Empty.

Chapter 40- Catches & Cracked Screens

Mia's POV

I tucked a piece of my hair behind my ear, I took a deep breath and looked at myself in the mirror. Both my hands placed firmly on the washbasin in front of me. I closed my eyes. Tightly, because for a second, I just wanted it all to stop. I didn't want to even be here. The absolute last thing I wanted was to go to a party, but I had already promised my cousin. I didn't want to let her down, I didn't want to tell her that my heart ached,that I hadn't eaten in days or that I missed Jamie more than anything. I kept thinking about him,I wanted everything to freeze so I could sit down. I wanted to be blank, I wanted to stop thinking, I wanted to forget what happened between Jamie and I but I couldn't because it played on my mind over and over again. I hadn't seen him, I hadn't spoken to him, even on the last day of school, he was nowhere in sight, I didn't want to ask anyone about him either so I just got my stuff for the next semester and I left, avoiding all my friends.

My mind wondered about where Jamie was and about what he was thinking, I wondered if he missed me, I wondered if he wanted to make things right, but before my mind could wonder anymore, there was a knock on the bathroom door.

"Mia!Are you okay? ",my cousin Clare's voice was ecstatic.

"Yeah, I'm okay", I replied while putting back my fake smile.

" Well then get your butt out here, people are arriving ", Clare screamed back in reply.

I opened the bathroom door and laid my eyes on the beautiful, petite, dark skinned girl.

"Look at you all dressed up for your birthday party", I smiled genuinely this time.

" Stop it, Mia", she laughed and got a little shy.

"You're beautiful Clare", I said as I straighten out the front of her buffy dress.

The sequence on it hurt the palm of my hand and the material made it itch.

" I'm so happy you're here, you're the best birthday gift", she said hugging me tightly.

"Don't say that, you haven't seen what I got you yet", I laughed and pulled away from the hug.

" Oh Mia... The boy I like is going to be here, I really want you to meet him", Clare said getting excited.

"I hope he's good enough for my girl", I gave her a look as I walked toward the hallway.

"He's funny, and cute, and smart and...oh Mia", Clare trailed off from beside me.

It was cute to see her have a crush but I just hoped this guy wasn't a douche bag and didn't break her heart.
I couldn't possibly think of her going through pain. She was so precious to me, she was so good, Clare was a good person.

"He doesn't like me", she sighed.

I stopped walking, and turned to face her. She frowned a little bit.

" I bet that's not true, does he know how you feel? "

"No, I'm too scared to tell him,I wouldn't even know what to say to Leo "

"You should tell him and if he doesn't feel the same way, it's really his loss because you're amazing. "

"You're amazing, Mia. Let's go see who's here already", Clare smiled at me.

" You go ahead, I just want to call mom and check if she left work already", I replied.

"Tell her to hurry up please", Clare said.

" I shall, where's your room again? I'm still getting used to this house", I shrugged and looked around.

"Down the hall,second door on the left."

"Thanks, kid", I replied as I made my way to her room.

I looked around at the paintings on the wall,everything was so fancy.It almost reminded me of Penelope's house.Clare and her mom had moved in with some of their distant family after going through some financial promlems. That was the past because clearly they were living very comfortably.

I entered Clare's room, closing the door behind me. My bag was left on her bed.
I had to carry a bag because I was wearing dress, which meant I had no pockets. I was forced to wear a dress and heels which I could barely walk in but there was a strict dress code given to me by Clare and I couldn't let her down on her big day.

I unzipped my bag and took out my phone to call my mother. She had to work but she managed to be allowed early leave so she could be here in time for the party.

I dialed her number but she wasn't answering so I just sent her a text instead, I figured she must have been driving.

I stood up and looked at myself once again in the mirror ,only this time I could see the length of my body. The nude coloured dress reached up to my knee and it showed more skin then I intended to show. I was not happy, I would have rather been in a baggy t shirt and jeans with my old school vans instead of shoes that made my feet feel like they were constantly being stabbed.

I kept my cell phone with me in case my mother called and I headed to the door to exit, as I got into the hallway I misbalanced and I felt myself trip on my own foot.I closed my eyes. Everything slowed down and I waited for the expected thump of the ground but a feeling of warmth surrounded me. The hands that gripped me tightly was like a warm embrace.
I opened my eyes and let out a deep exhale. I met his eyes instantly and all I knew is that I was reminded of coffee, coffee without any cream or milk.
Dark, strong coffee.

It was like I could smell it. His eyes we're mischievous yet gave me a feeling of pleasantness.

He smiled at me and I snapped out of the mesmerising moment and tried to stand up but I misbalanced again, I managed to hold the wall for support and saved myself from any further mortification.

"Woah, easy there princessa", he said and I looked at him, noticing the way his hair was. It was short but not very, short enough to make him look neat yet irresistibly good looking at the same time. His eyes had a sort of sparkle in them and he was dressed in formal clothes. He still smiled, his alabaster teeth on display and his dimples pressed underneath his surprisingly high and breathtaking cheekbones.

I couldn't breathe and for a second I forgot where I was. I took a step back.

"I have to go", I said as I prepared to walk off swiftly as my mind reminded me to keep my balance. I turned away from him.

" Hey, wait. "

I looked back at him and he was looking down at the floor.
It was my phone and the entire screen was cracked.

"That doesn't look too good", he spoke again not moving his stare off my phone.

I had a mild heart attack.