𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝘄𝗲𝗹𝘃𝗲

from strangers to friends,
friends into lovers,
and strangers again.

MIA AND MADDY HAD BEEN best friends for ages, the two were inseparable as soon as they met in sixth grade and so on. Even when Maddy met Cassie and she seemed to think she was the new number one the two knew that their friendship was much deeper than anyone could ever comprehend and when it came down to it they'd do anything for the other. They were sisters.

In a weird way Mia always had this odd feeling when it came to Cassie. She was sweet and pretty and could have anyone with a blink of an eye but there was much more beneath the surface and Mia could feel the energy that came from it. She just didn't expect it to be that... fucked up.

"Open the fucking door, Cassie!"

It was extremely fucked up, in a way that made it feel like this wasn't really Cassie. This couldn't be Cassie, not the Cassie that coaxed Mia through a panic attack and let her spend the night because she didn't want to go home, not the Cassie that would pull Mia to the side at cheer practice if she looked upset, and definitely not the Cassie that let Maddy stay at her house for a couple months when her parents fighting had gotten too hard to listen to every night.

"Open the door and tell me it was worth it! You owe me that!" Maddy was in tears, her anger subsiding to sadness and hurt.

Mia and Kat couldn't even imagine the pain and betrayal Maddy was feeling as they tried their best to get her to just leave it, it wasn't even worth it anymore. Cassie had shown all of them who she truly was.

"I'm sick of it. He put me through hell and now he's with my fucking best friend? Like what the fuck? When is it gonna end?"

How could someone you trusted, someone you loved and cared about, someone who claimed to be your best friend do something like this? Maddy had felt like someone had stabbed a knife in her chest.

"You're a fucking coward. You're a fucking coward, and I would have never done this to you."

Luckily Cassie wasn't the only one she had...

"You would never turn your back on me right?" Maddy whispered to Mia as they laid face to face on Maddy's bed following the events from the previous night. "No matter what I can count on you?"

Mia nodded. "Of course, even when worse comes to worse I'll always be there for you no matter what."

Maddy sucked in a breath of air, looking down at her feet and then back at Mia's face. "I'm sorry for saying–threatening to tell people about that night. It was fucked up and after the words came out of my mouth I wanted to take them back and say that I didn't mean to but I was scared I was so scared and you knew and—"

"It's okay Maddy."

A tear dropped down onto Maddy's pink pillowcase, "But it's not. It's fucked up and I should have never said it and I should have never forced you to go to the party and I should have never left you and I'm—"

"Maddy. It's okay, it wasn't your fault." And it wasn't.

"I love you Mia."

Mia placed a gentle kiss on Maddy's nose, "I love you too Maddy."

"Are you gonna be okay? After everything, you're not gonna like start doing what you did last time?" Maddy asked, referring to her spiral.

Mia shook her head, "No. I think I'll be fine."

. . .

Mia walked into school Monday weirdly feeling okay, the heavy feeling that was still there feeling just a little bit lighter.

ASHTRAY
Did you know that theres more sea life than
human life?

MIA
yeesss! it's so crazy to think about how
big the ocean is.

ASHTRAY
I've been reading the book we got at the
Aquarium and it's blowing my mind fr

MIA
let's go to the zoo next!

ASHTRAY
Forsure.

Mia smiled looking up, spotting Lexi placing posters up.

"Lexi Howard!" Mia called, walking up to the younger Howard.

Lexi's face paled at the sight of Mia, millions of thoughts swirling around her head. One sticking out more than the other; Did she know?

Mia frowned, "You okay? Please don't tell me you're sick, you were literally telling everyone about not getting you sick because of your play!"

Lexi shook her head, "Uh. Oh no, uhm I'm not sick I just haven't eaten anything so I'm probably just lacking that."

"You haven't eaten? I can go get you something if you want?" Mia shook her head at Lexi's lack of meal, "Lexi you need to eat I'm sure your play can let you have one meal, I'll even eat it with you."

Lexi's phone dinged. "You're right! I'm gonna go get something to eat, thanks Mia!" And with those words Lexi was off in the other direction.

"What's up with Lexi?" Maddy said, coming from behind Mia.

