Brandi ( third book to Giovanni Ricci Family Mafia)

chapter 9: the start of friendship

Brandi

 I roll over, turning my alarm off. God, why does this class have to be so godly earlier? I lay in bed for a few minutes before getting up. I go to the bath rushing in the shower then brush my teeth and wash my face. I get out of the bathroom going into my closet putting on underwear then throwing on some blue jeans,  all black t-shirt with black and black Van's. I walk to the dresser and brush my hair into a ponytail  then rush around my room grabbing my books and notebook. I grab my bookbag and phone then rush out of my room. I reach the bottom of the stairs where Alex awaits for me. " I'm ready," I walk over to him." " No, breakfast," I shake my head. He holds the door open for me. I walk out the house going down the stairs to the car. He opens the back seat door," thank you." I slide in and set my bookbag next to me. 

Why did I take this psych class this early? Alex gets in the driver seat and pulls off. I lean back and close my eyes for a little more. The car spots, we can't be at campus yet. I open my eyes to see us at Starbucks drive thru. Alex pays then grabs a bag and drinks, putting them in the passenger seat. He pulls out the drive thru," I can't let you study without nothing on your stomach." Alex looks at me in the rearview mirror," thanks." He stops at the light then hands me a frappuccino and a breakfast sandwich. I take a few sips of the frappuccino when the car stops in front of the campus.

" Thanks Alex, I'll see you after class," I grab my bookbag  then open the door." Yes, miss I'll see you this afternoon," I close the door. I speed walk through campus to my psych class. I walk into class being the only one here. I look at the time seeing I have ten minutes to spare before class starts. I sit at the back table by the window. I set my bookbag on the back of my chair. I put my headphones on and eat my breakfast slowly as the other students start to fill the room. Joliet and Rose walk in together then stop and stare at me before sitting at the table in front of me. I clean my mess up then grab my book and notebook from my bag. I flip through the book to the last chapter we went over. The chair next to me moves, who would sit next to me?

 I look to my right and Enzo smiles at me, " hey Brandi." "Hey Enzo," I smile. " Looks like we have another class together." " Yeah," I nod my head looking back at my book. " She moves fast," I hear a voice from in front of me. I look up at Joliet and Rose staring back at me then turn to face forward. The teacher walks in and the class goes quiet.  After an hour and a half of a  non-stop lecture, my head hurts from the amount of information. I pack my stuff," that was brutal." Enzo collects all his things. " Yeah," I stand up, throwing my bag over my shoulder. " Maybe we can study some time together," he stands up as well. " Yeah, one of these days," I hurry past him out of the classroom. 

I go to my general biology class. I sit in the back of the classroom when Ross walks in. Our eyes lock for a few seconds then he sits in the front row. The professor comes in and starts class. " The cell structure of the," Enzo walks in. " Sorry that I'm late. I was having a hard time finding your class," he rubs the back of his neck. He walks over handing the professor a piece of paper. The professor looks at it then hands it back," don't make it a habit of being late to my class." " I won't sir," Enzo walks down the rows taking a seat next to me. " Seems we have this class as well," he pulls out his notebook. " Yesh," what's going on? Why is he in almost all of my classes?  The class goes by fast with the teacher telling us about an upcoming test. 

I pack my stuff then stand up to leave as Ross stands by the door talking to a couple classmates. Shit,  I don't need him trying to talk to me. " Brandi, can you show me to my next class," Enzo holds out his schedule. " Let me see," I glance at his paper. " I can take you to the painting room." " Thanks," he walks beside me out of the classroom. Ross stares at us but continues to talk," do you have another class?" " No, I'm done for today," we walk out the building. " Good for you. Man this art class is two hours long and  horrible at it," Enzo pouts. " You can paint? That's one of the easiest things to do."

" Sorry Picasso, but I didn't come here to become an artist." I led us to the other side of campus to familiar buildings. " What are you studying then," I look over at him." I'm actually taking classes for business management. My mom thought that since she owns an art gallery, so when I  take over the family business. I should know what good art looks like. While I'm here, I'm taking the opportunity." " What gallery does she own?" " Modern art gallery in Rome." " That's gotta be cool to see new art and meet new up and coming artists." Enzo laughs," it's pretty cool. How about one of these weekends I'll take you to an art show." " That would be awesome," I turn to him." It's a date then," he smiles. I look down at my hands," Enzo I'm in a relationship. We can be friends but I can't date you." " It's fine," he clears his throat.

" We can be friends and hang out," he smiles. " Okay, your class is in that building right there," I point to the art building across from us. " Thanks I'll see you tomorrow," he waves. "Yeah, see you tomorrow," I walk to the front of the campus.  I pull my phone out looking through my messages seeing that Romeo hasn't texted me since last night. He must be busy after getting back. I click on his number and put the phone to my ear. The phone rings as I continue walking. After a few more seconds the call goes to voicemail. " Hey Rome, this is Brandi. I just wanted to check up on you since you just came back. Call me when you can," I hang up.

I put my phone in my pocket when I see Alex leaning against the car. I walk up to him," how was your morning, Alex?" Alex opens the door letting me in," driving Mrs. Lilly around to her usual places." I sit down and he close the door. I walk around the front of the car before getting into the  driver seat. " How were your classes," he pulls into traffic. " They were okay but my biology class is going to kick my butt," I pout. He laughs," just keep studying. I'm sure you will pass." He turns the radio on some soft Italian music. I lean back in my seat thinking about what Enzo said. It could be good to hang out with someone my age that's interested in the same things. Just as long as Enzo understands that I'm taken. As long as Rome doesn't flip out then this could be a friendship.

 I rub my forehead thinking about this. " Do you have a headache?" I open my eyes," no, I'm just thinking about all the school work I need to do." Alex nods his head then focuses back on the road. I need to remember that he still works for Gio. Anything that I do and say, he goes back and tells. Twenty minutes later he park the car in front of the mansion. " Thanks Alex. I'll see you in the morning," I open the door. " See you tomorrow," he nods. I get out the car and walk up the stairs into the mansion. I walk straight into the kitchen," it seems like the men are busy again." Tisha sits at the island holding Minnie. Mille stands over the stove while the  twins sit in their highchairs.