What You're Missing

Chapter 4

"Yeah, yeah, work this, work that," Jasper interrupted annoyedly. "Anything else you got going for ya?"

"Uh," Henry stuttered awkwardly. "No?" Jasper scoffed.

"You could've called," Charlotte spoke suddenly, her voice soft. "Or texted. We exchanged numbers, you know." Henry mentally slapped his forehead.

"Oh, right, God, I forgot," he replied, running a hand through his hair. "That would've been the smart thing to do."

"Yeah," Jasper said matter-of-factly. Charlotte gave him a look, letting him know to dial the angry interjection down.

"I'm sorry," Henry apologized, his expression and voice sincere. "And I know this is a lame attempt at an apology, but-" he brought a bag of donuts that he was holding with his other hand out from behind him- "I bought you guys donuts with the money I earned from working Friday." Jasper lit up, his eyes widening, while Charlotte allowed a small smile to creep onto her face.

"I really hope you guys like donuts," Henry spoke through the silence. "'Cause then this would be pretty awk-"

"Is there a chocolate frosted one?" Jasper asked eagerly. Henry smiled, handing him the bag with a nod. The curly-haired blond happily took the bag of donuts from Henry, opening it up before meeting Charlotte's shocked expression.

"Oh, uh," Jasper started after taking a bite out of a donut. He cleared his throat. "It's going to take a lot more than donuts, Hart."

"Right," Henry replied. "How about lunch, then? After school, I mean." Jasper narrowed his eyes as if he was deciding whether his offer was worthy or not.

"I'll pay," the blond added. Jasper looked to Charlotte with his eyebrows raised.

"I think it's a good deal," he said to his best friend. Charlotte finally laughed, ending the tension between the group.

"Yes," she agreed, meeting Henry's eyes. "I think it's a great idea." The two smiled.

"Oh, wait!" Jasper exclaimed suddenly. "I have robotics after school."

"Aw, man," Henry replied. "I don't know if I'll get off work again soon." There were a few moments of silence before Charlotte spoke.

"I'll still go," she said confidently, crossing her arms. "It's about time we got to know each other, Henry Hart." The blond grinned.

"I couldn't agree more," he replied. "Are you okay with this, Jasper? I'm sure we'll get to hang out sooner or later." Jasper cleared his throat, trying to hide the disappointment in his voice.

"Yeah," he answered. "Totally." Henry nodded at him with a smile before turning back to Charlotte.

"So it's a date?" Charlotte looked up at the blond's question in surprise, a hesitant smile sneaking onto her lips.

"It's a date." Henry smiled down at her while she laughed against the locker, hiding her giddiness and refusing to let go of her confident disposition by uncrossing her arms in front of her chest.

"A date?" Jasper whispered to himself, inaudible to the pair. He watched the two's exchange with narrowed eyes which soon fell into a look of concern. He huffed before loudly crumpling the bag of donuts to seal it after retrieving one last glazed donut, earning their attention. They watched as he angrily took a bite out of it.