You can Tell the Heart of a Man by How He Grieves

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Mia looks around the church and looks down at the black dress and sighs. She feels a hand on her back, she looks up and smiles. "Hey, Clay," Mia says trying to keep herself together.

Clay gives her a small smile and hugs her. "How are you doing?" He asks, whispering in her ear. Mia shivers, "I'm fine, considering..." Mia separates from him.

She hugs Clay's mom and dad. She looks at Justin and her mouth twitches. "Thank you all for being here...you didn't have to..." Mia says as she wipes her nose.

"Mia, we're here for you," Justin says to her. Mia bites the inside of her cheek and brings Justin into a crushing hug. Justin gladly hugs her back. Justin was the only one who knew how she felt, granted her mother was hurting too. But, it was always, Justin, Bryce, and Mia. The two kings and their queen.

They knew Bryce did some terrible things, but he was their family. The people who were there for them from the beginning and now knowing that someone killed them...it's spine chilling.

Mia separates from him. She smiles at the family and waves to them before walking over to her family. Justin inhales a shaky breath, he didn't know if anyone else noticed, but...Mia was drunk.

Mia grabs her flask out of her purse and sits next to her mom. Nora looks at her, "Mia, put that away." She hisses.

Mia looks at her, "It's a funeral, mom...can't I mourn?" Mia slurs as she takes another sip.

"After the funeral, you are talking to your sponsor." Nora hisses as she snatches the flask out of her hand. Mia raises her hand in a surrendering manner. "Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed..." Mia turns and mumbles to Amara Josphine.

"No, It's just my son's funeral today, your brother's funeral." Nora points out. Mia looks at her mother, "You're talking to me like I don't know that." Mia scoffs.

Chatter is heard behind them, Mia turns and rolls her eyes. "Dad's here." Mia states.

Nora turns, "Late, to his own son's funeral! Why am I not surprised?" Nora questions.

"Well, he's dad. A terrible one at that." Mia says as she slumps in her seat.

"It's fortunate that he was able to find his way back to attend." Amara Josephine states.

Mia chuckles, "You mean he found his way back to sign the divorce papers." Mia corrects her.

"Sorry, Mum. I ran into a friend on my way to the restroom." Ani says. Mia smirks in an annoyed manner, she knew it was Clay...it's always Clay.

"And I see you never made it to the restroom. Now hush." Amara Josephine says.

Nora and Mia turn around once again as they hear Barry's chatter increase. "Jesus, even I know when to calm down," Mia whispers.

Ani squints her eyes and looks at Mia, "Mia. Are you...all right?" She asks.

Mia snorts, "I'm buzzed." Mia answers.

Ani's eyes widen, "Do you want me to get Clay, or your spon--"

"God, if someone says sponsor one more time..." Mia presses her thumb between her brows. She inhales, "I'm fine, Ani. Okay?" Mia says.

"Look at him. Like it's a goddamn wedding." Nora hisses. Mia runs her tongue over her teeth as she watches her dad hug people like it's a happy event.

Mia, Bryce, and Nora walk into the restaurant. Mia sighs, "Mom I highly doubt that we need 'bonding time' I mean...I think that we've been hanging out a little too much, lately." Mia says as she looks at Bryce.

"I didn't ask for this." He says. Mia rolls her eyes. Mia and Bryce's eyes both stop on their father. "What the..." Mia whispers.

Bryce and Mia brush past, Nora. But she tries to stop them. "Bryce, Mia--"

He walks away with Mia behind him. "Dad," Bryce calls out. Barry looks at Bryce and stops moving, he shifts his gaze to his youngest child and he just starts to feel uncomfortable in the situation.

"Hey." Mia greets him, as much as she fought with her dad. She hasn't seen him in so long.

"Bryce. Mia." Barry says. They both walk over to his table. "This is Katya. Katya, this is my son and daughter, Bryce and Mia." Barry gives out introductions.

Bryce shakes Katya's hand, then Mia's. Mia raises her brows, "Soft hands. Nice..." Mia says nervously.

"I heard so much about the two of you." She says with a smile. 'That can't be good.'

"Yeah, me too," Bryce lies.

