Darn Stupid Brother You Are

(Hendrix POV)

Her words felt like a punch to the gut. I grabbed her wrist before she could pull away. "I'm sorry," I whispered and rested my forehead against hers. "I'm sorry I'm such a mess."

She tried to smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "You're not a mess. You're just... confused."

"And you're not?" I shot back and tightened my grip on her wrist. "You're just as lost as I am."

We stood there, our breaths mingling, and I couldn't stop myself. I tilted her chin up and forced her to look at me. "Why does it have to be so hard?" I whispered.

"Because it's us," she replied and her voice broke. "Everything's always complicated with us."

And that's when I couldn't hold back anymore. I kissed her, soft at first, just testing the waters. But when she didn't pull away, I deepened it and poured everything I couldn't say into that kiss.

She responded and her arms wrapped around my neck, pulling me closer until there was no space left between us. My hands moved to her waist and I gripped her like she was the only thing keeping me sane.

Our kisses became more crazed as we backed up against the dusty bookshelves. I felt the heat of her body and the way her breath hitched every time my hands slid across her skin. It drove me insane. "Hendrix,” she whispered against my lips and I almost lost it right there.

"Tell me to stop," I breathed out and brushed my lips against the curve of her neck. "Tell me to stop and I will."

But she didn't. She pulled me closer and her nails dug into my back. I took that as my answer.

We stayed like that for what felt like hours, tangled together and lost in each other, until reality came crashing back and I knew we couldn't keep doing this.

I pulled back and rested my forehead against hers, trying to catch my breath. "Angel..."

"I know," she said faintly. "I know."

I didn't want to let her go, but I had to. We both knew we couldn't stay here forever, hiding from everything and everyone.

"Let's finish this stupid project," she muttered and ran a hand through her hair, trying to regain some control.

"Yeah," I agreed, but my heart still pounded in my chest. "Let's finish it."

But deep down, I knew we were far from done.

...

(Ava's POV)

I lingered by the corridor and watched each girl from that dorm room leave one by one. He said the journal would be here, that it was crucial, and I couldn't fail him again.

Angel was the last to leave and trailed behind the others, probably lost in her usual thoughts. Stupid girl. When I was sure they were all gone and far enough, I made my move.

I slipped inside their dorm room and my nose wrinkled at the floral air freshener scent they sprayed everywhere. Of course, Angel and her little group would try to make this place feel homely. How pathetic.

I looked around and narrowed my eyes at the neatness and variety of their belongings. Their beds were evenly spaced and their desks were filled with little trinkets and personal touches. Everything about this room screamed togetherness and unity-things I hadn't felt in years.

In my own dorm, we barely glanced at each other. Four girls shared less than 30% of the space while I took up the rest. The thought of them irritated me, but they're all insignificant. Except for Dilrah. She's useful. But this wasn't about them. Focus, Ava.

I started my search and rifled through drawers, closets, and under beds. Nothing. I was growing impatient until I lifted Angel's mattress. There it was. The journal. Hiding like a scared little rabbit. How predictable. I smirked and pulled it out. "Stupid girl," I muttered and flipped through the pages. Dr. Valen's handwriting, sharp and neat, stared back at me. Yes, this was it.

I shut the journal and slipped it under my jacket. He's going to be pleased.

(Angel's POV)

The morning drills were as pointless as ever. I trailed behind Hande and Cylan and my legs ached while my mind wandered. All I could think about was how much longer I'd be trapped here.

"Can you believe we have two months left?" Cylan said as she stretched her arms. "I swear they're just trying to break us down before they finally let us go."

Hande groaned. "Ugh, don't remind me. I'm counting the minutes until I can get out of this hellhole."

Two months. I hadn't realized how much time had passed. It felt like I'd been here forever and, at the same time, like I'd just arrived. I shook off the thought as we headed back to the dorm to freshen up.

As I entered, I noticed something was off. My desk wasn't arranged the way I left it. I stood there and stared, trying to figure out if I was imagining things. Maybe someone came in? But who?

"Angel, you coming?" Cylan called from outside.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm coming," I muttered and brushed off the unease and joined them.

We made our way to the cafeteria where the usual chatter buzzed around us. The guys weren't there yet, probably still caught up in their drills or at the gym. As I sat down, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. Ava stared at me from across the room and her eyes gleamed with something that made my skin crawl.

"Don't look at her," Hande whispered and nudged me. "She's not worth it."

I nodded and tried to focus on my breakfast, but I still felt Ava's gaze burning into me.

As we were about to leave, Ava stood up and walked over like a serpent. "Angel, can we talk?" she asked, a fake smile on her face.

"No, we can't," Cylan cut in and rolled her eyes. "Go find someone else to bother."

"Actually," Ava continued as her tone dropped, "I think you'll want to hear what I have to say." She pulled something out of her jacket, just enough for me to see the corner of it.

The journal.

My blood ran cold.

"Go ahead," I said to Hande and Cylan, and my voice barely stayed steady. "I'll catch up."

Hande gave me a look that said, 'Be careful', but she nodded and left with Cylan.

"What do you want?" I hissed the moment we were alone.

Ava smirked and waved the journal in front of me. "Recognize this?"

"Give it back," I demanded and reached for it, but she pulled it away.

"Where did you get this?" she asked and flipped through the pages like she hadn't just threatened my entire existence. "Why are you always snooping around, Angel? Who do you think you are?" "None of your business," I snapped and tried to keep my voice steady. "Just give it back."

"You always have to be the hero, don't you?" Ava sneered and her eyes flashed with something dark. "Always trying to save everyone. But you have no idea what you're dealing with."

I lunged for the journal, and for a moment, we struggled. Her grip was tight and my heart pounded. But somehow, I managed to snatch it back and clutched it to my chest, hiding it under my jacket.

"You have no idea what you're messing with," I whispered as my voice shook. "Stay out of my way, Ava."

She laughed, an eerie empty sound that made my skin crawl. "This isn't over, Angel. I'll make sure your life here is a living hell. You're not the only one with secrets."

I watched her walk away, and every step was filled with the confidence of someone who thought they'd already won. I took a shaky breath, my heart pounding in my ears, and looked around. No one seemed to have noticed the exchange, but I knew this wasn't the end.

I needed to find a better hiding place for this journal. Somewhere safer. Somewhere she'd never think to look.

Because if she got her hands on it again, I wouldn't be so lucky next time.