chapter one , Meeting you

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Mia slowly walks down the hallway and clings onto her bag like it's a part of her. She stares at her best friend's locker like it's going to bring her back. "It's not going to bring her back..." Mia whispers softly. But she keeps staring, she keeps staring because it's the only thing she can do. Hannah Baker was her best friend. Mia feels a presence next to her and she looks to her side to expect Hannah but sees Clay. He looks at her and gives her a soft smile. She smiles back at him as the bell rings.

"What the hell are you doing?" A voice questions Clay.

"Nothing. I'm just--"

"Looking for something?" Justin questions.

Mia looks at the two boys arguing and she rolls her eyes. "What would I be looking for?" Clay asks him. Justin steps closer to him, "You tell me," He states.

"Justin, fuck off," Mia says. Justin ignores her and keeps looking at Clay. "Do you even know my name?" Clay asks.

" 'Course I do. Clay"

"Guys...and Lady, second bell." Mr. Porter walks towards them. Justin looks back at Clay, "You're not that innocent, Jensen. I don't give a shit what she says." Justin says quietly. Mia knits her brows together, "Why even bother?" Mia looks back at the locker.

"Mr. Foley, Let's go. Get to homeroom." Mr. Porter urges.

Clay's eyes follow Justin leaving. "You too, Mr. Jensen."

Clay looks back at Hannah's locker and walks away. "Miss Walker--"

"It's Mia." She snaps. Mr. Porter sighs, "Mia. How about you come to my office and we can--"

"I really don't want to do that, to be honest. I'm fine," She looks back at the locker and walks away before he could say anything else.

☆

Mia laughs loudly and shoves her brother back. "Shut the fuck up, Bryce. You don't know what you're talking about!" She runs a hand through her hair. "Oh yeah. You sure about that? I heard you talking to him on the phone all night, tell me did you guys...do anything over that phone or?--"

"That's a little perverted for a brother to know, don't you think?" Mia smiles and looks at the brown-haired girl walking down the hall. "Oh Shit," Bryce and Mia say at the same time. Their eyes follow her and Mia smiles. "She's new..." Mia says. Bryce looks down at his sister, "Love at first sight, dyke?" He snickers.

Mia starts to feel heat rush up to her cheeks, she punches Bryce in the arm. "Shut. Up!" She exclaims. She starts to walk towards her but the bell rings and she groans. "Come on you can miss a period for your love..." Bryce mocks her. Mia snorts, "Whatever, if I miss any school dad would have my head." She shoves Bryce into a locker and he laughs and goes the other way.

"Mia!"

She snaps out of her memory and looks up from her textbook. "Yes?" She calls out. "Are you sure you're okay?" She asks. Mia sniffles and wipes her nose, "No...I mean Yeah, Yeah...I'm fine." She nods her head. The bell rings and Mia quickly grabs her things and walks towards the door. Her teacher steps in front of her and Mia quickly stops.

"Mia, maybe you should go to the counselor's--"

"As much as I would love to, I can't I have...cheerleading and I have to go--"

"You haven't been cheerleading since Hannah died, and you haven't been...dressing like yourself..." The teacher observes. Mia looks down at her baggy grey sweats and her sweatshirt and shrugs her shoulders.

"Umm...One, this is me now. And Two, I haven't been cheerleading ever since my boyfriend died so, if you'll excuse me--"

"I still think you should talk to someone," the teacher instructs. Mia sucks in a sharp breath, "I understand that whole 'The bell doesn't dismiss you I do' but holding me after like five minutes is pretty ridiculous, don't you think?" She questions the teacher with raised brows.

The teacher smiles softly but her eyes have remorse in them, "Of course, my apologies. Mia."

"You're forgiven." She says with a fake smile. Mia walks out of the classroom and speed walks down the hall she looks at her watch and cursed underneath her breath. "Dammit, I don't have time--"

"Miss Walker!" Mr. Porter yells. Mia closes her eyes and curses. She sprints out of the school and runs all the way home.

☆

Mia tiredly plops onto her bed and looks at the ceiling. "Never...running...again..." She breathes out. She hears the door open to her room door and she looks to the door. "You got home late," Bryce says as he drinks his whiskey. Mia looks back up at the ceiling, "Yeah...I decided to run home and...I made a few stops..." She says biting the inside of her cheek.

"You doing alright?" Bryce asks her. Mia sighs and sits up, "Well judging by the fact that my best friend just killed herself and my boyfriend died all in the span of one year...I'm gonna have to go with no." She nods her head and looks at him.

"Shit, Mia. I didn't mean it like that--"

"No, I know...I just, don't want to talk about it. But thank you. And...I'm sorry for being bitchy." She apologizes. Bryce nods his head and starts to leave out of her room. He stops and looks back at her, "You know, everyone misses you, cheering us on. You were the best," Bryce says as he walks into his room.

Mia rolls her eyes and lays back down slowly closing her eyes and drowning her grief out.

