Mia Pt. 03

"Belt".

Mia reached round and pulled her belt across her chest, clipping it in. "How do you know where I live?"

"I'm a teacher, I know where all you live".

Mia turned on the radio and clicked through channels until she found LBC, then sat back in her seat and gazed out the window, her expression blank. She was thankful that Ms Evans didn't try to make any conversation.

When they reached her house, Mia unclipped her belt and reached down for her bag, just as she was about to open the door to leave, Ms Evans spoke.

"Mia," she paused "I'm always here if you want to talk".

She bit her lip, and turned her face away, she was about to cry again. She sucked in a breath and exhaled quietly, then nodded in silence.

"Awh, baby. Come here" Ms Evans undid her belt and leaned over, touching Mia's shoulder. As she did, Mia turned around and pulled Ms Evans into a hug, finally letting out the heart wrenching cries she'd been holding in for two years.

"I miss him so much" she said between tears.

Ms Evans hugged her close and rubbed her back, "I know, baby, I know" she kissed her hair, "It's ok to be upset".

It felt like an eternity had gone by before Mia finally calmed down and said something again "I got your cardigan wet" she sniffed, trying to take in huge gulps of air.

Ms Evans laughed softly, "Forget that. How are you feeling?"

Mia continued to sniffle, wiping back tears but no longer sobbing "I don't know".

She nodded and smiled sympathetically, "That's ok".

They looked at one another for a few moments in silence, just the sound of Mia's sniffing in the air. "Thank you" Mia said quietly.

"Don't mention it".

Picking up her bag, Mia got out of the car and walked down the drive to her house. Her mother was still home, and Mia had a feeling she'd been expecting her. Giada made her way to her from the kitchen. Just as she was about to pull Mia into a hug, Mia stepped away. "I'm fine" she said "Really, I'm ok. I'm just gonna go rinse off".

"Sure?"

She nodded, then ran up the stairs. Dumping her things on her bed and stripping out of her clothes on the way to her bathroom.

As she showered, she washed her sorrows away; emerging once again as the impassive teenager she was a few days ago.

*************

School was particularly uneventful that week for Mia, though she attended the majority of her classes and handed all her homework in on time, she still found herself to be bored and with not a lot to do.

She'd made it a point to try and restore herself back into Marks good graces, and not to her surprise, it didn't take much. In fact all she had to do was smile at him during physics, and offer him a stick of gum.

As she sat there in her physics class, having finished her work before everyone else; once again, she discreetly tapped away at her phone. Mark felt his phone vibrate in his pocket, he looked up at Mia, her nose still in her phone, he reached for his own and checked his messages. It was Mia.

"What are you doing after Physics?"

He looked up, Mia was still staring at the small screen in her hands. "Getting lunch?" he typed back uncertainly.

"After that".

"I have class".

"Wanna do something else instead?"

He looked up again, Mia missed a lot of school, and he barely missed any. "Like what?"

"Shopping?"

Mark let out a quiet snort before texting back "Seriously?"

"I don't know. I've been meaning to get my ear pierced. Could go to Camden and do that then roam around the lock for a bit?"

He nodded to himself "That could be fun". He watched as Mia smiled at her phone and then at him, he couldn't help but smile back. He knew it wasn't healthy for him to spend too much time with Mia, especially as his particular brand of fondness was one sided, but he simply couldn't resist the perfect smile she flashed at him, or the doe eyes she batted his way.

*************

Mia glanced at her watch as she took another sip of the wine she loosely cradled in her hand. It was just after 7pm and the pub they were in was now full of people going for after work drinks. She looked up at Mark who was leaning on the cue he'd been playing with. "Hey loser, wanna leave?"

Mark rolled his eyes and smiled. "You got lucky, don't let it get to your head".

"Sure" she grinned, taking a final swig of her wine before setting the glass down on the bar and reaching for Marks hand to lead him out.

As they left, Mark couldn't help but notice all the eyes that seemed to be ogling the girl he was with, though she seemed oblivious. She was probably used to it now, he thought to himself. He decided to chance a glance at her as they walked out. His eyes running over her slender shoulders and back, the top that hung loosely around her waist but fit snuggly across her chest, the tiny shorts that hugged her plump ass so perfectly, and the flawless skin of her long legs. He breathed out silently.

