Darn Stupid Brother You Are by Mairee

Chapter 18

(Angel's POV)

Hendrix and I had agreed to meet in the garden the next day during lunch. Having befriended the lunch lady, I was able to secure lunch for both of us and I took it with me to the garden because I doubt he had eaten. He hadn't shown up for breakfast and I was beginning to get really concerned for him.

We hadn't spoken all day, and I wanted to know if he was still pursuing his research despite my warnings. I knew how stubborn my stepbrother could be.

I was smiling to myself as I turned a corner, lost in thought. But my smile faltered as I saw someone coming out of Dr. Nixon's office. It was a lady who looked uncannily like Dilada, but I couldn't tell from where I was standing who it was. She was walking quickly, her eyes darting around nervously, and her face was pale.

I immediately hid behind a nearby pillar, holding my breath as she rushed past me. I watched as she disappeared around the corner, my mind racing with questions.

Oh my God! It was Dilada.

I hoped she wasn't in trouble. Rumour had begun to circulate in the center that whoever was called to Dr Nixon's office, something bad always happened to them. I was one who didn't really believe in rumours, but here I realised that in every word spoken, rumours, lies-there was an iota of truth in them.

What was she doing coming out of Dr. Nixon's office? Why did she look so nervous?

I stayed hidden, waiting to see if anyone else would come out of the office. But the coast seemed to be clear. I was about to step out from behind the pillar when I hesitated. Something didn't feel right. I decided to wait a little longer, observing the area to see if anything else suspicious would happen.

After a few more minutes, I continued heading to the garden.

But, I couldn't relax. I was on edge, waiting for something to happen, waiting for some answers. Maybe because I realised that among all my roommates, I didn't know Dilada well enough.

I couldn't shake off the look on her face, and the nervousness that was written all on them. But the determined strides didn't match the look. Something was definitely off.

Later that evening, when Dilada was back from disappearing off as usual, I approached her in our dorm room, I couldn't help it. I had spoken to the others about what I saw earlier and they had told me they had seen her on one occasion visiting Dr Nixon's office too, and she never says anything about it.

my own good. I needed

can I ask you something?" I

from her book, her expression guarded.

off to who-knows-where recently," I said, my eyes narrowing

as if searching for an escape route. "I don't

raised an eyebrow. "Don't play dumb, Dilada. I've seen you

stood up, pretending to

a two year old, her eyes flashing with defensiveness. "Like I said, Angel, I have no idea what you're talking about,"

taken aback by her response. Dilada was usually shy and soft-spoken, never one to assert

at Dilada. Cylan raised an eyebrow,

as if waiting

the room, noticing their reaction. A nervous laugh escaped her lips as she said, "I didn't realize I was being interrogated." she said, her voice

silent, the tension palpable. I knew Dilada was hiding something, and I was determined to find out what. I pressed her further, my voice firm but gentle. "Look, Dilada, we're your friends. We're just concerned about you. You can trust us. If you're in trouble, you should tell us. What's

a scary look in her eyes. But then, her

something from her that would give me a clue on what was actually happening in this center but her defensiveness threw me off. It was like she had

you're asking me this for, but just know that I've been

Hande spoke up, her voice laced with concern. "But Dilada, where do you go in between? You don't hang out with us anymore. You're always off

thinking of what to say or

Oh my goodness!

was

know... I've been seeing a specialist. Okay? It's no big deal. I've been doing some extra therapy sessions.

therapy sessions? Why is that?

defensive. "I don't know what you're

escalating. "Hey, let's not jump to conclusions. Guys, if Dilada doesn't want to talk about it, she