Choices (17 page)
Authors: Skyy
Chapter 21
School had been back in for two weeks and she still hadn't heard from her secret love. She finally realized that she shouldn't have let her ex back into her life again. Carmen had been keeping her romance with Tameka a secret, because she knew that Cooley and Denise would disapprove of it.
Carmen knew it was wrong, but she couldn't resist. After all, she loved Tameka. She'd decided she could at least take the time to have lunch with her. Tameka had been trying to get back with her ever since she saw her at the first party of the year.
Every day Carmen ran into Tameka. It was like Tameka purposely stood in front of the old oak tree just to wait for her. For weeks Carmen protested, refusing to hear what Tameka had to say.
After class one day, there she was again, but this time Tameka was holding a dozen orchids. She reached her hand out to hand them to Carmen. “Orchids, your favorite,” Tameka said.
Carmen hesitated, but took them. “Yeah, you know I love them.” She looked down at the flowers, unaware that her wall was being broken down.
“Look, I know you have every reason to hate me, but I really just want the chance. I fucked up, Carmen, and I know it. Can't you at least give me one chance to make it right?”
“One chance? I gave you chance after chance every time I took you back after catching you with some tramp. So don't come talking to me about chance.”
“Okay. Damn, Carmen, I know I was wrong for it, and I apologize from the bottom of my heart. I was young and dumb. I didn't realize how special you were.”
“Young and dumb. Tameka, it was last year. And what makes you know that I'm special now, the fact that I am a size nine?”
“No, baby, it's not like that.”
Carmen glared at Tameka to warn her not to call her baby again.
“Carmen, look, I don't care about the size, it was simply that I wasn't ready for you then, but I am now. I don't want to trick off no more. I just want my Carmen back.”
Carmen looked into Tameka's eyes. Something told her that she was telling the truth. She decided to have lunch with her.
Ever since then she had been secretly seeing Tameka. They mainly would meet off campus, at hotels and restaurants. She had forgotten how good Tameka was in bed; the girl could make her cum multiple times just with her tongue alone. She let Tameka sex her all the time. They were doing things they never did before, mainly because there were some positions she couldn't get in when she was overweight. Tameka gave her the best oral sex. Now that Carmen finally could ride her, she loved it. When she was big she couldn't ride her because of it being so uncomfortable, but now she rode her like she was trying to win a rodeo.
Carmen was happy. She had her Tameka back. Tameka decided that on campus they shouldn't let on about their relationship. Carmen agreed simply because of Cooley and Denise. They would be so upset if they found out she was messing with her again.
Now she was regretting her decision to take Tameka back into her life. The holiday passed and she heard nothing from Tameka.
Carmen took a sip of her drink when she saw Lena walking up to her.
“Hey, chick. How are you doing?” Lena asked. She saw that Carmen was having a hard time. Lena was the only person that Carmen told about Tameka. She had to confide in someone, and Lena had become one of her best friends.
“I'm doing okay. Still haven't heard anything, but it's okay. I'll be fine.” Carmen had mastered hiding her true feelings. She didn't want to come off as being sad, so that Lena would want to tell Cooley and Denise. “I am concentrating on the Intake meeting.”
“Oh, yeah, I guess I should start on my packet, huh.” Lena had no desire to be a Chi Theta, but decided to go ahead and do it for her mother and Carmen.
“Lena, you are tripping. I finished my packet before school let out. Hell, I rewrote my essay too many times.” Carmen could tell by the look on Lena's face that she really did not care. “I need you to get on your shit. I can't do this without you.”
“Okay, okay. I will finish it tonight. Brandon has a scrimmage anyway, so I can get it done.”
“Speak of the devil.” Carmen pointed at Brandon, who was walking into the University Center.
The girls in the U.C. quickly started to perk up, fixing their hair and checking their makeup when they noticed the basketball players walking into the cafeteria.
“Oh shit!” Lena started fumbling to take off the charm bracelet Denise had given her and put on the bracelet from Brandon. She got the charm bracelet in her bag just before Brandon walked up.
“Hey, baby,” she said as he kissed her on her forehead. “What are you doing slumming in the cafeteria?”
“Well, we got a break and the fellas wanted to come check out the new semester girls, and I knew you were meeting Carmen here, so I came too. Hey, Carmen,” Brandon said as he pulled up a seat next to Lena.
Carmen spoke, trying not to laugh at the switch job Lena pulled a few minutes before.
Brandon sat and talked with them for a few minutes before one of his basketball teammates told him it was time to get back to practice. He kissed Lena and headed out of the U.C.
Carmen gave Lena a stern look. Lena rolled her eyes.