"My ear still fucking burns".

He turned his head to a side to look at her, but her piercing was on the other side. She'd made it look so painless as the hollow needle pierced a hole through the cartilage of her right ear. "How long does it usually take for a rook piercing to heal?" he asked casually.

"A few months" she shrugged. She checked her watch again, "it's 7.30 now, what do you wanna do? Call it a night?" She'd slowed her walk to a calmer pace.

Mark thought for a moment, he realised it was getting late, but didn't want the night to end just yet. He'd spent all day with Mia getting her piercing, walking around the market, getting food and sitting by the lock, playing pool... No, he wasn't ready to go home. "How about a film?"

She shrugged again.

"The Odeon's just down the road, my treat?"

Mia breathed a small laugh, "Let's see what's on, I'll pay for myself though".

They continued to walk to the theatre, as they neared the entrance; Mark held the door open for Mia. They both looked over what was screening and the times for each film before deciding that their safest and easiest bet would be to wait 20mins to see Batman vs Superman. After having decided and paid, they both looked around the cinema before Mia set her eyes on one of the vacant sofas.

She walked over and sunk down into it, pulling out her phone and checking all the messages she'd missed. Mark sat down next to her and rested his head on her shoulder as they waited. Mia wasn't too sure about the closeness but she paid it no mind and allowed him to stay where he was.

Just then a small group of three walked into the cinema and chattered amongst themselves in the queue. Mark didn't seem to notice them, but one person in particular had caught Mia's eye.

She was of average height, just a few inches shorter than Mia, maybe 5'4. Her brown to blonde ombre hair fell in waves just passed her shoulder blades and was pinned back to showcase her ears adorned by 8mm tunnels. Her thick lashes and eyeliner contrasting the blue of her eyes, and the pink lipstick she wore made her lips seem edible.

Mia bit her lip as she couldn't stop herself from staring, instead taking in every little thing she saw. She was wearing all black, a long black duster coat, a plain black top, a leather mini skirt, with black tights and boots. She was edgy and chic all at once, and Mia wanted nothing more than to just kiss her in that moment.

She watched as she glanced back over her shoulder slightly, her eyes meeting Mia's for a split second before returning to the two people she was with.

The dimples in her cheeks made her smile infectious.

"Come on, let's go in", Marks voice broke her daydream. She stood slowly, reluctantly tearing her gaze from the girl she'd been so busily watching.

As they walked in, she heard the hushed voice of the young man of the group. "Yeah, he's definitely hot, and she's kinda sexy too. Shame". His voice had a slight feminine quality to it. Mia couldn't help but smile, she glanced at Mark for a moment, his strong jaw dusted with a slight spattering of stubble. He certainly was a good looking boy.

After they'd sat down and some of the trailers had played, the vacant seats next to Mia were filled. When she looked over, the seat adjacent to hers was occupied by the pretty girl she had been gawping at. As she got comfortable, her calf brushed against Mia's and stayed there.

She returned her gaze to the screen and focused on the film, leaning over occasionally to say something to Mark, but was still well aware of any slight movement that came from the seat next to hers.

**************

When the movie ended, everyone filed out of the theatre; a stream of chatter. As they left, Mia felt eyes on her. When she turned back to look, the group she'd noticed from earlier all looked in any direction but hers, making it obvious as to what their topic of conversation was. Mia smiled to herself just as they started to return their gaze, and she just managed to catch the smile that played on the shorter girls face, her white teeth shining and her dimples prominent in the sides of her face.

"How are you getting home?" Mark asked as she turned back around.

"I'll probably tube it, you?"

"Same".

Mia reached into her bag and pulled out a deck of cigarettes, lighting one quickly, she breathed out a puff of smoke.

"I didn't know you smoked?"

She breathed out another cloud of grey. "Don't tell" she grinned before pecking him on the cheek.

They walked in silence to the station, Mark waiting patiently for Mia to finish her cigarette before they went in. As they descended the escalators, Mia gave Mark's hand a squeeze as she started to walk the other way, "I'll see you at school".

"BYE!" he called after her as she quickly sped off down a tunnel.

*************

As Mia hopped off the train at Kings Cross to change lines, she realised she'd not checked in at home yet, so she made her way to the surface and then pulled out her phone to send her dad a text.

