Mia scrolls through her phone and her eyes darts around the screen worriedly. "Mia..." A soft voice says with an accent. Mia rolls her eyes and looks up, "Ani, what do you--"

"The Police just took Clay." She says. Mia's jaw tightens and her stomach turns. "W-What?" She croaks, as she thinks back to the night with Tyler. "They just took him right now to the front of the schoo--"

"Mia Walker!" The police yell. Mia looks behind Ani and Ani turns around. Mia's grip on her phone tightens. She places it in her pocket of her overalls.  "This isn't about Tyler..." Mia says.

Ani turns to her with her brows knitted together, "What? Then what would it be about--"

"You really don't know?" Mia asks. 

Ani looks into Mia's blue eyes and shakes her head slightly, "No, sorry...I-I don't--"

"Can you come with us, please?" The officers asks. Mia looks at the two police officer and nods her head as she swallows hard. As she walks outside with the officers she feels everyone's eyes on her and as she gets in the back of the police car. She feels the red and blue lights blind her for a second.

Mia stares off into the space as she feel the cold metal gun press against her legs. The police past by their car and Mia inhales, as she inhales she feels the ringing in her ears stop and she turns to Clay who is still freaking out. "What the fuck?!" Clay yells. 

"What the fuck...is right, why the hell did you jump in front of the gun?!" Mia yells at him. Clay looks at her with wide eyes, "Wh-What?! Why did you jump in front of the gun?--"

"Because you did it!" Mia yells. The car gets quiet and Mia inhales and exhales slowly, same as Clay. Mia feels tears leave her eyes and she quickly wipes them.

A phone rings and Mia gasps quietly Clay fumbles with his phone. "I-It's Tony." Clay says. Mia looks at him, "Do you want me to answer it?" She asks. Clay nods his head and hands her the phone. She answers it, "Tony? yeah...w-we'll be there in two minutes. We're free and clear, I don't even think they looked as Clay drove by. Y-Yeah, Justin and those guys are gonna talk to the police. We have a story."  Mia says as she nods her head. 

Tony continues talking and Mia looks off into space and inhales. She feels tears go down her face and she wipes underneath her eyes. "G-Got it, Tony..." Mia says quietly. 

Clay and Mia pull up to the spot they were meeting Tony and Tyler. She shakily gets out of the car and looks at Tyler, she looks down at the bag and belt on the ground. She looks back up at Tyler, "Hey Ty. How you doing?" She asks him cautiously and softly. 

"Should we get you home?" Clay asks. Tyler looks up at Clay then Mia. "Oh My god...my parents..." Tyler says distantly.

"Tyler? What did you do?" Clay asks. 

Mia sits down at the table and looks up at Alex's dad. "Is this about my brother?" Mia asks. He looks at her and sits down, "Yes...were you at the game?" He asks. Mia nods her head, "Yes, I was there supporting him. Just like I always do." Mia bites the nail of her thumb finger. Deputy Standall tilts his head, "Mia--"

"Have you checked in any hotels? He would usually go there to be alone--"

"We already checked there, I'm sorry." He says. Mia shakes her head, "C-Can't you like check again?" She asks with desperation. He looks at the innocence in the blonde haired girls eyes and he sighs. 

"Okay...we'll check again." He says. Mia nods her head and wipes her nose, "Do you know anything about this?" He pulls out a bag, "This was in Bryce's room." He says.

"And...do you know what this is?" He asks. Mia squints her eyes and shakes her head, "N-No...what is it?" she asks.

"This belongs to your boyfriend." He says as he folds his arms. Mia arches a brow and looks up at him, "And?" She asks. 

"Do you know why Bryce would have it in his room?" He asks. Mia sighs and throws her hands in the air, "No, and honestly I don't know what you're trying to get at." She says shaking her head. "Did you know a few days before the homecoming game, Clay was seen apparently threatening your brother. He said and I quote, "I'll fucking kill you"." He says as he closes the folder. 

Mia shakes her head, "I'm sure he didn't mean it." Mia says as she shakes her head. 

