Vicky's Habitat
Carmen stared out of the window of Vicky's cubicle of a room in Vicky's father's bungalow;while Vicky sang Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion's
'Bongos'loudly while she did a dance which looked like twerking but was not in any way what the sixteen year old was doing.Carmen was going over to Zack's the next day but she didn't know if she was mentally prepared to be in the same space as him;seeing him at school hadn't helped the situation as the beautiful male continued looking dashing whilst exuding an arrogant aura and Carmen couldn't form a straight sentence without fumbling when she was around him.She considered this a problem while Vicky thought it was absolutely 'natural '.
"Bong...bong..bongos!!
Don't be talking shit like you know me!!
I ride dick like a pony!!!!..."
"Vicky this is bad"Carmen said for the billionth time since she came to Vicky's house.
"Yeah that nigga look like a...."
"Vicky!!!!!!!"Carmen screamed throwing a cushion at the girl.
"Ow!!What did you do that for?!"Vicky shouted in pain,rubbing her waistline as she bent to pick up her ear-pods which had fallen of.
"Babes I've got a problem!!"Carmen persisted.
"Which is?"Vicky asked incredulously.
"I'm going over to Zack's tomorrow and I've got no idea how I'm going to manage"Carmen said looking apprehensive.
"Girl you're just being silly!You'll be absolutely fine!"Vicky said reassuringly.
"But what if I say something stupid or totally flunk at what we're supposed to be doing tomorrow....or.."
"Carmen Obioma Kingston!!"Vicky said,stomping her feet with an authoritative look on her face.
"What?!"Carmen asked skeptically.
"You are a gorgeous young woman,you're intelligent,smart,you have the most perfect smile,you make the...best spaghetti,you're strong and even though you have very horrible movie choices....."
"Get to the point,V!"Carmen cut in impatiently.
"The point is you're going to ace that visit,so you don't need to worry!I'm pretty sure Zack will be dazzled by you by the end of that da...study session"Vicky stated .
"If you say so"Carmen,said shrugging unconvincingly.
"Now what are you going to wear?"
*************************************
Two hours had passed and the girls still hadn't agreed on what Carmen was wearing to Zack's place.
"I'm telling you V,I am not wearing that skimpy skirt,it's way too slutty"Carmen argued.
"Com'n Carrie!Its the perfect shade of pink and your cute white sweater will go perfectly with it!"Vicky enthused,as she shoved the checked pink mini flay skirt towards Carmen.
"But it's short.....I'll just wear my cargo pants and my long sleeved black crop top"Carmen said decisively.
"Ugh....you'll wear your cargo pants....the black one...the other ones look too 'boyish'....and you'll wear any crop top I pick...deal?"Vicky inquired firmly.
"V...no open busts or.."
"Great!You'll wear the white one with the basketball logo on it...it's cute and it looks sporty...also it brings out your generous front side...and your crocs....I'll handle your makeup"Vicky said smoothly, a wicked grin on her face.
"Nothing extra?"Carmen implored pleadingly.
"Pfft..! When have you known me to be extra?"Vicky asked,shrugging as she already brought out her makeup kit with a triumphant look on her face.
"Every time V!"Carmen said,already regretting her impulse to stay over at Vicky's for the weekend since it was closer to Zack's place.
She had checked with her mom and she had given a half hearted go ahead whilst Pete had been all too ready to bundle her away.
Pounding soon started on Vicky's bedroom door and Vicky,speedily opened the door only to be greeted with a scowling Cindy.
"Dinner is ready,broomstick"Cindy announced icily.
"Thanks for letting us know hamster"Vicky replied with a sneer.
Cindy walked away with ill grace as Vicky slammed the door shut.
"She's such a bitch!"Vicky cursed under her breath.
"Hailey is too if it makes you feel any better "Carmen states as a form of consolation.
"We're like princesses in a fairytale with wicked step mothers and evil step siblings "Vicky concluded,pouting.
"I agree!"Carmen said,chuckling.
A soft knock sounded on the door right before Vicky cheered up and said softly"Come in,Pops"
A short round man of about forty,walked in with a goofy grin and said cheerily"Hello there,girls!"
"Good evening Papa P"Carmen greeted fondly.
Papa P was the nickname only she could call her best friend's father and she had called him that since the first day,they met.She'd had her period for the first time at school and after school,Vicky who was already familiar with the situation after seeing her period at the early age of ten,had called her father and explained things comically to him.
The short man had arrived in his Mercedes Benz,taken the girls to a pharmacy and bought a big pack of sanitary pads as well as other care products for a twelve year old Carmen after the nice pharmacy lady had explained to a tearful Carmen that she wasn't injured and everything happening to her was natural.
After the nice lady's counseling,he'd pulled her aside and said sweetly"You're a grown woman now,and women don't cry my dear!They're strong and beautiful!How about a nice cup of ice cream to cheer you up?"
"Pops!!Sugar only makes it worse...that's going to be silly!"Vicky reprimanded,giggling.