She looked up from her phone, glancing over the faces of all the random people going to and fro; it wasn't too busy as it was quite late in the evening.

Her eyes froze as they settled on the glowing face of the girl she'd seen at the Odeon. She was rummaging through her bag for something by one of the Oyster machines. Mia watched as the expression on her face changed from annoyance to worry.

She saw as she dropped her bag onto the floor and squatted down to look through it properly. It looked like she'd lost something.

Mia zoned the rest of the world out as she tuned in. Just then the young girl let out a frustrated grunt followed by a distressed 'fuck'. Mia continued to gaze in her directions as she looked around anxiously and stood up again.

"Is everything ok?" Mia asked as she approached. The girl looked up, her eyes meeting the sight of the tall teen as she walked towards her, she looked puzzled for a moment as a her mind tried to place where she'd seen her before; she was at the theatre.

"My phone died and I've lost my purse, I have no fucking idea how I'm meant to get home" she huffed before adding, "You were just in Camden, weren't you?"

Mia nodded "Batman vs Superman" she smiled, "where are your friends?"

"Gone home" she looked around, her mind was obviously elsewhere. "Where's your boyfriend?"

"I don't have one".

"The guy you were with?"

"Just a friend" Mia smiled. "What are you going to do?"

She stared at her dead phone "I don't fucking know".

Mia smiled sympathetically before pulling out her own phone. She opened up the Uber app and turned her phone for the girl to see. "Put your address in" she said simply.

She looked up at her, "I can't let you pay for me to get home, you don't even know me".

"You don't really have a choice right now" Mia smiled again raising her brow.

The strange girl sighed before taking the phone and putting her address in, she then handed the phone back. Mia quickly requested a car. "It'll be about 10 mins" she said absentmindedly.

"Thank you so much! You have no idea how much you've just helped me out".

Mia smiled in return once more, "Do you smoke?"

"God yeah, I could really do with fag right now".

"Come on, I'll wait with you. I'm Mia by the way".

"I'm Chloe".

As they both walked together out of the station, Mia pulled out the packet of cigarettes from her bag and gestured to the box to Chloe.

"No thanks, I've got some" she smiled back.

Mia nodded silently and lit one for herself, inhaling deeply and breathing out a stream of smoke. She watched Chloe do the same. "How old are you?"

"22. You?" she puffed.

"Younger" Mia smiled.

"20?"

"18".

"Fuck".

Mia laughed quietly. "What do you do?"

"I work at Too Faced" she breathed out.

"Cosmetics?"

Chloe nodded. "You're probably a student?"

Mia nodded back this time.

There was silence as they both smoked, puffing on their cigarettes. Mia watched her as she put the cigarette to her lips, closed her eyes ever so slightly and breathed in. The street lights falling on her face and catching the highlight she was wearing. Her makeup was flawless, and her eyes were an incredible shade of blue, almost turquoise.

They finished their cigarettes and both lit another each as they waited. They continued to watch each other as they smoked.

"Your makeup is perfect" Mia said simply.

"Aww, thank you" Chloe smiled. "I get a lot of practice doing what I do" the little dimples in her cheeks blinking at Mia as she spoke.

A black Mercedes slowed and then parked up to where the two girls stood. Mia pulled out her phone to check the plate of the car they were expecting and saw that it matched the Merc. "That's your cab" Mia smiled.

Chloe looked over her shoulder at the car, breathed out a final puff of smoke and flicked her cigarette to the side. "I really can't thank you enough for helping me" she said sincerely.

Mia smiled in return.

Chloe watched her for a moment, thinking of what to say or do, "Look, take my number, if you ever need anything or think of a way I can pay you back, just let me know".

Mia smiled again, but remained silent. Chloe watched her expectantly.

"You don't have to" Mia finally said, biting her lip briefly.

Momentarily distracted, Chloe's gaze was drawn to Mia's perfect pout as she sunk her teeth in. "How about a drink some time then? Just as a way to say thank you".

"I could go for a drink" Mia smiled. She unlocked her phone and handed it to Chloe to put her number in, she watched as she quickly tapped on the phone and then handed it back.

Mia looked at her phone for a moment as she pressed the button to lock it. Chloe had sent a text to her own number with Mia's name in the message, so she definitely had her number.

"Thank you, again" Chloe said, putting her arm out as she gave Mia a small squeeze during a parting hug.