Mia keeps answering Deputy Standall's questions.

Nora walks into Clay's questioning room. "Clay, my name is Nora Walker." She says as she closes the door.

"Yes, I know...I know who you are." Clay says nervously as he looks at his girlfriend's mom. Nora nods her head and sits down in front of him. "Clay, I know Bryce hurt you, friends of yours, and even Mia. He's done monstrous things. Bur he's my son and he's Mia's older brother. I don't excuse anything that he's done, but he's my child. And he might be lost, he might be hurt." Nora explains.

"Do you know anything that might help us find him?" Nora asks with anguish. Clay licks his lips and shakes his head, "I don't, Mrs. Walker. I's sorry." Clay apologizes. Nora's jaw tightens and she walks out of the room. Mia walks out of hers and she sees her mom.

"Mom..." She says with relief. Mia walks over to her and hugs her tightly. "what are you doing here?" She asks.

Nora hugs her daughter back, "I should be asking you that..." Nora says.

"They brought me in for questioning, they said they would check the hotel rooms again." Mia says. Nora sighs and separates from her daughter, "Sweetie..." She tucks a strand of hair behind Mia's ear.

"They already did that--"

"Then they can do it again!" Mia raises her voice. She closes her eyes and sighs, "I'm sorry..." she says.

Nora smiles softly, "Get back to school, sweetie." 

Mia nods her head, and leaves the station. She looks around and doesn't see Clay she sighs and continues to walk to school. Mia grabs her phone as it was vibrating, she looks at the group chat and sees everyone asking about her and Clay.

She sees Clay's text and shows that it was about Bryce going missing. She inhales and sees that everyone is meeting at Monet's she sighs and continues walking to the direction of Monet's.

~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     

"Okay, Tyler. We're gonna drive you home. We're gonna go inside with you. And Whatever happens, it's gonna..." Mia takes a deep breath and gives him a soft smile, "It's gonna be okay." She reassures him.

As they all drive to Tyler's house they stand at the door. "I don't have my keys." Tyler says breaking the silence. Mia quietly exhales, "Right..." Mia pulls out his keys. She hands them to him and he unlocks the door. He opens the door slowly and walks in, Mia follows after him, then Clay, and then Tony. 

"Tyler! Oh, Tyler." His mother gasps. She hugs him tightly, "You're okay. Oh! We were so worried." She says. 

"What happened to your head?" She asks. 

Mia's eyes widen and she opens her mouth quickly, "He fell earlier." Mia says.

"We got the text and then you weren't in your room. We didn't even know you'd gone to the dance." Mrs. Down says.

Mia shakes her head slightly, "I-I'm sorry, Mrs. Down. There was a text?" Mia questions.

"About the shooter. We got the text that the dance was being evacuated. We couldn't find you. Your father is down there now." She explains.

"Um, do your parents know that you're okay?" She asks the three students behind Tyler. "Yes." Tony answers.

"I should check in." Clay says. Mia nods her head, "I should too." Mia answers. 

She pulls out her phone and texts her mom. "Okay, well, they must want you hone but you're welcome to spend the night." She says as she walks away. Mia looks down at her phone and looks to Clay and Tony. 

Mia quietly walks upstairs and in Tyler's room. He jumps and squeezes the paper in his hand. Mia walks closely towards him. "if they'd have found this... Do we...tear it up?" Tyler asks. 

Mia walks closer to him she softly shrugs her shoulders, "I-It's up to you." She says quietly. Tyler shakily holds the envelope out towards her. She looks into his eyes and gives him a soft smile as she slowly reaches for it. She grabs the envelope and opens it. 

"I just...I never thought I would see my mom again." Tyler says. Mia inhales as she remembers that she was once like that. "But you are...second chance, remember?" She raises her brows. Tyler looks into her hopeful blue eyes and nods his head. 

Mia sits down next to Clay, "But why tonight?" Clay questions "He just got back. I heard he was better. Did something happen?"

