Coming Out

Chapter Eight

Media: Inside of Mariah's House

Carmen POV

"Carmen!" Someone was shaking me and I was awaken from a nightmare.

I looked up to see Rayla leaning over me as I lay on my living room couch. "Thank god!" I sat up quickly and pulled Rayla into my arms. "I was having this terrible dream where moms boyfriend tried to rape me and mom disowned me!" I shook my head in disbelief.

Rayla pulled away and frowned at my face.

At that moment I realized that that episode wasn't a dream. I wasn't on my couch at home. I am on Raylas grandmother's couch.

"I ran you a bath." Rayla said quietly and carefully lifted me to my feet. "Mariah will be here soon." She led me to the bathroom.

The tub was filled with warm bubbles. "Thank you." I told her, undressing and handing her my dirty clothes.

She placed a folded robe on the closed toilet seat and stepped out.

As soon as my body sank into the water I felt ten times better. I leaned my head back and pretended that all my worries were melting into the water.

It was becoming too amazing to the point where after I was all washed up, I still refused to get out until Rayla knocked and forced me out since I'd been relaxing for over an hour.

"Your food is probably cold by now." She shook her head angrily, helping me into a robe once I was dry.

"Sorry Raaylaa." I giggled happily.

"You okay honey?" She raised an eyebrow.

"I'm fine." I skipped to the kitchen. Rayla was right. The homemade pancakes and bacon that her grandmother fixed was no longer steaming. This is where Rayla gets her amazing cooking skills from.

Once I was full and dressed in my freshly washed pajamas from yesterday, Mariah pulled up in a taxi as if on command.

"I have nothing." I said to Rayla, putting on a jacket and kissing her grandmother goodbye.

"You don't need anything. We're starting over now." She followed suit.

I was unsure of what she meant by this but just nodded.

                                    ...

Even though Galveston was only 30 minutes away from Houston, we ended up at the airport and the whole process seemed unnecessary because it would've just been quicker to just drive.

"You guys will love being in the air." Mariah chirped as she led us around. I felt out of place in my oversized LSU tshirt and flops. Every person I looked to had designer outfits on and were dressed to impress. Their hair looked flawless as if they'd just come from an appointment, while my curly fro was all over the place.

Looking at Rayla, she didn't seem a bit concerned about our appearance. For some strange reason, her self esteem was higher than the moon. My insecurities faded a bit because of her.

Mariahs enthusiasm about the plane was completely wrong. My ears popped and my head throbbed throughout the ride.

When we got to the Galveston airport a beautiful limo was already waiting for us when we stepped into the Sun.

"Wow." I sighed at the shiny black tint. I had never even seen one before, more or less rode one.

A man opened the door for me and I was in awe at the different drinks and snacks assorted inside.

"Are you ladies hungry?" Mariah smiled as we drove away from the fancy airport.

"Yes." We said in unison.

"Good." Mariah clicked a button on a remote and the top lifted up like a convertible.

"Weeee!" I screamed and stood up, enjoying the wind.

Mariah held our hands and escorted us pass this long line to the front of a cafe.

"Hello Mrs. Willingham." The security guard opened the red rope and allowed us in.

"Willingham?" I raised an eyebrow at Mariah.

"Yes, my fiancee." She flipped her hair.

"Wow, you two must be very popular around here." I said in astonishment.

"Of course honey. Tyson is the head CEO of Playback Music Productions." Mariah sat at a table labeled Willingham.

"Are you serious?!" My eyes widened. You guys are rich!"

"Is that Kirko Bangz!?" Rayla squealed.

"Yes it is." Mariah turned to the table next to us. "Kirko!"

Kirko stood to his feet and walked over to us. "Hello Mrs. Willingham." He hugged Mariah.

"Hey sweetie. Meet my nieces, Carmen and Rayla." Mariah smiled at us.

Kirko pulled me into a hug while I just stood there with my mouth wide open. I looked to Rayla and she had the same exact expression as me.

"I'm having a little after party tonight from my performance here last night. I want to enjoy my time back here in Texas before I head out." He pulled out three cards handing them each to us. "I'd love to see you guys there." Kirko winked at our shocked faces and went to enjoy his lunch.

"Did that just happen? Pinch me Ray." I read through the invite.

' You are invited to Kirkos Kickback @ 40785 Allens Dr.! Party the night away from 10 p.m. - 2 a.m.'

I ate my pasta and re-read it 30 times just to make sure that I wasn't dreaming.

"We have to go." Rayla took a sip of her pink lemonade.

As I was brought back to reality, my insecurities started to take over. "We have nothing to wear. This is a celebrity event and we look a mess." I started to even feel embarrassed that this was my first impression on Kirko.

"Nothing to worry ladies." Mariah put on her shades and handed the waitress a card, not even taking a glance at the tab.

                                           ...

The limo man opened the door and helped me out. "Thank you." I said to him and looked up to be greeted by a gate and a huge mansion peeking out from it. Mariah put in a code and the golden poles spread out for us to go through.

"Hello Mrs. Willingham." The two glass doors were opened for us by a man and a woman.

"Kaci, show these girls to their room that I had set up for them and get them measured for clothing." Mariah pushed past them and headed up the stairs. "See you later ladies." She disappeared.

"No bags?" The man looked to us.

"Uh, no." Rayla didn't feel like explaining herself.

"Follow me." Kaci led us up the long stairs and  into a large room.