Coming Out

Chapter Two

Media:
- Mary (Carmens Mom) - Tia Mowry
- Aunt Mariah - Tamera Mowry

Carmen POV

Rayla - Come outside, Ill drive us home.-

I was relieved when I read my phone screen. Thank god Rayla brought her car, it was finally Friday and I didn't feel like being on that smelly, crowded bus today.

Me -I love you!-

Rayla -Girl, you better.-

When I spotted Rayla, she was standing outside of her purple slugbug, flirting with some blonde girl. My face immediately scrunched up. Rayla could do way better then that white chick. Not saying I'm jealous or anything, I don't have feelings for anyone, girls or guys.

"So, how about you give me them digits?" The girl said as I approached them. Don't let her looks fool you. Her slang and the way that she smacked her gum was totally ethnic.

"Of course shawty." Rayla passed the girl her phone.

I cleared my throat and Rayla finally noticed me standing there.

"Oh! Hey Carmen." She grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the car.

"This is Ashley." She nodded toward the girl.

"Hi." I held out my hand and smiled down to her.

Ashley scoffed and rolled her eyes at my hand. For a short girl, she sure is a bitch.

"Uuuhmm, hop in." Rayla held open the car door for me.

As soon as the door was shut, Ashley went off. "Who the fuck is that?" She handed Rayla back her phone.

"Oh, her? That's just my bestfriend, Carmen."

"Well, she BETTER be just a friend." Ashley flipped her hair. "Text me cutie!" She said skipping away.

As me and Rayla were on the road to my moms apartment, I started to feel more and more uncomfortable thinking about Ashley. What if Rayla started dating her and wanted to hang out with her more than me?

"What's up?" Rayla removed one hand from the steering wheel and tapped my thigh.

"Huh?" I snapped out of my daze.

"You're looking at my dashboard like you want to shoot it. Tell me what's up with you." Rayla chuckled.

"Oh nothing. We will be together forever, right Rayla?" I stared at her. I was serious. She was the only person that truly had my back in life. I didn't want to lose that.

"Of course babygirl." She squeezed my thigh once before getting out and opening my door for me.

                                             ...

"Hey girls!" My Aunt Mariah pulled me in for a hug before I could even step foot into the tiny apartment. "Come in! I have a big surprise, but I didn't want to tell your mom about it until you got here." She smiled.

I hadn't seen Aunt Mariah in about a year. She never visited and never called. I noticed how great she looked. Clothes, hair, and nails looking more expensive then our entire apartment complex. How could she have afforded these items? Confusion fled over me. Anxious to hear her surprise, I walked past her to greet my mom.

I nearly jumped out of my skin when I saw my mom lying on the couch, feet resting across a buff dark man's lap.

The man wouldn't stop staring at me and I found his brown eyes very creepy. "Who's this ma?" I set my bookbag on the counter and reached forward to hug her.

My mom looked a lot older than she actually was. She is an alcoholic. Very slow and doesn't function well. I'm constantly wondering how our bills are getting paid.

"My boyfriend, Raymond."

My heart sank to my stomach.

"He's moving in with us."

My heart sank to my feet.

"Isn't it great?!" My mom clapped her hands. She was so excited to add him to our duo, but I wasn't.

My hispanic dad died when I was really young, shot at the age of 30. It had always been just the two of us and I wanted to keep it that way.

"Hello little lady." Raymond smiled at me. His smile was crooked and a gold grill filled his mouth. Now I know how the rent is being paid. Even though his teeth were cheesing, his eyes were still piercing. My skin was tingling, this man was really scary.

Raymond was wearing a black t-shirt, but tattoos covered the rest of his rough skin.

"Ok ladies! Ready for my announcement?" Aunt Mariahs cheery voice tore my eyes away from Raymonds, but I could still feel his gaze on my back.

"What's up? Just tell us!" Rayla said impatiently.

"Well, Carmen and Mary (my mother), pack your bags because we are leaving Houston and heading to Galveston! I'm getting married! Wooo!" Aunt Mariah jumped up and down.

"Oh my gosh! Mariah are you serious?" My mom jumped off the couch and hugged her sister. "For how long?"

"We are leaving in two days. The wedding is held next Sunday." Aunt Mariah squealed. "That means a week of vacation for you kiddo!" She fluffed my hair.

"Honey, I'm so happy for you!" Mary grabbed her left hand and gawked at the huge diamond with blue crystals surrounding it.

Suddenly, Raymond jumped up from the couch and pulled the two smiling sisters apart. "That's not happening. You're not leaving my sight." he turned to my mother and grabbed her wrist.

"Who are you to tell my mum what she can and cannot do!" I squeezed in between Raymond and my mother, pushing him back. Mariah was Mary's best friend and sister, blood related. How could she miss her wedding?

He got close to my face. "You'll regret that little girl." He smiled at me. The scary part was that he didn't seem angry. He was amused.

"Uhm, thank you for stopping by honey, but it's been a long day, you should get back home." My mom turned to my Aunt Mariah, quickly changing the subject.

"Sure, I'll give you guys time to think." She gave a round of hugs. "I love you all. Call me soon with information." Aunt Mariah was gone.

"Babe, how about you go shower and then wait for me in my room." My mom placed her hand on Raymonds shoulder and winked. Ew.

When Raymond was out of sight my mom punched my arm as hard as she possibly could. "Ow!" I screamed.

"What the hell is wrong with you?!" My mom paced back and forth. "How could you embarrass me like that Carmen!?"

"No, what the hell is wrong with you?! I was defending you mom!" I shook my head. "Who is this dude coming into our home!"

"How about you go lay down mama." Rayla stepped in, put her arm around my mom and took her to her room.

"She's crazy." I said once Rayla was back.

"Dont worry about it. Just relax." She gently pushed me down into the couch.

Before I knew it, I was fast asleep. This had been a long Friday.