Flashback

Mia looks around the kitchen and feels herself get slightly shoved. "Fuck off, Bryce!" She hisses at him. "Whoa! What's wrong with you?" Montgomery asks. "You didn't hear? This is the new girl's house party." Bryce says wiggling his brows. Montgomery smirks, "Wait, you mean the new girl who you fell in love with the first time you saw her--"

"Fuck the both of you." She snaps.

Bryce and Montgomery laugh and start to push one another. Mia chugs her beer and exhales. She spots Kat, Clay, and the new girl. "Holy shit..." She whispers nervously.

Mia walks forward as Bryce and Montgomery cheer her on. Kat turns and spots the younger Walker sibling, "Holy Shit! Mia Walker!" Kat runs up to her and hugs her tightly. Mia hugs her back laughing. "Kit Kat! What's the haps!" She yells over the music.

"Kit Kat, that's clever," Hannah says. Mia looks at the brown-haired girl and smiles. "Thanks," She replies. She looks at Clay and smiles, "Clay, Jensen? What are you doing here?" She asks him.

Kat and Hannah laugh, "You're looking at me like you don't see me in the halls." Clay states.

"Correction, I'm looking at you like I've never seen you at a party," Mia smiles.

"I like her," Hannah says as she holds her hand out. "Hannah Baker," She introduces herself. Mia grabs her soft hand and shakes it.

"Mia Walker, Related to that asshole over there." She points at Bryce still play fighting with Montgomery. "Lucky," Hannah says sarcastically. Mia nods her head, "Oh, you have no idea." She says laughing.

"Okay, refills. What is your drink, Clay?" Kat asks him. Mia turns her attention to Hannah and Clay. 'They're both cute...in their own ways,' she thinks to herself.

"Uh, Sprite." Clay answers.

"Oh My God, you are priceless," Kat says. Mia laughs and presses her red cup to her lips.

"You are a gem. You will have a beer," She grabs another cup and walks away from the three friends. "Sure. I like beer,"

"Kat, Mia," Mia turns and sees Tyler with his signature camera. "Oh Picture," Kat says as she gets in the middle of Hannah and Clay. Mia stands next to Hannah and gives her signature smile.

Tyler gives them a thumbs up and Kat walks away. "Stop having so much fun, Clay."

"I'm having fun, totally. Woot!" He says sarcastically. Mia chuckles, Hannah unbuttons some of Clay's shirt and she looks at Clay's reaction. 'He likes her,"

They both start to laugh.

"Hey, there," A voice says. Mia rolls her eyes, "Here we go," She says and Clay smirks at her reply. She turns to look at her brother. "Hey," Hannah says with a smile

"You're, um, you're the new girl." Bryce states. Mia knits her brows together.

"Apparently," Hannah states.

"Uh, I like your laugh," Bryce compliments her. Mia rolls her eyes once again and refills her cup.

"Bryce, Better go hit the keg and catch up. You're an hour behind," Mia says as she drinks again. Bryce looks at his sister and back at Hannah. "I'll see you later...I hope," He says.

Mia mentally gags as he walks away. "See you," Hannah says.

Mia walks back over to them, "Oh, God, no. Solid no, Hannah," Kat says.

Mia nods her head, "Yeah. He is, like, frat boy Darth Vader," Mia adds. Hannah tilts her head, "He didn't seem that bad," Hannah replies.

Mia winces, "I was being kind," She says with a chuckle. "She kind of was," Clay adds.

"I think I want a beer too," Hannah walks away. Mia shakes her head and raises her brows, Okay then, Princess Leia." Kat says to her.

"Oh My God, you three are nerds," She says as she walks away. Mia snorts, "I don't think being a nerd is bad," She says quietly.

"Right, Clay?" Mia says to him. He doesn't hear her as he keeps staring at Hannah. Mia nods her head and looks at Kat. She gets what's going on and they both step forward. "Are you going to tell her?" They both say at the same time.

Clay looks at them, "Tell her what?" He questions.

Mia scoffs, "Please, we've both known you this entire century,"

Clay chuckles, "Well give me a break. I'm not good with the...you know, and the gay rumors only recently subsided." Clay says.

"You're welcome by the way," Mia says with a cheeky smile.

"Mmm. So the stakes are high for you," Kat says.

"It's like, around her I can be different, you know? Like I'm the new and improved Clay Jensen: High school sophomore, archaeologist-slash-adventurer." He says chuckling even though he felt embarrassed.

Mia feels herself frown slightly. 'Is she the only one who makes him feel that way?' she asks herself. Mia shakes out of it and places her hand on his shoulder, "Clay, sweets. you're a prize. But from my limited observation, she has terrible taste in guys." Mia rolls her lips into her mouth and raises her brows.

Clay chuckles, "Neither of you will say anything to her?" He asks them.