Mia looks off into space. "Where did the bruises come from?" Tony asks. Clay shakes his head not knowing that answer. "We have to get him help." Mia says as she looks off into space.

"But if anyone finds out why--"

"Then we're all fucked." Tony finishes Clay's statement off. Tony  sits next to Mia.

"So..." Clay says.

"So we'll figure it out." Mia says nodding her head. 

"We saved him, he's our responsibility." Tony says to Mia and Clay. Mia licks her lips, "Thank you, Tony." She says quietly. 

"You're a good friend." Clay says. 

"It's my blessing and my curse." Tony states. 

~     ~     ~      ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~  

   "I went right up to that little punk kid, Cyrus. I was sure he was the one who called. I grabbed him and I started going off and then, Zach, like, ran up and was like, "It was me. I called the cops. Tyler should go to jail." And so I told him if Tyler goes to jail now, so does Tony, Clay, and so does Mia at least." Justin explains.

"And that stopped him?" Mia asks. 

"That's when the cops started coming through the front and they shut the music down and started getting everyone on the ground." Jessica adds. 

"Me and Jess were right by Zach, so I was like, "You get to decide now if you take down Clay, Tony, and Mia, and probably me and Jess with Tyler, and fuck up this school even more, or if we get out of this"."

Clay's phone vibrates and he looks at it. "Well...everyone's coming. I'm buying." He stands up. Mia inhales, "I'll go with you." She says as she stands up and walks over with him. Mia stands with Clay and she looks down at her shoes. "How are you?" Clay asks. Mia looks up at him and blows air out of her mouth. "I-I-It was really close, Clay...like...shit..." Mia runs a hand through her hair and feels herself start to freak out.

Clay looks at her and nods his head, "Yeah..." He says. Mia looks into his eyes and feels her hear bang against her chest. "Clay--"

"At the dance, before all of that...happened...we didn't get to finish what we were talking about." He says looking at her. Mia inhales and nods her head, "Yeah...and I know that this was probably too early, so maybe we should just--"

"Last night, with Tyler I saw you." Clay blurts out. Mia stops talking and raises a brow, "You...what?" She asks.

"I thought I was going to die last night, Mia and...I wasn't thinking about...Hannah...I was thinking about you." Clay says truthfully. Mia feels her heart beat through her ears. She steps forward, but quickly stops. 

"Hi, welcome to Monet's..." The girls stops talking and tilts her head at Mia. 

"Mia, hello." she says with a smile. "Hey, Bianca." Mia greets her. 

"What would you guys like to order?" She asks.

Mia and Clay slightly look at each other and she smiles softly

After they got their drinks they sat back down with everyone else while Justin talks, "We went over to roll his car into a parking place. We figured we could hide it with other cars." Justin explains. 

"But the keys were still in it...Tyler didn't plan on coming back to it." Jessica adds. 

"So, Mia and I drove it away." Clay says. 

"Jesus. That's balls." Cyrus remarks.

"It was fucking stupid, going out there, stepping in front of a gun like that, you two acting like you're fucking heroes or something." Zach says with disbelief. 

Mia looks up from her drink and tilts her head, "You called the cops. We passed them on our way out. Think about that fucking timing! If Clay and I hadn't done something, kids would be dead!" Mia hisses quietly.

"We don't know that. All you two did was give Tyler another chance." Zach states. 

"Exactly." Justin states.

"To do it again." Zach looks at him. Mia scoffs in disbelief. "What if no one stops him next time?" Zach asks.

"There doesn't have to be a next time." Mia says to him. 

"Mia's right, we make sure there isn't a next time." Clay adds.

"That's insane, you two! He needs serious help." Zach states. 

Mia nods her head, "Okay, so what if we get him help? Then, they would expel him, at least and probably send him to jail. And...probably tried as an adult, and they send him to prison and then what happens to him?" Mia asks.

"No...this is bullshit, I'm out." Zach shakes his head. 

"Zach--" Jessica quickly gets cut off. 

"I won't tell, I won't say anything, but it's just not my job to take care of that psychopath." Zach gets up and walks out of Monet's. Mia runs a hand through her hair and chuckles confused about what just happened.

