1986 [harry styles au]

XXVI. BOOM BOX

CHAPTER XXVI. BOOM BOX
'What the hell?' I hear Harry's voice fill the outside air, the door slamming once again behind him, but I'm too scared to look up at him. 'What happened? Andy? What happened?'

I find the necessary strength in my legs and push myself up onto my feet. My stare eventually finds his but it isn't the usual butterfly-inducing eye contact, his eyes now seem darker than before.

'Why are you crying? Please talk to me, Andy. What happened?' He tries to move closer but I step back, pushing even harder into the harsh brick wall. His hand runs through his hair, his eyes wide and he appears panicked.

'Just admit it.' I squeak, my voice so much smaller than his. His grass-green eyes scan my face with desperation.

'Admit what? What are you talking about?'

'Admit that you killed Blake, and Nico.' I say, feeling my heart sink at my own words. He looks undeniably shocked, his hand running through his hair again and his eyes widen even more.

'Are you being serious?' He stands his ground.

'You killed them, didn't you?'

'I can't believe you right now. I told you to trust me.'

'Answer the question, Harry!' I almost scream, feeling my fists clench and my heartbeat boom through my ears. His mouth opens with distress.

'No! I didn't fucking kill them! I can't believe you're even thinking this shit!'

'Do you know who killed them?'

'I obviously don't! Do you think I'd be here if I did?'

'What?' Did he mean that without the investigation, he wouldn't want to be near me?

'Fuck, no. I didn't mean it like that. I meant in the investigation, I wouldn't be in the investigation if I knew.' He states and there's silence in the air. 'I can't believe this, I've told you to trust me so many times.'

'And I have! I have trusted you, Harry! But all the signs point to you!'

'I thought you cared for me.' His voice lowers and it quietly fills the air.

'Is that your ploy? Get me to care for you so when it's revealed that you're the killer, I'll just be fine with it? Well, you're wrong, Harry!'

'No! Are you kidding me? Do you think I'd tell everybody about this? That I'd get the freaking police involved if I was the killer? Please think about this!'

I suddenly feel like I can't breathe. 'I want to go home.'

He moves closer and I flinch, his eyes flash with upset before he moves back again.

'I love you.'

What?

'What?'

'I said I love you. I'd never hurt you, I care about you more than anybody else. But, you can't trust me. I don't know how else to prove my innocence.' He shakes his head, tears threatening to escape his eyes and I never thought I'd see Harry cry near Foundered High; where his tough-guy persona is usually shown. I don't know what to think anymore. 'Please, listen to me, Andy.'

He moves closer, much more swiftly this time, and his hands grab my arms. His touch is gentle as he presses me against the wall, his deeply affected eyes finding mine. I soon feel his fingers reach for my cheeks and caress the skin there. He loves me. Harry Styles loves me. But, he could still be the killer. How could I melt into him when I have so many suspicions? His face looks content that he had won me over but flashes with distress as I forcefully push him away.