Darn Stupid Brother You Are

(Dilara's POV)

I woke up to the sound of soft whispers drifting through the dorm room. It was early and the faint light of dawn seeped through the blinds. Charlotte and Hande were already up and quietly discussing something by the window. Cylan, as usual, had her headphones on and nodded her head to the faint beat of music only she could hear. Angel was still curled up on her bed, but I wasn't fooled because her breathing hitched every now and then.

I rubbed my eyes as the heaviness in my chest settled deeper. Something wasn't right. I felt it in my bones. Then I saw it. Another note.

It was tucked under my pillow, the corner peeking out like it was daring me to pull it free. My stomach twisted into knots as I reached for it and my fingers trembled. The paper was cold like it had been waiting for me in the darkness. >"Do you remember me, Dilara? I remember you. I remember everything.<

My breath hitched as the words blurred together and my vision swam. I clenched my fists and crumpled the paper like that could erase the memory it dragged to the surface.

His face. His hands. The suffocating darkness.

I shoved the note deep into my pocket as my pulse roared in my ears. My heart felt like it was being squeezed and fear choked me until I thought I might scream. But I didn't because they would hear me and I couldn't let them know. "Dilara, er you okay?" Charlotte's soft voice broke through my haze. She stood beside my bed with her head tilted slightly and concern written all over her face.

"I'm fine," I lied and forced a smile that felt like cracking ice. "Just tired."

She frowned but didn't push. That was the thing about Charlotte-she didn't pry. It was one of the reasons I liked her.

Angel, however, wasn't so easily fooled. She sat up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. "Dilara, you've been off lately," she said gently but firmly. "What's going on?"

"Nothing," I said too quickly and my voice came out sharper than I intended. "I'm fine."

Angel exchanged a glance with Hande and Cylan, who had both stopped what they were doing to watch me. Their concern felt suffocating and for a moment, I was back in that room with his shadow haunting and taunting me. I stood abruptly and grabbed my coat. "I need some air," I muttered and hurried out of the room.

Outside, the cold air bit at my skin, but it did little to keep me levelheaded. The notes were becoming more frequent and each one felt more haunting than the last. I knew he was here. The man who shattered my innocence and stole my voice.

He was in this place and he was watching me.

And he wouldn't stop until I made him pay.

He was taunting me.

He was begging for my vengeance.

And that was exactly what I would give him.

...

(Angel's POV)

Thomas was waiting for me outside the cafeteria and his easy smile made my chest tighten in that frustrating way I couldn't control. He leaned against the wall with his hands in his pockets and his messy hair caught the light just right. How did he always look so effortlessly good?

"Hey," he said warmly. "You're late."

"Blame Hande," I replied with a small laugh. "She wouldn't stop talking about the drills."

He grinned and fell into step beside me as we walked toward the common area. "She's got a point, though. Those drills are pointless."

I nodded and let my mind drift as I watched him out of the corner of my eye. He was so kind and so patient. And the way he looked at me it was like I was the only person in the world.

Then Hendrix's face flashed in my mind and guilt settled heavily on my shoulders. What was I doing? How could I let myself fall for Thomas when my heart was still tangled up with Hendrix? "Penny for your thoughts?" Thomas's voice pulled me back.

I shook my head and forced a smile. "Just tired."

He gave me a look that said he didn't believe me, but he didn't press. That was the thing about Thomas-he never pushed too hard. And maybe that's why I found myself falling for him. Slowly and quietly, in a way that terrified me.

(Ava's POV)

I watched him from across the room as my heart pounded in a way that made me feel sick. Thomas. The boy who had been nothing more than an extra in the background of my life back then, but now... Now, he was different.

We met years ago, back when we were just kids in that godforsaken coding school. I don't even think he remembered. I had been focused and determined to prove myself while Thomas had been, well, Thomas. Quiet and unassuming and always hanging on the edges. I barely noticed him back then because I was too consumed by my own ambitions.

But when I first saw him here-it felt like the universe was playing a cruel joke. At first, I was more focused on Hendrix, the golden boy, the one everyone wanted. He was charming, confident, and seemed to have it all figured out. I was so enamored by his charisma that I barely noticed Thomas. He was almost invisible like back in computer school, always in the background. In fact, I tried to forget him and push any trace of him out of my mind.

But recently, I couldn't help but observe him. The way he's managed to capture Angel's attention and take her away from Hendrix, is impressive, even if I don't particularly like her. And he's changed, matured, and grown more handsome. It's almost like he came out of hiding, and I found myself drawn to him in a way I didn't expect.

He became magnetic in a way I hadn't seen before. The way he smiled and carried himself-it drew me in no matter how hard I tried to resist. And then there was Angel.

I clenched my fists and my nails dug into my palms. She didn't deserve him. She didn't see him the way I did. She didn't know him like I did.

But what did it matter? My life wasn't my own anymore. Every move I made and every breath I took it was all for him. Dr. Joe.

My stomach turned at the thought of him, of the way he looked at me like I was nothing more than a minion in his twisted game. I hated him. I hated the power he held over me. But most of all, I hated that I needed him. Because without him, my mother would be ruined.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and forced myself to focus. It didn't matter what I wanted. It didn't matter how I felt about Thomas. My life wasn't mine to live.

Not yet, anyway.