03| NEW ORLEANS

I can't believe I'm going to New Orleans. I so much hate the idea and at the same time I think I deserve a trip outside my complicated world.

  I sighed and stared at nothing in particular in my room. My dad was a retired Knight who watched a royal family abroad. He will definitely hate me if he finds out about my crazy world.

  That evening I was at Aria's, I was in her room rolling from one edge to the other on her bed.

" I don't see why you don't like the idea, I mean the United States is dope." Aria said.

  I totally forgot she's not aware I'm gay like my mom called me. Reasons she won't understand.

" Yeah I guess, maybe I need that vacation. "

" It's going to be epic. I want you to take pictures of everything you come across." Aria said giggling.

" Why? Like I'm some weird dummy."

" No, I want a white boyfriend."

" You don't have to, you're going to Korea." I said and laughed.

  Aria dislikes Korea a lot, she might be a boy freak but Koreans don't freak her out at all. She doesn't even watch any Korean dramas. She believed they were too good looking to be true. 

" And I'm allergic to their food."

" Sorry babe, I should be looking forward to meeting new people."

" Get me a white boyfriend"

" You don't love Elvis?"

" He's a side nigga." Aria said and I laughed. She's insane.

" Infections are real."

" Reasons why I have a dozen types of protection and a private nurse. It's not like I'm a whore, I'm just addicted to cute boys. Aww they are a blessing from God, in fact they are falling angels." She emphasized.

  I was forced to throw her pillow at her.

" You need to help me pack. I'm so stressed out." 

" BFF, I don't joke with that shit." She said and jumped at me.

" Bitch you're crazy." I screamed and fall on the floor.

  It was Monday morning and I was getting prepared. Aria was helping me out with packing. I'm still scared and God knows why. Mom called me out and I excused Aria and walked out with my mom.

" You know why I'm sending you to New Orleans?" Mom said in her room and I shook my head.

   Of course I know, to get away from women. It's not like I've been dating women. I only kissed Lindiwe 'cause I found her attractive.

" I hate this stupid choice of yours, I won't hate you cause you're my child. You forget so soon that we parents despise such choices. If you don't concentrate in college activities I'm gonna tell your father that you're gay."

" Cool. Sorry and thanks." I said and frowned.

  My phone rang and it was Lindiwe calling. I kept my phone aside and turned to look at mom who was staring at me madly.

" Is that your girlfriend?" Mom asked and I kept quiet.

" Lemme help you answer the call." Mom said, stretching out her hand.

  I gave it to her and she smiled broadly.

" Hello." Mom said on the phone.

" Look I'm just trying to be a good parent, just take your lesbian attitude and let my daughter go. Alright? I want her to make babies, cute babies and make out with a man and not a girl. Don't ever call her again, she's even traveling abroad, just forget about her." Mom said and ended the call.

   She threw my phone at me and walked away. I exhaled and left her room. Aria was through arranging my clothes in my bags and she was picking out a few clothes for me to wear.

" You're okay?" It seems she noticed the look on my face.

" Yeah I'm fine, I'm just nervous." I said and she hugged me.

" You'll be fine, the United States is dope. Just calm down." She said and I smiled nodding.

" But I'll miss you." Aria said and hugged me again.

" I will miss you more." I said and sniffled.

" Be Careful out there, make sure you date the hottest boy in college."

" It's college, every boy is hot." I said and she giggled.

" Don't care, just date from the hottest family."

  I smiled and hugged her again. Mom and Aria drove me to the airport and I boarded my flight. Here begins a new life experience for me.

  I smiled at my mom and hugged her tightly before I left. I sat close to the window near a kid who was reading a paranormal book.

" You like vampires?" He asked.

   I chuckled and frowned, he's too young to believe such myths.

" Vampires don't exist." I said and he cut in at once.

" They exist, my sister dated one." 

  I smiled and laughed softly.

" Have you seen one?" I asked and he shook his head.

" It's so painful I haven't. Mom said New Orleans has a lot of vampires, including the hybrid too. I know I'll definitely see one." He said and I smiled at him.

  What kind of a black parent will educate their young ones about crazy myths like that. I sighed and looked out the window, we were far above the ground. That was my second time traveling abroad. 

  First one was when I was a little bit young and I fell sick, dad insisted my mom send me to him and now this is the second one. Traveling abroad because my mother is a homophobe. Who would love it by the way? This is Africa. The journey was boring and I slept all through.

