her star boy - Chapter 4: Chapter 4

Luis
I drive to Sips of Coffee on autopilot. I probably slept for no more than a couple hours last night, not only because of the music blaring through my house until long past midnight.
Devyn was in my room. When she rushed off after seeing me, I thought that was it, and that I wouldn't see her again, just as I hadn't for five years. But there she was, delivered directly to me. On my bed. Jesus, I don't know what I did to deserve that. I asked her out, as friends or whatever she would let me be to her, and she shot me down. It was expected, and if anything, I kinda liked it. She's got just as much bite as she did when we were younger.
Seeing her was more than I ever thought I'd get. Talking to her, hearing her voice; so feminine and husky and steady at the same time. She could have called me every name under the sun and I would have listened, I would have thanked her.
Sips if as busy as you'd think a café would be at noon on a Saturday. I take one of the last spots and hop out the car, heading for the door, which the line is practically spilling out of. It's become a tradition that I get my housemates breakfast after a party, seeing as I'm the only one that doesn't drink. I didn't know that when I was voted captain, it also meant I was chosen to step in as a father to a bunch of grown men.
I'm at the end of the line, adjusting to the bustling noises of laughter and coffee machines when someone slams into me. Like, walks right into my chest. I instinctively reach out for their arms to steady them, and look down to see brown curls, and then, deep brown eyes. I smile.
"You never have looked where you're going, Devyn," I tell her.
She looks up at me, her eyes narrowing. "Goes both ways, Pierce."
My grin widens because here she is, in my space for the third time in less than twenty-four hours. I don't deserve this blessing.
"You can let go of me now."
I look down at Devyn and drop my hands from her biceps. I hadn't even realised I was still holding her. "What are you doing here?"
She joins the line-in front of me, I realise-and I couldn't find it in me to care. Not with her.
"Getting coffee," she says in a tone that tells me I'm the most stupid guy in the world. "What are you doing here?"
"Getting breakfast," I tell her.
"It's almost one in the afternoon," she glances at me over her shoulder.
"Not for me. My teammates aren't up yet."
She hums. "You guys are America's pride and joy? The ones that make more than doctors?" She seems a little disgusted by this, and I can't blame her.
"Unfortunately."
She turns to face forward as the line moves on, and I'm desperate to keep her attention on me. "Get lunch with me, Devyn."
She barely glances over her shoulder before she says, "No."
"Why not?"
Devyn turns to look at me blankly, and I realise I'm the most ridiculous guy to ever exist. Of course I know why not.
"We haven't seen each other in half a decade," I start.
She mumbles something that sounds like 'for good reason'.
"I just wanna catch up with you. Tell me about work. How are your family?" I realise I mean everything I'm saying. "Just a couple hours."
Devyn is the first in the line now, and she makes her order for three iced coffees. I frown, wondering who she's meeting, and then I remember that we've been apart for so many years that I probably wouldn't know. I always order in ahead, so they actually have the time to make five breakfast bagels, so when I reach the counter she hands me a brown paper bag. Says that Chen's smoothie will only be a couple minutes.
I stand beside Devyn at the collection counter. She doesn't look up and me.
"So?" I look down at her.
I think she's gonna say no again. Actually, I'm certain she is while she looks between my eyes like she can see my every thought. Then she turns back to the counter.
"I'm busy for the next few days," is all she says.
"How about right now?" The guys can wait for their bagels.
"I'm with people right now." She gestures her head vaguely to the left.
I'd forgotten about the two extra coffees. I look in the general direction that she nodded to, scoping out potentials. And then I meet two familiar pairs of eyes.
It's not a shock that she's still friends with Aadyah Patel and Evan Zhao. The three of them were pretty inseparable throughout senior year. What fucking blows is that they have those five years with her, and I don't. They didn't miss any eras of her life, and I did. It's like a punch to the gut; especially Zhao.
Both of their eyes meet mine, as if they were already looking. Aadyah diverts her gaze, suddenly fascinated by a painting in the opposite direction. Zhao holds my eyes though, looks me up and down before looking away. I wonder if him and Dev ever had a thing. The thought is sickening.
"I'm free on Tuesday," Devyn draws my attention again. "Before 2."
For a moment, I'm a little dumbstruck. Then I say, "I'll pick you up at 12."
"I'll meet you here," she moves forward to pick up her order, balancing all three coffees in her two hands.
"Finally got your license?" I smile at this, because she always refused to drive when we were together. Said why would she drive when she could be driven.
Devyn offers me one more look. "Bye, Luis."
And then she walks off in the opposite direction.