His Effect [h.s] AU

𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐮𝐲𝐬 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐭?

Once I had finished off my studying, Four's work kept calling for him to show up and despite him ignoring their calls, I decided that it'd be best if he just went to work. He said that he would pick me up for school in the morning so we could drive to the cafe before classes and I agreed.

It had been a while since we went there and I missed it. I had said goodbye to him and was on my way to my car when I saw a black car pull up beside me and when the person got out, it was Zach.

"Josephine." He says my name and I stare at him. "I take it Four's home?"

"He's on his way to work, so—"

"Zach." I am cut off by Four who only looks from Zach to me. "I'll see you later, Jo." He says and walks off with Zach back inside the complex. So much for needing to rush to work.

I had finished my homework and studying at Four's so all I had to do for the remainder of the day was sit back and enjoy my show.

—

I ended waking up an hour earlier than I usually do for school. I got ready, did everything that I had to do before I sat still on my bed and texted Four that I would be waiting for him. I felt silly waiting around for Four to pick me up for school, Although not as silly as it wouldn't be the first time a guy picks me up.

Jace, our next door neighbors son that has since moved to LA used to have a crush on me. At least that's what his mother used as an excuse to get us to fall in love and date. Of course, neither party was into each other as much as our parents claimed that we were. But he did pick me up in the mornings and took my to school for a time.

As the minutes passed, I received no message nor calls from Four and the time was ticking. I decided that I didn't want to waste it by sitting around so I texted him again, saying I would just meet him there.

Considering I woke up earlier than normal, I knew I was bound to fall asleep in one of my classes so I thought it was best to just grab a coffee from our favorite spot and just have Four meet me there.

Once I arrive, John the barista greets me with a bright smile and I can't help but smile back to the contagious grin. "Let me guess," he says as he sees me approach the counter. "Vanilla bean?" He tells me my usual order but I shake my head.

"Not today, what do you have that's new?" I ask, looking over the menu that was written on the chalkboard.

"Well, today we have this new espresso-"

"Anything but that." I scrunch up my nose, I definitely wasn't trying to get the shakes all day.

He chuckles. "We've also got this new hazelnut coffee, topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings?" He says in more of a suggestion and I nod. "Will that be all?" He asks and I decide on getting Four's usual black coffee so that it isn't scalding hot when he gets here. "Aren't you supposed to be at school?"

"I'm supposed to be meeting Four here," I reply and swipe my card and he nods in apprehension before giving me my order. I take a seat by the large windows where I am able to see the parking lot, hoping Four doesn't take long but after so many missed calls and unread texts, I decide it's time to leave before I am late for school.

By this time, I had already finished my coffee and still had Four's coffee which was already cold by now. I felt angry that he had stood me up, but I had a feeling that he probably slept in or wasn't coming to school today.

But then again, he was the one who told me he'd pick me up to drive here and then school. My coffee was pretty good, so I wasn't as much in a bad mood as I should be. When I get to school, I lock my car and see Madi speaking with Esmer and it looked like they were having an argument by the way Madi wailed her arms around and Esmer rolled her eyes.

"What's going on?" I ask, adjusting my backpack strap on my shoulder. I watch as Esmer looks from me to Madi.

"Nothing." She simply says and walks off making me turn to Madi who looked away from me.

"Madi," I push. "Tell me what's going on?" I watch as she looks around nervously before sighing.

"Esmer thinks Zach is doing more than just selling drugs." She says and I scrunch my eyebrows. "She didn't say much, but Four is involved and so is your brother."

"Jaque?" I repeat my brothers name. I wouldn't put it past him. "What could they be doing?"

She shrugs. "She said they always go off into a room so no one will hear anything." I look away from her to see Four walking towards the pavilion where I'm assuming he was joining his group.

I still haven't received a message back from him and now he just shows up. I don't even say anything to Madi as I walk towards Four, the cold coffee still in my hand and when he sees me, his eyes show regret.

I place the coffee down harshly on the table in front of him, he looks down at it. "Where the hell were you?" I grit, ignoring his group of friends and Jaque who was looking between us with a questionable look. "I waited for you for like a half hour!"

"I worked the late shift," he says almost instantly. "I slept in, I'm sorry."

"You could've texted me that you weren't going to show up, I looked like a complete idiot." I retort and before he can say anything, Jaque speaks up.

"What the fuck is going on?" He asks with furrowed eyebrows, standing close to us. "Are you guys dating or some shit?"

"No." Four says immediately making me turn to him in disbelief but he avoids my gaze afterwards. I felt betrayed and used, immediately regretting what we did yesterday at his apartment.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" I say and feel Madi beside me. Four bites the inside of his cheek and stands up, grabbing my wrist to pull me with him to where he was going.

Once we are away from the group, I snatch my hand back and wait for him to speak. "I'm sorry I didn't show, I really am. I forgot, I didn't get home until three." He says.

"You could've texted me before and told me you wouldn't make it, there was no need for me to wait for you."

"I'm sorry, Jo—"

"You know what? You don't owe me an explanation, we're not dating, right?" I point out and he scrunches his eyebrows.

"I only said that because I know how much Jaque hates me around you." He defends.

"That isn't your decision, Four. He's my brother and if you're going to stick around, he might as well get used to it. My parents already make decisions for me, I don't need you to do that too."

"Yeah, I know. I just think with you being irritated already that him giving you shit would upset you further." To this, I sigh. I was pretty upset over the fact that Four stood me up and I knew Jaque questioning me about Four and I would only piss me off even further, and I had a pretty short temper. He pulls me in for a hug and kisses the top of my head.

"I need to get to class." I say, backing away. I just really needed some time to cool off. Four looks hurt by my actions but he nods and puts his hands inside his pockets and I walk away.