Los Carnales

Chapter 25: Playing God

August 22nd, 2006
Wednesday, 10:06am - Glenvar Heights, Miami, Florida

"Wake up, baby," Emiliano said to Ariel, brushing his hair gently when stopping by the other single bed on one side of the room. Ariel was knocked out cold with no shirt on, his boxers were peeking out of his black basketball shorts, and his arms were folded around the pillow with his cheek pressed into it. Still snoring softly, Emiliano pursed his lips and studied his best friend before flicking his head rather harshly. "I said get up, bitch!"

"Nnn!" Ariel groaned, bothered. He sniffled and stretched before turning his head to face the wall. "Fuck off, asshole," his morning voice cracking.

Emiliano sighed in momentary defeat and carried on with his task: slicking his long hair back with more pomade. He stood in front of his bedroom mirror and grabbed the Miami Heat snapback sitting on the dresser then put it on his head, twisting the cap sideways. Emiliano had already showered, combed his beard, sprayed cologne, threw on all black jeans and a plain t-shirt, and supported his feet with a brand new pair of black and red Jordans. He spent all morning taking excessive care of his hygiene and trying on all sorts of different clothes because none of them made him look dashing until this one. The finishing touches were his thick diamond rings and one brass ring with a Scorpion on it to represent Lauren; everyone in Los Carnales wore a Scorpion on them some way.

As he stepped back to assess his entire look, Emiliano tried again a little louder with Ariel. "Ahoraaa! Get up, coño!"

"Let me sleep, I'm tireddd," Ariel responded then coughed.

"No. Get up and get dressed, hermano. I'm going to the bodega to pick us up some sandwiches then we're going to see Step Up with Jhene and Aleesia over in Kendall. I'm not leaving you here alone."

Ariel kissed his teeth. "Why can't you just pick me up a sandwich then go see that shit yourself?"

"Because once I'm out the door, I'm not coming back. And you know I've been wanting to see this movie forever, but I'm not gonna see it without you," he turned and hopped onto the bed, landing on Ariel's legs so he could quite literally whoop his ass. "Get up! Get up! Get up!"

"Oww!! Get off!!" Ariel squirmed and tried twisting his body but Emiliano put him into a chokehold, his weight crushing Ariel's back. Ariel growled and froze, his face red and cheeks puffed.

"You have five minutes to shower and five minutes to get dressed. After we eat and see the movie, we gotta drop by the hideout to pick up some guns for whatever might go down later. But if nothing happens, you and me are gonna pick up some bitches. End of story. Ahora levantate!" (Now get up!)

Once Emiliano let go, Ariel shot up and struck the older boy across the face in a hard slap for revenge. Emiliano took it and laughed, fixing his snapback as he rubbed his red stained cheek.

"That's what you get. I only got three hours of sleep, man. I don't have time to be doing all this shit," Ariel threw the covers off of him childishly. He was still feeling drunk from the little get-together last night and all that did was worsen his bad morning mood.

"Quit complaining, you cry baby. I'mma go outside and have a cigarette, you better be ready when I'm done," Emiliano opened up the white and red carton, taking out a stick to put in between his lips and another tucked behind his ear.

"Suave, wait!" Ariel called out, bringing him to a halt before he could proceed farther into the living room. Emiliano took two steps back and thrust out his chin, gesturing for Ariel to speak. "Can we go shopping today? I saw these black suspenders at this store in Overtown that reminded me of Lauren and I wanted to try them on."