³𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐲 , 13rw ✔︎

Angry, Young, and Man (3)

Mia walks down the dark sidewalk with her hands stuffed in her pocket. She looks up and sees the boy that makes her smile, that makes her laugh, that makes her...her. Clay looks at her and smiles softly, he exhales with relief.

It's like they haven't seen each other in years. Mia takes her hands out of her pockets and quickens her pace towards him. Clay does to the same. Once they both get in front of each other, they stop and stare into each other's eyes.

"How's Ty?" She asks quietly.

"Asleep." He answers as he looks at the ground then back up at her. Mia tilts her head and hugs herself, "You? Are you okay?" She asks as she tilts her head.

Clay chuckles quietly, "Not yet." He answers truthfully.

Mia bites the inside of her cheek. "I'm going to hug you." She says. Clay nods his head, "Please do." He says back. Mia wraps her arms around his chest. Clay wraps his arms around her shoulders and places his chin on her shoulder. He holds one of his arms, to tighten his grip on her not wanting to let go.

"How can you ask me if I'm okay? After everything you're going through right now?" He asks quietly.

Mia bites her lip and blinks away her tears. "I don't know...all my life I took care of my family before myself...it's just instinct, but...with you...it's something I want to do. I love you and I'm here for you." Mia separates from him and touches his neck.

Clay smiles softly, "I've missed you, so much." He says with tears in his eyes. Mia touches his arms.

"God, I've missed you too," Mia replies. She stands on her toes and kisses his cheek. Clay closes his eyes and he exhales.

Mia stands back onto her feet. "We should go inside," Clay says.

Mia nods her head, she holds her hand out and Clay accepts it and they walk inside. Even though they haven't really talked in a while, once they were back together it's like they haven't missed out on anything.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Tony, Mia, and I will get rid of the gun," Clay says.

"Because we just believe him?" Zach asks.

"We believed you." Clay retorts.

Zach stays quiet for a second, "So, where's Alex?" Zach inquires.

"He's on a ride-along with his dad. Guess it's the only time they get to spend together nowadays." Jessica answers.

"Yeah, okay. See, this is the thing, guys. This is a murder investigation. And we're hiding Tyler and his gun--"

"Bryce wasn't shot." Justin cuts Zach off. Mia feels nausea flow over her. "What?" She questions.

"Th-There was a hole in the back of his head." Mia states.

"So the papers guessed it was a gunshot. They were wrong." Justin says. Mia grabs his phone and looks at it. "Mia, I don't think that--"

"Beaten?" Mia questions. Everybody looks at her, Mia keeps her eyes glued on the phone.

"This...This is fucked up." Zach states.

"Zach--"

"No, you know what? You guys do whatever the hell you want. I don't want to know about it. Not anymore." Zach stands up with his crutches and exits the cafe.

Mia opens her mouth, barely able to get out what she was reading. "They think it might be blunt force trauma and they're looking for the murder weapon. Th-They're dragging up the river on both sides of the bridge." Mia looks at Clay and Tony.