Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was a normal day for Mira, singing with the girls on stage and enjoying herself. It was time for her solo in Golden.

“Called a problem child, cuz I got too wild.. But-”

Her brother.

Why is her brother in the audience…

“..... now thats how im gettin paid… 끝없이 on stage..”

She steps off stage with Zoey, who immediately knows something is off.

“Hey, you okay?” She asks Mira.

Mira forces a smile, “yeah, yeah, just.. I thought I saw someone I knew in the audience..”

“Oh, well, maybe we can say hi to them after the show,” Zoey suggests and then they’re back on stage, finishing the number. Mira pays close attention to where she thought she had seen her brother. Her father is there. Why was he there..?

It baffles her, but she ignores their stares and focuses on the finishing song.

When they’re off stage, Mira looks more drained than usual, her eyes wide, her body more tense and she’s clearly on edge. Zoey and Rumi laugh about the performance and Mira doesn’t interact much, preoccupied with her thoughts.

Rumi notices first, “Hey,” She reaches out to touch Mira’s arm, “Are you okay?”

Mira jumps slightly at the contact..

“Yeah, yeah, sorry, just.. Tired,” Mira forces a smile.

“Tired?” Bobby chimes in, “Well, I suggest we get you guys home then?”

“Yesss, Bobby, as soon as possible.. I need a nap,” Mira groans. The others nod in agreement.

They make their way to the car, Zoey having completely forgotten about the someone in the crowd that Mira may have known.

Their driver takes them back to their place, and Mira immediately locks herself in her room, needing her space.

Chapter Text

Mira sighs, holding her head in her hands. That had really thrown her off. She doesn't usually see them this much, her family. Occasionally seeing them out of the corner of her eye or in the shadow of a room, that was normal. But in the crowd? During her performances? Never.

Why was this happening now? She had no real problems right now after all, Gwi-Ma has been defeated and there were no demons to fight anymore. So why did she keep seeing them everywhere?

Zoey knocks on Mira’s door, peeking inside.

"Are you okay, M?" Zoey asked, coming up to her and placing a soft hand on her shoulder.

"Y-yeah, I'm alright," Mira says, more trying to reassure Zoey than anything else, "Just... thought I saw someone I knew in the crowd."

"Ohhhh, you mentioned that.. Sorry we didn't go see them after, I spaced it, but I totally get that, I thought I saw my friend in the crowd one night," Zoey laughs. God, Mira loved her laugh, soft and sweet and relaxing, it always seemed to calm her nerves, that soft reassuring smile and bright warm laugh. "It COMPLETELY threw off my vibe," Zoey finishes.

"Yeah, it was just like that," Mira answers, avoiding Zoey's gaze.

Zoey nods, "It's alright, everyone has bad nights, just let us know if we can help," Zoey places a hand on Mira's arm.

"Yeah, of course," Mira forces a smile again.

"We're both here for you Mira, whenever you're ready to talk," Rumi mirrors Zoey's action, placing a hand on Mira's other arm.

"Thanks guys, but I'm okay, I promise," Mira lies.

They both nod and leave the room, leaving Mira alone with her thoughts again. As Mira sits and stares at her ceiling, she sighs, her mind wandering back to thoughts of Zoey. Mira groans in frustration, her brain silently torturing her with thoughts that she shouldn't be having about her best friend.

Suddenly, Mira's phone rings, the number reads Unknown. Against her better judgement, she answers it. "Hello?" She says.

"Hello, Mira," A familiar voice rings out. Mira's eyes bulge out of her head. "H-how did you get this number?" She says quickly, panic rising inside of her.

"That's not important, you abandoned us Mira, you know we have debts," Her father growls, "If you don't want to spend time with your family, the least you can do is pay off our debts with your fortune."

"I didn't abandon you, you left us!" She snaps back.

"Maybe it's better that you no longer see us. We don't want your siblings picking up this type of behavior," He scoffs before immediately hanging up.

