*songs for chapter - Arms by Christina Perri &

                                    - Fall For You by Secondhand Serenade*

Chapter 24 – Harry's P.O.V.

            "Where the hell is she? What are they doing to her?" I demanded as Will sat next to me, the jury exiting to debate on my innocence. Funny how that's not even what the hell I care about. The only thing on my mind is the endless scenarios that could possibly be happening to Chloe.

            "Calm down, Harry. They just took her back to the center to calm her down, I'm sure." Will shuffled his papers back into his bag.

            "What the hell do you mean you're 'sure'? That didn't sound very fucking positive," I hissed.

            "Would you relax?" Will snapped. "Sheesh. Here you are on trial for possibly facing prison the rest of your life, and you're worried about a girl. Really, Harry. That's pretty unbelievable."

            "Shut up," I grumbled. "I just want to make sure she's okay."

            "Would it make you feel better if I asked the judge where she went?" Will asked, giving me the "seriously?" look as in "would it shut you up?" in a nicer way.

            "Yeah, actually. It would."

            Will sighed, running a hand through his hair as he nodded. He began approaching the judge, but then a bony finger tapped on my shoulder from behind me. Glancing over my shoulder, an elder woman sat there, a small and sympathetic smile on her wrinkled lips as she brought her frail hand to her lap.

            "I know you're innocent, sweetheart. You don't find too many young folks looking out for the mentally ill," she said kindly in that croaky-old-person voice. The one that instantly reminded you of little, genuine grandparents.

            I mustered a smile, even with my nerves going wild. "Thank you, ma'am. That means a lot that someone else can decipher lies and truth."

            The old woman smiled, nodding her head. "I may be older than dirt, but the eldest are the wisest. Or so I've heard, anyway. You seem to have a good head on your shoulders, though, and I sure hope you keep it that way."

            "Yes ma'am." I smiled, then shook her hand politely.

            Turning back around to face the front, I was well aware of the multiple cameras hounding the room. Of course news would be around considering this specific case involved an "insane" patient. You always hear on the news or radio about the mentally unstable getting traumatized, but the only thing they get in return are sympathetic comments. What do they do to help those poor people that had already lost enough of their mind? Exactly, they do nothing but report on it for money.

            It pisses me off.

            My mother and I have always been big on donating to various charities, just because we used to always give money to the hospital to help Gemma. People out there truly need help, but the news reporters that feed off of their minimum brain capacity sicken me. They may be genuine people, but their stories could be more helpful than just feeling sorry. Of course it's nice to give your prayers and such, but involving yourself more independently would be something a generous person would do. Instead of making money off of those who can't help their different perspectives, you could give money to the mentally ill who need it. That's just my view of things.

            Will approached the table, giving me a thumbs up. "She's back in her cell safe and sound. Happy now?"

            "No," I muttered truthfully. "I'd be happy if she were here."

            Will sighed, shaking his head. "Harry, you can't protect her from everything. I know you've got feelings for this girl, but she's gotta learn some independence if you want to get her stable on her feet again. I'm not saying you shouldn't look after her—you should—I'm just saying to give her a chance to try and alleviate herself. You know, let her try to work out her problems."

            "What the hell do you think she's been doing the past three years?" I hissed. "It isn't that easy, Will. Chloe, she's... she's different from all the other mental patients out there. She... I don't know." I sighed, raking a hand through my hair.

            Will placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "She'll be fine, Harry. I promise. And if I'm wrong, I'll let you beat the shit out of me, okay?"

            I smirked. "Deal."

            Will laughed, shaking his hand in amusement. "Now, let's start praying that this jurors aren't a bunch of oblivious morons."

***

            The courtroom was packed once again, everyone respectfully standing as the jurors reentered the room. I was sweating; my hands, my forehead, my neck, everywhere. I was more than nervous now that the reality had come to pay a visit. I could actually be convicted of a felony I hadn't committed. The thought wasn't only unfair, it was terrifying.

            "Jurors, have you assumed the appropriate charge for Mr. Harry Styles?" the judge asked as everyone seated.

            "We have, Your Honor," one elder man said as he stood, holding a piece of paper. "We the jurors hereby declare Harry Styles to be..."

            It felt like everyone was on the edge of their seats, especially me.