Mia looks at Kat and they both shrug their shoulders, "Only if it comes up," Kat answers as she walks away with a laugh. Mia looks back at Clay and smiles, "You and Hannah would be cute," She answers.

"I mean, not Jeff and I cute but...cute enough," She shrugs her shoulders. Clay laughs and nods his head, "Thanks, that helps me out a lot." He answers. Mia laughs, "Just...tell her when you're ready or before it's too late?" Mia says in a question as she walks away as well.

She walks outside and sees a shirtless Justin Foley. "Oh, Shit! The party has arrived!" Mia raises her arms. "Mia!" Justin yells.

"NUh-Uh...they were just leaving to dry off," Kat says. Mia drops her arms and her mouth hangs wide open. "But, Kit Kat...it's not a party without them!" She whines loudly. "Uh Oh. Mia's starting to become a drunken kid, let's get you inside--"

"Justice for Zach and Justin!" Mia yells.

Clay and Kat help Mia inside while Hannah shares a long-lasting smile with Justin.

Present

Mia hears her daily 'Girls Just Want to Have Fun' on her alarm. Mia slowly moves her hand to her alarm and picks it up and chucks it at the wall. "Fucking hate that song..." She grumbles. Mia puts her hands over her face and swings her feet over her bed. She stands up and walks over to her mini Refrigerator and opens it, being greeted with beer bottles.

Mia grabs one and chugs it down to the last drop. "Good morning..." She mumbles. She gets dressed in her daily sweats and sweatshirt. "Hear ye Hear ye, the Bum is ready for school!" Bryce announces. Mia scoffs, "Fuck off, Bryce," She hisses at him.

Bryce chuckles and walks out of the house with Mia by his side. "See you at school bum," He ruffles her hair and she shoves him off. "See you later, Dick," She says to him.

They both get into their separate cars and drive to school. Mia looks at the Eisenhower Park as she passes by it.

Flashback

Mia's phone buzzes and she opens the text message and her mouth hangs wide open. "What the..." Mia starts as she sees Hannah's underwear and her on the slide. 'They had their date yesterday, but Justin would never do this...' Mia's eyes then darken.

"Bryce..." Mia growls.

Mia eats her lunch and smiles as Clay does his homework. "Hey, Helmet. Mamma Mia," Hannah says.

Mia rolls her eyes and chuckles, "I tell you I watch Mamma Mia Once!" She says.

Hannah smiles, "Can I eat with you guys?" She asks. Mia looks at Clay, "He's doing Geometry homework," Mia says rolling her eyes. Hannah shrugs her shoulders, "I don't mind," She sits down. Mia smiles, "Sweet," Mia nods her head.

"So, communications class. Really?" Hannah asks the both of them. Mia raises her brows, "Oh yeah, Mrs. Bradley doesn't have a clue what it was like to be our age," Mia says with a smile.

Hannah nods her head, "I find it best to confront the issue head-on by saying..."

"Pardon me, but you really hurt my feelings," Hannah and Mia mock at the same time. They both laugh.

"I thought she had some really good ideas," Clay says quietly.

"Have you ever in your life been able to confront an issue head-on?" Hannah asks.

"Have you ever even had an issue?" Mia asks. Clay looks at the two girls, "Yeah. Kind of. Or..." Clay looks up at Hannah and Mia senses the slight tension. "I don't know I guess being socially awkward has its advantages," Clay says.

"I don't think you're socially awkward at all. I think you're just scared. I think you're waiting." Hannah says to him. Clay taps his paper, "Well, sometimes it's better to wait," Clay snaps.

Mia's eyes widen and looks up from her tray and back at the boy. "Clay," she snaps.

"Wow," Hannah chuckles. "Okay. Meaning what?" Hannah asks. Mia opens her mouth, "Nothing...meaning nothing, right Clay?" Mia says raising her brows. Clay looks at her and opens his mouth to speak, "Yeah, um...Nothing. I mean..." Clay looks back down at his paper.

"Real convincing Clay, really," Mia fake praises him.

"Pardon me, but you really hurt my feelings," Hannah stands up, and Mia groans and looks at Clay.

"Hannah," Clay calls out to her. "Hannah," Clay calls again. Mia stands up, "I've got it," She says as she runs over to Hannah. "Hannah, Wait!" She keeps running after her. Mia runs faster and stands in front of Hannah. They both bump into each other and Mia touches Hannah's shoulders.

"H-Hey...it's okay," Mia reassures her. "It was...just a kiss...all we did was kiss..." Hannah says with tears in her eyes. Mia nods her head. "Hey, I believe you, of course, I believe you," Mia wraps her arms around Hannah's neck. Hannah cries in the crook of Mia's neck. Mia shushes Hannah to calm her down and be there for her.

Present

Mia walks out of the bathroom and sniffles and wipes her eyes. She sees Mr. Porter with Justin and she pulls her hoodie up and walks faster. She finds a closet and steps into it and leans against the wall and closes her eyes and rides her Euphoria.

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