The Incredible Charlie Maxwell

Chapter 12

 Right in the middle of that chaos of continuous roasting and mockery of Michael, the doors swung open hard and Mikel Braken stepped in.

 Instantly, heads turned. Conversations paused. Even the DJ’s hype man shouted into the mic, “Yo! Mikel just pulled up!”

Students rushed toward him like he was some kind of celebrity. Mikel removed his sunglasses dramatically, sliding them into his shirt collar like he was in a movie. His grin was wide as he shouted just loud enough for everyone to hear, “So where are Michael and his little poverty squad? Did they get lost on the way here because G****e Maps doesn’t know where the rich party is?”

 Laughter erupted across the hall.

 Someone yelled, “They probably walked here and got tired halfway!”

 Another chimed in, “Or maybe the guards didn’t let them in because they thought they were staff!”

 The mocking rolled across the room like a wave. Mikel fed off it instantly.

 He climbed onto one of the seating platforms, spreading his arms. “Guys, guys, don’t bully them too much. They probably borrowed outfits tonight. We don’t want them sweating through their one nice shirt!”

 The crowd howled. Another student shouted, “Michael probably ironed his clothes with a pot!”

 More laughter. Mikel was enjoying himself… until he looked toward a quieter corner of the hall and froze.

 There she was, Amara James.

 A campus legend. A rising model working with Elite Inc. A woman whose name alone could get brands trending. She stood with Celia, sipping a drink, her expression cool and unbothered as chaos erupted around her. Amara didn’t need to speak to draw attention. Her presence just radiated dominance. 

 And Mikel? He melted instantly. He swallowed hard. “Oh damn…”

Jane noticed his staring and smirked. “Good luck. You think Amara even knows you exist?”

 Danny laughed. “Bro, she only dates men with money… real money.”

 Mikel let out a cocky scoff, “I got real money. Watch as I make her laugh hard at my jokes tonight.” He strutted confidently towards Celia and pulled her aside. 

 “Celia,” he called and lowered his voice. “Do me a favor.”

 Celia exhaled, already tired. “This better be good, because the amount of drama tonight is frying my brain.”

 Mikel pointed at Amara. “Introduce me.”

 Celia blinked twice. “To… Amara James?”

 “Yes!” He hissed. “That’s Amara James. THE Amara. The Amara whose face is on every billboard in the city. The woman of my dreams. The-”

 “Stop,” Celia cut in. “You sound crazy.”

 Mikel looked desperate. “Celia, come on. You know I’ve liked her since freshman year. I’ve tried everything—DMs, gifts, messages through friends…nothing worked. Just introduce me.”

 Celia pinched the bridge of her nose. “Mikel, I’m barely keeping this party from exploding. Everyone is already clowning Michael. I’m trying to get them to back off.”

 “Then I’ll help,” Mikel said quickly.

 Celia raised a brow. “You? ”

 “Yes. I’ll calm everyone down. I’ll tell them to chill. I swear.”

 “You swear?”

 “I swear.”

 “You don’t swear.”

 “Okay, then I promise, which is even more unreliable, so that proves how serious I am.”

 Celia groaned. “Fine. Tone it down, and then I’ll introduce you.”

 Mikel grinned like he’d just won the lottery. He turned back to the crowd, waving his arms, “Alright guys! Tone it down! No need to bully Michael too much! Let’s keep it at a light roast!”

 Students burst into laughter again.

 Celia facepalmed. “That’s not toning it down—”

 “Come on, Celia. Let the guy do what he wants.” Amara calmly cut her off while wearing a small smile that carried both elegance and mischief. “I'm sure that whoever this Michael is, he can handle himself. We're all grownups, aren't we?” She gave Mikel a quick wink that almost made his heart escape his body.

 Mikel smirked and kept going. “We don’t want him crying in the bathroom before he even arrives! At least let him enter the building first, okay?”

 Everyone laughed but at the same time, heeded his words; the mockery died down for a bit. This was not how Celia wanted it to go but Mikel got the job done regardless. However, she didn't need to do much talking, as Amara was the one who personally called Mikel over. “How humble of you,” she said, that mischievous smile still playing on her lips.

 Mikel grabbed the opportunity to push on,  “Just doing what I can; gotta look out for the low-lives sometimes. Even if they're worthless.

 Before Celia could jump in, a deep vibrating sound rolled across the hall.

 VRRRROOOOMMMM!

 Even the DJ turned down the music. Another engine revved. This one was louder, sharper, and unmistakably expensive.

 Danny’s head snapped toward the entrance. His eyes widened. “That sound…no way…”

 The rev came again, shaking the doors.

 A student ran in from outside, breathless. “You guys need to come out now! I’m not joking!”

 Curiosity ignited instantly. Danny moved first, and Jane followed, clutching her Caesar Bracelet. Amara raised a brow and walked with cool curiosity; Mikel, Ceila, and everyone then followed. 

 Outside, people screamed, phones shot into the air, and students nearly jumped over each other trying to record.

 Three hypercars sat in front of the venue, engines purring like mechanical beasts.

 A 2025 Bugatti Veyron.

 A 2025 Bugatti Chiron.

 A 2025 Bugatti Tourbillon. Each shining under the streetlights like they’d been dipped in money.

 The doors opened and everyone gasped in unison at who just emerged from the cars.

 Danny staggered back. “What…what the hell?” Every insult died in their throats, every mockery evaporated, and every student stared like they were witnessing royalty arrive.

It was official… Michael had entered the party.

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