            Elizabeth was chewing her nails out the corner of her eye, Mikayla doing the same as she tapped her foot. I don't know why the hell they're nervous. If they lose, they get to go home and say whatever. If I lose, I get stuck in prison for however long for something I hadn't even done. Where did they get the right to be nervous?

            The elder man turned to me, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Not guilty."

            I wanted to jump up and scream, but I settled for a subtle sigh of relief as I slouched back in my chair, heaving a clammy hand through my hair. Will grinned as he patted my shoulder, but Elizabeth and Mikayla looked like they just saw a bunch of ghosts sitting around drinking apple cider. I wanted to take a picture of their priceless, mortified faces, but instead I just grinned.

            Chloe will be with me again.

            But what surprised me most were the few people in the room who cheered for my innocence. It was astonishing, and it only made me grin wider. Even the camera zooming in on my face didn't bother me. I was going to see Chloe again, and we'd finally be together without Elizabeth and Mike getting in the way.

            Speaking of Mike, where the hell is he?

            Before I had the time to look for him, the juror added, "But we would like to prosecute Ms. Elizabeth Williams for lying on the stand after taking oath."

            "What?" Elizabeth shouted. "You can't prove that!"

            "Actually, we can. Considering you told three different stories to varied police officers, then came up with another one on the witness stand, it is very clear that you were trying to persecute an innocent man," he said.

            The judge nodded in agreement. "Ms. Williams, you have been sentenced to four years in prison for nearly imprisoning an acquitted man. You have also been charged for wasting the court's time on a case that had no reason to be called."

            Elizabeth was gawking, her mouth open as she tried to steady her rapid breathing. She started screaming at the judge, calling him stupid and "inadequate" to society. I just rolled my eyes, actually happy about the fact that she was getting punished. The guards drug her into a room where her screams gradually faded away. The judge continued by talking about the different videos where her story switched up, then he wished me good luck and dismissed the room.

            I thanked Will numerous times, then finally began making my way out the doors. Pushing through a crowd of people shouting assorted questions, I kept my head down and made my way to my car. I had to go get Chloe before they confined her forever.

            She had to be with me.

            Only, forever, and always, me.

            As I got into my car, the elder woman and the juror man were holding hands. I smiled, realizing how close their descriptions of my innocence had been. No wonder they were a couple; they thought exactly alike, and they were brilliant. Not just because they could tell lies from truth, but because they were able to see through the lies and find the truth. Believe me, there is a difference.

            It was about a fifteen minute drive to Brookline Psychiatric, and if we're being totally honest, I was a little intimidated. The building was tall, about fifteen stories or so with vines growing over the old concrete. It literally looked right out of a horror movie, and the fact that I've never been in an asylum before didn't help my nerves. But I had to get to Chloe, and that was enough determination to get out of the car.

            But I knew that as soon as I saw her, I wouldn't be able to stop myself from doing something I might regret.

Chloe's P.O.V.

            My mind was racing, trying to orient the thoughts of Harry's innocence. Had they announced it yet? Would he go home and leave me here? Part of me believed that, but my heart was telling me otherwise. He hadn't left me yet, not even when the officer tried to drag him away from me. He was fighting to get to me, I could see that much, and it only made me care for him more.

            I hadn't meant to go all demented on the witness stand, but it wasn't in my control. They were telling me what to say, what to do, and each of those scenarios would get Harry imprisoned for no reason at all. They wanted me to prove him guilty. But that was where I drew the line. Whether they hurt me or not, I wouldn't let them hurt Harry. He was too much of a bright soul to deal with darkness.

            The buzzer above my metal bed sounded. "Ms. Chloe? You have a visitor."

            With my eyebrows thoughtfully furrowing, I stood and faced the door to prepare for whoever it was. An awful thought of it being my father petrified me, but when the steel door alarmed and opened, Harry stood there with a small smile on his lips.

            Of course there were two guards behind him to keep me from running away, but I didn't care about that. In fact, an old piece of me slithered into my mind, taking control of my body as I lunged for him, throwing my arms around his neck. But before I could nuzzle my head in his chest, he cupped my face in his hands.

            And he kissed me.

-

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A/N: Omg, you guys, they finally kissed ^.^ how do you think Chloe will react, hmm? ;P Whale, Wattpad rated this book R for some stupid reason, but just to clear things up, there will be NO smut. I don't write dirty, so I guess Wattpad rated it R for the talk of molestation and rape and such (I think). Anyway, I just wanted to let you all know that c; Love you all xx

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