Exception (Harry Styles)

Chapter 30

Avery's POV

It has now been an hour since Harry's incident, and as much as I tried to go to sleep, I couldn't fully relax long enough for it to pull me under. I would fall asleep, and then wake up almost instantly. I am so worried about Harry, probably more worried than I should be, but I can't help it. I have never witnessed anything like that from anyone, and seeing Harry so broken was literally the worst thing I have ever had to witness.

He might be a jerk, and what he said might have stung, but I understood it. The tears in his eyes, and the pain expression proved it. I know he didn't mean what he said to me, or Louis.

Another thing that keeps running through my mind is Haz.

Was that a nickname? Maybe from his mom? If it is then it would explain the way he completely shut down when Zayn called him that.

My head is hurting from all the possibilities, and the fact Harry defiantly has a secret that he doesn't want anyone to know, and all that does is make me want to find out.

I lay there for what seems like forever. Louis is quietly snoring from the chair, and the hallway light has been turned off, indicating that Zayn is back asleep. I start to hear this soft guitar noise coming from down the hall. I feel like it's just my mind messing with me, but the more I listen the more I realize it's real.

I debate on whether or not I should go follow the noise. I know I probably shouldn't, but my curiosity gets the best of me as I slowly stand up and head towards the dark hallway.

When I get around the corner I notice light coming from the other side of Harry's door. The closer I get, the clearer the sound becomes, and it's beautiful. It's not a song that I have heard before, which makes me wonder what he is doing this late, well early now, in the morning on a guitar. I guess he wasn't able to go back to sleep either.

I step up to the door and listen. I hear his soft hums coming from the other side of the door, and it makes my heart melt. I debate on knocking, maybe he wants to talk? Or maybe he will become angry again? I honestly have no idea what to expect, but I find myself knocking a little anyways. My heart not listening to my brain.

When the soft music does not stop, I realize he didn't hear me, and I am guessing Zayn is a hard sleeper being he hasn't woke up yet. I decide to just ease the door open, cautiously, not wanting to startle him, or set off the bomb that could explode with just the smallest wrong move.

I find him sitting on his bed, guitar in hand, focused on what his large hands are doing while his lips hum a sweet tune that I do not recognize. I stand there for a bit longer, just watching the beautiful young man in front of me. It's hard to look at him as the 'asshole' that everyone knows he is while he is strumming his guitar; he seems so innocent, almost like a small child.

"That was beautiful." I say quietly after he finishes the last cord. I get ready to apologize and leave when he looks up, startled. However, instead of yelling at me to leave, he almost looks relieved in a way?

"How long have you been there?" Harry asks his voice raspier than normal due to the lack of sleep and stress.

"Long enough." I reply quietly, stepping in and shutting the door behind me. We both just stand there, staring at each other for what feels like the longest time, until finally he rips his gaze away from me.

"I'm so sorry." He says; voice cracking as he sets his guitar on the stand and leans over, face in his palms.

"Harry you don't-"