purchased a pair of Will's World Dress Kicks. It was a pair he'd always wanted to wear on stage. The shoe was Black with gold trim. The shoe embodies function and style. It looks runway-ready while being super durable and the most comfortable shoe known to man. Afterward, he headed to Montrell Manor to see Pearson. Pearson was considered to be a fashion Guru to up-and-coming artists. When you have extra money to spend and want to look the part, he is the man to call. After first showing him the shoes and telling him there wasn't a budget today, Kamahn watched Pearson's excitement as he moved throughout the store, piecing together the perfect ensemble for tonight. The final product resulted in the following. Black AliStar Jeans that fit him perfectly and allowed the Kicks to be the star below the belt, which was black foe leather with golden attachments. A blood-red button-down shirt with black buttons from the Ricochet Red collection, and a fairly thin Black leather jacket also from AliStar. Aside from accessories like a new watch and necklace, Kamahn's shopping was nearly done, and it had only been an hour. He pulled out his phone and text Eriin to let her know how much longer he'd be.

K: Yo!

E: What's up?

K: Got a couple of things

left to buy, then I'm heading

to the car to drop it all off

E: Ok, cool, do you need me to hurry?

K: No, take your time

E: Ok, not much left fo' me tho'

K: That's cool, I'll leave my keys here with Pearson when I'm done so, you can put your bags in the truck.

E: K, see you soon 😇

K: Oh, BTW. put your stuff on the back seat

My stuff will be in the trunk

E: K Love you 😘

K: 😍 Love you too E