Mia shrugged as she linked her arm with Maddy, walking down to her locker. "She hasn't eaten. She needs to eat or she's gonna pass out."

"Who hasn't eaten?" Kat asked, walking up to the pair.

"Lexi... You don't think it's because of the whole situation? You don't think she thinks I hate her?" Maddy frowned.

Mia shook her head, "I don't think so but maybe talk to her? Reassure her?"

Kat agreed.

"Yeah I think I'll do that." Maddy nodded.

Suddenly all of East Highland's eyes darted to the doors that Nate Jacobs and Cassie Howard walked through, the pair hand in hand.

Mia couldn't help the laugh that came out her mouth, "Maddy you're blonde."

Maddy and Kat joined in on the laugh "Well, she certainly looks the part."

"It's pathetic, how sad." Mia grimaced, shaking her head. "Alright, I'll see you guys at lunch?"

"See you bitch." Maddy and Kat waved goodbye to Mia as she walked into the restroom.

Mia slid into the last stall taking out her phone as it rang, "Matt?"

"Why did you tell Mom I hate her and that's why I left the state for college? That's not fucking true Mia." Her brother was angry, he had never raised his voice like this.

"I was mad Matty, she's not a good mother." Mia's voice wobbled, tears threatening her eyes.

"Mia, you can't do this shit. I understand that things are hard but you can't just say things like this. You have to talk to Mom and apologize. She thinks you hate her."

Mia nodded. "Sorry Matty."

"I love you Mia, I'll be home soon enough. You got this sissy."

Mia blinked as he hung up, taking a moment to collect herself in the small stall before stepping out and washing her hands.

"Hey Mia." Rue popped up next to her doing the same.

Mia smiled, "Hey Rue."

It was silent for a moment. "Does Fezco hate me?"

Mia looked over at Rue confused, "Why would he hate you?"

Rue shook her head. "Oh uhm, never mind. I thought he would have told you I know you two aren't together but you said you're still friends and he like trusts you and loves you so."

Mia thought about what to respond, she could have just dumped everything on Rue. Told her how Fez wasn't her friend, he wasn't anything to her and she hated him but she couldn't do that. She wouldn't. "Fezco loves you Rue, you're his little sister. Whatever you think he hates you for I'm sure he doesn't."

Rue nodded, giving Mia a small smile.

"See you later Rue."

ASHTRAY
Can you pick something up
for me when you get out?

. . .

"I swear if he's here Ashtray... in your room? Okay... Okay! Yeah, tell Faye I said hi back... Bye, see you in a few."

Mia walked in, finding the key that Ashtray had hidden in case of emergencies. She could feel something tug at her heart as she stepped foot into the O'Neill household. As familiar as it was, it had a new energy that made her want to run out and never go back.

She traced her fingers along the kitchen table, smiling at the stacked books placed in the corner.

"You don't think he's gonna cuss me out?" Mia chewed at her bottom lip nervously, "I don't want to cross any lines."

Fez laughed, shaking his head at how anxious Mia was about 5th grade curriculum books. "I don't think he'll cuss you out. He might slam the door in your face but that's about it."

She shot him a look, "It's not funny Fez he's a child he needs to be learning something if he can't go to school."

"Ion even think he wants to learn, he's already fuckin' good at math." Fez shrugged, taking a drag from his blunt.

"Well, have you asked him?"

"No."

Mia shook her head, walking over to Ashtray's door. "I'll ask then."

She knocked, once then another time before the smaller boy answered the door. The same unreadable expression that he always wore all over his face. "Fezco's room is on the other side of the house."

"Oh uh... I actually wanted to ask you something." Mia gave him an awkward smile.

It was silent, before Ashtray nodded his head for Mia to continue.

"I noticed you don't go to school and I got these." Mia held up the books, "If you don't want them that's fine but like they have all the stuff the kids that are in the same grade you are supposed to be in are learning. You don't have to take them but—"

Ashtray took the books, scanning over them before letting the smallest bit of what looked like a smile escape. "Like English and Science and shit?"

"Yeah." Mia laughed, "There's like tests that you can take after each chapter and I can like quiz you on stuff and it's really cool."

