Blood Brothers 🩸

School Daze

High school life at Detroit Central wasn't for the faint of heart. In 1991, the halls buzzed with energy, a mix of laughter, rivalry, and the occasional scuffle. Bobby Mercer navigated through it all like a seasoned pro, his swagger undeniable as he walked alongside his brothers and friends. The school was a melting pot of personalities, but for Bobby, it was more than just a place to learn; it was a battleground for social status, street cred, and, of course, romance.

"Yo, Bobby, you ready for that math test?" Jack asked, slapping him on the back as they approached the entrance.

"Man, I'm ready to ace it, but I might just end up clapping back at Mr. Thompson instead," Bobby replied, grinning. "He thinks he can flex on us with all that algebra nonsense. Like, when am I ever gonna need to know how many apples I got if I'm buying pears?"

"Right? Ain't nobody got time for that!" Frances chimed in, chuckling.

As Bobby stepped into the school, he caught sight of Daniella Rodriguez at her locker. She was everything he admired—her soft brown curls bounced in a high ponytail, framing her face and giving her an effortless glow. Her skin shimmered in the fluorescent light, and her smile had a way of lighting up the dullest of days. She was smart, witty, and had a laugh that could make even the toughest dudes weak in the knees.

"Daniella!" Bobby called out, striding over, trying to play it cool. "You got a map? 'Cause I keep getting lost in those curls of yours."

She rolled her eyes playfully, a smile creeping onto her lips. "Bobby, you're such a dork. What do you want?"

"Just trying to spice up your day, you know? You can't be all about those books, gotta have a little fun too," he said, leaning casually against the lockers.

"Fun, huh? Like making jokes in math class? You think that's gonna get you anywhere?" she teased, raising an eyebrow.

Bobby laughed, a little nervous but excited. "Hey, if I keep the class entertained, maybe Mr. Thompson will let me slide on that test."

Daniella smirked, clearly amused. "Good luck with that. Just don't get yourself in trouble."

Bobby felt a rush of confidence. "Trouble? Nah, that's just my middle name." He paused, trying to gauge her interest. "So, what's up with your brother? I heard he's rollin' with the Eastside Kings now. You know they're basically our block's opps, right?"

Daniella's smile faded slightly, the mention of her brother's gang bringing a seriousness to the moment. "Yeah, he's got his crew, but you know how it is. I just want him to stay safe. You guys don't need any more drama."

Bobby nodded, understanding the weight of her words. "For real. Just know I got your back if anything goes down."

Before she could respond, the bell rang, and they both hurried to their respective classes, Bobby's heart racing. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was something special between them, even if the circumstances were complicated.

---

In history class, Bobby sat in the back, surrounded by his boys. The teacher, Mr. Thompson, was droning on about the Civil War, and Bobby found it hard to concentrate. He leaned over to Jack and whispered, "Yo, if I hear one more date from 1863, I'm gonna lose it. This man is putting me to sleep!"

"Shhh! He's looking," Jack replied, trying to suppress his laughter.

Just then, Mr. Thompson called out, "Bobby Mercer! Care to share your thoughts on the topic?"

Bobby straightened up, a grin spreading across his face. "Well, Mr. Thompson, I'm just trying to figure out how we went from fighting for freedom to fighting over who gets to sit at the lunch table. I mean, it's all just drama, right?"

Laughter erupted in the classroom, and Bobby basked in the moment, feeling the thrill of being the class clown. "And let's be real, if those generals had any sense, they'd have just settled it over a game of dice instead of all that war business. I mean, who really wins when you lose half the country?"

Mr. Thompson tried to stifle a laugh but failed. "Bobby, focus on the lesson, please!"

"Alright, alright, but just know I'm dropping knowledge bombs over here!" Bobby shot back, earning more chuckles from his classmates.

As the class continued, Bobby's mind wandered back to Daniella. He could picture her smile, her curls bouncing as she laughed. He knew he had to make a move—before her brother's influence and the gang drama complicated things even more. But for now, he was content to keep hurling jokes and living life one laugh at a time, hoping that somehow, he'd find a way to win Daniella's heart amidst the chaos of the streets.