Darn Stupid Brother You Are by Mairee

Chapter 87

(Hendrix's

POV)

Group therapy sessions were supposed to be about healing. About connection. About putting our walls down and sharing our struggles. But today, as I walked into the brightly lit room, all I felt was dread.

Dr. Craig stood at the front with a clipboard in hand and his sharp eyes scanning the room. "Everyone, find a partner," he said as calm and commandingly as ever.

The room filled with murmurs and shuffling as patients paired up. I knew exactly what was coming, and my stomach turned. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Thomas heading toward me, his confident stride as irritating as ever. "No," I said sharply before he could even get close.

Thomas paused, his brow furrowing. "What?"

"I'm not partnering with you," I snapped and crossed my arms.

Dr. Craig looked up from his clipboard. He looked confused and disappointed at the same time. "Hendrix, Thomas is your assigned partner for this session."

"Well, change it," I said coldly.

Thomas stepped closer and lowered his voice. "Come on, man. Let's just get through this."

"I said no." My voice was louder now, drawing the attention of the other patients.

Angel's soft voice cut through the tension. "Hendrix, it's just an exercise. Can we not make a scene?"

Her words hit me like a slap. She didn't even look at me when she said it. Her gaze was fixed on Thomas; her expression was calm, almost pleading. She was taking his side. Again.

clenched my fists and tried my best not to let my anger burst through to the surface. "Of

she asked, finally

to defend him," I spat

dead silent. Every patient's eyes were on

that's enough," Dr. Craig said

done. "I'm not doing this. I'll go

could see his authority wavering at the mention

stormed out of the room, not allowing my anger and frustration to make me flip. I didn't need this. I didn't need them. I didn't

•

noise of the center faded into the background. The cold metal of the PS5 controller in my hands was the distraction I needed at the moment.

it was

Angel.

Her laugh when we were kids. The way she'd stick up for me when I got into trouble. The way her

been a team once. Just the two of us against the

down the controller and leaned back, closing my eyes. Her face was there, so vivid

to be him? Why Thomas,

to push the thoughts away. But they glued

...

(Bundah's POV)

over the courtyard. I sat on one of the worn benches, fiddling with a loose thread on my sleeve. Charlotte was next to me. Her notebook was open on

her cheeks turning pink. "It's... nothing.

"I need to impress you with my

laughed, and her accent was thick as she said, "Okay.

but my attempt was laughably bad. She giggled, and it