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?"

and hurt flashed across her face.

hesitated for a moment and then decided to be honest. "In you, Ava. I'm not interested in

but instead, she laughed. It was a bitter and hollow sound that echoed through the empty room. "You're interested in her, aren't you?" she said venomously. "Your precious sister." I stiffened and clenched my fists.

the way you look at her? The way you two are always sneaking off together and whispering like you've got some big secret?

her than me. The fact that you'd rather do whatever it is you two do behind closed doors

about me, Ava," I said and my voice shook with rage. "You never did. You just wanted someone to make you feel important, someone to make you feel like you mattered. But you don't matter to me. You never

saw how they cut into her. They sliced through her armor and left her raw and bleeding. She stood there for a moment and stared at me with her lips trembling. Then,

...

(Ava's POV)

chest. I felt the tears burning in my eyes but I refused to let them fall. Not here. Not now. Not because

he say those things to me? After everything I'd done for him and after all the times I stood by his side, he had the nerve to tell me

on their beds, gossiping as usual. They fell silent as I stepped inside and their eyes went wide with curiosity. Good. Let

with Hendrix,” I announced coldly. "He's

blonde girl who was always desperate to be in the center of any drama,

forced a smile and sat down on the edge of my bed. "He's been lying to all of us," I said sweetly.

latched onto every word I said. "What do you mean?" Maya pressed and her voice

and lowered my voice to a whisper. "I can't say for sure," I murmured, "but I've heard some things. Things

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

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

suspicion and doubt started to creep into their minds. It was a small 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