~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~      ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~    Mia walks into Monet's and sees Justin, Clay, and...Ani. She grips the strap of her bag and walks over to them. She sits down next to Clay. "Hey." She says with a small smile. Justin looks at her with wide eyes, "Hey...that's all you have to say? Mia, What the actual fuck? Do they really think something happened to Bryce?" Justin asks. 

Mia inhales, "Y-Yeah, they--"

"Did you know? Th-that, that's what they were going to ask about?" Clay questions her. Mia bites the inside of her cheek. "Yeah, I did. First I thought it was about...Tyler but then I remembered...and--"

"Why didn't you say anything, like warn us?" Ani asks. Mia snaps her eyes contact towards Ani. "I'm sorry, I didn't think you were the one who was being questioned." Mia smiles even though her eyes were throwing daggers. 

The tension between the two girls became thick, Clay and Justin look at one another. Mia balls her fist and inhales, trying to control her anger. "They don't know anything about where he is...I literally asks every single fucking day." Mia runs a hand through her now blonde hair and closes her eyes. 

Everybody notices the stress and worry seeping through Mia. "I mean...it's possible he's just at some hotel in Vegas, right?" Clay asks.

Mia shakes her head, "I've asked them if they searched any hotels and...nothing..." Mia says as she gnaws on the nail of her thumb.

Justin itches above his eyebrow, "I just...if they start looking into shit, between Me and Bryce, between us three and Bryce..." Justin says referring to Clay, Mia, and himself. 

"Like that night at his house last spring." Justin says quietly. Mia inhales and was about to reply, but someone interrupted.

"Justin, Mia. You guys wanna maybe bus some tables while you're out there,  at least pretend you guys actually work here?" The manager says with no emotion. 

Mia smiles softly, "Right, of course." Mia says.

"yeah, sorry." Justin says. Mia and Justin both stand up. Mia touches Clay shoulder, "I'll see you later." She says. Clay nods his head and gives her a small smile. Clay follows his eyes towards Mia and Justin.

Ani looks from Mia and to Clay, "What night at his house last spring?" She asks.

"Do Justin and Mia seem...freaked out?" Clay asks. Ani looks at Justin and Mia, "Well aren't you?" She asks with a chuckle. Clay looks at her, "You don't have to worry about me, okay? I can take care of myself." He says as he looks away from her. Leaving Ani with a solemn expression.

After their shift, Mia walked home with Justin. She hands him the pastries and he smiles, "Thanks." He says excitedly. Mia shakes her head with a chuckle. "Whatever, I'll just by my own..." She says.

Justin opens the door, "Day-old pastries, I got us the Monday mother lode." Justin says. Mia smiles at his excitement, she looks at Ani and raises a brow, "Hey...Ani." She says hesitantly. Clay stands up, "she was just--"

"Clay, it's fine..." Mia says shrugging her shoulders. She grabs a pastry out of the box and eats it. "There are lemon bars, pound cake, scones so dry they taste like you're eating a wall." Mia says with a smile. 

"Oh, I love those." Ani says. Mia nods her head and smiles softly. 

"I need some air." Clay says. Mia's eyes follow him as he walks towards the door. 

"Clay..." Ani stands up and Clay stops. She says something in another language and Mia feels envy fill her body. Clay walks out of the outhouse and Justin takes a bite out of his pastry. "Fucking hate when you guys speak African." Justin states.

Mia rolls her eyes and places the pastry between her teeth and hits Justin on the back of his head. He groans, "The fuck?!" He whines slightly.

"Swahili, idiot." Mia says as she takes the pastry out of her mouth.

Mia walks outside and follows Clay. "Hey, Clay!" Mia calls out. She sees him sitting down and she sits next to him.

He looks up from the ground and smiles. "Hey." He says. 

"Are you, okay?" Mia asks quietly. "Y-Yeah, they just...I don't want anything to come up from the past that has nothing to do with now." He says.

