Darn Stupid Brother You Are by Mairee

Chapter 8

(Angel's POV)

I didn't budge. I paced the hallway, my eyes fixed on the door, willing Hendrix to come out. Two hours felt like an eternity, but finally, the door opened, and Hendrix emerged.

My heart skipped a beat as I took in his appearance. He looked tired, but okay. No more blood gushed from his body, and I felt suddenly relieved.

I immediately pulled him into a tight hug. "Jeez... Hen, what happened? A-are you okay?" I asked him, staring at his face.

Hendrix just shook his head and smiled, looking every inch the handsome rogue brother I had promised to protect. His eyes sparkled with mischief, and I felt a bit worried. He seemed to be hiding something. What had really happened in that room?

His clothes were still stained with blood, and he glanced down at them with a grimace. "I need to take a shower and change," he said, his voice low and husky. It sent a thrill down my spine.

"Yeah... yeah you should," I nodded, releasing him reluctantly. Some of the blood had transferred to my clothes, but I didn't care. I was just glad that he seemed okay, even though he wasn't looking me in the eye.

As Hendrix walked away, I followed him, my mind racing with questions. What is up with this place? Why were they being so secretive? And why did Hendrix act so different than before? He seemed pensive and a bit distant.

I pushed the thoughts aside, focusing on the present. Hendrix was safe, and that's all that mattered.

He walked to the dorm in silence, with me following behind. I knew Hendrix had something to say, but he seemed to not want to talk about it. Not yet, anyway. I watched his shoulders slump as he sighed heavily.

As we got into the elevator, I caught sight of myself in the mirror inside. My clothes were stained with blood, and my hair was disheveled. I looked like I'd been through a war.

Hendrix chuckled, noticing my reflection. "You look like you've been fighting a battle, Angel," he said, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

I rolled my eyes, smiling despite myself. "Shut up, Hendrix."

Okay. Maybe he

(Hendrix's POV)

mind still going over the events of the past three hours. I couldn't believe what had happened. One minute I was eating lunch and gisting with some girl in the cafeteria, and the next, I was bleeding everywhere.

"So, are you sure you're okay?" she asked, her eyes filled

smiled, trying to give a tough act. "Yeah, I told you several

I could tell she was

felt. "I'm

her go, feeling guilty for dismissing

still in

seen me, the guys who thought I was cool, the girls who wanted to date me. They

Fuck!

needed to focus on

who worried endlessly about me. I

and I hated it. I didn't want to be the one who was pitied. I wanted to be the strong one, the

want to be the one who always needed protection, always needing Angel to swoop in and save me. We were the same age, after all. I

I just couldn't catch a break. She always being there to help in the past, and now...with the whole cafeteria situation. I could remember the look in her eyes when I came out of the ward. One that spoke

away the memories of the past few hours. I wanted to be strong, to be able to take care of myself and

happened in that room. I didn't want her to worry, didn't want her to feel like she had to protect me again. I wanted to handle it on my own, to prove to

out of the bathroom, shaking my head like a dog trying to get rid of water. The shower had been a good idea. The water was warm,

particular. I knew now I was just

up and walked over to the chair and picked up the clothes I had worn earlier. As I stuffed them into the hamper,

small and white, about the size of a typical aspirin. It was round and had a smooth surface, with no markings or logos on it. It

but I had actually sneaked it into my pocket. I didn't trust them anymore, and I was thankful I hadn't taken it. Even the satisfied smirk on Doctor Nixon's face when she thought I had swallowed it had