the downfall of mia // hs

chapter 1 // fine we're damaged ✓

chapter 1 // fine we're damaged

"can we be seventeen

that's all i want to do

if you could let me in

i could be good with you"

i strummed my guitar and followed along with my sheet music and rehearsed my video for the week. it was an acoustic version to the song seventeen from the off broadway show heathers the musical.

"people hurt us

or they vanish

and you're right

that really blows"

i continued practicing when my door opens. my mother, lisa, stood in the doorway and waited for me to pause. i set my guitar down and looked up at her.

"mia, it's saturday. why don't you get up and go to the mall or something. i'll give you some money! you can get yourself that skirt you've been wanting"

i gave my mom a shy smile and shook my head

"no thanks mom"

my mom let out a sigh and said "will you at least leave your room"

i debated saying no again and curling up into a ball on my bed listening to ed sheerans new album, but my mom looked desperate. she was desperate to see a pinch of happiness in me. she was desperate for me to finally leave my room. i felt sorry for her, that she had to deal with a pathetic daughter like me. i got up from the edge of my bed and held out my hands for her.

"thank you! go have fun or something!" she said excitedly placing the keys to her car in my palm.

i let out a huff and walked past her saying "yeah sure"

i went downstairs, put on my coat, and headed outside. it was december and i was counting down the days until winter break.

i got into the drivers seat and plugged in my phone. i scrolled through my songs until i found thinking out loud by ed sheeran. i turned on the car and backed out of my driveway heading towards the park.

the park was usually a lovely place. a popular spot in the windy city for kids to hang out at and just have fun. i pulled into a parking spot and parked the car. i got out and walked down a path to a more secluded spot of the park. it was right next to a small pond with a small bench covered by trees. i sat on the bench and plugged headphones into my ear drowning out the world to ed.

it seemed as hours had past when i saw them walking on the path. it was chad and his friends, the most popular boys in school. i quickly hurried to hide somewhere making sure they wouldn't see me.

too late.

"mia! hey look guys it's that girl mia!"

i sped my walk into a run until i felt i was safe on a new path. i let out a shaky breath and felt safe for a split second until i was pushed to the ground.

"fugly little mia taking a stroll through the park" i heard chad mutter from above.

i stood up and tried to brush myself off before i felt nails scratch down my cheek. i bit the inside of my mouth to keep from screaming. screaming just made it worse.

"princess mia, you got a little blood there" chad smirked and pushed his hand against my face adding pain.

"chad let's go c'mon man" one of chads friends muttered shyly.

chad turned to look at him with a glare, but left me alone and they all stormed off in the opposite direction.

only when i felt they were far enough did i let the tears stream down my face. why did they do this? what about me said "this girl looks like our punching bag!"

i rushed back to my car and got in locking the doors. i pulled down my mirror to inspect my injuries. scratch marks were evident on my right cheek and blood dripped down the side of my face. i pulled a tissue from my glove box and rubbed the blood off.

when i was plugging in my phone i noticed a snapchat notification.

i looked at the name and smiled

miasbestfriendh

i opened snapchat and pressed on the snap. it opened to a view of a soundcheck and the comment "london"

i opened up the camera and saw how terribly i looked. i positioned the camera to show only half my face, the left side that appeared unharmed. i faked and smile and took the photo. i put a comment "have a good show!"

i sent the snapchat and locked my phone. the smile on my face had disappeared. he's not here and he's not coming.