His Effect [h.s] AU

𝐓𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐲

Words can't explain the state of dire peril I was currently undergoing. I wanted to run out of the room but the oncoming panic attack in me prohibited me from doing so. What I thought was just that one picture turned into a whole slideshow of pictures of Four and I. some were pictures I wasn't even aware he took of me looking off, unaware he was taking them.

My head and heart in sync, pounded from both the vibrations of the loud music and the absolute betrayal I felt. My throat hurt from holding back what I actually wanted to do.

Pictures from our dates, pictures at the beach the day of the bonfire, pictures at school and the most recent one that Thomas snatched of us when we were in the showers. I was dragged out of my shock when I noticed people's eyes on me, some suppressing their laughs and others shocked I was even there.

I also noticed Jaque was in the group, his face showing signs of anger and his fists clenched as he glared at Four who was now standing, his eyes showing guilt. I watch as Jaque turns to Zach who was finding amusement in all of this, he says something I can't quite understand before walking towards me.

"Let's go." He says to me, walking past. I turn to see Four beginning to walk towards me.

"Jo, I promise I didn't know—" He begins but I cut him off by my hand colliding with his cheek, unaware that I did that but was glad that it happened because it got me out of my trance. His face turns to the side but he recollects himself almost immediately. "Jo, please, let me explain."

"Explain what?" My voice cracks but my tone was harsh and cold and he flinched but I was much too angry and hurt to even care. "Explain how this was all a fucking setup? How you humiliated me in front of everyone? What were you trying to prove?"

Four is at loss for words, he seems to fight what he wants to say before Zach and Thomas walk up. "Go on." Thomas looked smug. "Tell her, Harry." I turn towards Four. "Tell the poor girl everything."

"Harry?" I say confused. I watch as Four bites the inside of his cheek nervously. "What the hell is going on?"

"His name isn't Four." Zayn snickers and I could tell Four was growing angrier by the second. "His name is Harry, and man has he lied to you."

"That's enough!" Four or Harry, whatever the fuck his name was says making Thomas and Zach laugh. "I promise I'll tell you everything, just not here. Let's go somewhere else—"

"I'm not going anywhere with you," I retort. "Ever again, you're a fucking liar!" By this time, I figured I should get the hell away from here. Jaque was outside waiting for me, probably angry that I was still in here.

As I was about to walk away, Four or Harry calls out to me. "Jo, please.." He pleads but I ignore him and walk out, my tears finally cascading down my eyes as I pressed my back against the wall, if I didn't I feared I might pass out by how fast my chest heaved. My hand goes up towards my mouth to stifle my sobs.

How was I so stupid? What the hell was I thinking, getting with someone I barely knew anything about? Actually, I don't think anything I knew about him was real. I'm sure they were all lies he fed me just to have sex with me.

Just thinking about this made me physically ill.

I noticed a black truck at the entrance and Jaque sticks his head out of the window from the back seat. "Come on." He says and I run towards the truck and when the driver pulls away, I notice Four or Harry come out, watching us drive away.

I could sense Jaque's anger from my distance on my side and honestly, I wasn't going to blame him. He was there through the slideshow of the pictures and I felt gross and embarrassed. I should've listened to Jaque when he warned me about him, but I think I was too busy falling for him to even realize his true intentions, I was completely blind.

I cried silently all the way home. Jaque was the first one out, ignoring me completely and I followed suit, going straight towards my room where I would fill the tub and sit in my own regret and sorrow.

_

The next morning on a Monday, I woke up incredibly late for class. I decided that not showing up wouldn't be ideal for me. It was my senior year and I could easily lose credits, especially since we're preparing for our upcoming exams. I changed into my school uniforms and let my hair down.

I had to use makeup to cover my very noticeable puffy red eyes. I had a raging headache from crying all night and my nose was red. My appearance was horrendous and I knew I hadn't told Madi a single thing about what happened, but one glance at me and she'll be able to figure it out all on her own.

Jaque had been ignoring me since last night and I hadn't seen much of him this morning. I heard him moving around all night before it went silent. As I walked to my locker to retrieve the books I'd be needing for my calculus class, I heard snickering behind me and when I turn a group of girls eyed me up and down making my face turn in anger. They mustve been present for last night's show.

"What the fuck are you looking at?" I seethe and they only walk away. I definitely wasn't one to take people's shit, especially if anyone is making fun of me when I'm already feeling at my worst.

I ended up telling Madi everything about what happened, and to say she was angry was an understatement. "That is such bullshit." She grits. "How dare he? He was the one who kept following you around and after you give in, this is how he repays you? Where the hell is he?"

"He isn't here," I say. He never shows up on Monday's and I wasn't sure if he'd show up all week considering what happened. I was beyond upset, I felt weird after last night. I hated that he lied to me and wouldn't even look at me. I haven't received any texts or phone calls from him either, so maybe he was avoiding it or avoiding me.

"I swear, when I see him I will let him have it." Madi retorts. "Do you want to do anything to get it off your mind?"

I shake my head no. "I really just want to be alone," I say truthfully. I know this was a self destructive way of coping with a breakup, but I really didn't feel like doing anything besides being home and being on my own.

Madi gives me a sad look but doesn't say anything else.