Mira drops her phone, her eyes watering as she holds her head in her hands. So she did see them in the crowd. She sighs, collapsing back on her bed, and of course as soon as she shuts her eyes, all she can think about is Zoey. She groans and throws her phone against the wall and it lands on the floor with a crack.

Chapter Text

Mira stands and curses under her breath, picking up her now cracked phone. Her eyes water. She's so stupid, she hates this. Her thoughts spiral, maybe she should pay her dad.. The debts are her fault after all. All her antics of acting out, breaking windows and being defiant for just an ounce of freedom, an inch of control over her own life.

But no, her dad still hated her, not that she can blame him, she was a problem. She's always been a liability. How could anyone actually care about her.

There’s a soft knock on the door.

“Hey M, I brought you some-” Zoey’s expression falls, “Mira, what's going on?”

“I’m okay,” Mira lies.

Zoey sets down an armful of snacks and sits next to Mira on the bed, “You’re crying,” She says, concern etched in her voice, “And your phone.. Mira.. seriously, what’s going on? You're making me worry,” Her voice is soft, worried and apprehensive.

Mira hated hearing her so worried. She hadn’t even realized she’d been crying. “I-It’s my family…” Mira chokes out.

Zoey’s eyes light up in realization, “They reached out again?” She asks softly.

Mira nods, “He.. brought my brother to the show,”

“He WHAT?!?” Zoey shouts.

“I know,” Mira groans sniffling, “and then he had the balls to call me after,”

“He called you???” Zoey is flabbergasted. Mira nods, still visibly upset, “Come here,” Zoey opens her arms, pulling Mira closer.

Mira lets out a soft choked sob, clinging to Zoey like a lifeline. This isn’t the first time this has happened, but Mira doesn’t care. She needs this comfort right now. She needs Zoey right now.

“I know family can be tough,” Zoey says, running her hands over Mira’s back, “But It’ll be okay, things like this tend to just.. Work themselves out,” Zoey tries to reassure her.

But Mira knows her father isn't like that. He has her phone number now, and she knows, he won't leave her alone, not until he gets money. And it'll just get worse the longer she waits.

“You’re probably right, thanks Zoey,” Mira forces a smile.

“OHHH, we should go out and get a new one tomorrow! Mall trip, mall trip!” Zoey chants while leaving the room, thinking she’d successfully reassured her friend.

Rumi, not realizing what happened, starts chanting with Zoey, “Mall trip, Mall trip, Mall trip!!” They both shout, Mira slowly smiles and joins in, “Mall trip, Mall trip, Mall Trip!”

Chapter Text

The next day Rumi notices Mira’s broken phone, and while Zoey is leading the way to this super legit shop in the mall she had read about online.

“What happened?” Rumi asks, pointing to the phone.

“Oh, dropped it, must not have been paying attention,” Mira smiles, trying to ease her friend's worry.

“Was it your dad?” Rumi asks knowingly. Mira sighs, nodding in frustration.

“We can get your number changed again,” Rumi suggests, Mira shakes her head.

“He’ll get the new number eventually anyways, and I am so sick of having to memorize new numbers,” Mira sighs.

Rumi nods understandingly, “If you give him money he won't ever go away,” Rumi warns, before catching up to Zoey before she gets suspicious.

They finally make it to the shop, it's full of all sorts of electronics, and Rumi is immediately drawn to the drawing tablets while Zoey and Mira wander over to the phones.

A sales person smiles and approaches, “Can I help you find anything?”

“Yeah, we just need a new phone, have anything like this?” Zoey holds up Mira’s clearly broken and cracked phone.

“We just got the latest model in, you’re in luck!” Zoey and the sales person speak about different options for phones, but Mira is distracted, thinking she sees someone she recognizes in the food court nearby.

It’s him. How did he find her? Was it just coincidence, no, maybe if she hadn’t seen him in the audience earlier… But this. This is intentional.

