Written in the Stars *EDITING*

Chapter 36: Standing Tall

"I've been thinking about it and I think it's time. It's time for our breakup Niall," Mia sighed. Mia had invited him over to hang out when she suddenly remembered something important as they sat on the couch.

"What? Are you sure that it has to be right now?" he hurriedly questioned.

"I mean, I only have one more fear and I can't ask someone out if we're still dating. Look on the bright side. Now you are a single bachelor once again. I'm sure the ladies of Redwood are lining up for their chance to court you," she crooned in a British accent. "Why, you would be such an advantageous match!"

His expression was blank as he regarded her. "I'm not interested in anybody. But if you think it's time, well I can't really stop this from happening can I?"

"Nope. How should we announce it? I was thinking that we could subtweet each other and you could post about how 'you shouldn't trust women' and 'relationships don't matter' to your story. It would get people talking." Mia popped a gummy worm into her mouth as she finished her sentence.

"Why would I post that when I don't believe in it? I'll just take your initials out of my bio."

"You're no fun," she pouted. "Ok, I won't subtweet you. However, I will tweet the lyrics of single ladies. I've always wanted to do that after a breakup but only thought about it months after I broke up with Jesse."

"Have fun with that."

If Mia thought she was popular while dating Nathan, breaking up with him made her even more so. Some didn't bother to hide their staring and whispers. A girl she had never met before had actually come up to her and asked who broke up with who. When Mia said it was mutual, the girl didn't look satisfied and scurried back to her friends to report. As she sat next to Rose in class, the girl sent her a sympathetic look. "I know you're heartbroken. I'm here if you need to talk."

"What? I'm fine."

"You're fine with the breakup? I know you and Nathan really loved each other so it can't have been easy to show up to school." Rose gasped, "You two have classes together right? Just don't look in his direction so you don't think about him."

"Oh. What I meant was that I will be fine. I mean you know that old saying, time heals all. Besides, I got Hazel in the breakup so I won automatically."

At lunch, Nathan sat with Mia and Hazel like normal, earning their table a round of stares. "It's honestly sad they have nothing better to do than stare at you two. Should I start selling wild stories about why you two broke up to the highest bidder? I know Olivia would eat it up if I said that you're pregnant and Nathan refused to take care of the baby, claiming it was Evan's." When Hazel noticed the looks on her friend's faces, eyebrows furrowed and mouths in straight lines, she started to backtrack. "I was only kidding! I wouldn't do that. I'd say Nathan got another girl pregnant." Hazel was smart enough to duck when Mia threw a french fry at her.

Since Evan wasn't able to attend her poetry reading, he invited Mia, Hazel, and Nathan to grab food at Jo's after school. Evan sat right across from Mia and apologized for not being a supportive fiance. "It's fine. You were there in spirit," she consoled.

When the waitress came to take their order, Evan glanced around the table. "I say we celebrate! A round of shots please."

"First of all, we don't serve that type of alcohol. Second of all, you're underage."

"What if I slip you a fiver?" Evan raised his eyebrows and mimed sliding a dollar near her. "You drive a hard bargain. How about a twenty? No? That's cool. I'll get a strawberry milkshake and well done double cheeseburger." After their food and drinks arrived, Evan held up his milkshake. "Let's just pretend these are shots. To single life!"

"To single life!" Mia cheered and clinked her glass with his. Then they both tapped the cup to the table and started to drink it. Evan put his down after only a few seconds and clutched his forehead.

"Shit that gave me a brain freeze."

"These do not go down the same way shots do." Nathan and Hazel exchanged a look, neither of them having participated in the cheers. Their best friends were ridiculous but they still loved them. The four talked for the next few hours as they enjoyed their food.

The next day at school, Mia expected the day to be normal and unassuming. In her fourth-period class, she realized she had forgotten a notebook in her locker, so she went to retrieve it. Slamming the locker door shut, she turned to head back in the direction of her class. Susan appeared before her, blocking the path. "Hi," Mia acknowledged. Maybe if she was nice while also exerting as little effort into the conversation as possible, she would get bored and walk away.

"Heard about your little breakup. So sorry," she fake sympathized.

"Thank you. I have to go to class."

"Yeah, of course. Just one quick question. Did Nathan dump you because you're a friendless loser, a virgin who wouldn't put out, or did he just finally come to his senses and get bored of you?" Susan placed a hand on her heart and adopted a thoughtful expression. "Let me guess, a combo of all three?"

"Actually our breakup was mutual."

"I find that hard to believe. It's good news for the rest of Redwood though. You're no longer off-limits and Nathan is probably looking for a rebound to get over you. He looks like an excellent kisser," she mused.

Mia narrowed her eyes at Susan. "He is an excellent kisser but it's not like you'll be able to find out."

"Jealous are we?"

"No. I just know that Nathan would never go for someone as rude as you."

Susan laughed. "You have no idea what guys go for. I don't expect you to. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if you ended up all alone in this world, with no one to love you except for a stray cat."

Mia took a deep breath and stepped to the side, intent on ignoring her and going back to class. Susan stepped in front of her, blocking her path once again. "Just leave me alone. I have done nothing to you."

"False. You exist and I don't like you. I feel sorry for you though. When will you realize that you're a worthless waste of space?"

It seemed Susan had crossed an invisible barrier. "I feel sorry for you. You are a miserable bitch who lashes out at others for no reason. I don't know if you have family problems. News flash so does half the planet. I don't know if it's something internal. Maybe you simply like the power that being a bully gives you. Do you realize your words have consequences? That your words actually affect people? You might think it's not a big deal but imagine being on the receiving end of it. How would you like it if people pointed out your every flaw? If people took the one thing you liked about yourself and crushed it until you were nothing more than a spec of dirt on the ground. I'm done caring about you and your words Susan.

"I know I am a caring, funny, smart person. I'm a great daughter and best friend. I have interests and hobbies. I have goals and aspirations. I like who I am. I love who I am. All that matters is that the people I care about love me for who I am. So I am done caring that you don't. You are insignificant to my life because I say so. Your words don't hurt me anymore. I truly hope you get help and learn to love the world around you. Learn to love yourself. Maybe you'll finally be happy," she finished. Mia didn't bother letting her get a word in, instead hitting her shoulder as she walked back to her class. It felt good standing up for herself. It felt right standing tall.