Figuring Out Emma (Harry Styles)

Chapter 24: Conviction

Emma

"I can't do this. I can't do this. I can't do this," I mumbled over and over under my breath.

My hands shake as I run them through my hair. I feel like I can't breathe and the tears are just flowing uncontrollably down my face. Where's Harry? I need Harry. He's the only one who can calm me down. God, I really can't do this!

"Emma! Em, hey, hey, it's all right," his deep voice caressed my ears.

"Harry," I cried, looking up into his jade eyes.

He closed the small gap that was between us, pulling me into his chest. I could feel my body slowly begin to relax when I felt his strong arms wrapping around my torso. But the tears kept coming.

"I can't do this anymore, Harry," I spoke into his shoulder.

"Yes you can, Emma," Harry promised me. "Look at how far you've made it. The trial is almost over, all we have to do now is wait for the jury's conviction."

"What if-"

"No. Do not think like that. It will all work out. I promise," he told me, squeezing his arms around me even tighter.

"Harry don't make promises you can't keep," I whispered softly.

"Im not," he assured me.

I took a deep breath and stepped back from the warmth and comfort his chest provided. In his eyes I could see my reflection, and it saddened me. Mascara streaked black lines down my blotchy-red cheeks, the whites of my eyes turned pink. Looking away, I saw Justin standing a few feet away, respecting Harry and I's privacy. He turned his face to glance over at me. I gave him a small nod and the weakest of smiles to let him know I'd be okay.

"Would you like a cup of coffee? Tea?" Harry asked me, drawing my focus back to him.

"Tea would be lovely," I answered softly.

"Why don't you sit somewhere while I go find you a cup of tea," he suggested, his hand pressing gently on my arm.

"Okay," I agreed without complaint.

"Harry began to turn away before he changed his mind, coming back to press his soft lips against my forehead.

"It will be okay," he spoke before he left for real this time.

I leaned back against the wall that was behind me as I watched him walk up to a bailiff, asking for directions to the nearest coffee stand. Sliding down, I stayed where I was, only now sitting on the cold dark grey marble tiles. Bringing my legs to my chest, I wrapped my long arms around them, staring straight forwards. I could hear footsteps making their way towards me, but I didn't look up to see who it was.

They crouched down beside me, their voice cluing me in to their identity.

"You know, I didn't appreciate being blindsided this morning. Having Harry here isn't exactly the best thing when it comes to Vick and his temperament, but he calms you down in a way that I've never seen before," Carmichael's voice made its way to me in the buzzing hallway.

"Yeah," was all that I managed to say even though a lot was going through my mind.

"The outcome of today is in our favor, Emma," he tried to convince me.

"How can you tell?" I asked monotonously.

"Because of you, your emotion, your story and the points you made. And because Vick just sounded like a plain crazy person," he said trying to get me to laugh.

"Yeah, he did," I replied, my forced laughter sounding hollow.

"There's nothing you need to worry about, my dear," Carmichael told me before he stood up, brushing off his suit pants and walked away.