Brandi ( third book to Giovanni Ricci Family Mafia)

chapter 10: the trouble

" Busy with what," I set my bookbag in the empty chair next to Tisha. I move  over to the twins tickling their tummies. They let out adorable giggles," you will never know with them. Just be prepared for the worst," Mille walks over with two bottles of baby food. I move out her way going to the fridge grabbing a can of pop. "Let's just hope this time there won't be any guns  involved," I cracked open the pop, taking a sip."  Brandi, you got anything planned for tomorrow," Tisha turns to me. " Nothing besides my classes. Why?" " I wanted the three of us to go shopping or something tomorrow." " That would be good. I do need my feet done and some new clothes." 

" I knew you would have said that," Mille laughs. I place my pop on the counter then go to the walk-in cabin and grab a couple snacks. " I'll see y'all at dinner," I grab my stuff and walk upstairs to my room. I drop everything on the bed then kick my shoes off. I grab my phone checking my messages, call  you when I'm free. I connect my phone to the bluetooth speaker on my dresser. Summer Walker starts to play and I sing along. I  sit in the middle of the bed pulling out my notes. For the next couple of hours, I go over my biology and history notes. Why can't I understand  this?  My head starts to hurt," I'll take a break," I close my books and notes.

 I grab my phone, disconnecting the bluetooth. I go through my facebook and tik tok when my phone rings. Samaria's name pops across the screen. I press the phone icon," Sammy." " Hey, girl," Samaria waves over facetime. " What you've been up to," I get comfortable on the bed. " Shit these classes are kicking my ass." " I know. I can't even understand my teachers because of the language barrier." "How's the love life?" I shrug," he's been a little busy these last couple of days." " Don't worry. That man is in love with you." I smile," enough about me. What's going on over in NYU?" "Girl the drama, I tell you." " Well tell me." 

She laughs," so you remember Ciara from our senior year bio class." " The girl that was obsessed with the basketball captain. She would always spread rumors about anyone that would talk to him. " " Yeah, I was going to kill her when she told people I had herpes. Anyways, we have a couple of classes together. Guess what she tried to do." I sit up," what she do?" " She going around telling people that we were friends in high school and I worshiped her?" I burst out laughing," this shit's not funny. I have to beat her ass out here in New York. I was trying to be a changed person." I stop laughing," you might need to hold off on that. You know she will call the cops on you." " You right," she nod her head.

After talking for an hour we hang up. I fall back on the bed looking at my books. I'll finish studying after dinner. I get off the bed and head out of my room. I walk down the hall," I don't think we should get involved with Romeo's problem." What, I walk farther down the hall stopping at Gio's and Camille's room. " I need to repay what he did for Camille. If he didn't help  her, my boys might not be here today." " I understand but I'm going to get more information about this." I quickly walk down the hall. I stand at the top of the stairs when Gio and Dom step out of the room. " Brandi," they walk over to me. We walk downstairs,''I haven't seen you guys in a while. What yall been up to?" " Planning mass destruction," Dom evils laughs. 

" Okay, goofy," I laugh. We walk into the dining room as the staff runs in and out. Camille and Victoria sit in the middle of the table with the twins in their highchairs. Michael and Danny stand off to the side talking. Angel holds Minnie while Tisha sits next to them. Look around at these people that I call family. Everyone is different in their own way but we can all come together and get along. I take an empty seat across from Tisha. After a couple minutes the staff fills the table with fish, pasta, salad and mixed vegetables. My stomach growls from the smell. The rest of the family sits at the table holding hands and saying grace.

" Heavenly father, we thank you for the breath of life you give us each and every day. For the love we share with each other. Keep us protected, Aman," Mrs. Lilly says." Aman," we all say. Everyone starts to  reach for dishes," hand me the fish." Angle tells Dom. After everyone fixes their plate conversation starts," I expect everyone to be here for a family dinner," Mrs. Victoria points her fork at Danny. We all laugh," I'll be here." I eat listening to everyone talking around when I feel my phone vibrate. I pull my phone out of my pocket seeing text from Romeo, sorry butterfly for missing your call. I get up from the table and go to the bathroom down the hall. I call his phone, " hey butterfly."

 I smile hearing his voice," hey Rome, it's been a while since I heard your voice." " I know baby but it's dangerous right now for you to be around me." My heart starts to beat fast," what happened? You were just out of town the other day." " Calm down butterfly, it was just a misunderstanding that's all. I'll have it under wraps as quickly as I can." " If you say so Romeo," he's lying. This is worse than I thought. " How are your classes going?" " My art classes are great but everything else is so hard. I barely understand." " I'm sure that you'll pass them. You have a new tutor?" " Yeah, my councilor matched me with a new student." " Start asking the tutor for help. That's why you have one."

" It's a little more difficult than that," my mouth goes dry. " Why would it be difficult to work with your tutor?" A knock on the door interrupt us," yes." " Brandi you alright?" " Yeah Millie I'll be out in a second." Okay," I hear her footsteps move away from the door. " I'll talk to you later, butterfly. Go enjoy your night."I take a deep breath," I will, just be safe. I'm worried." " I will baby, good night." " Goodnight," I hang up. I close my eyes, please God protect Romeo. I open my eyes then leave the bathroom going back to the dinning room. I take my seat and notice that everyone was almost done. I quickly finish my food while everyone else goes into the living room. I get up from the table and head upstairs. " Brandi," Mille calls my name when I reach the second step. " Yes," I turn around facing her." Are you alright?" 

" Yes, I was on the phone that's all," I smile. "Oh, you looked a little sad when you came back to the table." " I'm fine, Mille." She looks at me for a second," if you say so. Remember that I'm always here if you want to talk." " I know," I walk up the rest of the stairs to my room. I open the books on my bed. After twenty minutes of studying, I couldn't make any sense of the biology note. I took a deep breath and pick up my phone, he said this is what tutors are for. I click on Enzo's name and listen to it ring for a few seconds. " Hello," his raspy voice say over the phone. My legs instantly clench together," hey Enzo this is Brandi from university." " What can I help you with?" " I don't understand the stuff we went over in biology today." " I had to reread it myself. What do you need help with first?"