"Don't worry about it Papa P"Carmen whispered reassuringly.
"Oh my...but I must worry...but wait a minute...what did you call me?"Mr Pius had asked,looking amused.
"Papa P...cause you're the father that helped when I had my first period"Carmen explained,blushing childishly.
"Papa P it is then!You're the only one allowed to call me that"Mr Pius had said,smiling approvingly.
"Ahhh,my sweet Carmen,how are you feeling today?"Mr Pius asked fondly.
"Feeling great Papa P"Carmen affirmed.
"Pops!!!"Vicky squealed,hugging her father tightly.
Her father barely reached Vicky's chest,that's how tall she was.
"Ada mummy...how're you?"Mr Pius asked lovingly.
"Fine Daddy....how was work today?"Vicky asked curiously.
"We're booked for two weddings tomorrow ....one during the day and the other is an evening affair!"Mr Pius exclaimed excitedly.
"That's lovely!!!I have nothing doing tomorrow,can I help ?"Vicky asked,making a cute puppy face.
"Of course you can,Ada mummy"Mr Pius approved.
Vicky's middle name was Adaugo and her pet name from her father was Ada mummy.
"Yayyy!"Vicky enthused.
"Dinner is ready girls,let's all go down and eat"Mr Pius requested,leaving the room with the girls hot on his trail.
The rest of the family were already having their meal of fried rice,turkey and coleslaw alongside glasses of non alcoholic wine.
Mr Pius settled down at the head of the table while the girls sat beside him on the opposite side of the table.
Clearing her throat,Mrs Pius said icily" So nice of you all to join...finally"
"I went to discuss something with the girls that was why they were a tad late my darling,there's no need to get all frosty"Mr Pius stated defensively.
"You spoil Vicky too much....that's why the insolent girl and her friend could keep us waiting at the dining table"Mrs Pius complained,glaring at Vicky and Carmen.
"It's bad manners to talk while eating"Mr Pius said curtly,pouring himself a glass of wine.
Vicky served herself and Carmen's food in large helpings while Cindy snickered"It's not like you'll add an ounce of weight"
"I'm sorry not everyone is like you hamster"Vicky retorted.
"How dare you to talk to Cindy like that?!Apologize immediately!"Mrs Pius fumed,pointing her table knife at Vicky.
"But mum,she....."
"That's not fair Gladys,Cindy provoked Vicky with her comment prompting such response,Cindy should be the one apologizing"Mr Pius said sternly.
"Charles you're doing too much!Are you teaching her to disrespect Cindy and Christopher who are two years older than her??!"Mrs Pius raged.
"That's not what I'm saying Gladys and you know it,stop putting words into my mouth"Mr Pius fumed.
Hissing loudly,Mrs Pius continued eating,ignoring her husband while Cindy glared openly at Vicky.
After thirteen solid minutes of respite,Christopher said simply"I need money,Dad"
"What for?"Mr Pius asked,sipping his glass of wine gingerly.
"I want to get a new laptop"Christopher declared.
"But you already have an iPhone 14 which you cunningly acquired through your mother under the guise of a business strategy,a MacBook,an Apple iPad and a Hp Laptop"Mr Pius said,looking puzzled.
"I also need money Daddy,you know my modeling career will soon kick off...I need money for new clothes,a new makeup kit and some other skincare products"Cindy stated as well.
"I don't have money to give anybody"Mr Pius declared.
"But daddy,it's important I have this new laptop"Christopher implored.
"Daddy my request is equally important"Cindy stated,pouting.
"You both must be delusional!I already give you #20,000 allowance every week,you both failed WAEC twice now despite being in one of the best private schools in the state,all you know how to do is make unnecessary monetary demands!You both should learn from Vicky,she is always bringing home good results,she's content with her allowance and she helps me in the...."
"Enough Charles!Stop treating my children like outcasts!All they asked for is chicken change compared to the millions in your various bank accounts!Now you dare compare them with this orphan?!"Mrs Pius said cruelly.
Hitting the table with both his palms,the table shook as Mr Pius got up and said furiously"You will not refer to my child as an orphan Gladys!I am warning you or the consequences will be dire!"
"Will you hit me?!Me,your wife of close to thirty years?!"Mrs Pius questioned venomously.
Vicky was already crying softly as she said quietly"Goodnight mum and dad"
With that the tearful girl exited the dining room with Carmen closely behind her.
The father and mother continued in their heated argument; as Vicky tearfully rushed into her room,Carmen went with her,closing the door with a bang.
"I'm so sorry V"Carmen consoled,hugging her bestie tightly.
Sniffing loudly,Vicky looked up from Carmen's shoulder and said tearfully"Maybe I should just go away"
"Shhh..shut up and hug me V"Carmen shushed,hugging Vicky tighter as she stroked her hair.
They stayed in that position for almost an hour,watched two episodes of My Demon,one of Vicky's favorite Korean movie series,nibbled on Cadbury chocolates and went to bed after.