The Styles Triplets

Chapter 23

"Hey, Alex." Zayn called after me.

I turned, forcing a small smile. "Zayn. Hey."

He fell into step beside me. "You talk to Ed?"

"I did." I nodded. "He's holding up alright." It wasn't the whole truth, but it was easier than explaining the rest.

"Good," he said. "Ed's been to juvenile detention before, but not actual jail."

I blinked at him. "He has? For what?"

Zayn let out a short laugh, like it wasn't a big deal. "We both have. Nothing serious. Just stupid stuff when we were younger."

"Like what?" I pressed before I could stop myself.

He glanced at me, amused. "You really want the details?"

"I'm just asking."

"Trespassing, vandalism," he said with a shrug. "That kind of thing. The cops around here know us well enough by now. We used to show up there so often I think they got used to us."

"That's..." I searched for the word. "Not what I expected."
My Edward?

"Oh yeah, we've done worse but we've just never been caught." Zayn winked.

"Like what?"

"You sure do ask a lot of questions." he smiled, "It's not my place to tell you, babe."

He's said that before.

"Right." I nodded quickly. "Sorry. I didn't mean to pry."

He studied me for a second. "It's fine."

A beat passed before he added, almost casually, "He's never been in love, though."

Something in my chest tightened. "Never?"

Zayn shook his head. "Not really. He doesn't let himself get there. Says he doesn't want anyone having that kind of control over him."

I nodded slowly, trying to process it.
Then why did he tell me he loved me? He can't possibly love me! Right?

Zayn tilted his head. "Why are you asking all this? This about you and him?"

"No," I said quickly. Too quickly. "It's nothing like that."
I don't have an explanation for this.
"It's just—" I exhaled. "Never mind. It doesn't matter. Edward and I are done."

Zayn frowned. "Done? Since when?"

"Since I realized he's not... what I need." I kept my voice steady, even though it didn't feel steady at all. "It was temporary. That's all." 
What about all those times we had together? He didn't seem to mind me. He must be a damn good actor then...

Zayn's expression shifted, more thoughtful now. "You were different with him."

I gave a short laugh, without humor. "Different how? I'm just Alex."

"I don't know," he said. "He talked about you a lot. More than I've ever seen him talk about anyone. He's been different these past few months. More... present. Happier."

Something in me loosened before I could stop it.
Have I made him a better person?
He's in jail, Alex.
"It doesn't matter now." I replied, "He's going to jail remember? I won't even see him!" I noticed my voice was raising with anger, "Sorry, but I have to go."

I barely made it to the bathroom before my hands started shaking. Once inside, I locked the door and pulled out my phone.

Liam picked up on the second ring.

"Alex?" His voice softened immediately. "Everything okay?"

"Liam, I need help."

"Anything," he replied without hesitation.

I swallowed hard and told him everything—Edward, the visit, the kiss, the words I still couldn't untangle in my head.

When I finished, there was a pause.

"Edward told you he loves you?" Liam asked carefully.

"Yeah. And I'm with Marcel now, but I don't know how do I tell Edward? I'm so confused." I explained, "I tried to tell him at the prison but how could I have?"

"Don't." he answered.

"Don't? Don't what?"

"I mean don't," he repeated. "If I were him, I'd rather not know. Not if it changes nothing."

"That's not fair," I said immediately. "He deserves to know."

"Of course I do, but you don't understand. I can't just not tell him." I explained, "That wouldn't be fair to him."

"Apart from the fact that he's in prison for years?" Liam replied. "Alex, be realistic. You're talking about a life that doesn't exist outside those walls." He continued, gentler now but still firm. "You're not built for waiting like that. I know you. In five years, you'll want something real, something present. That isn't him right now."

"I just..." My throat tightened. "I don't want him to hear it from someone else."

"Sometimes silence is kinder," Liam said.

The line went quiet again. Then his tone shifted. "But honestly? You asked for my advice, and I gave it to you."

Something about the way he said it made my stomach drop.

"Liam...?"

"Not everything is about you," he snapped. "You're acting selfish about this whole thing."

I froze. "What did you just say?"

"Don't make it more complicated than it is. Get over yourself."

My grip tightened on the phone. "That's not—Liam, that's not you."

"Just listen for once," he said sharply. "You want honesty? Fine. This whole situation is a mess, and you're acting like the center of it."

The words landed harder than I expected.

Then, abruptly: "I'm done with this. Bye, Alex."

"Liam, wait—"

The line went dead.

I stared at my phone for a moment, like it might start explaining itself. It didn't.

My breath came out uneven, sharp with disbelief and anger. I tried calling back immediately, but it went straight to voicemail. "Seriously?" I muttered, pacing once before stopping.

I opened voicemail. My voice came out louder than I intended. "Are you kidding me? That's how you talk to me? Fine. Don't call me back until you can act like a decent human being."

I hung up, then pressed my palms to the counter, trying to steady myself. But it didn't help.

"What now?!" I yelled in anger as my phone vibrated in my pocket. Taking it out, I saw that Louis had texted me.

[SOS! Meet me by my locker, ASAP.]

The first thing that came to my mind was Marcel.

My stomach dropped. I wiped my face quickly, forcing myself to stand.

Something was wrong.

By the time I reached the hallway, Louis was already waiting.

"Lou," I said fast, breath unsteady. "What happened? Is it Marcel? Is he okay?"

Louis hesitated. "It's Harry," he said.

My heart sank. "Harry? What about him?"

Louis exhaled. "He's been suspended."

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(A/N:)

I know how y'all hate my cliff hangers! Sowwy! :P please keep commenting feed back! I love it!

Anyways, thanks for reading!

-Bree
XOXO