Blood Brothers 🩸

Shower Serenade

It was a typical Saturday morning at the Mercer household, the scent of pancakes and bacon wafting through the air, drawing Bobby and his brothers to the kitchen table. Their mother, Sarah, was in full swing, flipping pancakes like a pro while keeping an eye on the bubbling pot of grits. The morning was lively, filled with laughter and the clatter of plates as they settled in for breakfast.

"Yo, you hear that?" Jack suddenly said, his ears perked up. "Sounds like one of the brothers is tryin' to hit those high notes again."

Bobby raised an eyebrow, curious. "What you talkin' about? High notes? You mean like a bird?"

"More like a heartbreak song," Jack replied, snickering. "I think it's Frances. He's in the shower, belting out some sad tune like he just lost his girl or somethin'!"

Everyone laughed, including their mother, who rolled her eyes playfully. "That boy needs a hobby," she said. "You'd think he was auditioning for American Idol in there!"

"More like 'American Cry-dol,'" Bobby added, and the table erupted in laughter.

After breakfast, while they were cleaning up, Bobby shared the news. "So, I've got a date with Daniella tonight."

"Whoa, look at you, Mr. Smooth!" Tommy exclaimed, smirking. "Where you takin' her? To the park to stare at the stars? Or maybe to the corner store to grab some chips?"

"Nah, man, I'm taking her to that new pizza joint downtown. You know, the one with the arcade," Bobby replied with a grin. "It's gonna be lit!"

"Sounds like a plan, but don't screw it up!" Jack warned, nudging him. "You know how girls are. You gotta impress her!"

Their mother chimed in, her expression turning serious. "Just remember, Bobby, treat her with respect. Be yourself, and don't rush anything. The right girl will appreciate you for who you are."

"Thanks, Ma. I got this," Bobby assured her, his confidence soaring. "I'm just gonna keep it real."

Once breakfast was done, they all headed to school, but Bobby was running late. He sprinted through the halls, barely making it to gym class. His homeboys were already in the locker room, and they wasted no time clowning him.

"Look who finally decided to show up!" one of them shouted. "What's up, Bobby? Did you stop to smell the roses on your way here?"

"Yeah, man! Must've been a long stroll, huh?" another chimed in, laughing.

Bobby shrugged, trying to play it off. "Whatever, man. I had to get my beauty sleep. Can't be out here lookin' like a scrub."

As they headed to the gym, Bobby's heart raced when he caught a glimpse of Daniella walking down the hall. She looked stunning, her curls bouncing as she chatted with Kelseia. Bobby felt a jolt of excitement mixed with nerves. He waved, but they were too far away to hear him.

"Hey, what's the word with you and Daniella?" one of his boys nudged him, breaking Bobby's focus. "You know she's got a brother in the Eastside Knights, right? You gotta watch your back, man."

Bobby rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, I know. But it's not like we're doing anything crazy. We're just going out for pizza!"

"Just remember, those Eastside dudes are no joke. They've been talking about throwing rocks at our houses tonight," his friend said, a serious look on his face. "They live over on 7 Mile, right near the old gas station."

"Yeah, I heard they're planning something big," another chimed in. "We can't let them disrespect us, or we're gonna have to show 'em what's up!"

Bobby's stomach dropped. He suddenly realized he had a date with Daniella tonight. "Wait, wait, hold up," he said, feeling the weight of the situation. "I can't be doing this if I'm supposed to be with her."

"C'mon, Bobby! You know we can't back down. We gotta show them we mean business!" Jack insisted.

Reluctantly, Bobby agreed. "Fine, but I'll have to cancel with Daniella. She won't understand."

After school, Bobby got home, his heart heavy with the decision he had to make. He changed into a simple black tee and jeans, but it felt wrong. He grabbed his phone and dialed Daniella's number, anxiety gnawing at him.

"Hey, Daniella," he started, trying to keep his voice steady. "I'm really sorry, but I can't make it tonight. Something came up."

There was a pause, and Bobby could hear the disappointment in her voice. "Oh... okay. That's fine, I guess."

"Wait, I want to make it up to you. Maybe we can do something tomorrow?" Bobby offered, desperate to keep the connection alive.

"Sure," she replied, but her voice was shaky, distant. "I'll think about it."

Before he could say more, Daniella abruptly hung up. Bobby stared at his phone, frustration bubbling inside him. "What just happened?" he murmured, feeling a mix of regret and confusion.

As the evening rolled in, Bobby and his brothers prepared for the confrontation with the Eastside Knights. They gathered with their homeboys, plotting their "retaliation" under the flickering streetlights. Bobby's heart wasn't in it, though. All he could think about was Daniella and the missed opportunity.

"Alright, here's the plan," Tommy said, pacing back and forth. "We'll hit up their block, throw some rocks, and let 'em know we ain't playing."

Bobby nodded, but his mind was elsewhere. They discussed routes and timing, but all he could picture was Daniella's smile and the way her eyes lit up when they joked around.

Later that night, the air was thick with tension as the group crept toward the Eastside Knights' territory. Bobby felt his heart pound, not just from the adrenaline of the impending confrontation, but from the worry of what it would mean for him and Daniella.

As they approached, he heard shouting and laughter from the Eastside Knights, and the sight of their rivals sent a jolt of energy through him. But just as they prepared to make their move, a wave of realization hit Bobby. This wasn't who he wanted to be—not tonight, not ever.

The brawl that erupted was chaotic, voices raised and fists flying, but through the chaos, Bobby's thoughts were consumed by regrets. He didn't want to fight; he wanted to be with Daniella. The clash of bodies and the shouts of anger faded into the background as he struggled with the decision he'd made—the choice between loyalty to his brothers and the budding feelings he had for her.

In that moment, Bobby knew he had to find a way to make things right.