Embracing Mia

your bleeding

The next day, as I woke up to the gentle rays of the sun filtering through my window, I couldn't shake off the unsettling feeling that lingered from the previous day's events. My mother's kiss on my forehead felt like a fleeting moment of comfort in a world that suddenly felt uncertain.

As the morning slipped away into afternoon, I found myself lost in a whirlwind of movies, each one a temporary escape from reality. But even the most captivating storylines couldn't drown out the persistent ringing of my phone.

With a hesitant hello, I answered, only to be greeted by the concerned voice of Sam. Her words pierced through the air, cutting through the silence of my solitude.

"Mia, why didn't you come to school today?" She asked, her worry palpable even through the phone.

I hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. "I didn't feel too well," I finally replied, my voice betraying the weight of unspoken truths.

But Sam wasn't easily swayed. "Is this because of the principal thing?" She pressed, her tone laced with understanding.

With a heavy sigh, I admitted the truth. "Yes," I confessed, feeling a sense of relief mingled with vulnerability.

Before I could dwell further, Sam interjected, her teasing tone breaking through the tension. "Did you know, Noah was asking for you? He seemed so worried," she teased, knowing all too well the effect Noah's name had on me.

"Sam, please stop this nonsense," I pleaded, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "We're just friends."

But Sam persisted, her words lingering in the air like an unspoken truth. "Okay, okay. But jokes aside, he actually seems worried," she revealed, her voice softening with genuine concern.

And as the conversation came to an end, I couldn't shake off the lingering feeling that perhaps there was more to Noah's concern than mere friendship. The mysteries of the heart were as elusive as ever, leaving me to wonder what tomorrow would bring.

The rest of the day passed by slowly, with me trying to shake off the feeling of unease that had settled over me since my conversation with Sam. As evening approached, I found myself unable to resist the nagging curiosity about Noah's concern.

With a deep breath, I dialed Noah's number, which was shared to me by Sam. my heart pounding with uncertainty. "Hey, Noah," I said, trying to sound casual despite the nerves.

"Mia, thank goodness you called!" Noah's voice sounded relieved, dispelling some of the tension knotting my stomach. "I've been trying to reach you all day. Are you okay?"

His genuine concern touched me, and I couldn't help but soften towards him. "Yeah, I'm fine, just... dealing with some stuff."

Noah hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "Look, I know we're just friends, but I can't help worrying about you. If you ever need to talk or anything..."

His words warmed my heart, and I felt a rush of gratitude towards him. "Thanks, Noah. I appreciate it. And, um, sorry for worrying you."

He chuckled softly. "No worries. Just take care of yourself, okay?"

As we said our goodbyes, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Noah's concern than just friendship. But for now, I pushed those thoughts aside, grateful for his support in a moment of uncertainty. With a renewed sense of determination, I resolved to face whatever challenges lay ahead, knowing that I wasn't alone.

The next Monday, determined to put on a brave face and push aside my worries, I made the decision to return to school. The weight of concern for my friends and family pressed heavily on my shoulders, urging me to step back into the rhythm of daily life.

After getting ready, I carefully concealed the telltale signs of my inner turmoil beneath a cute pink hoodie with long sleeves. With each careful movement, I ensured that the cuts on my wrist remained hidden from prying eyes, a silent reminder of battles fought and scars borne in solitude.

In the bustling chaos of the morning routine, I grabbed a slice of toast, bidding farewell to my mother and Xavier before setting out for school.

As I stepped into the familiar corridors, I was greeted by the excited voices of friends, their smiles a beacon of warmth amidst the shadows of doubt that lingered within me.

"Sam, look, it's Mia!" exclaimed Tia, her eyes alight with joy at my unexpected return.

"Hey, Mia, you're just in time. Let's go before we get late," Sam chimed in, her infectious enthusiasm pulling me into the familiar rhythm of camaraderie.

Together, we made our way to class, the echoes of laughter and chatter filling the air like a comforting melody. But amidst the bustle of activity, I couldn't shake off the nagging sense of unease that settled over me like a heavy cloak.

As I settled into my seat, I couldn't help but notice the tension etched into Noah's features, his usual easygoing demeanor replaced by a palpable sense of distress. With a furrowed brow, I watched him from across the room, a knot of worry tightening in the pit of my stomach.

"Is he okay?" I wondered silently, the question lingering unspoken in the air as the minutes ticked by, each passing moment only deepening the mystery that surrounded him.

"Noah!? Hey, are you okay?" I asked, my voice laced with genuine concern as I reached out to him.

"I'm fine, Mia," Noah replied curtly, his words sharp and dismissive.

The abruptness of his response sent a shiver down my spine, a silent warning that all was not well. Despite the pang of unease that gnawed at my insides, I mustered a small smile and took a seat beside him, determined to offer whatever support I could.

Throughout the first class, I couldn't shake off the feeling of Noah's distant presence beside me. His mind seemed elsewhere, lost in the depths of his own thoughts. With a soft call of his name, I attempted to draw him back into the present moment.

"Hey, Noah," I whispered gently, hoping to break through the walls he had erected around himself.

"What, Mia?" Noah snapped rudely, his words cutting through the air like a knife.

I recoiled at the sharpness of his tone, caught off guard by the sudden shift in his demeanor. Fear crept into the corners of my mind as I struggled to comprehend the sudden change in the boy I thought I knew.

"Can we talk after school?" I asked tentatively, my voice trembling with uncertainty.

But Noah remained silent, his gaze fixed on some distant point beyond my reach. Desperate to break through the barrier of his silence, I reached out and touched his hand, hoping to draw his attention back to me.

What happened next shook me to my core, sending shockwaves.

Noah's rough grip on my wrist sent a jolt of pain shooting through me, causing me to gasp in shock. His actions were as sudden as they were unexpected, leaving me reeling in confusion and disbelief.

As he forcefully shoved my hand away, the searing pain from the reopened cuts on my wrist intensified, a harsh reminder of the battles fought in silence.

"Look, Mia, just leave me alone for today, please," Noah spat out, his voice dripping with anger and frustration as he pushed his hair back in a gesture of exasperation.

Feeling a sense of defeat wash over me, I nodded silently, my voice barely a whisper as I acquiesced to his demand. With my gaze fixed firmly on my lap, I tried to hide the trembling of my hands as I struggled to contain the rising panic within me.

But as I glanced down at my sleeve, my heart plummeted at the sight of the dark red stain that marred the fabric, a stark reminder of the wounds I had fought so hard to cover.

"Oh no, my cuts got open," I whispered to myself, my mind racing with thoughts of how to hide the evidence of my pain before anyone else noticed.

Before I could act, Noah's voice cut through the air like a knife, his whispered yell sending shivers down my spine.

"Mia, what the hell! You're bleeding!" he exclaimed, his eyes wide with shock and concern as he finally registered the extent of my distress.

To be continued...