His Effect [h.s] AU

𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐞

"Jo?" Jaque knocks on my door before opening it and once he's inside he closes it behind him. I look up from my phone, raising an eyebrow at him.

"What is it?" I say, turning my attention back to my phone. This show I was watching on Netflix was way too good for me to miss even a second of it.

He sits on the foot of my bed. "What were you and that British guy talking about earlier?"

I shrug, I wasn't all that sure what Four was even saying. I was much too focused being angry at Jaque and how he didn't once let me know he was okay. "Nothing in particular, why?"

He bites the inside of his cheek. "It's just weird seeing you talk to someone else other than Madi, that's all." I hum in response. I expect him to leave but he speaks again. "Change of subject," he says. "Who are you inviting to the party?" 

"Madi and that's about it." I had no idea why he was being so talkative today. I had almost forgotten what it felt to have a conversation with my own brother that wasn't forced, one sided or half-assed. I miss this. We used to be so close. "Are you interrogating me?" I joke making him chuckle.

I watch as he scratches at the back of his hand making me sit up, if I knew my brother well, I knew his nervous ticks and that was one of them. "I'll probably invite Esmer and Audrey. Mom and dad would probably want them there, right?"

"Well, I mean their parents are just as much show offs as everyone who will be joining." I taunt making him roll his eyes. "Are you and Audrey even dating?" I tilt my head to the side.

"No? We're just friends." Yeah, friends. "Can I tell you something without you getting all overprotective on me?" So that's why he's making conversation. He must notice my lack of amusement because he waves it off. "Never mind."

"Hey, tell me." I stop him making him give a half smile.

"Forget it, it doesn't matter. Night." He says before walking out of my room before I can say anything else. He probably thought I was going to get angry, I wouldn't blame him. If it was something bad then I probably would've. I hate that I've turned into such a sour bill. I never used to be this way, but I care about my brother too much to watch him destroy himself.

I wish things could go back to the way they used to be.

—

It's been ten minutes since swim class was over with. I had stayed back, swimming back and forth or at least trying my best to. I knew I had to get back to exercising when after the first lap, I was practically panting. My limbs were burning from being sore, coach really worked hard on me today. He's probably tired of seeing me and hearing me complain about not knowing how to swim. He had to put up with me since last year.

I may not be a very good swimmer, but I could float quite well, I'll give myself that much.

"Enjoying your swim?" I look up to see none other than Four. I groan, rolling my eyes as I steadied myself, kicking my feet and moving my arms to stay afloat. I do my best to ignore him while trying my best not to fucking drown.

"What are you doing here?" I say. He's casually leaning on the rail right next to my towel, watching as I tried to swim towards the steps to get out of the pool. I should probably leave anyway before I turn into a complete prune. 

"Well I was on my way to leave but I noticed you here all alone," He throws a gum wrapper into the pool. "Thought you needed company."

"Trust me, if I wanted company you'd be the last person I'd go to." I remark, getting out. I'm about to reach down to grab my towel but Four kicks it in the pool on purpose. "What the hell's your problem?" I glare at him. Now I'm going to have to walk all the way to the locker rooms wet and cold.

"Oops." He says making me groan.

"Why are you here, Four?" I grab the now soaked towel from the pool and squeeze the water out.

"To see you, of course." he replies making me scrunch my eyebrows. "I'm intrigued."

"I'm sorry, are you hitting on me? Because if that's so, you're going to be highly disappointed." I push past him, going inside the locker rooms to retrieve another towel from my locker. I put the wet one in the laundry room. Unexpectedly, he follows. "You can't be in here." I hiss.

"I said I'm intrigued, don't let that get to your head." He scoffs, taunting me.

"As if. Did you make a bet with your friends, over trying to see how much I can take until you finally get with me?" At this, he laughs, playing with my car keys that he got from my locker making me take them from him.

"Is your self esteem really that low that you'd think I'm only around because of a bet?"

"Well," I say, pulling a clean shirt over my head. "Are you?" I look up to him, he was way taller than I was, I reached just a little over his collar bone. We hadn't been this close before, at least not close enough to where I can smell his cologne. It was manly like teakwood but also sweet with a hint of vanilla.

He stares back at me before adverting his eyes elsewhere. "Have coffee with me." This was more of a demand than it was a question.

I snort. "Excuse me?" I raise an eyebrow, not believing what he's saying. "I don't even know you."

"You can get to know me over coffee." Four shrugs nonchalantly as if that were to be a big difference.

"And who says I want to have coffee with you?" I challenge, closing my locker and slinging my backpack over my shoulder. I grab my car keys and begin to walk outside yet again, Four was still walking beside me.

"Don't say I'm not your type cause I think you'd be lying." He snorts and I give him an unamused look. "I mean, you do owe me after all."

"I owe you?"

"Yeah, I mean I figured since I basically babysat your brother for you."

"So you feel like you're entitled to me having coffee with you?"

"Well, I mean not entitled. Give me one good reason why you won't." He pressures and I have to refrain myself from groaning in annoyance as we reach my car.

"Wow, you really can't take no for an answer, can you?"

"I'll only keep insisting." He remarks.

"One thing you must know about me, Four is I don't give in so easily." I retort with a condescending smile making him chuckle and watch as I open my car door.

"I'll get to you eventually, Jo." He says and when I turned around he was already walking away.

Who does he think he is?