Darn Stupid Brother You Are by Mairee

Chapter 13

(Hendrix's POV)

I finally decided to leave my room, after days of hiding away. My health had been a convenient excuse to avoid everyone, but I knew I couldn't stay hidden forever. I made my way to my therapy session, hoping to avoid any encounters with Angel. I wasn't ready to face her yet, to answer her questions about what happened at the infirmary.

As I walked out of the dorm, I ran into Eddie, one of my roommates coming into the room. Instead of getting in as intended, he followed me instead. He was a careless guy with a crude sense of humor, always making jokes and causing trouble. "Hendrix! What's up, man?" Eddie exclaimed, surprised to see me leave the room.

I didn't respond, just nodded and kept walking.

"Whoa, okay, dude, no need to be rude," Eddie said, falling into step beside me.

"I'm glad you're finally out of hibernation!" Eddie said and laughed at his own joke.

"We all thought you were going to hide in the room forever and start growing mushrooms or something."

I rolled my eyes, not responding. Eddie was trying to be funny, but his jokes were falling flat today.

"Seriously, man, what's going on?" Eddie asked, his tone a little softer. "You've been MIA for days. We've been worried about you. Well, maybe not worried, but we've noticed you're not interested in when we talk about girls anymore or even leaving the room."

I shook my head, trying to ignore him.

shook him off and I quickened my pace, trying to lose Eddie.

me. What happened at the infirmary? You've been acting weird ever since." When I remained quiet he probed, "Seriously, is that it? What's

to face him. "Just leave me alone,

off. "Okay, okay, no problem. Be that way," Eddie said. "But I'm

glared at him,

still not talking. But seriously, dude, you need to get

hastily walked leaving

I'm here. Even if you don't, I'm still here, and I'm going to keep bugging you until you crack." Ed shouted at

someone you told secrets to. Half the center

I knew she would have a lot of questions, and I wasn't ready to answer them yet.

frowned, wondering who could be there at this time of day. Breakfast was over, and everyone should be in class or therapy. My curiosity got the better of me, and I approached the door, looking through the glass panel at the top. That's when I saw them - Angel and her roommates, cleaning the cafeteria under Miss Stefan's watchful eye. I was surprised, and a little confused.

but her tone clear. "I told you, no talking! You're here to

"This is unfair! We didn't even do anything

Okay, that was weird.

an angel. She never confronted authority or spoke back to elders. Even when

response was swift. "Unfair? You think breaking the rules is

her eyes flashing with anger. I could see her

job? You call that cleaning? Start again, from

pang of sympathy for Angel and her roommates. Miss Stefan was notorious for being

was observing, Angel looked up, her eyes scanning the door as if she sensed my presence. I quickly bent my head, not wanting to be