  The kid who sat close to me tapped me gently, reminding me we arrived in the United States. God it's been so fuckin' long.

" Riley Michael! Riley Michael!" A man was just asking.

  I rolled my box to where he was and smiled at him.

" Riley Michael?"

" Yeah."

" Lemme take your bags."

" No, I mean I don't know you."

" Sorry I'm Luke and your dad sent me and I'm driving you home." He said and I gave him my bag.

  He must have made a lot of money and also got another wife. I sat at the back of the car and we drove off. The view wasn't that bad. I lay my head on the seats and thought about the conversation between mom and Lindiwe. She will never pick my calls or reply to my texts again. I felt so bad, I guess I hate being like this anyway.

  We alighted from the car and Luke helped me with my bags as he rolled it ahead of me. I followed and looked around my father's compound. This is expensive. Sometimes I forget how rich he is. 

   We walked inside the foyer into the living room and it was beautiful. I saw my dad climb down the stairs and he hasn't aged a bit. His dark olive skin is looking better than I remember. I took my father's hair and skin. But I had my mom's looks. Sometimes I even think my mom's too beautiful for her age. 

" Daddy." I called and hugged my dad.

" Look at my girl, you're not looking bad at all." He said and I chuckled.

" Luke, take her luggage to her room, and tell the maid to prepare breakfast." 

" Yes sir." Luke replied and left.

" You've got a maid." I said sitting down.

" Should I get a wife?" He asked and I grinned.

" No way, I know you love my mom." I said and we laughed.

" Look at you, you're a grown up woman."

" Yeah, the perks of having a good looking father." I said and giggled.

" Luke will drive you around town and take you shopping. And soon enough you'll be starting college. I secured you a college application."

" Thanks Dad." I said and hugged my dad.

" You're welcome, go and shower." 

  I smiled and got up to my room. It was beautiful. I barely can remember my father's occupation. Retired knight and what? A politician?

  I rolled my eyes and showered before I finally came downstairs to eat. Dad was already present waiting for me. I sat close to my dad and we started eating.

" Are you still fighting?" Dad asked. 

" Kinda, but I'm wack." 

" That's cool, maybe we will work on that. You've always wanted to fight so I thought maybe you can be a knightess, it's so fun. You'll meet a lot of young girls who are willing to be approved to be a guardian to the royal family."

" What?"

" You don't like it?"

" Not really, I wasn't expecting that. Thanks." I said and smiled.

" You're my daughter, it's my duty to see you happy. Your mom told me something." 

  Oh no not again. I remember mom didn't mention a thing to dad. I'm so fucked.

" It's fine, it's cool. I just want you to see life the other way. Just don't think I will hate you. You're my daughter and you'll always be my daughter." Dad said and I smiled and nodded.

" I don't date girls, dad."

" They saw you kissing a girl, Riley."

" We just kissed and that doesn't make me a lesbian."

" But you like her."

" Well, yeah."

" You've never dated a boy?"

   I sighed and reached for my glass of water.

" Never."

   Dad nodded. " You can still get a boyfriend here." 

" I don't want a boyfriend dad. Not now. Not anytime soon."

" Okay. You should take your time. And also avoid night movements, paranormal creatures." Dad said and I rolled my eyes. 

" Paranormal? Like vampires?"

" Maybe and werewolves... They bite hard." Dad said and chuckled.

" These things don't exist."

" I guess they don't. Just be vigilant." Dad said and smiled at me.

  I rolled my eyes and continued eating. I heard footsteps and looked up. A guy walked in. Good gracious, he's so freaking good looking. And hot as fuck. His dark hair is tousled and he's like a god. This is the first time I've admired someone. I mean the other gender. He looks to be in his mid or late twenties. 

  He exchanged greetings with dad in Italian and he turned to look at me. His grey eyes looked into my soul and I nearly stopped breathing. He wore a stoic expression and I can't read this man at all. He's intimidating, tall and annoyingly sexy. 

" She's my daughter Riley. Riley, meet Aiden." Dad said and I smiled at him. Just like I imagined he didn't smile back.

   Yeah, fuck him. 

" He's gonna take you around and show you around." Dad said and stood up.

" What? I don't even know him. He doesn't even smile." 

" Aiden is a close friend."

    I sighed and rolled my eyes. 

" Just don't fall in love with him." Dad whispered and winked.

   So what is that supposed to mean?