Perfectly Imperfect

Cincuenta y dos: Plot Twist. . . But not Really

  (A/N: *WARNING* kind of depressing chapter ahead. This is 3,000 words of Carmen in her feels. Just get ready for that. Also, hi, it's been a while, hasn't it?)

That was fun. I wish we could always stay out late and just hang out, but alas my stepfather —

  Why is his car in the driveway? It's a weeknight, he should still be at work.

  Frick, I'm screwed.

  Maybe he'll be asleep? He has to be asleep, right? I'm sure all that work is tiering and this time he came home and went straight to sleep, right?

Right.

I AM SO SCREWED.

I don't know if my body can take anymore right now. Everything is still throbbing from my last encounter with him. The walk here certainly didn't help either.

Maybe I can turn around and head back to Joey's house. Mm, no. He's already got a full house, I couldn't do that to him or his mom.

What about Corey's?

. . . No, he's not allowed to have girls over.

Sam? Ugh, no. I already did that to her recently.

I have nowhere to go.

I have no choice but to go "home".

With my head already hung low, I walked up the stairs to the porch. I looked at the doorknob and quickly went over my options again in my head. Still nothing. I mean, it's not like I had many in the first place, I don't have many friends.

I wrapped my hand around it, and as always when Josh is home, I paused before opening it.

I took in a slow breath, and let it out.

  Again, in and out.

  In and out.

  In — I'm stalling my @ss off — out.

  I heard glass break from inside.

  "D@mmit Carmen! Get in here!"

  Crap.

  I looked to the window next to me with the curtains pulled back.

  I nearly face palmed myself.

  I'm such an idiot.

  He's been able to see me this whole time.

  "You better hurry up kid. My patience are running thin."

  Oh really? I wasn't aware he had any to begin with.

I took a final deep breath and opened the door. I was a little surprised that the first thing I saw when I did was my mother standing in the living room. She usually goes straight to her room and stays there when she gets home. That is, after making Josh dinner, of course.

We make eye contact and her eyes started motioning for the kitchen.

I turn and see Josh stalking out of that area.

I turned back to my mother. "Hey mom. Where's Tony?" I asked her, only sounding curious but really needing it as a distraction. Also, I hate him being home with Josh when I'm not here.

  "I dropped him off at a friend's house."

  I nodded, nearly sighing of relief out loud.

  Good. I know she hates it too.

  I felt a shove sideways, "where the h3ll have you been?!"

  I stumble, but catch myself before I fall. "Nowhere. I —"