Darn Stupid Brother You Are by Mairee

Chapter 51

(Hendrix's POV)

The center was eerily quiet at night, especially during confinement week. Most of the patients had gone back to their rooms long ago and left the hallways and common areas empty. I stood in the laundry room and folded the few clothes I had managed to sneak out of my dorm earlier that day. It was one of the few places close to the dorms that wasn't constantly monitored and it gave me some much-needed space to clear my head.

I didn't even notice Ava until she was right behind me. "Hey," she whispered sharply. "You're up late."

I jumped slightly and turned to see her leaning against the doorframe. She was dressed in one of those skimpy camisoles that barely covered anything and her hair fell over her shoulders. There was a look in her eyes I'd seen countless times before but I wasn't in the mood for this tonight. "Yeah, couldn't sleep," I replied and turned back to my laundry. "Needed to get some air."

Ava stepped closer and her fingers trailed along the edge of the table. "Or maybe you're avoiding someone," she teased seductively. "Maybe you're avoiding me."

I shook my head and tried to keep my cool. "What do you want, Ava?"

She pouted and stepped even closer until I felt her breath on my neck. "Why are you always so cold to me?" she murmured softly. "We've been close for weeks now, Hendrix. Don't you think it's time we took things to the next level?" I felt her hand slide up my arm but I pulled away and took a step back. "You know that's not gonna happen."

"Why?" she snapped and her eyes flashed with irritation. "Why not? You'll do everything else with me but not that. It's like I'm good enough for your games but never good enough for the real thing."

I ran a hand through my hair and slowly got frustrated. "It's not like that, Ava."

"Then what is it like?" she demanded and crossed her arms over her chest. "Do you have any idea how humiliating it is? Everyone here thinks we're together. Everyone thinks we're a couple. But you've never even touched me like that. Why? What's wrong with me?"

"There's nothing wrong with you," I said and tried to keep my tone even. "I'm just not interested, okay?"

hurt flashed across her face. "Or just in

for a moment and then decided to be honest. "In

It was a bitter and hollow sound that echoed through the empty room.

and stepped closer. "You think I haven't seen the way you look at her? The way you two are always sneaking off together and whispering like you've got some big

blazed. "You know what's really disgusting? The fact that you'd rather be with her than me. The

about me, Ava," I said and my voice shook with rage. "You never did. You just wanted

She stood there for a moment and stared at me with her lips trembling. Then, without another word, she

...

(Ava's POV)

stormed back to my dorm and my heart pounded in my chest. I felt the tears burning in my eyes but I refused

the times I stood by his side, he had the nerve to tell me I didn't matter? That

usual. They fell silent as I stepped inside and their eyes went wide with curiosity. Good. Let them see.

coldly.

was always desperate to be in the center of any drama, leaned

forced a smile and sat down on the edge of my bed. "He's been lying to all of us," I said sweetly. "Pretending to be this perfect, charming guy. But he's not. He's

spin and how they latched onto every word I said. "What do you

say for sure," I murmured, "but I've heard some things. Things about his family. About his

and their eyes went wide, hungry for more. "What kind of things?" another girl asked and her voice

I began and leaned back with a smirk, "it's not as innocent as

victory but it was enough for now. I would plant the seeds of doubt and I would water them every chance I got. I would make sure everyone in this place