“Girl, are you crazy? That was a close call. What if he had caught you?”
Lena had told Carmen all about the blowup with Brandon. She told Brandon that she wouldn't wear the bracelet, but every time Carmen saw her she had it on.
“Look, I don't understand why I shouldn't be able to wear it, okay. I love this bracelet,” she said as she put the charm bracelet back on.
“Maybe because your boyfriend is going to be pissed if he sees it on you, instead of his bracelet. You are playing with fire, girl.”
“Whatever.”
Carmen noticed that something caught Lena's eye.
“Girl, don't look now, but there is a very attractive stud looking at you.”
“What?” Carmen slightly turned her head to see a very attractive stud sitting at a table. She was staring at Lena and Carmen. “Oh, wow. Who is she, and why is she staring over here?”
“I don't know, but she's headed this way.”
The stud greeted them. She was very tall and slender. She had very long wavy hair that she wore in a ponytail that came down her back. Carmen instantly noticed her eyes, light brown with no sign of them being contacts. She had a fourleaf clover tattooed on her neck.
“Hello, um, I hate to bother you all, but I noticed that rainbow on your bag. Am I wrong for thinking that you're family?”
“No, you're not wrong. I am. My name is Carmen.”
The stud shook Carmen's hand. She had very soft hands.
“My name is Nicole, but most people call me Nic.”
“Hello, Nic. This is my friend Lena.” Carmen introduced Nic to Lena.
“Well, Miss Carmen. I am from L.A. and I couldn't help but notice how beautiful you are. I wanted to know if you are attached. I hope that's not being too forward.”
Carmen couldn't help but smile. Lena giggled a little.
“No, it's not too forward. It's very refreshing, actually, and no, I am not attached to anyone at the moment.”
“Now, that's refreshing. So, I have to get to class, but I would love to get your number. Maybe I can take you out and you can show me around your town.”
“That could be a very good possibility.” Carmen wrote down her number and handed it to Nic. They said their good-byes as Nic left the cafeteria.
“You go, bitch. If she was a man, I would totally talk to her. What do you think she is? Puerto Rican?” Lena asked.
“Yeah, she was damn fine, wasn't she? If that's how they make them in L.A., I am moving tomorrow.” They both laughed as they headed out of the room.
“I don't know, maybe, she was a little too fine. There's gotta be something wrong with her,” Carmen said as they headed out into the square.
“Why do you say that?”
“Why is she trying to talk to me?” Carmen added as she looked at a Chi Theta poster.
“Damn, Carmen, you need to quit that shit. Why something got to be wrong with her 'cause she likes you? You deserve a good girl and stop acting like you don't. You deserve a whole lot better than that damn Tameka, that's for sure.” Lena rolled her eyes. She didn't like Tameka at all, and she understood why Cooley and Denise didn't like her either.
“I hear you, girl, but I still can't believe that fine-ass girl just tried to talk to me.”
They both laughed.
“Well, I guess I better head off to do that damn packet,” Lena said as she parted ways with Carmen.
“Okay, girl, and do it right. See you later.”
Carmen headed to the library. She passed the tree where Tameka usually stood when she was trying to get her back. She suddenly felt a little sad. She hoped she would see Tameka, but didn't. She knew it was time to let her go, but she just wasn't ready yet.
Chapter 22
Cooley's search for love landed her at a table with another hopeful candidate. She had been back in Memphis for almost a month. None of the girls had an interest in getting to know the new and improved Cooley. They all wanted to see the “Killa Cap” Cooley. She decided to venture out to a new venue. She was too well known at the black gay club, Allusions, so she decided to try a local lesbian bar called Madison Flame. Madison was known for its older lesbian crowd. She was amazed at the amount of older black women there. She figured she would meet someone, which led her to Alexus.
After the club, they went to I-Hop. Alexus made Cooley laugh. She liked that about her. The fact that Alexus was older was a major plus. The fact that she didn't know anything about Cooley or her reputation was refreshing to Cooley; she could have a fresh start.
After talking on the phone for a week, they decided to make another date to meet at A&R Barbeque in North Memphis.
“So, Cooley, what would you like to know about me?” Alexus asked Cooley. “Anything you want to tell me?” Alexus sipped on her drink.
Cooley's eyes wandered down to Alexus' breasts. For an older woman they were very perky. She noticed the tattoo of her name on them. Cooley imagined licking all around it.
“And that's about it.”
Cooley suddenly realized that she had missed everything the girl had said to her.
“Dig that.” That was the answer Cooley always gave when a girl finished talking. It worked in most cases. “So do you live in this area?” Cooley asked. Alexus had asked Cooley to meet her at the restaurant in a neighborhood Cooley usually would not be caught dead in.
