Darn Stupid Brother You Are by Mairee

Chapter 77

(Angel's POV)

The morning sun filtered through the hazy clouds and warmed up the center's wide field. The staff gathered us for another grueling drill session and said it was to "promote physical endurance." I couldn't focus on the instructor's barking orders because my mind was elsewhere. Anxiety had been glued to me since I stepped on the field.

I could feel their eyes on me.

As I jogged along the dirt track with the rest of the group, snippets of gossips reached me like venomous arrows.

"Have you seen them together?" one girl said in a curious tone.

"They're inseparable," another said eagerly. "Thomas and Angel. Can you believe it?"

My chest tightened, and I stole a glance at the two girls ahead of me. Their heads were bent close, and their voices were just loud enough for me to hear every word.

"They've been sneaking around. I saw them last night near the porch," one girl whispered as if it were a secret. "Do you think they're, like, together-together?"

The other girl giggled. "Obviously. Why else would they be so cozy all the time?"

The other one chipped in, "That Angel is a real thing, isn't she? It's like she's something out of a fucking horror movie. I mean, she hooks up with her own brother, and then his friend? That's just wrong. She's a total slut."

and their judgment. I knew the rumors were spreading, but hearing them

bars caught my attention. They weren't doing drills but were lounging

and pretty... I'd trade places with him any day." what's he even saying? Isn't he into Hande? He's

on the back. "Better

mention of Hendrix's name, my stomach twisted painfully. I didn't even realize I'd stopped jogging until someone bumped into me

name lingered in my mind as a ringing reminder of the fractured bond between us. I couldn't shake the guilt or

I started jogging again, but my movements were stiff and my thoughts were

to the dorms, I kept my head down and avoided eye contact with anyone. The rumours still echoed in my ears like a

...

few days later, I decided I couldn't let myself spiral into paranoia over the journal's disappearance. If I was going to figure out what had happened,

outright wasn't an option. Ava was too

observed her interactions with others. Ava seemed distracted lately and not as sharp as she usually was. She spent less time with her clique and more time wandering the

the feeling that Ava was

her phone and tapping her fingers nervously against the table. I studied her quietly and tried to figure out the emotions flickering across her face.

voice. "You okay, sweetheart? You've barely touched your

She'd taken a liking to me early on and often slipped me extra portions or offered comforting words when I seemed down. Cylan also told

a faint smile. "Just not

and wiped her hands on her apron. "You need

first real smile I'd managed all day. "Thanks,

lowered her voice. "You know, I heard Dr. Joe's been asking