Darn Stupid Brother You Are by Mairee

Chapter 78

(Dilara's POV)

I woke up to the sound of soft whispers drifting through the dorm room. It was early and the faint light of dawn seeped through the blinds. Charlotte and Hande were already up and quietly discussing something by the window. Cylan, as usual, had her headphones on and nodded her head to the faint beat of music only she could hear. Angel was still curled up on her bed, but I wasn't fooled because her breathing hitched every now and then.

I rubbed my eyes as the heaviness in my chest settled deeper. Something wasn't right. I felt it in my bones. Then I saw it. Another note.

It was tucked under my pillow, the corner peeking out like it was daring me to pull it free. My stomach twisted into knots as I reached for it and my fingers trembled. The paper was cold like it had been waiting for me in the darkness. >"Do you remember me, Dilara? I remember you. I remember everything.<

My breath hitched as the words blurred together and my vision swam. I clenched my fists and crumpled the paper like that could erase the memory it dragged to the surface.

His face. His hands. The suffocating darkness.

I shoved the note deep into my pocket as my pulse roared in my ears. My heart felt like it was being squeezed and fear choked me until I thought I might scream. But I didn't because they would hear me and I couldn't let them know. "Dilara, er you okay?" Charlotte's soft voice broke through my haze. She stood beside my bed with her head tilted slightly and concern written all over her face.

"I'm fine," I lied and forced a smile that felt like cracking ice. "Just tired."

She frowned but didn't push. That was the thing about Charlotte-she didn't pry. It was one of the reasons I liked her.

Angel, however, wasn't so easily fooled. She sat up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. "Dilara, you've been off lately," she said gently but firmly. "What's going on?"

"Nothing," I said too quickly and my voice came out sharper than I intended. "I'm fine."

me. Their concern felt suffocating and for a moment, I was back in that room with his shadow haunting and taunting me. I stood abruptly and grabbed my coat. "I need some air," I muttered and hurried

keep me levelheaded. The notes were becoming more frequent and each one felt more haunting than the last. I knew he was here. The man who

was in this place and he

until I

He was taunting me.

begging

that was exactly what I

...

(Angel's POV)

was waiting for me outside the cafeteria and his easy smile made my chest tighten in that frustrating way I couldn't control. He leaned against

he said warmly. "You're

with a small laugh.

as we walked toward the

watched him out of the corner of my eye. He was so kind and so patient.

How could I let myself fall for Thomas when my heart was still tangled up with Hendrix? "Penny for your

and

the thing about Thomas-he never pushed too hard. And maybe that's why I found myself falling for him. Slowly and quietly, in a

(Ava's POV)

boy who had been nothing more than an extra in the background of my life back then,