Mercedes POV
Hi there, my name is Mercedes Martin. I just turned sixteen few days ago.
I live with my mom and my two elder brothers, Caleb and Luca.
You'd agree with me that every black home has that one problem child. in my family it's Luca, the second child.
Caleb is in college and the most responsible, well he is the first child so he needs to be. Being in the same high school with Luca, and being with him almost all the time means I can't escape his influence.
"Mercedes get your black ass down here and leave my house. I've got places to be today" mom yelled from downstairs.
Oops, no time for stories right now.
I hurriedly put on my sneakers, packed my books into my backpack, picked my headphones and hoodie from the bed before dashing out of my room.
"Good morning ma" I kissed my mom on her cheek. I scanned the dinning table but it was clear, no food on it and Luca sat there drinking water.
"Where's breakfast?" I asked.
"Finished" Luca said finishing the water in the cup.
I wore a confused look and turned to mom.
"Mom?"
"Don't look at me, you were taking so long Luca got impatient" she was wiping the table with a towel, not even looking at me.
"Wha–why?" I was getting pissed and sad.
I turned to Luca.
"Glutton!" I spat, my hands in a tight fist while Luca sat there smiling annoyingly.
"It's okay baby I'll give you extra money, now you two hurry to the car I'll be there shortly"
I stormed out of the house, Luca followed behind nonchalantly.
Mom's car came to an halt in front of the popular Priston's high school.
"Bye Luca, bye Mercedes. You two be good, no complaints" warned.
"Bye ma" I said but Luca didn't respond.
"Hey Luca" I called on our way in. He turned to me.
"Where were you yesterday? You wasn't in class" I adjusted my bag strap.
He scoffed rubbing his brow.
"Why? Did someone pay you to watch me?" He asked looking around.
"You went to the pirates right?"
He smiled.
"Mind your business" he made to leave.
"I'll go with you today"
He paused and turned to look at me.
"What?" He asked.
"I said I'm coming with. You'll go again today right?" I was bold.
He walked slowly to me and placed his hand on my shoulder.
"No" he whispered, smiling in a cunning way.
"That's your business Luca. You can't stop me" I walked away wearing my headphones.
The pirates are a group of street thugs. My mom warned Luca severally not to associate with them but he wouldn't listen, he's good friends with them.
As I walked away, I could feel Luca's eyes on me. I knew he was trying to intimidate me. But I wasn't having it. I was determined to find out what he was up to with the pirates. What new problem he was getting involved in.
I walked to my locker. The hallway was bustling with student, but I barely noticed them. I didn't really have anyone to talk to at school, and that was fine by me. I was used to keeping to myself.
I opened my locker and grabbed my books for my first class. As I closed the locker doo, I caught a glimpse of Luca's friends, Tyler and Lincoln, walking towards me.
Tyler nodded in my direction.
"Hey merci."
Lincoln smiled.
"What's up Mercedes?"
I nodded back at them.
"Not much."
"Where is Luca?" Lincoln further asked.
"Uh.." I looked back and saw Luca walking to us.
"There he is"
"Yo!" Lincoln went to Luca but Tyler stood there eyeing me curiously.
"What's up? You look like you're in a mood" he said and I shrugged
"Just dealing with presentation issue"
Tyler chuckled "yeah, good luck with that. See you some other time" he jogged to join Luca and Lincoln.
~~~
I walked into the class room filled with chatters and laughers
I scanned the room, my eyes adjusting to the chaos. The smell of freshly sharpened pencils and stale air filled my nostrils. I spotted an empty seat near the back and made my way towards it, trying to avoid eye contact with anyone.
As I sat down, I glanced around the room, noticing that everyone seemed to be chatting and laughing with ease. Why couldn't I be like that? Why did I always have to feel so nervous and awkward?
The teacher, Mrs. Johnson, stood at the front of the room surveying the class with a stern expression.
"Alright, settle down," she said, her voice rising above the din.
The class slowly quieted down, and I opened my textbook, my mind racing with anxiety. We had a presentation in Mrs. Johnson's class today, and I was dreading it. Public speaking was my worst nightmare.
The classroom door swung open, and a tall, dark-haired boy walked in.