“Yeah, I'm in walking distance. I would invite you over, but it's a little junky.”
Cooley noticed some guys coming in the building. She started to get a little nervous. Men had the tendency to try to mess with her just because of how she looked, and she didn't want any trouble today.
One of the guys looked in her direction. He touched his friend and whispered something in his ear, causing him to look over as well.
Cooley knew it was time to leave.
“Um, it's cool. I live on campus so I have seen messy rooms.”
As they headed out the door, she heard one of the guys make a comment about them being together. Cooley ignored it.
Cooley walked up the stairs to Alexus' apartment in a run-down building. She noticed a dead roach on one of the stairs and she quickly dreaded the decision she made. As they walked down her hall, Cooley noticed a whole lot of noise coming from one of the apartments; she really started to rethink her decision when she noticed it was coming from the door she was standing in front of.
“I didn't know you had roommates,” Cooley said.
“I don't, girl, that's my kids.”
Cooley now wanted to turn around and walk away.
“You didn't tell me you hadâ” the door opened and Cooley was horrified. There were at least six children playing around the room. She stepped in the apartment. Junky was not the word for it; it was filthy. There were Cheerios all over the floor. Cooley glanced into the kitchen, which looked even worse, with the dishes piled up.
“Y'all sit your asses down and watch TV!” Alexus yelled to the kids.
“Who dat, Mama?” one of the little boys asked.
“This is Mommy's special friend. We are going to my room, do not bother us.”
Cooley realized she had to walk through the house. She wanted to leave. “Um, maybe I should come back.”
“No, it's cool. They ain't gon' bother us.” Alexus grabbed her hand and took her back to her room.
Cooley hoped the other rooms were just messy because of the children, but she quickly realized it was also the mother. Her room was covered with clothes. Cooley noticed two blunts rolled up on the dresser with some loose weed in the ashtray. Alexus moved all the clothes off her bed and motioned for Cooley to sit down.
“So, um, all those your kids?” Cooley asked.
“Yeah, them my babies. What, you don't have a problem with me having kids, do you?”
“Oh, no, it's nothing like that. I just thought you said you were gay.”
“I am gay!” Alexus exclaimed.
Cooley knew she saw a child that was at least one in the other room. “Okay, so how long have you been gay, one year?” Cooley said sarcastically.
“I have been gay all my life. I just had some fuckups on the way, but I wanted kids. So, I have them now, but I am very gay. I don't fuck with dick.”
Cooley could tell Alexus took offense to her question. “Okay, Alexus, it's cool.” Cooley turned her head to make sure she didn't see anything crawling on the bed.
“So, are you gonna keep asking me questions, or are you going to take care of these?”
Cooley turned her head around to find Alexus had taken her shirt off, exposing her breasts.
“Oh, wait a minute, shorty, I am not trying to get down like that this quick, boo.”
“Oh, really. Well you were staring at them pretty hard earlier. Now I have been looking at those lips all day, and I want to see what they feel like.”
Cooley's mind was racing, trying to figure a way out. She could hear the children outside sounding like they were tearing the place apart. They began to yell for their mother..
“Man, shorty, we can't do this. The kids are in the other room.”
“Fuck them damn kids.”
Cooley officially was turned off when Alexus made that comment. How could she ignore her kids for some sex?
Suddenly, the door flew open, and there stood a very attractive younger woman in the doorway.
“Bitch, get your ass up. BJ is at the door, about to break it down,” the girl said. She didn't seem affected by the fact that Alexus had no shirt on.
“Oh, shit. Really. Damn. Take Cooley to the other room.” Alexus quickly put her shirt on and headed out the door.
Cooley followed the other girl.
“Who the hell is JB?” Cooley asked the girl as they stood in one of the children's rooms.
They soon heard a male voice yelling at Alexus about having the door locked and taking so long to come to the door.
“It's
BJ,
and he's her boyfriend,” the girl stated; she was listening to the argument.
BJ,
and he's her boyfriend,” the girl stated; she was listening to the argument.
Alexus was pleading with the guy to come to her room and make love to her. Cooley felt sick to her stomach. “She told me she was gay.”
“My sister is not gay. She is try-sexual.”
They heard BJ say he wanted to watch TV.
“Damn, looks like he isn't going to the room. Come on and play along.”
They headed out the door. Cooley's heart started beating fast when she saw the huge man sitting on the couch separating some weed.
“Damn, Misha, where you come from?” he said to the girl. He looked at Cooley and quickly looked back at Misha. “So, you still carpet-munching I see.” He started laughing. Alexus smiled. She was in the kitchen washing dishes.