Mira sticks close to Zoey, pretending to be interested in the phone, hoping her father still doesn’t know she’s spotted him.

Mira sees him stand out of the corner of her eye, still pretending to be interested in the salespersons rambling about the cool new features of the newest phone.

He comes into the shop. Mira tenses. Rumi wanders over to them with a bright smile, holding a small bag.

“I got a tablet,” She smiles brightly. “Nice!” Zoey smiles, extending her hand for a high five which is immediately reciprocated.

When Mira doesn’t say anything and seems to be zoning out, Rumi speaks up, “You okay M?”

Mira stops staring at her father, looking to her two friends, “Yeah, fine,” She clears her throat and forces a smile. When she looks back up, her father is gone. Mira is anxious throughout the rest of their time at the mall, Rumi notices, but Zoey doesn’t seem to. In a clothing store, Rumi pulls Mira aside while Zoey is putting on some clothes.

“What’s going on?” Rumi asks gently, concern laced in her tone.

“He.. he came here,” Mira whispers.

“You think he’s following you now?” Rumi seems unconvinced, “Are you sure you don’t need to just.. Up your medication.. I mean, is this going to help your performance on stage..” Rumi laughs nervously.

“No, he was in the phone store with us,” Mira insists.

Rumi smiles, “Okay, M, I believe you, we will get something figured out, don’t worry,” Mira sighs, knowing she’s not being heard by Rumi.

Hours later, as they’re leaving, Mira swears she sees him again, eating some pretzels on a nearby bench.

How. How is he everywhere? He’s like a phantom haunting her every move. She was going to put an end to this, one way or another.

Mira storms over to her father, fuming, “Why are you following me?” She says accusingly. The man looks confused and both Rumi and Zoey watch as Mira shouts at this random man.

“I’m sorry?” The man starts.

“Don’t play dumb! You’ve been following me everywhere!”

“Miss, I think you’re confused..”

“I am NOT confused!!” She takes a deep breath and closes her eyes. When she opens them, the man isn’t her father anymore.

“... I.. I’m so sorry sir… I thought you were someone else…”

The man smiles nervously and leaves, checking over her shoulder at him.

“Mira, why don’t we call your therapist and-” Rumi starts but Mira snaps.

“I know what I saw! He was there!” She shouts, tears starting to form in her eyes.

Zoey is confused, not knowing much about Mira’s past, “What’s going on Mira..?”

Rumi looks at Mira pointedly, expecting her to give Zoey an explanation.

“Nothing, I’m fine,” Mira says as Rumi shakes her head in disappointment.

“You’re not, you’re clearly not,” Zoey steps closer.

Mira steps back, “Look, I just…” Mira sighs, “It’s fine, I don’t want to worry you..”

“I am worried,” Zoey reaches out, trying to take Mira’s hand.

Mira jolts away, “Stop being so much Zoey! I’m fine!” Mira snaps again.

Zoey nods, tears welling up in her eyes as she turns away, clearly hurt by Mira’s outburst.

Rumi just shakes her head again and follows after Zoey, making sure she’s okay.

Chapter Text

The drive home is awkward to say the least. Zoey and Rumi sit together, making Mira sit alone on the opposite side of them. Zoey can't even look at her. She hates it. And Rumi keeps glaring at her.

The next few days are tense at best, downright painful as they try to ignore the growing distance between the three of them. They try to focus on song writing, Zoey fills up notebook after notebook, clearly lost in her emotions.

Mira sighs one night while they’re working and leaves without a word, unable to stand the growing tension she’d put there.

Mira paces her room, frustrated and mumbling angrily to herself.

Rumi knocks softly, peaking her head in, “You need to get your medication fixed Mira, you’re hallucinating him.”

“No, I’ve never hallucinated like this before.. I could’ve sworn it was him.. It was him!” Mira insists.

“Mira, take a deep breath,” Rumi is speaking to her like she's a child. And Mira hates it.

