Darn Stupid Brother You Are

(Angel's POV)

Her eyes narrowed, her arms folded across her chest. She looked angry, but also concerned. I sighed audibly. I should have seen this coming sooner. Angel was never scared of confronting me.

"Hendrix, what's going on?" she asked, her voice firm. "You've been avoiding me for days. Why?"

I forced a laugh, trying to sound casual. "Avoiding you? No way, Angel."

"Well, you've been distant lately. You're not yourself." She insisted.

I just shrugged. "What do you mean? I'm fine, Angel. Just stressed out, that's all."

Angel raised an eyebrow, her expression skeptical. "Stressed out? You've been avoiding me for days. We're supposed to be in this together, but you've been MIA since you left the infirmary. Something's wrong, Hendrix. I can tell. What's going on?"

I sighed, feeling exhausted. "Nothing's wrong, Angel. Really." I ran my palm over my face, "I just need some time to myself, okay?"

But Angel didn't buy it. She walked closer, her eyes locked on mine. "Hendrix, I know you. You're not the type to shut people out. Something's bothering you, and I want to know what it is." She hesitated. "Did that doctor... Doctor Nixon... did they do something to you at the infirmary?"

I could perceive her perfume from how close she was standing. It made me feel things I shouldn't be feeling, as she stood inches from my face. My stomach churned at the feeling and I felt my heart pound in my chest. I tried to maintain my cheerful facade, but Angel's intense gaze made me feel like she could see right through me.

"Angel, really, there's nothing wrong," I said, trying to sound convincing.

But Angel's expression only hardened. "Don't lie to me, Hendrix. I know something's wrong. And I'm going to find out what it is."

I flashed a charming smile, trying to deflect her concerns. "Hey, I was just busy with someone, okay? I met this girl, and we were just having so much fun together. I didn't want to associate with anyone else. We were having a good time." Angel's eyes widened, and she took a step back, her face pale. For a moment, I thought I saw doubt in her eyes, like she wasn't sure if I was serious.

But then, her expression changed. Her eyes flashed with anger, and she took a step closer to me.

Her eyes narrowed, her face twisting in disgust. "You're such a liar, Hendrix," she spat, her voice low and even. "You're always lying to me. They don't allow girls into the boys' dorm."

I smirked like that wasn't a big deal.

She scoffed, finally seeming to believe.

She raised her hand, and I flinched as she hit me on the chest. "Why do you have to be so reckless, Hendrix? You're going to kill yourself one of these days," she said, her voice cracking with emotion. "You're going to catch something else, and then what?" Her eyes were shining with unshed tears.

Crap!

I hated to see her like that.

I gulped hard as she raised her hand again, her eyes flashing with anger.

She hit me again, her fists pounding against my chest. I didn't move, just let her hit me, her anger and fear pouring out.

"Stop," I said, my voice playful, but my eyes serious.

But she didn't stop. She kept hitting me, and insulting me, her body shaking anger. I caught her fist in mid-air, my fingers wrapping around hers. I pulled her closer, my other hand grasping her waist. "Angel, stop," I whispered, my voice low.

Angel sucked in a breath audibly as our bodies touched. For a moment, we just stared at each other, frozen in this intimate closeness. I could feel her heart racing, her body tense with emotion.

I clenched my teeth, shutting my eyes. "Stop," I whispered, my voice low and husky.

When I opened my eyes again, Angel looked momentarily confused. She looked up at me, her eyes red and that was when I realized she had been crying. Her eyes looked puffy, her face wet with tears.

She tried to withdraw her fist from my grasp, but I didn't let go. I still held her waist, my fingers digging into her skin.

"Let me go, Hendrix," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

But I didn't move. I just held her, my eyes locked on hers. We seemed to be suspended in time, the only sound was our ragged breathing.

She felt very tense, her body rigid with emotion. I knew I had to let her go, but I didn't want to. I wanted to hold her, to keep her close. It was weird, but at the same time, it felt right.

Angel's face twisted in frustration as she forcefully withdrew her hand from mine. She stepped away, her eyes blazing with anger. "If you want to destroy your life because you can't control your libido, then have at it," she spat. "I'll try my best not to intrude."

With that, she turned and walked away. I felt a surge of desperation. I couldn't let her walk away like this. "Angel, wait," I said.

But she didn't stop. She didn't look back and kept walking, her shoulders stiff with anger. I felt a pang of fear. I had never seen her like this before.

I took another step forward, my mind racing. I had to make her listen. I had to make her understand. But as I reached out to grab her arm again, she spun around, her eyes flashing with anger.

"Don't you dare touch me," she spat. "Just leave me alone, Hendrix."

I felt a stinging sensation, like I'd been slapped. I took a step back, my eyes fixed on hers. "I'm sorry," I said simply.

But she just turned and walked away from the room, leaving me standing there, feeling lost and alone. I doubled over, holding onto my knees as I took deep breaths. I felt like I'd been punched in the gut.

I couldn't believe I'd lied to her. I wasn't ready to talk about the center, about what had really happened. But now, it seemed like I'd destroyed my relationship with Angel.

I thought about her words, about how I was reckless and couldn't control myself. It stung, but deep down, because this time, it wasn't that. I had been reckless in the past, and it had almost cost me everything.

I stood up, my eyes scanning the empty room. I felt lost, alone. I didn't know how to fix things with Angel, or if I even could.

I thought about going after her, apologizing, telling her the truth. But something held me back. Maybe it was pride, or maybe it was fear.

I took another deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts. I knew I had to make things right with Angel, but for now, I just stood there, feeling the weight of my mistakes.