Mia looks up at the sky and sighs, "God, I just hope the past stays in the fucking past..." She says as she bites her thumbnail. Clay notices and touches her thigh, "Are you okay?" He asks.

Mia looks back at him and sighs, "Well...my mom isn't doing well, so...I'm not doing well. I know...that Bryce is fucked up, but...he's my brother and...I don't know where he is..." Mia says quietly. Clay inhales and holds her hand, "They'll find, him..." He says quietly. 

Mia gives him a soft smile. "Thanks..." Mia says quietly. They stare into each others eyes and Mia bites her lip. She kisses Clay and he immediately kisses her back. Mia touches Clay's cheeks and wraps her arms around his neck. Clay touches her waist and pulls her closer. They both separate and catch their breaths. 

Mia looks at him and cups his cheeks. "You want to go back inside?" She asks. Clay nods his head and Mia smiles. She gets up and they both hold hands as they walk back to the house.

~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~      ~     ~      ~     ~     ~      ~      ~     ~     ~     ~      ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     

Mia walks into the school with Tyler, Clay, Justin, and Tony. Monty walks past them, "Hey, Tyler. What's up?" He makes kissing noises as he walks by Tyler. 

Tyler's eyes widen and he looks at the ground. "I can't...I can't do this. I've got to go." Tyler turns to walk away and Mia shakes her head. "No, no...fuck Montgomery. He's not gonna hurt you." Mia says. "I'll hurt him if you want me to, I'll do it..." Mia walks towards Monty, but Justin grabs her by the collar and pulls her back over to them.

"No one's gonna push you around anymore." Tony says to him. "I-I can't..." Tyler says weakly. 
"Tyler it's okay." Clay touches his shoulder, but Tyler moves away from him.

Mia nods her head, "Okay, Tyler, I need you to listen to me, okay?" Mia looks at him, "Focus on your breathing. Hey. Breathe as deep as you can." Mia instructs him softly. 

"Look, you have first with Alex, right? Stick with Alex, he'll walk you to second. Me, Justin, and Mia will meet you at lunch." Clay says. Tyler looks at them, "Okay, Okay." He says barely in a whisper. 

Mia inhales as Tyler remind her of herself a few months ago, she couldn't really name it though. "Something happened to that kid. He's not right." Tony says.

"You think Monty--"

"Monty, Bryce, Jamie Garrison, the kids it from fucking everywhere."  Justin says. "There's no way this is gonna work." 

Mia looks at him, "It has to." Mia says immediately. 

"Are you guys sure you got all his guns?" Justin asks. Mia bites her lip as she looks at Clay and Tony in worry. 

During lunch Mia sat between Clay and Tyler. Mia tried to fill the silence with talking about random things. Tyler would reply sometimes but he would go back to staring off into space. A girl walked up to their table. "Hey. You don't mind if I join, do you? I feel like you're obligated to be nice to me, at least for the rest of the day." The girl says. Mia chews her sandwich slowly with her brows raised. 

"Because you're new?" Clay questions.

"Or because on my tour you assaulted a guy." The girl states. Mia stops chewing, Tyler and her turn to Clay with seriousness. Clay opens his mouth, "Uh...sure, have a seat." He says. 

She sits in front of the three friends, "Hi. Ani." She greets Tyler and Mia. "Tyler." He says softly. 

Mia raises her brows and smiles, she holds her arm out, "Mia." She says. Ani grabs her hand and shakes it. "It's a pleasure, Tyler, Mia." Ani says with a smile.

"So, tell me about Clay." She looks at Tyler and Mia. 

"He internalizes, doesn't he?" Ani questions. Mia smirks at her question. "Oh...I mean I don't--"

"You literally just met me. How would you know that?" Clay asks with a chuckle. 

Mia sighs, "Because it's obvious." Mia says with a smile. Clay looks at her with a 'seriously' look. She winks at him and smiles at Ani. Justin sits down next to Ani, "Hey." He greets.

"Justin, Ani. Ani, Justin" Clay introduces them. Mia takes another bite out of her sandwich. "Pleasure." Ani says.