Mia and Bryce look at their dad. "It's good to see you, kids," Barry says.

"Um, I think your mom--"

"Listen, if you're in town for a few days, you know, we haven't been to the club in forever," Bryce says.

"I'd like that." Barry nods his head.

"Cool." Bryce smiles. Mia raises her hand, "I like cigars." She says.

Katya laughs, "You're funny." She says. Mia gives her a tight-lipped smile.

"Gee...thanks..." Mia says.

"Unfortunately, I'm headed to Dubai tomorrow for a couple of weeks. Possibly longer." Barry takes a seat at his table. Mia looks at Bryce and saw the disappointment in his eyes as he folds his arms.

"I thought we were meeting with the decorator at the house?" Katya asks.

Mia pulls her brows together, "You got a new house?" The siblings ask.

Barry nods his head. "That's great, Dad. I know you always had your eye on that big colonial over on Summit Drive." Bryce says, interested in his father's life.

"We'll have to postpone the decorator--"

"We're in a great new modern they just built on Cosgrove." Katya answers.

Mia looks from Katya to her father with raised brows. "You're...in Cosgrove?" Mia asks.

"We thought it might be good to...get a property in town," Barry explains.

"Sure, sure..." Bryce says.

Mia bites her thumbnail and looks up at Bryce. "We're gonna have to reschedule the decorator," Barry says.

"Maybe when you get back. I'll let you cheat on your handicap." Bryce says trying to make the best of his conversation.

"We'll get something on the books," Barry replies.

Before Mia could start an argument with her father, Nora touches her arm. "The waits too long, you two. Let's go to Chez Mitchelli." Nora says.

Mia and Bryce look at her and nod their heads. "Yeah, okay..." Mia says as she walks away without saying goodbye.

Mia inhales as she feels herself getting squished from her sitting between her mom and dad. "Oh, Father...good to see you." She says. Mia catches a whiff of him, "Whiskey? Really?" She questions.

"That's the pot calling the kettle black, how's that vodka taste?" Barry asks.

Mia nods her head, "touche." She says quietly.

"Can't even stay sober, spent all that money on your hopeless ass." He growls.

Mia looks at him and smiles, "You know, I always do enjoy our chats."

"Don't be a stranger, you hear me?" Mia's grandpa says.

"Not a chance of it." Barry stands up and walks with Nora.

"I assume Richard will call when the papers are ready? Or should I expect you'll get cold feet again?" Nora asks.

"No, I consider it settled, Nora. We got the numbers, Richard'll be in touch." He says they walk to the door.

"Harrison, good night, and be well," Barry says.

"Bryce, Mia." He says without a care as he leaves.

Mia sighs, "It's not about the money, mom." Mia calls out.

"It's about making you pay for leaving." Bryce finishes. "As soon as he signs, he can't do that anymore. Scares him shitless." Bryce says.

"Watch your language, kid." Their grandpa reprimands him.

"I think you're a fool, Nora."

Nora walks back into the room, "that's nice, dad. Thank you." She says.

"He was the best thing that ever happened to you. A fighter, that man. A climber. Self-made." He says.

"Self-made with my money--"

"My money!" Nora's father corrects her. "You didn't work a goddamn day in your life!" He shouts.

"Perhaps it's time for a nap." Amara Josephine enters the room and begins to pull him.

"Don't touch the goddamn chair!" He commands. Bryce stands up and so does Mia. "Let's just--"

"I said no, goddammit!" He yells.

"Dad, calm down!" Nora pleads.

"I will not calm down! You never treated Barry with proper respect!" He says. "You were taught better than that!"

"By the way, you treated mom?" Nora asks.

Mia opens her mouth, "Jeez, guys..."

Her grandfather turns his rage to her. "And You! You whore! Going after Barry's friend, it's disgusting! Then framing him!--"

"Dad, stop!" Nora yells. Mia folds her arms.

"Right, because you were here when all of this shit was going down!" Mia shouts at him.

"Listen to me, you selfish bitches--"

"That is enough. Enough!" Bryce yells with fury behind his voice. "You do not speak to my mother that way! And my sister you will not pin any of that shit on her! It was NOT her fault! If you ever speak to them like that again, I swear to god; I will roll you onto the street and you can crawl your way back into this house!" Bryce yells.

