Darn Stupid Brother You Are by Mairee

Chapter 84

(Thomas's POV)

The common room was quieter than usual that afternoon; the low hum of conversations and occasional laughter from a distant corner did well to distract me to a certain degree. Angel sat beside me on the couch. Her legs were tucked beneath her, and her head rested lightly on my shoulder. I ran my fingers through her hair absentmindedly as my thoughts ran on.

"I feel like he hates me," I muttered, breaking the silence.

Angel looked up. Her eyes were soft but questioning. "Who? Hendrix?"

I nodded and sighed. "He doesn't even try to hide it anymore. The way he looks at us... it's like he wants to tear me apart."

She sat up slightly and placed a hand on my chest. "He's... he's just going through a lot right now. It's not about you."

I scoffed and shook my head. "Angel, come on. We both know it is. I mean, you two were so close, and now "

"And now what?" she interrupted firmly. "We're not together, Thomas. We were never-"

"You were something," I said softly, cutting her off. "You can't tell me he didn't feel something for you. And honestly, I don't know how much longer I can handle this... this tension."

She looked away, and her hand dropped to her lap. "I didn't ask for any of this, Thomas. I didn't ask for you to feel like this or for him to act this way. I just... I just want things to be okay."

I reached out and tilted her chin back toward me. "I'm not blaming you, Angel. I just... I don't want to lose you. That's all."

•

Her lips curved into a faint smile, and she leaned in to press a soft kiss to my cheek. "You won't. I promise."

Later that night, back in the dorm, the atmosphere was anything but comforting. Eddie and Bundah were lying on the floor, a chessboard between them. Eddie was losing spectacularly. His frustration was clear in the way he groaned and slapped his forehead every time Bundah made a move.

I even play this stupid game?" Eddie grumbled

a glutton for punishment," Bundah replied with a smirk,

flopped onto his back. "I

bed, half-listening. My mind was elsewhere. Hendrix had been coming and going all evening. He seemed to have been very busy and focused on something, though none of us dared to ask him what. He barely looked at any of us; his jaw was

me. "You ever think about, I don't know,

never tight," I shrugged, not looking up. "Plus, it's not my fault he's choosing to

eyebrow. "Bitter about what,

hesitated and glanced at Eddie, who was now sitting up and watching us

snorted. "You mean the whole stepsiblings-in-love thing and you coming into the

snapped up, and I glared at

up his hands in mock surrender. "Hey, I'm just saying. If you really wanted Angel to be happy, maybe you shouldn't have charmed her away

but before I could say anything, Bundah cut in.

us. "What? Did I say something

Bundah said firmly. "A lot

the room eased slightly. Bundah turned back to me, looking thoughtful. "Look, I get it. You're with Angel

feel that way about her

I get that. But... if two people care about each other, does it really matter? I mean, love's complicated,

jaw tightening.

told me he wasn't convinced. I turned away. My mind was racing. Maybe he was right. Maybe love was

...

(Hendrix's POV)

walls felt like they were closing in on me. Everywhere I turned, I saw them-Angel and Thomas. Laughing, talking, touching. It

avoided the group as much as I could. Meals, common room hangouts, even the occasional late-night walks to clear my head I skipped them all. It was easier that way. Easier to pretend like I didn't care, like it

seemed to take a sick pleasure in watching

looking pale, Hendrix," he said during my last session with those cold and weird blue eyes of