"Don't mention it".

As Chloe opened the door to get into the car, Mia turned around and made her way back to the station; resisting the urge to look back.

*************

It was past midnight when Mia finally got home. The light in her father's study was still on so she went to peek in and let him know she was back. He was still wearing work clothes, a navy tie hanging loosely around his neck.

"Hey daddy", she walked quietly into the room and dropped onto the stiff leather sofa which sat to the side.

"Hey baby, how was the film?" Raphael asked without looking up from his desk.

"Crap" she breathed, "so long winded".

He laughed half-heartedly as Mia watched him work. Sighing, she stood and made for the door, "I'm going to bed. Don't stay up too late or I'm telling" she smiled.

"Yes, mum" he huffed sarcastically.

**************

Caleb spun his pen between his fingers absentmindedly as he looked over the lesson plans for his classes tomorrow. His attention snatched from the screen and drawn to the door as Ms Evans made her way into the room.

She went straight to the back of the class and began to rummage through a selection of books.

"Afternoon" he said flatly, looking over his laptop at the tiny woman.

"How's it going, gorgeous?" she shot back, not even looking over her shoulder.

Caleb laughed quietly. "Shit weather. Looks like rain".

"It's just cloudy, it'll clear up. Stop being a grump".

He laughed again.

"Are you on after school duty?" she asked.

"Yeah, I should get going".

She nodded in response. "How's Mia doing in your classes? Still giving you the run around?"

He clenched his jaw reflexively. "No, she's been ok".

"I wouldn't take offence, she does it to everyone".

"Just not to you" he chuckled quietly.

Ms Evans looked back this time, grinning, "No, but I'm special. You shouldn't compare yourself to me Caleb. It might damage that ego of yours" she smiled broadly as she collected her books and made for the front of the class again.

"My ego is untouchable!" he called out after her as she left the room, a large smile spread across his face.

His pen began to spin again as he returned to his lesson plan. Mia hadn't missed as many of his lessons as she had been before, but she was completely ignoring his existence otherwise, including in his classes when he tried ask her something, and if ever he were lucky enough for her to grace him with a response, it was always directed at her notepad and never at him.

He sighed. Then closed his laptop before rummaging in his pocket for the classroom keys.

Nodding to all the students chirping 'Bye, Sir' as he walked through the corridors to the main entrance where many were leaving.

He pulled out his phone to check his emails, groaning as he was reminded that he had an after school meeting in half an hour.

As he dropped his phone back into his pocket, his ears pricked as he heard the light ring of a laugh he was all too familiar with and fond of. He turned to where the noise had come from, and caught a glimpse of Mia grinning with her perfect mouth, her smile reaching her eyes as they sparkled. She was looking at another student who was laughing too.

It was Mark, the boy he'd seen her kiss a few weeks back. He didn't realise he was staring at them until Mia glanced back over her shoulder in his direction. Her smile fading as her gaze met his.

Caleb's jaw twitched for a split second as he did his best not to clench it. But she'd caught that split second reaction and was now smirking back. He wanted to kick himself.

**************

The Accardo house was quiet when Mia arrived home from school. Neither of her parents were there yet, and neither were any of her siblings.

She made her way to the fridge and grabbed two pouches of Caprisun before running up to her room and stripping out of her clothes.

She poked a hole in one of the drinks and drank it all in one go before slipping into a pair of cropped jogging bottoms and a tshirt.

Selecting one of the four books on her night stand, she sunk into the sofa in her room, and poked a hole into her second drink pouch.

Balancing the drink on her chest and resting the straw between her lips, she took little sips of the cool liquid as she began to lose herself in the words of Chomsky.

**************

There was a quiet knock at Mia's door before it opened slightly. Her brother popped his head into her room, "Dinner's ready, mum wants you to come down and help set the table". Mia looked him over, his eyes were dark and his lower lip was slightly swollen. He started to back out of the room before Mia called him back.

"Lucca".

He stepped back into her room, waiting for her to say what she wanted.

"What happened to your face?"

He shrugged and backed out again, closing the door behind him.

Mia bit her lip, her brother wasn't the fighting type but it was obvious that he'd been in one.

**************

Dinner was quiet, her parents and Gaby did most of the talking as Lucca pushed his food around his plate.