Ashtray nodded. "Cool."

"Cool." Mia smiled, walking away as Ash did in fact slam the door in his face.

Fezco may not have been someone that she could stand to be around anymore and she was now questioning every feeling she had ever felt for him there was one thing she'd never question; Ashtray was her little brother, he was her family and she'd die before anyone could take that away from her.

"And what is onomatopoeia?" Mia held the flashcard as she sat at the dinner table with Ashtray.

"The thing that sounds like the word?" Ashtray looked like he was thinking hard, "Like the duck quacked!"

Mia nodded excitedly, "Exactly like that!"

"This is easy." Ashtray shook his head laughing.

"Someone's getting cocky, alright alright let me get another one." Mia flipped the next flashcard, "What's a simile?"

Ashtray's smile quickly disappeared, "Uhhh..."

"You got this! Me, you and Fez watched Forrest Gump last night and he gave an example of one. One of the most famous lines ever." Mia tried her best to encourage him, she always wanted him to feel good even if he was struggling.

"Ummm... Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know which one you're gonna get?" Ashtray questioned.

Mia nodded, "Yes! But what is it?"

"Is it when you describe something with like or as and try and you compare it to something almost entirely different?" Ashtray closed one eye as he gave the answer, not sure if it was correct.

Mia jumped up, "Yes! Dude you're so insanely smart it's insane that you've learned all this in a few days."

Ashtray smiled, "Really?"

"Yes! When I first learned this it took me months to get everything right and you just did it in less than a week. High five!" Mia raised her hand, slapping her palm against Ashtray's.

"Maybe we can get into science tomorrow?" Ashtray asked, "If not that's cool..."

Mia shook her head, "You're not getting rid of me that fast. I read a volcano chapter and I'm not missing that. Already bought vinegar and baking soda."

"Volcano?" Ash asked, confused.

"Volcano dude." Mia nodded, smiling.

Mia walked into Ashtray's surveillance room looking for the book he needed her to drop off. She looked around trying not to look too hard in case she found something she didn't want to find. You know teenage boys.

"Ash? You here?" Mia froze as she heard the door open and close, "Why's the door unlocked?"

Mia looked around, trying to find anywhere to hide but this room was so open it was hard. She tried the door that connected to the outside of his room, wiggling the door that was locked both ways.

"Fuck. Fuck. Fuck." Mia was panicking now, "Why the fuck is this room so open? Why can I see the kitchen? Where's the privacy?"

"Yo who the fuck's in here?!" Fez's voice boomed, and Mia's body took a screenshot as she heard the clock of a gun, "Unless you want a bullet to the brain I suggest you get the fuck out here!"

Mia being stubborn and still hurt, and very angry walked out words still not leaving her mouth as she came into Fez's vision.

He let out a sigh of relief as he realized it was only Mia, trying to quickly tuck the gun back into the waistband of his pants. "Mia?"

Silence.

"So you just not gonna say anything?" Fez tilted his head a bit at the girl who was digging her fingernails into her palm to keep her from crying, "Mia just say something. Anything."

"Fuck you." Mia mumbled.

Fez let out a little laugh, "She speaks. What you doin' here?"

Mia gave up her act, she needed to get in and get out and she knew she couldn't do that without exchanging a few words with the ginger. "Ash asked me to pick something up and drop it off, he said you wouldn't be here."

He gave Mia a confused look, "Ash said that? He knew I was gonna be home to take care of some shit and meet him at the store after?"

"No, you were supposed to be on the other side of town." Mia shook her head, "He told me. It was the only reason I came."

"Shit. Looks like he played you then cause he knew I was gonna be home."

Mia thought back to her conversation with Ash, why would he need her to pick up a book that he could have gotten himself? The answer was he didn't. "That little shit, that's the last time I do him a favor."

Mia shook her head trying to walk out of the kitchen but was immediately blocked by Fezco standing in front of her. "Mia, please talk to me."

"There's nothing to say." Her voice cracked.

"I love you Mia." Fezco couldn't lose Mia, he refused to lose her. He had realized that now, he didn't want her out of his life. "Please."

"You love me but you like her? Who even is she?" Mia looked up at him.

"I love you."

