The Four Beta Brothers – Chapter 3

JUNIPER

“What do you want? Coffee is on me today?” Asher asked as we walked to the cafe next to the library.

“Just a small coffee with cream. Iced please.” My heart raced as we moved through the cafe doors. I felt eyes burning a hole in my back, and I forced myself to stare at the menu.

?” Asher pulled out a leather wallet from his back pocket. It looked brand new from the shine it gave off.

sumptions. Despite his generosity of buying me coffee, there was still something about him that irritated me, making me question why I agreed to cof

paying for you.”

fford to crash when I have to study.”

, extra caramel and chocolate drizzle, and extra whipped cream.”

istened to Asher. “Right away. Can I get a name f

ust towards me was from the rumors or the simple fact that I was with a cute boy and she wasn’t. I decided it was a combination of both.

d under my breath.

glanced at me and gave me a

n’t many places to stand. Asher managed to find a small space where we could wait for our order.

people were staring, but with Asher this close, his cologne filled my nose, distracting me from the chatter all around us.

What did you do, June?” Asher asked, shaking his head. “One look at you, an

by his comment. He had acted normally after the girl glared at me. “You noticed?”

is head. “I’m pretty excited to hear what you did to get this many people to hate you.”

crossed my arms and slumped against the wall. Just when I thought Asher was being considerate, he said something that made me take back that thought.

on the cashier. It felt more genuine, as if it was crafted just for me.

change your mind once you hear what’s going on.” I hoped that wasn’t true

w you enough.”

alled out, setting two cups on the counter.

e the whispers grew louder as they stared at the hand holding mine. He grabbed my cup and handed it to me before he grabbed his own.

Asher suggested, immediately pulling me away from the cafe.

ve. I trusted him, even though there was no obvious reason to. We barely knew each other, and he had irritated me more than not in the little time we had spent together. Even still, my gut was telling me to trust him.

utside that was in a little alcove. He motioned for me to sit as h

t.

That is completely unacceptable behavior.”

past twenty-four hours.

. “It’s not worth it. Trust me.”

ers through his perfectly styled hair, messing it up in the process.

dn’t understand why he was getting so upset over a complete stranger.

worth it.” I slumped into my chair and took a sip of my coffee. I didn’t want to give into these rumors, but I didn’t know how to begin addressing them. Even if I went to administration, it wouldn’t stop Moira from whispering lies, and it wouldn’t make the students believe me.

did but—”

t an unexpected enemy, and I don’t know what to do.”

up some of the whipped cream off the top before sucking it off his finger.

hat could you possibly do

, but you’ve seen the way people react to me. Tell me your story, and I’ll te

his?” That was one part about Asher I couldn’t understand. People didn’t help complete strangers anymore—not unless they got something in return.

the only part I know is what others have been whispering.”

ard the rumors?”

g.”

ing him about the cafeteria and confronting Moira. I explained why I was trying to change rooms, and I emphasized I only earned my grades through proper studying methods. I never cheated or slept with a

riend suddenly turned on you like that?”

I don’t even know what I did to upset her. She said she was tired of everyone praising me, but she’s the one everyone loves, not me.”

ray me like that, but nothing made sense.

any answers for you right now, but I promise I’ll do some research. We may not be able to stop others from talking, but just know that I believe y

is was the most serious he had been all morning. “Give me your phone.”

e me?”

rked, pleased by his surprise. “I

rked and pulled out his phone, handing it over.

away and quickly entered my phone number.

ded me my phone back, I gasped when I saw what time it was. “I’m going to be late fo

Don’t let me hold you u

ed to my feet and started gathering my stuff. “Thank you for the coffee and for believing me.”

k the favor at some point.” He stayed in his seat, seeming to be in

don’t know you, and they aren’t worth getting to know.”

r late for a lecture, and I didn’t plan on starting that today just because someone bought me coffee.

e. There was a large grassy field with trees lining the brick pathway. Ivy grew on the buildings surrounding the area, and it was one of the favorite hang out places for students, especially when the weather was good.

he nature and laughter that filled this area, but all I could see today was

ce shouted from the field.

o go away.

e. “Are you okay?”

he was the one who had thrown the ball.

m the force of the ball. The man instantly put his hand on my back and helped m

uld take you to the nurse.” He stayed crouched next to me, and worry lines filled his forehead. He seemed ge

“I can’t go to the nurse. I have to get to class.” I looked at the clock tower that sat at t

ow tall he was. He was wearing a loose t-shirt and a pair of basketball shorts, which seemed to emphasize his lanky stature.

and helped me sit on the steps.

at the clock again, and each tick of the arm m

ter all.” He smiled brightly, and his smile was stunning.

is hair color matched that of the brothers I had seen. His eyes were signific

e.

e brothers were this way.

hand and dashed away. He disappeared in the blink of an eye.

e minutes, and if he didn’t show up, I would just leave.

eren’t my thing.

long. The building I tried first was locked,” he said, breathing heavily.

e and placed it on my forehead. I winced as it touched the spot the ball had made contact

ice from my hand and gently placed it on my bruised forehead. His touch was surprisingly soft, and it felt better than my own attempt. “Are you sure you don’t want to go to the nurse?”

rried about me—a complete stranger. In the sea of hatred, I was surprised to find kindness in the faces of the new transfer students who knew nothing about me.

was nearly ten minutes late at this point. It would be fifteen by the time I walked to the building.

me walk you to class. Two: you promise you’ll go to the nurse if the dizziness persists.”

from the field.

d Nathan and saw a group of guys trying to wave him over. “Your friends are calling you.”

e worried about you. So what do you say to my terms and conditions?”

he school. Even before the rumors started, they weren’t nice to me, and I had no interest in interacting with them now. If Nathan said they weren’t his friends, I was eager to believe him.

eal.”