“Stop acting like I’m crazy! I’m not crazy!” Mira shouts, tears flowing freely now.

“... okay,” Rumi sighs and closes the door.

Mira sobs, alone in her room. She feels hurt, unseen, and like she’s not being listened to. Just like how she used to feel. With them.

Mira’s phone rings. It’s the same unknown number. Her father. Against her better judgement she answers the call.

“I was there, at the mall,” Her fathers voice rings through the other line.

“Why are you following me?” Mira asks, her voice shaky.

“It’s.. entertaining,” Her father has that unmistakable smirk on his lips, she can hear it over the phone.

“Leave me alone,” Mira growls before hanging up.

Her phone rings again, she ignores the call.

Again, ignored.

Again, ignored.

Again, ignored.

Again.

She can't take it anymore. She answers the call, “What?!?” She snaps.

“No one will ever understand you the way we do.” His voice stings, “They don't know what you are, what you did.”

Mira's eyes welled up with tears again.

“What would happen if I told them how you killed your mother?”

“I-It wasn’t my fault-” Mira chokes, her tone doing nothing to hide her tears.

“IT WAS!! I LOST HER BECAUSE OF YOU!!! ALL THE DEBT IS YOUR FAULT!!” Her father screams.

Mira breaks down completely. “I-It wasn’t..”

“Just shut up, you disgusting dyke.” Her father snarls, “You’re the reason she was stressed! You gave her that heart attack.”

Mira cries quietly sniffling, “Dad… please..” She tries again.

“If you want any kind of relationship with me or your brother, you better pay off that medical debt, because it’s your fault and we are about to lose the house now because of you,” He hisses, “It’ll be your fault if we are homeless because of you!!”

Mira shakily pulls her phone away from her face, whimpering softly, she hangs up.

It wasn’t her fault. It was… wasn’t it… Her mother had died of a heart attack, they told them it was because of stress, and Mira’s father had assumed Mira was the cause of that stress.

Chapter Text

Mira had always been rambunctious as a kid, but the heart attack was unavoidable. Mira knew this, but in this state, the only thing Mira could think about was her mother lying dead on that hospital bed.

The image haunts her every night, her mothers cold pale body on that bed, the way they’d tried to resuscitate her multiple times before they’d lost her completely. Hearing her bones, crackle under the pressure of the resuscitation device. Her fathers absence.

She remembers hearing the nurses talk about how it was a lost cause before they’d even taken her back. How they’d pushed them into the back of the waiting queue because of how poor they were, how they weren’t able to pay the bills. How her dad had forced her to work to maintain the house, something her mother used to do.

Her father wouldn’t even pick up his phone. She was 15 and she couldn’t get in contact with her father during an emergency. When she and her mother needed him the most. And what was he doing? Drinking and gambling their money away. The very same money that Mira’s mother had set aside for emergencies. The same fund that might have saved them from going into debt.

Mira’s father had been on a bender. None of them had seen him in over a month, and none of them had realized he had run off with their money until it was too late. Their mother was dead. They had no food, no money, no form of income, and no caregiver. So Mira stepped up.

Mira became the primary earner, the caretaker of her little brother and then, she got sick of it. She was tired all the time, impossibly stressed, and a 15 year-old shouldn’t be the primary caretaker of a 10 year-old. She missed how things used to be. She missed her mother.

Mira hated it, she hated taking care of her brother, she couldn’t mentally deal with the responsibility and she only saw one way out. So she ran away. She’d been singing on the streets to earn money, hoping to save enough for her own small apartment, on top of her part time job at the local Wal-Mart. Then Celine found her, and her life changed for the better.

She’d finally found a family, a mission, a purpose that wasn’t slowly killing her spirit. She loved singing and fighting

Chapter Text

Things between the girls are tense, to say the least.

With Zoey clearly having been hurt by Mira's words and Rumi thinking Mira just needs to up her meds again, no one is willing to communicate.

