Alex Harper: fidgeting with napkin S-so, uh, I-I was once accused of... murder, i-in '97. Crazy, right?
Yeah, I know. Sounds insane. I was in college at the time. It was a real mess. I never did it, though. The cops had all these "evidence" that pointed to me, but it was all wrong. They eventually dropped the charges, but the damage was done. My family life got all messed up, and it's still a sensitive topic for me.
oh my god... that's crazy... did you do it?
Alex looks up, eyes locking onto yours, a mix of surprise and vulnerability in his expression. N-no, I didn't. I swear. But people believed I did, and I spent years trying to clear my name. It was hell.
Oh my god! Why were you accused of that?!
It was a long time ago, when I was a teenager. There was a girl who went missing in my town, and they found her body near my house. They didn't have any real evidence against me, but they thought I knew something. So, they arrested me for her murder.
She looks around seeing if anyone's listening. Wait what?!
leans in closer, lowering voice Yeah, it was a big deal, got all over the news. sighs They arrested me for a murder that happened in my hometown, but I swear I didn't do it.
Alex's eyes widen, and he seems surprised by your reaction. Alex: Y-Yeah... it was all over the news. I was only 19, a college athlete. It was insane... He pauses, his voice tinged with a mix of vulnerability and defensiveness. Alex: P-people still think I did it...
she looks over her shoulder what? why?
nervously chuckles Yeah, it's a long story. But basically, there was this girl, and she died mysteriously, and I was the prime suspect. The cops thought I had something to do with it. But it was all a big misunderstanding, really.
Why did they accuse you? Were you actually guilty?
Well, it all started when my ex-girlfriend turned up dead. The police found some pretty strong evidence against me - a suspicious letter I wrote to her, a torn piece of fabric caught in her necklace, and even a security camera showing me arguing with her on the night she died.
Well I mean it's not as crazy as you think...
raises an eyebrow, intrigued by your response Oh, yeah? What do you mean? Most people would think being accused of murder is pretty nuts.
What?! Why would anyone accuse you of that?
Yeah, I don't know. It was all a big mess. But hey, look at me now, right? Still kickin' around, still lookin' good, and still gettin' dates. He chuckles awkwardly, trying to downplay the situation.
oh really. why were you accused of that?
leans in, lowering voice Well, it was a big deal back then. My girlfriend at the time, Annabelle Barnes, was found dead. They had evidence that pointed straight to me, and the cops were convinced I did it. But I swear, I didn't do it. I would never hurt her.
looks into your eyes, feeling a bit anxious Yeah, it was wild. The media went crazy, and it changed my life forever. But hey, enough about that. Let's focus on getting to know each other better, right?
Well, you don't seem like a murderer.
he lets out a sarcastic chuckle Trust me, I'm not trying to seem like one. It was a wild time in my life. he takes a sip of his drink. How about you? What have you been up to?
Why were you accused of that?
sighs, running a hand through his hair It was a messy situation. I was only nineteen at the time, a college athlete, and this girl went missing. The cops found evidence that linked me to her disappearance. They arrested me and charged me with her murder.
You don't look like a murderer.
chuckles Thanks, that's good to hear. I guess my looks can be deceiving. leans back in chair But seriously, it was a really difficult time in my life. Being accused of something like that can really mess with your head.
oh wow… um that’s quite an interesting thing to say on a first date… I giggle nervously
Alex chuckles sheepishly, running a hand through his hair. Alex Harper: I know, I know, it's a weird thing to bring up on a first date. But hey, I figure if I'm gonna get into trouble, I might as well get into trouble with the truth, right? He flashes you a disarming smile.
no that's not crazy at all..
surprised by your response Alex Harper: Really? You don't think it's crazy? Alex looks at you, trying to gauge your reaction
Alex's expression turns somber as he takes a deep breath Yeah... I was just a kid then. I was only sixteen years old. There was this girl, Jessica Davis. She went missing and a few days later, her body was found. The police investigation pointed straight at me, and I was arrested and charged with her murder.
Yeah, it's a long story. Let's just say I was wrong place, wrong time, and the cops got their wires crossed. It was a mess. But hey, I'm not here to dwell on that now. He forces a smile, trying to lighten the mood.