My Brother's Best Friend

Chapter 3

I woke up to my alarm clock going off. I got up without waking Santo up and went in the bathroom to do my hygiene. Afterwards, I got dressed in a red wife beater and skinny jeans. I put on black boots and straightened my hair. Then I put on gold hoop earrings(The big ones), my lip ring, the ring from my grandmother, and a locket, also from my grandmother. I applied lip gloss, gold eyeliner and mascara.

"Where are you going?" Santo asked, in his sleepy voice, which is just amazing. I looked at him through my mirror. "To school." I said, pulling my hair in a ponytail. He pouted. "Then, Imma be home all alone." He said. I laughed. "Ray and the boys are gonna be home soon." I said, fixing my bangs. He shook his head. "They texted while you were in the shower. They said they are going with Myles to Charlotte for another party tonight. They will be back tomorrow morning." Santo told me. I looked at him. He was still pouting and I gave in. "Okay, pick me up at 11. You'll only be alone for three hours and I will be considered present for the whole day if I stay til then." I told him and he smiled.

"Can you drop me off?" I asked Santo. He nods. "Yeah, Imma go to the store while I'm waiting. The 'older responsible' ones forgot again." He said, using air quotes around 'older responsible'. I smiled. Santo is the most responsible, he remembers the important things. "Okay, can buy stuff for tacos. I really want tacos tonight." I said. I love tacos more than Ray does. I even love tacos more than I love Ray. "Okay. Anything else?" Santo asked. I thought about it for a minute and said "Yes, please buy some, uh, what are the called? The little things with the cream and the strawberry stuff in them." I said. He chuckled. "Strawberry shortcakes?" Santo asked. I pointed at him and my eyes got wide. "Yeah those." I told him. He made a list then dropped me off at school.

"Bye, baby girl. Have a good day. I love you." Santo said. I leaned over and kissed his lips. We both smiled when we pulled back. "I love you too. I'll see you in three hours. And if you need a reason, I have an eye appointment." I told him. He nods and I get out of the car. I started walking and I heard him whistle. I turned and smiled at him. I blew him a kiss then kept walking.

I got to Alyssa and Meek then turned and watched Santo drive off. "Hey, Lyssa. Hey, Baby Meek." I greeted them. They smiled. "Hey, Jazzy." They said in unison. We all walked in the building and talked. "Y'all, I'm getting signed out early today." I informed them. "Aww, why?" Lyssa asked. I shrugged. "I'm not feeling it today." I said. They understood.

Then, a girl I cannot stand, walked up to us. "So, it's been what? Two years now?" She asked. My jaw clinched. "Why's it any of your business?" I asked. She laughed. "Come on Jazzy. You were one of us, until you ditched us for these losers." She said. I jumped up from my seat. "I ain't ditch y'all for losers. I ditched y'all for better friends. Ones who don't start rumors about you." I told her. She smiled with fake sympathy. "They are only rumors when they aren't true, honey." She said. I clenched my fist. "Katherine, I think it's best you go somewhere else." I told her. Katherine and her group of thots laughed. "I don't think I wanna." She said, stepping towards me. I stepped closer to her. "Go. Away. Katherine." I said, trying really hard to remain calm. Katherine said no and then...

*Santo POV*

After dropping Jazzy off, I drove to Food Lion. I had the list of what I needed so, it shouldn't take that long. Halfway through shopping, Ray called me.

Me- "Wassup, man?"

Ray- "Ay, I need you to go get Jazzy."

Me- *worried* "What happened?"

Ray- "She got in a little altercation. It got physical."

Me- "Jazzy got in a fight?"

Ray- "Yes."

Me- "Little, sweet, church going, spread the peace, love is important, non-violence, Jazzy?"

Ray- "Yeah, can you go pick her up? We are coming home tomorrow and then I will take care of it."

Me- "Yes, I guess. What are you gonna do?"

Ray- "She needs to learn not to fight, but since she too old to whoop, I'll think of something."

Then I hung up. Ray just pisses me off sometimes. I don't mind going to get Jazmine but, he never does anything for her. He forgets her birthday, when she is sick, I take care of her. I drive her to and from places most the time. Sometimes Jacob does, but, it's mostly me. I sound like a parent calling the other parent a piece of s**t, but, he acts like it.

