"No Control"

31: "Mail"

Zoe Rivas

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Once she leaves the gym with reddened cheeks and slumped shoulders, we head on home and call it a night with success. But, everything changes the moment I walk through my door and take upon notice of a wrapped package lying on the countertop.

I quickly grab a pair of scissors aJnd cut throughougly through the strong tape. Once the sides are all open, I pull out what seems to be a doll about three feet tall and dressed in a cheer outfit that looks identical to mine. I study the features, noticing its long brown hair and familiar eyes.

"Looks like you, doesn't it?" Kelly startles me, as she comes out of the bathroom and approaches me. "Where did you get this?" She chuckles, "Me? I didn't get it. It was sent here as mail." She claims. "It's kind of cute." I admit, while running my fingers through its hair.

"Well, I'll see you later. I have to visit my aunt for a few hours." She removes the damp towel that's wrapped around her head and exits from the room. "Okay, bye." I subtly say, still holding the doll in my arms to mess about. I rub my thumb across what feels like a button on the small of her back, which brings me to some curiosity.

When I gently push the button, the doll starts to talk with a voice that's cheaply recorded and fairly quiet. "You can't win at this Zoe. Give cheer leading a last kiss goodbye." The morphed voice quits talking and fulfills my body with another round of fear, and anger.

I sit, motionless, until my phone goes off into a loud ring and forces me to answer. "Oh, hi Zayn..." I say with a soft, defeated voice. "What are you up to?"

"Nothing, putting off my homework as usual. How are you doing?"

"I'm alright. Uh, are you okay? You seem a bit down." He quickly catches on, like I thought he would. "I am. I'm pissed, worried, and....and, I don't know what to do." I say in a panicky breath. "What's happened?"

"Remember how I told you about the blackmailer?" I continue, "My plan didn't work, so now I have to quit the team..." He responds, "No you don't. Why? What are they going to do if you don't quit the team?" A silence takes over, as I stumble upon what to tell Zayn, knowing he'd explode if I told him about the nude pictures.

"You're right. It's stupid. I guess I'm just being over emotional." I lie, hoping he won't find out about this horrible thing I'm doing. He laughs, "It's cool. Im going to come over, I want to see you."

"No! Don't..."

"Why not? Kelly's not there, you're not doing anything, and I want to fucking come over and see my girlfriend."

"I want to see you too. But, I really need to study for once in my life."

"Please?.." He starts to become frustrated and whines like a child. "Zayn, not today. Okay? I really have to go, so I'll call you later." He sighs, "Don't." He firmly says. "Fine, I won't."

"Well, you know, I really have to study later." He speaks with more of a joking tone in his voice. "You baby. Fine, come over." I give in to his childish desires, trying to find reality as he makes his way over here.

As the door begins knocking, I take a deep breath and force a smile on my face. Before I can even move out of the way to let Zayn inside my dorm, he crashes his arms around my waist and makes kisses on the side of my neck. "Aren't you glad I came over after all?"

"Yeah, I guess so..." The anxiety slowly creeps its way back inside me and I surely regret telling Zayn he can come over. "Well, do you want me to leave then?" He whispers sweetly in my ear. "No..." Tears begin to well in my eyes, bringing me into Zayn's arms once again.

"I left out some details about the blackmail..." I try to remain brave, as I begin to tell him. "First of all, I made a huge mistake by making the team sell nude pictures of themselves for money so, that we can use it for proper equipment and uniform...."

"Please, don't tell me that you're doing it too?.." He becomes worrisome, as do I. "Yes, but I'm going to stop."

"Doesn't matter, now anyone can see your fucking tits."

"Let me finish. Frankie (the blackmailer) threatens to turn these photos in to the principal, unless I quit the team. For good." Just as I think he's going to comfort me some more, he turns furious. "Good. You deserve it."

"Zayn. I'm sorry, I already feel extremely bad."

"You think I give a shit? I'm leaving, I really do regret coming over to see you." He storms out the door and leaves me in even more depression and helpless than before.

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Zayn Malik

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When I walk through the door of my room, I take notice of Liam pacing the floor with sweat collecting on his face. "Stop moving, you're making me dizzy."

"Uh, mate, we have to talk..." He takes a seat beside me on the coach and nervously plays with his thumbs. "What?"

"I-I crashed your....bike..." He face turns beat red and all I want to do now is beat him. "What the hell were you doing on my motorcycle?! Where'd you find my fucking keys?!" I scream, holding myself back from attacking him. "I was trying to impress this girl by telling her I have a motorcycle." He pauses.

"And that got her excited, so I took her on a ride that lasted less than two minutes." He gets up off the couch, distancing himself from me. "How stupid could you be?! You take my bike and crash it?!" I stand up as well, fuming.

"I'm sorry..." He slowly moves closer and closer towards the door, knowing what I can do to him. "You are going to come up with the money to buy me at least two bikes within two weeks." He makes a loud gulp, "But, my job doesn't pay very much...."

"Then you better get a new job. I'll make it two months instead, but if I don't have the money to replace it by then, you're going to wish you were never fucking born." He nods, speechless.

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Zoe Rivas

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I spend Saturday and Sunday sleeping as much as possible, wanting my life to end. When Monday comes along, I put my misery off to the side and pretend like nothing can bother me.

But the day drags along slower than it ever has been, making me break down even more. When the last class is out, I put off the threat from my mind and get ready to lead the team once again.

Only five minutes into practicing, the principal comes marching through the door and interrupts our cheer. "Zoe Rivas?" He finds my eyes, as I shakily make my way to him. "Y-yes sir?" He uncomfortably coughs, "Come with me."

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Author's Note

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well, that was officially the end of chapter 31. Sorry if wasn't as good, I am in deep writer's block and it sucks.

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