Darn Stupid Brother You Are

(Hendrix's POV)

I've tried to be patient and understanding but Thomas made it impossible. During that stupid pool exercise, I told myself to stay calm. I watched as he hovered around Angel like she was his personal oxygen supply and I kept my cool. But now, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was losing her, that every second Thomas spent with her was another second she slipped further away from me. Today, it ends.

I found him alone by the side of the basketball court as he leaned against the fence and stared at the sky like he didn't have a care in the world. He didn't even flinch when I approached him and acted like he knew I was there all along. It pissed me off even more.

"Thomas," I called out firmly.

He glanced over and barely acknowledged me. "Hendrix. What's up?"

"I'm going to make this clear," I said and stepped closer. "Stay away from Angel."

A flicker of amusement crossed his eyes. "You know you've been saying that for a while now. I'm starting to think you don't mean it."

I clenched my fists and resisted the urge to swing. "I mean it."

Thomas sighed and scratched the back of his head. "You don't get it, do you? Angel's not your property. She's her own person and she can choose who she wants to spend her time with."

"Is that so?" I took another step forward and closed the gap between us. "And you think she wants to spend it with you?"

His jaw twitched but he kept that damn nonchalant look. "Maybe. Maybe not. But that's for her to decide, not you." "Back off," I warned, "Or I'll make you."

Thomas's eyes darkened as he leaned in closer. "You know what's funny, Hendrix? You talk a big game about protecting her but all you're doing is trapping her. Maybe she deserves better than a sick freak who can't keep his hands off his own sister."

That was it.

I shoved him hard and he stumbled back and caught himself against the fence. "What the fuck did you just say?"

Thomas straightened and brushed off his shirt. "You heard me. Maybe you should ask Angel what she really thinks about me. About us. How many times we've done more than kiss."

My vision went red. Before I knew it, I threw a punch at his jaw and he staggered back with blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. But he didn't back down. Instead, he smirked and spat out the blood onto the ground. "Is that all you got?"

We lunged at each other, fists flying, and I felt every punch and every hit. But I didn't care. I couldn't care. All I could see was his smug face taunting me and reminding me that maybe he was right. Maybe Angel did deserve better than this, better than me.

We fought until our bodies gave out, both of us collapsing to the ground bruised, bleeding, and exhausted. But I wasn't done. I'd never be done.

•

(Angel's POV)

The sound of a commotion reached my ears and I turned to Cylan who stood beside me in the lounge. "Do you hear that?"

She nodded and pulled out her earbuds. "Yeah, sounds like a fight."

My heart sank. "Oh no... please, no." I bolted towards the noise and didn't care if anyone was watching or if I'd get in trouble for running. I just knew I had to get there before things got worse.

When I reached the basketball court, I saw them. Thomas and Hendrix lay on the ground bloodied and beaten, with a small crowd gathered around them. My stomach twisted and I pushed through the onlookers, dropping to my knees between them.

"What is going on?!" I shouted and looked from one to the other but neither of them answered me. They both breathed heavily and glared at each other with anger and something else something I didn't want to name. I turned to Hendrix and touched his arm. "Why? Why did you do this?"

He didn't respond and just stared at me with those stormy eyes, the ones that always made me feel like I was drowning.

"Thomas?" I tried, but he just looked away and winced as he clutched his side.

A staff member finally pushed through the crowd, his face set in pure annoyance. "Alright, break it up. Everyone back to your dorms, now!"

The crowd dispersed quickly, whispers and murmurs trailing behind them as they left. I stayed behind, still kneeling between Thomas and Hendrix and trying to figure out what had just happened. The staff member gave me a pointed look. "You too, miss. Back to your dorm."

"Can't we just-”

"No." His tone was final and I knew arguing would get me nowhere. I gave one last glance at Thomas and Hendrix before getting to my feet.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, though I wasn't sure who I was saying it to. Maybe both of them. Maybe just myself.

I turned and walked away, knowing fully well the fight happened because of me.

•

<<

(Hendrix's POV)

"Angel and Hendrix," Dr. Joe's voice cut through the silence like a knife. He stood at the entrance of the study hall and his gaze stayed fixed on us. "I have a special project for you both."

Angel and I exchanged a quick glance as the tension from yesterday's fight still hung between us. She turned away first and refused to meet my eyes. I hated how that made my chest tighten.

Dr. Joe approached and handed us a folder. "You're going to work on documenting the history of this center for our next charity event. It's an important task and I expect you both to give it your all. You'll need to review the archives, interview staff, and create a detailed presentation by the end of the week."

I could tell Angel wasn't thrilled about it either, but we nodded in unison and didn't dare protest. Dr. Joe's tone left no room for argument.

"Oh, and one more thing," he added and his eyes narrowed. "You'll be working from the old library. The doors lock at 8 PM sharp, so don't get any ideas about sneaking off."

Great. Just perfect. Trapped with her in a dusty old library for hours. I clenched my jaw and forced a smile. "Got it."

Once Dr. Joe walked away, Angel and I made our way to the library without a word. It wasn't until we were deep in the dimly lit stacks and surrounded by rows of old books and forgotten memories that the silence became unbearable.

I took a deep breath and glanced over at her while she leafed through a stack of papers and pretended I wasn't there. "Did you... ever do anything with him?" I asked and tried to keep my tone casual.

She froze and her eyes snapped up to meet mine. "What?"

"With Thomas," I said and crossed my arms. "Did you ever-"

"Why are you asking me that?" she cut me off sharply.

"Just answer me," I pressed as the tension coiled tighter in my chest.

Angel shook her head and went back to the papers. "I'm not doing this."

My frustration bubbled over. "Stop pretending this project is more important and just answer the damn question, Angel."

"Stop raising your voice at me!" she snapped and turned to face me. "Stop acting like someone you're not. You're not this person, Hendrix. Don't let your emotions turn you into a blockhead." The words stung, but I kept my gaze steady. "You didn't answer me."

She took a step closer and her eyes burned with something I couldn't quite place. "I haven't done anything with Thomas, okay? Satisfied?"

A small part of the tension melted away, but there was still this weird feeling inside me. "Then why do you keep letting him hang around you?"

Angel sighed, frustrated. "Why did you pick a fight with him in public, Hendrix? I know Thomas and he doesn't start fights."

I scoffed and crossed my arms tighter. "Oh, so I do? Is that what you're saying?"

She threw her hands up. "That's not what I mean and you know it. But why did you have to get into a fight?"

My blood boiled again. "Why are you more worried about him than me?"

Angel paused and her gaze drifted to the bandage on my forehead. "I am worried about you. But you don't make it easy, Hendrix."

Her voice softened and she took a step closer. Her hand reached up to touch the bandage gently. I flinched at first, but her fingers were soft and I found myself leaning into her touch. "You need to stop," she whispered and her eyes stayed on mine.

"Stop what?" I asked in a murmur.

"Stop questioning me about Thomas when you know how I feel," she said and her tone wavered. "You know it, Hendrix."