"Sorry I'm late, Mrs. Johnson," he said, flashing a charming smile.
That's Jayden Carlson, my crush for years now who I haven't even summoned courage to engage in a normal conversation with
Mrs. Johnson nodded, and Jayden made his way to the empty seat next to me.
As he sat down, he caught my eye and smiled. I felt a flutter in my chest, but quickly looked away, trying to brush off the feeling.
I refocused on my notes, trying to calm my nerves. I just had to get through this presentation, and then I could breathe a sigh of relief.
The lunch bell went off and students were making their way out of their class
I have to look for Luca, he is not going the pirates without me
I quickly gathered my things and followed the crowd out of the classroom. I scanned the hallway, searching for Luca's familiar face. I spotted him leaning against his locker, chatting with Tyler and Jude.
I made my way over to them.
"Luca, can I talk to you for a minute?" I asked, trying to sound casual.
Luca raised an eyebrow but nodded. "What's up?"
I pulled him aside, out of earshot of Tyler and Jude.
"I know you're going to the Pirates today," I said, my voice low and determined.
Luca's expression turned wary. "What are you talking about, Merc?"
"Don't play dumb, Luca," I said, my eyes narrowing.
"I'm coming with you."
Luca sighed, rubbing his temples. "Merc, I don't think that's a good idea."
But I was resolute.
"I'm not going to let you go alone, Luca. You're going to get yourself into trouble."
"Like there's anything you can do to help if I get into trouble" Luca was getting pissed
Then I heard a familiar venom filled voice from behind.
"Eyyy! What's good bro?" It was jeff, one of Luca's class mates who was always picking on me. Luca and Jeff were the popular rivals of Priston's high. They are the human version of Tom and Jerry.
Jeff stood there with his team looking annoying as always.
Tyler and Jude immediate showed up like war was going to begin.
Jeff scoffed on seeing Tyler and Jude appear on scene.
"I'm only here to talk with this dude" he reached for my face and I slapped his hand away.
Luca stood in front of me shielding me from Jeff.
"This should be the last time you lay those filthy hands on my sister" Luca's voice low and menacing.
Jeff and his crew laughed.
"You call Mercedes your sister? Huh?" He was annoyingly looking into Luca's face like he had something wrong with his eyes.
"She's a bro man, look at how she's dressed" he pointed at me and I looked at my self.
I wore black cargo pants, maroon hoodie, black and white Jordan sneakers and I wore my cap back-front. I love dressing like a guy, is that even a bad thing?
"Yeah how is it your fucking business?" Luca asked looking down at him since Luca was a little bit taller than Jeff.
Jeff sniffed rubbing his nose.
"Okay I'll admit. I would love to see Mercedes in a sexy dress showing off those pretty thighs of here"
Luca grabbed Jeff by the collar ready to fight. Jeff's team and Luca's friends were alert, ready to fight
Students had already gathered and were watching.
Jeff is the school's Playboy and arrogant bully.
Luca might act like I annoy him or appear rude to me but he wouldn't even want to hear that a fly came close to me.
Having a brother who is always ready to kill for you is so awesome.
"Seems like you'd prefer to not have a tongue" Luca spoke through gritted
"You're really asking for it, aren't you?" Luca's voice was low and menacing, his eyes blazing with anger.
Tyler and Jude stepped forward, forming a semi-circle around Luca and Jeff, their eyes fixed on Jeff's crew.
The atmosphere was tense, the air thick with anticipation. It seemed like a fight was inevitable.
But just as it seemed like Luca was about to throw the first punch, the school's principal, Mr. Smith, appeared out of nowhere.
"What's going on here?" he demanded, his voice firm and authoritative.
Luca slowly released Jeff, who stumbled backward, his eyes still fixed on Luca with a mixture of anger and hatred.
"Nothing, sir," Luca said, his voice calm and even.
Mr. Smith eyed them skeptically
"I don't want to see any of you involved in a fight. Do I make myself clear?"
Luca nodded, as did Jeff and his crew.
Mr. Smith nodded. "Good" he left
The crowd began to disperse, and Luca turned to me. He took my hand in his, leaving the area while Tyler and Jude followed behind.