Mia's POV:

As soon as I get home, I try to un-jumble my mind but nothing seems to work. My parents seem to not be home right now and I feel more alone then I ever have. One of my best friends...he...he used me.

I run my fingers through my hair as I let out a shaky breath, my eyes wandering over the items in my room.

I bite on my lip to stop the tears from falling from my eyes, but all it results in is my mouth bleeding and more tears. With my lip quivering, my eyes land on my bluetooth radio and I connect my phone to it. I put my playlist on shuffle and my whole body shakes in rage as side by side plays by Ariana Grande and Niki Minaj.

Before my mind can catch up with my feet, I'm over by my desk and I throw everything off. My mind eases a bit more and I feel some anger leave my
body. I stomp over to my dresser and I pick up my school papers and shove them to the ground. I then pick up my lamp and chuck it at the wall angrily.

My hands find my comforter and I tear it off, only leaving my pillows. With much force, I chuck my pillows at my wall. I step away from my bed and I stand in the middle of the storm. I look over the damage I have done and fall to the ground, starting to pick my room back up before my parents get home. I shuffle up my papers and go to put them back on my dresser but my legs have seemed to have stopped working.

Tears fall out of my eyes as I realize what I've done. As I realize how much pain I have allowed myself to bottle up.

Sobs escape my mouth and my face feels hot as I shove my face into my hands. My mind turns back to Harry and his stupid smile everytime he ever saw me. Everytime he helped me with French. The time he held my hand...the time we had dinner together. Every moment we ever shared together meant nothing to him.

I close my swollen eyes and suddenly let all my emotions out. My body shakes as I let out a scream, the loudest I've ever screamed. And I don't stop immedietaly. I scream until it feels good, until all the anger and rage is gone.

"God, I'm a mess." I whisper to myself, wiping my eyes.

Behind me, I hear movement. I turn around and my eyes widen when I see Zayn standing there stunned with food in his hands. "Mia...baby. Are you okay?" I turn away from him, the tears returning. "Please, talk to me."

"God, Zayn...it hurts..."

"What hurts?" He asks.

"Everything." I cry, my heart warming at his arms wrapping around me.

"What happened?"

I tell him everything. Everything I've kept bottled up for the longest time...and I feel better. I feel better knowing he genuinely cares.

"I just...he meant a lot to me."

Zayn nods, "I know."

"Will it ever get better?" I ask, leaning my head onto his chest.

"I know it hurts, okay? And I know you're so scared that it will never get better. But it will get better, I promise. And we are all scared of something, and that's okay." He smiles soothingly. "Want to know what I'm scared of?"

"I do..." I tell him, grabbing his hand.

"I'm scared because I'm beginning to really trust you. I'm giving you all these new ways to hurt me, but you don't. But what's strange is...I don't think you will."

*A Few Weeks Later*

I squeeze my hands in hope that they will soon warm up, but they don't. There's only a week until Christmas and I'm as happy as ever. Because it also means that today is the last day until winter break.

My eyes wander the hallways of school as I search for Zayn and I don't see him. I decide to head to french class and sit down next to Niall. "Merry Christmas." He grins, passing me a necklace.

"Oh my god, Niall." I gasp, holding the colored crystal in my hands. "This is amazing. You shouldn't have done this...how much was it?"

He shrugs, "Your friendship is priceless."

I laugh, "No...really. How much?"

"Fine." Niall huffs. "Bitch because of you my bank account is drained. So thanks."

My face lights up and I kiss his cheek, "You're the best."

"You say that like I don't know."

Our teacher comes over and shushes us as she hands us our homework assignment. My eyes never leave the door as Niall starts working. The tardy bell rings and I let out a mental breath of relief as Harry doesn't come in.

For the past few weeks, he hasn't been at school. Which I really don't care but it's good for me. If he's not here, I don't have to see him.

I let my body relax and turn my head down to my assignment when I suddenly hear the classroom door open. My eyes flick up and my whole world shatters as I see Harry walking in with a solemn look on his face. The teacher hands him his assignment and then gets back to her work.

As he walks to his seat, I can't help but stare at him. Our eyes meet and I make sure to hurrily look away.

At lunch, the talk of my group is Harry. About the reason he must've had to miss that much school and what brought him back. Zayn sighs loudly as they go on with the gossip. "Who the fuck cares?" He breathes out, rolling his eyes.

I laugh slightly, taking a bite of my salad. Eleanor looks at all of us and smirks, "I heard he got dragged back to school by the police. The school reported his absence and here he is."

Niall sighs, "I want to get away with almost three weeks of ditching school."

"We just happen to not be as skilled as Harry." Louis mumbles, reaching for El's hand.

The conversation switches from Harry to Baylee in a minutes worth. "What do you think happened to her? Do you think the same person who killed Danny and Delila has her too?"

Before anybody can reply, Ashley cuts us all off. "I doubt she's even kidnapped. I bet she went with an older guy and is slutting it up right now."

We are all shocked at her reply. "Hold up, weren't you two best friends like two minutes ago?" Niall asks, rolling his eyes.

"No." She glares, picking at her food.

"Don't you care about your friend?" Zayn asks, glaring at her.

"No, I don't." Ashley snaps.

"We'll see about that." He murmurs, looking down at his food.

As the end of school rolls around, a voice over the intercom calls Zayn down to the office. "Want me to go with you?"

"Yes." He agrees, grabbing his stuff.

I follow him out of the classroom and into the office. The secretary asks me to wait outside as the police question him.

Why do they need to question him anyway? He hasn't done anything wrong! Maybe they're just trying to scare everybody?

About ten minutes later, he comes out of the office and walks up to me. "What did they want?" I ask, wrapping my arms around his waist.

"Just wanted to ask some questions."

I nod and my heart sinks as the officer comes out, "Hello Mia."

"Hi officer." I murmur, smiling slightly.

"Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions, Zayn."

"My pleasure." He smiles, fakily. "Now if you don't mind, we will be on our way."

"Actually, I do." The officer tells us, stepping in our way. "I want to know what Mia knows about Baylee's disappearance."

My heart races, "I don't know anything."

"You sure?"

"Positive." I reply, giving a small smile.

"Well, okay. Be on your way then." He orders us, glaring straight at Zayn.

Zayn glares right back.

As we are walking away, I look up at him worriedly. "What did he do?"

"It doesn't matter what he did."

"Why not?"

"Because he'll get what he deserves soon." He tells me, grabbing my hand and pulling me farther away from the office.

After school, we both decide to go and see a movie. As Zayn orders our popcorn and drinks, I get a message from Eleanor.

From: Eleanor Calder

Early birthday party for Louis tomorrow night @ 8. You and Zayn plz come?

When he walks towards me, I turn to him. "Early birthday for Louis tomorrow at eight...want to go?"

"Why not?" He smiles, pulling me close.

I grin, "Great."

From: Mia Clarke

We'll be there.

We enter the movie theatre and quickly grab our seats at the very back away from everybody. As the previews play out on the screen, we just talk and laugh obnoxiously while shoving popcorn down our throats.

But when the movie starts, nothing changes. We don't pay any attention to the movie because we find each other much more interesting then a movie.

Zayn leans into me and ignores the various glares we are getting. "Can I tell you something?"

"Go for it." I whisper back, taking a sip of coke.

"I think I'm falling in love with you."

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HAIL THE ZIA SHIP!!! GOD THEY ARE SO CUTE!!

Sorry for not updating sooner 😬😬 hope this chapter makes up for it!

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