"You know for a sourpuss, you have loads of friends." Ani informs. Mia covers her mouth and chuckles. Clay opens his mouth, "Tyler is my friend. Justin lives with me and my family. And Mia is my girl..." Clay trails off his sentence and looks at Mia.

Mia raises her brows and feels heat run up to her cheeks. "Friend?" Ani answers. Clay and Mia look at each other. Justin looks at Ani, "They haven't really...figured that out yet..." Justin says quietly.

"Yes, she is my girlfriend." Clay says. Mia smiles And he is my boyfriend." Mia says as she takes a bite out of her sandwich.

Ani smiles, "That's great." She says. Mia clears her throat, "You know what's better than great? Adoption...r-right, Justin?" Mia says taking the attention off of herself. Justin raises his brows, "Right. They're adopting me." Justin says going back to his story.

"Oh, that's fantastic." Ani says. "Clay believe brothers should take care of each other." Ani mocks him. Mia turns to Clay, "Aw...Clay that's sweet." Mia says with a smile. Clay opens his mouth nervously, "I need...ketchup." Clay gets up and walks away. 

Mia smiles at Ani making Clay nervous, she likes her already. "So, he might seem like an uptight asshole at first, maybe even for a while, but  he's a really good guy, so just give him time. He's worth it." Justin says. Mia catches what he says and smiles, "Justin, who knew you and Clay were so soft?" Mia gushes with sarcasm.

Justin rolls his eyes, Mia chuckles. "But he is right though, Clay's worth it." Mia nods her head and pops all her fruit snacks into her mouth and begins chewing them.

"How much time?" Ani asks Justin and Mia. 

"For me it took, like, eight years, but..." Justin shrugs his shoulders. "But, you were a dick jock." Mia says. "For me...it took two years." Mia says in a bragging manner.

"But, that's only because I was annoying and social." Mia says waving her hand around. "Just like now..." Justin states. 

Mia smirks and throws a grape at him as she swallows her fruit snacks. 

After school Mia walks through the house, "What the fuck?!" Mia yells as she walks through the house. She sees her mom sitting with her brother and she looks at Nora. Her mom looks at her daughter, "Mia, sweetie--"

"Why did I find this letter, that says he's..." Mia points at her brother. "Staying here?" Mia asks. 

Nora ignores her daughter, and looks at her son, "I'll have a room made up for you." Nora says. Mia's eyes widen as she doesn't receive any answer. Nora looks at Mia and inhales she scoffs and sits down next to Mia. She folds her arms and runs her tongue over her teeth while shaking her head.

"So, is grandpa, like...How's grandpa?" Bryce asks trying to make conversation. 

"Dying." Mia says with a fake smile. Nora turns to her daughter and she closes her mouth.

"But slowly. So, that's nice." She takes a sip of her drink. Mia chuckles and Bryce inhales, "Mom, is this okay? Me being here."  Bryce asks. Mia rolls her lips into her mouth and balls her hand into a fist. Nora touches her daughter's hand. 

"It'll have to be, won't it?

"Any news?" Ani's mom asks. Nora looks up and shakes her head, "There isn't. Still missing." She says

"Let me see to dinner." She says as she walks away. 

"Some of those children...hated him so much. Even his own sister. I imagine any number of them might have wanted to hurt him." Nora states as she sips her drink. 

"But why now? There's just something abut that whole mess at the Liberty Homecoming." Nora states. Ani walks closer to listen in on the conversation. "Was it that Jessica Davis? That boy, Clay Jensen? Or maybe even...Mia..." Nora says shakily, even though she wishes it wasn't true. 

"I pray no one has to hurt him, Mrs. Walker. He's a good boy." Ani's mom says.

"Oh...well...No, he isn't." Nora replies. "Was Ani at Homecoming? Friday night?" Nora asks.

"No...No..." Ani's mom replies. 

Ani stands there and inhales, Mia's own mom thought that her daughter had a motive to kill her older brother. And Ani speculated on why.