I hurried and finished shopping then drove to pick up Jazzy. "I'm here for Jazmine Lopez." I told the lady at the desk, Mrs. Tennor. "Hello, Chresanto. Is Rayan out of town?" She asked me. I nod. "Yes, ma'am." She stood up. "Follow me. Now, I personally, don't think she did anything wrong, but, the principle thinks she did because, the girl she fought was his niece." Mrs. Tennor said. By the time she was done talking, we were at the principle's office. "Ah, the memories." I said before walking. I spent my whole freshman and half my sophomore year in here.

"Mr. August." Mr. Curbie, the principle, said. He liked me because he was here for my last year and a half, when I was an excellent student. "Hello, Mr. Curbie." I said. We shook hands then, I looked at a crying Jazmine. I pulled her up and hugged her. "I'm not mad." I whispered in her ear. We stopped hugging and sat down.

"Now, she won't give me exact details so, I don't know what happened exactly. I'm afraid I have to suspend both of them for the rest of the week." He said. "It's Monday, sir. I don't think that's fair." I disagreed. He shook his head. "It's the rules. She can pick up her work so she won't fall behind." Mr. Curbie said. I stood up and me and Jazmine walked to each of her classes to collect work.

"No wonder she's fighting. Look who's raising her." Some girl said. Jazmine jumped at her but, I held her back. "Come on Jazzy. You don't need to be suspended longer." I said. The girl walked off and me and Jazmine finished getting her work then we left.

"Alright, so what went down?" I asked, pulling out the parking lot. "She talked about what happened with my parents. Someone recorded it. They said they are sending it to Ray. We gotta tell him before they do." Jazzy said. I nod and say "Call him. Put it on speaker and just tell him he needs to come home now." She nods and calls him.

Ray- "Jazzy, you got in a fight?"

Jazzy- "Ray, please come home." *Crying*

Ray- "I can't. I am going to a party tonight."

Jazzy- *Voice cracking* "So first I come second to hoes then second to partying? You are supposed to be here when I need you."

Ray- "Jazzy, please don't try to guilt trip me. I just went through something. I broke up with Val. I need to recover."

Jazzy- "And you don't think I go through stuff? Where were you when I was suicidal? Where were you when I was going through depression? Where were you when I watched mom and dad die? Where were you when I was being bullied? There is so much more. You are never there Ray. Ever!" *Crying*

Ray- "Jazzy, I'm sorry. I didn't know."

Jazzy- "Just please come home. I need you."

Ray- "Jazmine, this is really important."

Jazzy- "You know what? Fine. I guess I'm not as important as your drinking. I guess it don't matter if when, or if, you come home tomorrow, I'll be gone. I guess I don't matter to you. I love you Ray. You'll always be my brother, but when you come home, don't bother."

Ray- "Jazmine, what do you mean?"

Jazzy- "I mean, I love you. And this is the last time you are gonna hear from me."

Ray- "Jazzy, don't do anything."

She just hung up. "Jazzy, baby, what did you mean?" I asked her. She wiped her eyes. "I'm done." She answered. I looked at her. "What does that mean?" I asked. "Don't worry." Was all she said before cutting the radio on. She sang along with every song.

We arrived home and I helped her out the car then got the groceries. We walked in the house and sat the bags down then, I picked up Jazzy. I sat her on the counter and stood in between her legs. I put my hands on her hips and she put her arms around my neck. I turned my head a little and kissed her wrist. "How bout I make some tacos then we watch tv and I'll rub your back and we can cuddled for the rest of the night." I suggested, looking in her eyes. She smiled big and said "Okay."

While we were eating, Jazzy spoke up. "Santo, we gotta tell Ray." She said. I nod. "Yeah, you wanna call him?" I asked. "May as well, he has been blowing up my phone anyway." Jazzy answered, pulling out her phone. She dialed his number and put it on speaker.

Ray- "Jazzy, you called. I am gonna be home in five minutes with the guys."

Jazzy- "Kay, then we gotta talk, and no matter what I say, don't say anything til' I finish."

Ray- "Okay. I love you."

Jazzy- "I love you too."

They hung up and we finished eating. "So, what do we tell them first?" I asked. I knows everything about everything. "In the order it happened." Jazzy answered. I nod and go deep in thought. I stays that way til the guys get home.

*Jazzy POV*

"Okay, y'all sit down please." I said. We all sat on the couches and everyone looked at me. I looked at Santo and he nods. "Well, for starters," I started.

Cliff hanger... What do y'all think? If y'all know how to get the pictures to add, please tell me. And Jazzy isn't giving away all of her secrets right now.