“Fuck you, BJ. Yes, I am still, and always gonna be, gay. Get used to it, okay. Anyway, this is my friend, Cooley.”
Cooley nodded her head. She looked at Misha, realizing that she knew her name.
“Yeah, okay, whatever. Nice to meet you, dude. Sorry you had to come in this junky-ass house. I've been telling my girl to clean up for days. Misha, I can't believe you brought company in this nasty-ass house.”
“I didn't want to. I came to get my book for class.”
Cooley realized the girl must go to Freedom.
“Oh, really. Well, where is it?”
Cooley's heart started to beat hard again, realizing that Misha didn't have a book.
“Oh, I didn't leave it here after all. Anyway we have to go. I'll talk to you later, sis.” She grabbed Cooley's hand and walked out the door.
Cooley felt a strange feeling when she grabbed her hand. Before they made it down the stairs and out of the building, Alexus met up to them.
“Cooley, baby, call me tomorrow, okay?”
“Man, no, I don't do drama, with your lying ass,” Cooley said, walking off from her.
“Well, fuck you then. I didn't want your sorry ass anyway.” Alexus yelled as Cooley walked off, trying to catch up with Misha.
“Hey, hey, slow down, boo,” Cooley yelled out to Misha who was headed toward the bus stop.
“Man, I gotta go catch my bus. It's about to leave me, fucking around with you and my sister,” Misha said as she tried to catch the bus, but was too late.
“Hey, if you're going to campus, I can take you,” Cooley said.
“No. That's all right. I don't take rides with strangers.”
“You know my name, and I know yours. How am I still a stranger?”
“Well . . .” Misha paused. “I don't take rides with killas.” She laughed.
Cooley realized that she knew about her reputation.
“Okay, dig that. Well, I promise not to do anything to you if you let me give you a ride. After all, you saved me up there,” Cooley said to Misha, who decided to go ahead and ride with her.
“So, why have I never seen you on campus? I thought I knew most of the rainbow family,” Cooley said, making small talk on the ride to the campus.
“Because I go to school to learn. I go to class, and head back to my dorm,” Misha said, staring out the window.
“Man, what's the deal with your sister? She told me she was gay.” Cooley heard Misha sigh after that comment.
“Not like you really care anyway,” she mumbled.
“What's that supposed to mean?” Cooley asked.
“How long did you know my sister?” Misha looked at Cooley.
“I met her like a week and a half ago.”
“And yet you're already about to fuck herâ”
Cooley quickly cut her off. “Hell no, I wasn't gonna fuck her! That's not my style anymore.”
“So, I guess she just took her top off to catch a breeze,” Misha said, staring out the window.
“Man, she just took it off. I was not going to fuck her, I promise.” Cooley realized that she was really trying to make Misha believe her. She usually didn't care what a girl thought, but it was something about Misha.
“Okay, I guess.” Misha looked back out the window.
“Look, for real, you seem cool. Can I ask you a question?”
“Go ahead.”
“Okay. I promised my friends that this semester I was turning in my player card and trying to find something real. But every girl I meet only wants to have sex with me.”
Misha, turned her head to Cooley. “So, let me guess you fuck these girls who offer themselves to you,” Misha added.
“Well, some of them. Hell, they giving it up, so I take it.”
“Typical. That's why I don't fuck around like that. Just because a bitch is giving it to you doesn't mean you should take it. Hell, everything that looks pretty ain't. You should have more respect for yourself than to fuck a girl who is just willing to get with you. That's why you have drama like you did at the beginning of the year in the yard.”
“Oh, so you saw that. Well, that wasn't my fault. Old girl changed my room arrangement so she could stay with me. She got mad 'cause I moved out.”
“Did you fuck her?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, there ya go then.”
Cooley started to think. She realized Misha was right. She was quickly becoming mesmerized by the woman who was challenging her.
“So, what's up with you, Miss Misha? Would you give a boy like me a chance?” Cooley pulled up in front of Misha's dormitory.
“Sorry, but no,” she said, hopping out of the truck.
Cooley quickly followed.
“Wait a minute. Why not? I am serious about the changing thing.”
“No.”
“Why?”
“You were just about to fuck my sister,” she said as she headed up her stairs.
“I wasn't gonna fuck her!” Cooley didn't realize how loud she was, until she noticed everyone outside looking at her. She ran up the stairs and grabbed Misha's arm.
“Thanks for the ride, Cooley.”
“I want you to know that I am digging you and I don't give up that easily, Misha. Just get ready for it.”
Misha headed into her dormitory.
Cooley waited a few minutes and headed in the dorm after her. She approached the girl sitting at the front desk.
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