Mia shook her head, "But you like her."

Fez thought about Lexi, how he had managed to speak to her everyday since January. How she made him feel innocent just as she was, it was the same feeling that he felt with Mia in middle school. He did like her, he couldn't deny it. It was fucked up, he felt fucked up. He didn't want to be Nate Jacobs... he didn't want to ruin a friendship that was special to Mia.

"You dated Mia?" Lexi asked over the phone, "Like really dated her?"

Fezco shifted. "Yeah."

"Why did you guys break up?"

Fezco thought back to her crying at his front door, the day after his place was raided. "Ion know... sometimes you do things that you think are right and they aren't but you already did it so no goin' back."

"Mia wasn't good for you? She's like the poster girl of good for you." Lexi giggled, "It's no wonder she's the way she is."

"What you mean?"

Lexi thought back to her walking in on Mia in her worst state, passed out from lack of food or drugs... she wasn't sure. When she woke her up, she couldn't stop crying and that's when it all came out. Her eating disorder, her in and out drug problem, and that one horrible night.

"Nothing... So the play? You don't think people will get mad?"

Mia let out a shaky breath, "I'm not going to stand around waiting for you to decide who you want. I'm not gonna put myself through that. I understand that you love me, I do. But your head is with someone else and you won't even tell me who. I'm not going to be in this triangle."

"There is no triangle."

"But there is, you me and the girl who you won't even fucking name!" Mia shook her head, a tear sliding down her cheek which she quickly wiped away. She was so fucking tired of crying. "You say all these things and make all these excuses on why you can't be with me, why can't you just man up and just say you don't want to be with me anymore? Why can't you just rip the bandaid off and say Mia I don't want to be with you anymore?"

Fez bit the inside of his cheek. "Cause I'd be fucking lying."

Mia brought the palm of her hand to his cheek, "I'm not going to do this anymore Fezco. I can't. I love you, I'll probably love you for the rest of life but I can't do it. You keep finding more ways to hurt me. You not telling me the girl's name is enough to know that knowing her name would be the last nail in the coffin and I think I'd like to be at least a little bit happy until I leave for college."

It would be, Fez thought. It would break into her more tinier pieces than she already was. The love of her life and one of her closest friends developing feelings for each other.

"I really do love you Mia."

Years of pining and unsaid words, and just when he had her saying the words he'd only dreamed of her saying he fucked it up. He was so happy when Mia had said it first. It had been on his tongue for months, hell he wanted to say it when he first met her.

"You don't regret saying it right?" They had come home after the carnival and Mia hadn't said a word, he was scared that it was the drugs that made her say it and now that she was sober she had regretted it.

Mia turned over, facing Fezco who looked worried. "I. Love. You. I love you, I love you, I love you. I love you!"

Fezco couldn't help the big smile that spread across his face, "Say it again and then again and then some more."

Mia placed her lips on his. "I'll say it for the rest of my life if it makes you happy. I love you Fezco."

"I'm sorry for ever thinking that you'd do that to me." Fez gently rubbed his thumb across her cheek, "I just think that you'll wake up and realize I'm not the best guy for you."

"I think you're the only guy for me, I know it's fucking cheesy and I'm young and so are you but I don't think I could ever replicate the feelings I have for you. You make me feel most comfortable, being with you makes me feel safe." That's all Fezco ever wanted, for Mia to feel safe.

"I love you Mia."

"I love you Fezco."

Mia gave him a weak smile, "Goodbye Fezco."

AUTHOR'S NOTE,
what's he building in there 🤨

MEZ OVER ... for good? 😱 thoughts and opinions?

lexi in or out?

who will fez choose bc in a way mia gave him an ultimatum, he can't have both he has to choose! i'm planning on writing something dramatic for the reveal of the person he chooses... LET ME KNOW YALL!

sorry this chapter feels all over the place but it was soooo hard to follow along with a certain time bc of lexis play so i'm just going on about it my own way...

something tells me next episode will break us all into a million pieces including mia's character ... soooooo who wants a cutesy chapter full of flashbacks next chapter before i rip all of you hearts out?!

lexi villain era incoming 🤓 anything to please the mez shippers 🤞🏼