Prologue
How many girls out there have ever been accused of being a liar? A cheater? Or simply a downright bitch? I have…and at first I thought it was all good. Unfortunately a man entered my life that not only proved to be a pain in my ass…but turned out to be someone who taught me more than valuable lessons.
Four Months Prior
"Carmen! Carmen sweetie come on!" my mom yelled.
I rolled my eyes and zipped up my suitcase that I had just finished packing. As you know, my name is Carmen. I'm 17 going on 18 in a few short days and I get the liberty of spending my birthday in Las Vegas. My mom, Sharon and I are heading there for our annual small Family Reunion. My mom normally planned this every two years so she and her sister, Maria, and her brother Eric could reconnect and catch up on things. My aunt Maria didn't have any children, but my uncle had a son named Bobby who was my best friend. I hadn't seen him since the last reunion we had and I couldn't wait to see him. I was also real excited because my aunt had gotten married to some famous guy a few months ago and he was going to be there. The last time we had one it was here in my hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina. In fact, we were going to Las Vegas because he was participating in WrestleMania and had bought tickets for everyone to go.
"Carmen!" my mom yelled.
I threw on my pink jacket and popped out the handle on my suitcase so I could roll it on the built on wheels.
"I'm coming now mom!" I yelled back as I pulled my suitcase into the hallway. I shut my bedroom door and then headed towards the steps. My mom was fixing her shoulder length hair in the mirror next to our front door. I carefully descended the steps with my suitcase feeling the excitement flowing through my veins.
"You were rushing me and now you're fixing your hair." I said when I reached the bottom of the steps.
She laughed, "Well I've got to look good for the flight. I just might meet your future stepfather somewhere."
I rolled my eyes playfully, "Oh please."
"What? You got yourself all dolled up." She said.
"Yeah but I'm not looking for a boyfriend mom. I just enjoy looking nice." I said as I opened the door to head to the taxi.
"Awe why not honey? You haven't dated since your dad died and that was-"
"-5 years ago, I know mom," I said as she closed the door. "It has nothing to do with that. I've just matured and these men haven't."
My mom shook her head before we reached the Taxi. I took a quick glance at the house before the Taxi driver gladly helped up place our bags in the trunk.
"Good-bye house…hello Las Vegas." I said before getting into the backseat. My mom followed shortly after tipping the driver.
"You seem real excited about this trip," my mom said.
"Well yea, it's Las Vegas mom. I've never been there before. Plus I get to meet someone famous and see my favorite cousin," I explained.
She sighed, "You're not excited about seeing your aunt or uncle?"
I frowned, "I love Uncle Eric, but you know I don't particularly care for Maria."
"Honey that's your aunt."
"So…she treats me like I'm trash on the bottom of her foot and you know it." I said as I folded my arms.
"Yes but you're the one who started all of this." She said.
I gasped and glared at her. "That wasn't my fault! As I recall it, her ex-boyfriend tried to molest me!"
"But there was no proof of it honey and he left her because of it."
"So you're taking her side over mine." I snapped although I knew I was bending the truth just a little.
She glanced at me, "You know I didn't mean it like that honey. Look her and Mark are married so-"
"-Mark? Is that the new guy's name?" I asked.
"Yep," she said. "And from what she says he's not all that friendly."
I raised my eyebrow, "Well…there goes part of my excitement."
"I'm sure he's not all that bad. He's got a warm spot for animals so you two should get along pretty nicely."
I smiled. "Yeah I hope so. I don't want to have to put him in his place."
"Carmen Renee, you will not be back talking any adults this week. If you do I'll make sure you're on the first plane home…do you understand?"
I sighed, "Yes ma'am but don't forget that in two days I'll be an adult too."
"No no sweetness, when you move out and pay your first bill then you can talk to me about being an adult."
I rolled my eyes and glanced out the window. I hoped that this week would be the most fun and exciting weekend I've ever had. Little did I know that it was going to be a very life changing one…