Chapter 32

ANGEL SINCLAIR.

When I get to the classroom with Ashley, I see Bryan talking to Cedric, Principal Moore's son. Cedric is a handsome little redhead, but his reputation as a drug addict and cheat doesn't help him. He's supposed to be the typical model boy, but he's far from it. Cedric is the kind of guy who will take a long time to get a girlfriend, because no father would approve of him.

"I already know that these two together aren't going to work out," Ashley whispers to me.

"I don't think so either," I say, "Bryan is already a bit disturbed and Cedric is even more so."

"If you put them both on the scale, I think it's the same weight," Ashley says, "Now explain to me, how did you eat pepper yesterday?" she asks.

"Wow, that was a long story! But in short, I had toast with jam and the jam had pepper on it. I suspect Bryan did it. He knew about my pepper allergy because Dad had mentioned it once. He did all this to hurt me".

"My God!", Ashley wonders, "Why is he so angry with you?"

"I don't know, I just don't know. Like me, he can't accept our parents getting married," I reply, shrugging.

"But it's really ugly of him to do that kind of thing, man. You two were getting on well, weren't you? He damaged your health over something silly! I'll never understand that kind of person. Sometimes he treats you like the sister of his dreams, sometimes he does everything he can to annoy you."

"Yeah, I don't understand Bryan either. He's very bipolar, I never know what's going on in his head. He thinks he can do whatever he wants without caring about the consequences, but I can assure you that it won't stay that way," I say.

"Whatever you do, be very careful. With these attitudes, Bryan doesn't provide any security. If he treats you well and treats you badly at the same time, it's a sign that he can't be trusted. I think at some point he's going to reveal himself and it's going to be worse than we think," Ashley says.

"He's a lot worse than we think, believe me. We can't buy into his good guy image, because he's not. Bryan is very far from being a good guy, he's more like a devil," I say and Ashley laughs quietly.

"Hi, Angel," says Matthew, approaching me, "You missed yesterday. Did something happen?" he asks, probably pretending to be worried.

"I wasn't feeling well yesterday, but I'm better today. Thanks for asking, Matthew," I smile weakly.

"Oh, not at all. I'm glad you're okay.

"The chocolates were delicious, by the way," I say.

"Glad to hear it," he smiles, going to sit down in his seat.

"Chocolates?" Ashley asks, arching her eyebrows.

"I'll tell you at break," I reply, realizing that class is about to start.

***

I get home late at night and go straight to dinner. Luckily, my dad is having dinner just as I arrive, but he's with Madison and Bryan. I join them and make my plate.

"How was class today, daughter?" my father asks.

"It was great, Dad. Super smooth," I reply.

"Are you sure?", Bryan asks and I'm confused, "It was quiet until Matthew came to disturb you?".

I even let go of the fork in my hand and try to disguise my hateful look at Bryan. Where is he going with this? I just wanted to know. My father arches an eyebrow, waiting for me to answer.

"He didn't come to disturb me, he just wanted to know why I was absent yesterday."

"And that's not disturbing?" my father asks.

"Absolutely," Bryan confirms.

"Not for me. He just wanted to know, it was just a question and it didn't bother me at all," I reply, feeling pressured by both of them.

"I don't like this, Angel. Regardless of whether you still have feelings for him or not..." I interrupted my father.

"No, Dad. How many times do I have to tell you that I no longer have any feelings for him? I'm over it, all that's left is for you to forget this story. In fact, both of you," I say at last.

Annoyed, I leave the table and walk out of the dining room. I go into my room and huff, closing the door. I feel like I'm going to be tormented by Matthew for the rest of my life.

I decide to take a shower and sit down to study, staying there until around 9pm. I end up hearing Bryan's bedroom door and his cell phone ringing. The sound gradually fades away and I deduce that he's heading for the stairs. I wonder if he's going out.

I take my shoes off so as not to make a sound and walk slowly out of my room. He's standing on the stairs talking to someone. I can tell it's Cedric from his voice. He's rushing Bryan to go somewhere and asks Bryan to bring something they had agreed on, but he doesn't say what it is.

Bryan comes out of the stairwell into the hallway and I hide so he doesn't see me. He's probably forgotten something in his room. Quickly, I run down the stairs and into one of the little rooms. I have a good idea, but I have to be quick about it.

Once in the room, I open the toolbox and look for something sharp. I find some nails and run to the garage. I look for Bryan's car and puncture the first tire, doing the same to the others.

I hear the garage door opening and I get so nervous that I hide behind one of my father's cars. Bryan isn't going to come here, because his car will easily get out of the garage.

It doesn't take him long to notice the flat tires, so much so that I can see Bryan angrily getting out of the car and looking at all the tires. The garage door is still open, but it's not the only one.

While he's wasting time looking at the tires and saying all the swear words he can, I leave the garage through the other door and throw the nails into the garden, going straight up to my floor.

I don't know if I was too slow or if Bryan was too fast, but he manages to catch up with me and now he's here with me, coming at me like a wolf.