Mia looks at Bryce with shock but a smile ghost onto her lips. Bryce looks at her and Mia nods her head slightly.

Mia listened to every speech that everyone had. Zach's, her mom's, then it was her turn. Mia wanted to cry, but she had to comfort her mom. She had to stay strong. Mia and Barry would hold Nora's hands. And when Barry cried during Nora's time Mia held his.

Mia overhears shouting in the next room. She takes her glasses off and sighs with frustration. She follows the shouting, "Guys, can you please stop..." Mia trails off her sentence as she sees Bryce and Nora covered in green paint.

"What..." She looks around the room.

"Hey, Mia! Why don't you join us?" Bryce says.

Mia shakes her head, "Sorry, but I've got to study for my calculus test." Mia says.

Nora rolls her eyes, "You can take a few minutes off." Nora says.

Mia shakes her head, "No, not really... " Mia notices Bryce inching towards her and she shakes her head. "Bryce, stop...no seriously--"

Bryce wraps his arms around his sister's waist and picks her up. Nora uses the rolling paintbrush and paint rolls onto Mia's face.

The blond closes her eyes and mouth. Bryce sets her down, she wipes her eyes and looks at them. They see the angry look in her eye. "Mia, we're sorry, we just thought you needed--"

Mia grabs a bucket of paint and throws it on them. The green paint splashes on their clothes. They all run around the room, splashing each other with paint, and having a memorable time.

Mia inhales and sees that she was standing in front of everyone. Her heartbeats through her ears, she can't do this. As she was about to leave the podium she looks at Clay and he mouths the words, 'You got this.'

Mia sighs quietly, she looks down at the papers that she was supposed to read and she crumbles them up. "Uh--I don't deserve to be up here...I mean, yes Bryce was my brother but...I wasn't there for him since the beginning. I was mad, we all were mad about the things that Bryce did. But he was a human being and he was my big brother. We would do everything together...he was my rock, through all my life, he was the person who kept me from crossing that line." Mia looks down at her hands.

"Well, now I stand in front of you...as a girl mourning the loss of someone she loves once again," Mia says in a shaky tone. She looks away from the crowd and tears form in her eyes. Nora notices this happening and she stands up.

Mia looks at his picture. "I love you, and I'll miss you always. And I'm sorry, I'm so so sorry..." Mia covers her mouth as her dam has broken down and she was crying.

Nora touches her arms, Mia turns to her mom. "I'm not done..." Mia whispers.

Nora looks into her daughter's ocean eyes and nods her head. Mia walks back over to the podium and wipes her tears. "He was...he was trying...trying to change, and some of you might not have be able to see that..." Mia's eyes land on Clay's.

Clay inhales, he knew that she was talking about him. But, it was Bryce.

"And...you'll never know if he was going to change, I'll never know. But I know one thing, I loved him." Mia says. She looks at her mom and holds her hand, she turns and looks at her dad. "We loved him," Mia adds.

A choked sob leaves Barry's mouth and he nods his head.

"Bryce Walker was a rapist!" A girl stands up and shouts.

More girls stand up, "Believe survivors!"

Mia inhales and covers her mouth. "Mourn the victim, not the rapist!"

Mia closes her eyes and shakes her head. Nora hugs her daughter.

Mia looks up and sees Casey. "Bitch..." Mia whispers. Mia couldn't help it, she understood all these girls were hurting, but so was she. And she was about to snap.

Nora tries to hold her daughter back, but Mia runs down the aisle. She pushes past everyone and punches Casey in the face. Casey quickly gets back up and tackles the blonde girl.

They both roll around, sending blows to each other, getting both of their anger out. Two officers run over to them and pull them off of each other. Casey and Mia are put in handcuffs.

"So much for Hannah's best friend!" Casey shouts. Mia lunges towards her, but the officer keeps his grip on Mia.

"So much for human decency!" Mia shouts back.

"Bryce wasn't a human, he was a Monster!" Casey snaps back.

Mia is pulled out of the church as she screams loudly, thrashing around.

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