Darn Stupid Brother You Are by Mairee

Chapter 52

(Angel's POV)

I scrubbed my laundry and my mind was a million miles away. The sharp scent of detergent stung my nose but it was the least of my worries. Hande was beside me and she was chatting about something, but I wasn't really listening. My mind was lost in the chaos of everything that had been happening lately.

I felt eyes on me like tiny needles pricking my skin. I glanced around and caught a few of the girls quickly looking away. Their murmurs were getting louder and harder to ignore. They weren't even trying to be discreet anymore. "Did you hear? She's been sneaking around with her stepbrother. Can you imagine?" one girl muttered, and her voice was just loud enough for me to catch. My stomach twisted.

"Hey, Angel," Hande nudged me. "Ignore them, okay?"

I nodded, but it wasn't that easy. The whispers grew sharper and crueler.

"Seriously? And she acts all innocent!"

"I heard they're really close. It's disgusting."

"Enough!" Hande's voice cut through the noise, clear and sharp. "Mind your business! You don't know anything about her."

A girl with frizzy hair scoffed and stepped forward. "Why are you defending her? Maybe you're in on it too."

Hande took a step closer and squared her shoulders. "Say that again. I dare you."

The tension in the room thickened and I felt like I was going to be sick. "Let's just go," I whispered and pulled Hande back. "Please, let's just leave." "But Angel-"

"Please," I begged and my voice cracked. Hande finally gave in and let me drag her away.

We barely made it into the hallway when we ran straight into Ava. Her smirk told me everything I needed to know.

it is," she sneered.

Ava," Hande snapped. "We don't

to me with contempt. "You know, I always thought you were pathetic, Angel. But this? Messing

do," she said and stepped closer. "Everyone does. And

shook.

nasty grin spreading across her face. "You

me?" Ava laughed and the sound was cold and cruel. "You're in no position to warn anyone, Angel. You're

the blood rushing to my

expression turned malicious. "You should've seen the way Hendrix looked at me last night. Maybe if you weren't so pathetic, he'd be

laundry basket to the ground and my voice echoed through the hallway. "You don't know anything about us!" I yelled and my chest heaved with anger. "You're just jealous

moment, Ava looked stunned. Then her expression twisted with rage and her eyes flashed with

truth!" I yelled back as tears blurred my vision. "You're nothing but a

my hair with a force that made my eyes water. I screamed and tried to fight her off but she

She threw herself at Ava and pulled her away

all I could see was Ava's face twisted with anger. She was saying something, something vile and ugly, but I

I glanced up, heart racing, as Miss Stefan

is going on

and shoved Ava away. I didn't wait to

I reached the lounge. I stumbled inside and needed a moment to breathe and think. But instead, I crashed into someone's

down," Thomas said and steadied me. His face softened

to pull away but he wouldn't let me. "Hey, it's okay," he murmured softly.

didn't say anything. He just held me tighter and ran a hand through my hair. "Shh,"

breath came in shaky gasps. Thomas pulled back slightly and used his thumb to wipe away

for the first time in a

his breath on my skin. "You deserve