Darn Stupid Brother You Are by Mairee

Chapter 14

(Angel's POV)

Her eyes narrowed, her arms folded across her chest. She looked angry, but also concerned. I sighed audibly. I should have seen this coming sooner. Angel was never scared of confronting me.

"Hendrix, what's going on?" she asked, her voice firm. "You've been avoiding me for days. Why?"

I forced a laugh, trying to sound casual. "Avoiding you? No way, Angel."

"Well, you've been distant lately. You're not yourself." She insisted.

I just shrugged. "What do you mean? I'm fine, Angel. Just stressed out, that's all."

Angel raised an eyebrow, her expression skeptical. "Stressed out? You've been avoiding me for days. We're supposed to be in this together, but you've been MIA since you left the infirmary. Something's wrong, Hendrix. I can tell. What's going on?"

I sighed, feeling exhausted. "Nothing's wrong, Angel. Really." I ran my palm over my face, "I just need some time to myself, okay?"

But Angel didn't buy it. She walked closer, her eyes locked on mine. "Hendrix, I know you. You're not the type to shut people out. Something's bothering you, and I want to know what it is." She hesitated. "Did that doctor... Doctor Nixon... did they do something to you at the infirmary?"

I could perceive her perfume from how close she was standing. It made me feel things I shouldn't be feeling, as she stood inches from my face. My stomach churned at the feeling and I felt my heart pound in my chest. I tried to maintain my cheerful facade, but Angel's intense gaze made me feel like she could see right through me.

"Angel, really, there's nothing wrong," I said, trying to sound convincing.

hardened. "Don't lie to me, Hendrix. I know something's wrong. And I'm going

we were just having so much fun together. I didn't want to associate with anyone else. We were having a good time." Angel's eyes widened, and she took a step back, her face pale. For a moment, I

eyes flashed with anger, and she

twisting in disgust. "You're such a liar, Hendrix," she spat, her voice low and even. "You're always lying to me.

like that

finally seeming to

reckless, Hendrix? You're going to kill yourself one of these days," she said, her voice cracking with emotion. "You're going to catch something else, and then what?" Her eyes were shining with unshed

Crap!

see her

she raised her hand again, her eyes flashing

fists pounding against my chest. I didn't move, just let her

I said, my voice

my fingers wrapping around hers. I pulled her closer, my other hand grasping her waist. "Angel,

just stared at each other, frozen in

shutting my eyes. "Stop," I whispered, my voice low

and that was when I realized she had been crying. Her eyes looked

let go. I still held her waist,

she whispered, her voice barely

didn't move. I just held her, my eyes locked on hers. We seemed to be suspended

emotion. I knew I had to let her go, but I didn't want to. I

you want to destroy your life because you can't control your