Coming Out

Chapter Three

Media: Carmen's apartment

Carmen POV

"Carmen. Wake up baby." Hands were softly shaking me.

"Whaaaat Rayla?" I was too comfortable to get up.

"I made you dinner." She lifted me up from the couch and set me down at the small table that we called our kitchen.

I didn't realize how hungry I was until she set a plate filled with tortilla chips topped with swiss cheeses, chicken slices, and sprinkles of tomatoes. Best looking nachos ever.

"Can't forget the homemade gaucamole." She handed me a small bowl filled to the rim with crushed avocado. "Taste it already! You're droolin ma." Rayla and I giggled.

I picked up a crunchy chip and stuffed it into my mouth. I was starving. I moaned as I chewed. Rayla always knew how to make me feel better.

"Bien?" Rayla raised an eyebrow at me.

"No." I shook my head as I raised another chip to my lips. Rayla frowned. "Muy bien."  Her smile reappeared and she cleaned up the tiny wood floored kitchen. Rayla knew that Mexican food is my favorite.

"I've gotta pee." I got up from the table once I was finished. "I'll wash the dishes when I get out."

"Dont worry about it." She was already on them.

As I was using the restroom, Rayla walked in and set a towel and a giant t-shirt on the counter next to the sink and started a warm shower for me.

I had never seen this shirt before. it was brand new. A yellow and purple LSU (Louisiana State University) logo plastered to the front. She started the shower water and then left to give me my privacy, with the door cracked.

I pulled my clothes off and glared at my reflection in the mirror. My skin is light, thanks to my dad who is Puerto Rican. I lifted my curly black hair into a bun. I stared at my self in the mirror. I know that I'm pretty, doesn't take a rocket scientist to see. Or does it? Because no one tells me that I am pretty. Not even Rayla. I guess she just sees me as too much of a sister to say such a thing.

I sighed as I stepped into the tub, pulling the curtain shut behind me and the perfect temperature of warm water hit my back, melting all of my stress away, but for only a few seconds before I heard a small creak of the door opening.

"Rayla?" I called quietly, frozen in place.

No answer. I shut off the water and wrapped a towel around my still dripping body. "This is not the time for games Rayla." I said sternly.

Still no response. My heart sped up, I was afraid to open the curtain, but I had to.

1...2.... I counted to myself .. 3.... I yanked open the curtain and there standing in front of me grinning, was... Raymond.

"Thought you were going to get away with that little comment from earlier, hmm?" he stepped closer to the tub. "Well, you thought wrong."

I pushed myself up against the wall as far as I could go and there was no where to run or hide. I was trapped.