The Styles Triplets

Chapter 21

"W-What happened?" I asked, dread settling heavily in my chest

Beside me, Marcel straightened, instantly alert, leaning closer so he could hear.

Zayn exhaled slowly, rubbing a hand over his face. "They found drugs in Edward's bag. And a pocket knife. The school reported it as a weapon."

"What? No—no, that's impossible. Edward wouldn't do that," I said quickly. "This has to be a mistake."

"I know," Zayn agreed. "Someone had to plant it on him."

"Drugs?" Harry scoffed. "With Edward? You're joking. He acts tough, yeah, but he's not stupid."

"Then who would do something like that?" Marcel asked quietly. "Who would frame him?"

A tense silence settled over the table.

Suddenly Niall spoke up. "What kind of pocket knife?"

We all turned to him with confusion on our faces, "What?" We all said in unison.

"Does that even matter?" I asked.

"I mean..." Niall shrugged nervously. "How do you even bring a knife into school without getting caught?"

"Niall, that's not the point," Zayn said firmly. "The point is he got caught with something that wasn't his — and now he's being taken to jail."

"Jail?" The word came out louder than I intended. My heartbeat thundered in my ears.
How could he be going to jail? He can't go to jail!

"They're holding him until trial," Zayn explained. "If they believe he's guilty... he could be there a long time. They don't mess around with this stuff."

"How long?" I whispered.

Zayn reached across the table and squeezed my hand. "Alex... he's eighteen now. Legally an adult. Possession charges could mean five to ten years."

Five to ten years? I'd be twenty-four.
"I can't believe this," I murmured, slumping back in my seat. "Can I see him?"

"Not officially," Zayn said gently. "Not until after the verdict."

"When is that?"

"About a month. They're investigating everything."

"There's no other way?" I asked.

Zayn hesitated. "His mum is going today. You might be able to go with her."

I shot to my feet. "I'm calling Anne."

I barely made it to the bathroom before dialing her number. My hands shook so badly I almost dropped my phone.

It rang.

And rang.

And went to voicemail.

"H-Hey Anne," I said quickly, my voice trembling. "It's Alex. I just... I was wondering if I could come see Edward with you today. I really need to talk to him. Please call me back."

I hung up and stared at my reflection. I looked pale. Panicked. Completely lost.

That was when the realization hit me fully. I didn't want five years without him. I didn't want any time without him.

The bell rang. Then the tardy bell. I didn't move until the hallway emptied.

----

"Alex, you're late," Mrs. Basinger said as I entered class.

"Yeah. Sorry."

She just shrugged it off and began teaching.
I couldn't focus at all! All I could think about was how miserable Edward was right now. Edward sitting alone. Edward scared. Edward in handcuffs.