It gets so bad that even Bobby notices, “Girls, what’s going on, I’ve never seen you guys like this,” He asks nervously.

“Why don’t you ask Mira.” Rumi says. Zoey refuses to look up from her notebook.

Mira grits her teeth in frustration. “You…” Mira sighs. “I don’t want to fight, guys”

Rumi glares at Mira. Bobby clears his throat trying to ease the tension in the room.

“Why don’t I order us some food, anddddd we can all sit and talk this out?” Bobby suggests nervously.

No one answers him so he just wanders off, presumably to order food.

“.... Zoey..” Mira starts. Zoey doesn’t even look up at her. “... I.. I’m sorry I snapped at you..” She tries. Zoey doesn’t react. “I was frustrated, and I took it out on you… But he was there, I know he was!” Mira says. Rumi shakes her head in disappointment.

“Mira..” Zoey finally starts. “You need to get your medication fixed..”

Mira sees red. She storms out of their place, shoving past Bobby who looks even more nervous now.

“Wait, Mira don't leave angry-” He tries but Mira is already out the door.

Mira marches down the streets, pulling her hoodie up over her head. She goes to her favorite spot to think, a small coffee shop on the edge of town.

A shop her mother used to take her to. The elderly woman who runs it makes the best matcha lattes she’s ever tasted.

Mira sighs as she sits at the counter and tries to calm herself down. The owner, recognizing her as a regular, gives her a matcha latte without even asking.

“I didn’t.. Order anything…” Mira starts. The woman laughs softly. “You’re a regular, this one is on me sweetheart, you look like you’re having a bad day,” She smiles and leaves.

Mira breaks down. That one small act of kindness makes her emotions spiral. She misses her friends, she misses her home, her security, and most of all, she misses her mother.
The shop owner, Dawn, sits down next to her, “I’m a good listener, if you want to talk,”

Mira shakily explains the situation to Dawn, her expression shifting as Mira recounts every detail.

“Maybe, if you go to a doctor, and they see your meds are fine, your friends will believe you, or you can show them the call history on your phone,” Dawn suggests softly.

Mira nods, already feeling better from just venting to Dawn, “Thank you,” Mira says smiling softly.

“Let me at least pay for the drink,” Mira reaches into her pocket but Dawn stops her shaking her head.

“You should bring them here sometime,” Dawn says, “I’d love to meet your new family,” Dawn squeezes Mira's hand and tends to the rest of her shop.

Chapter Text

Mira walks home confidently, unafraid. She was going to make this right.

She enters their place, Bobby is still there, trying to talk with Rumi and Zoey, a bunch of food on the table untouched and now cold.

“Mira! There you are, are you doing okay?” Bobby sounds genuinely worried.

“Yeah, just.. Talked with an old friend,” She says, sipping her matcha.

“Your therapist?” Rumi asks, harshly.

“No,” Mira answers firmly.

They stare at each other, the tension so thick you could cut it with a knife.

Bobby clears his throat, “Sit, eat, talk, all of you,” He crosses his arms, “None of you are leaving my sight until this is worked out,” He says firmly.

Mira smiles softly and sits, loving Bobby’s protectiveness.

There's a long, uncomfortable silence, finally Mira speaks, “I’m sorry,” She says firmly, genuinely.

Zoey looks up, hearing the genuine regret in her voice.

“I did think that man was my father, and he was not, but i did see him earlier, when we were in the phone shop,” Mira says.

Rumi rolls her eyes.

“He called me after, and confirmed it.” Mira pulls out her phone, “Look,” She shows the call history on her phone.

The two of them look at Mira’s phone, seeing the missed calls and the ones that Mira had picked up. Rumi immediately feels guilty.

“... I … I didn’t know it was.. Real..” Rumi admits, “I thought … I thought it was like when you used to see your mother..”

That stings. Bad.

“I can usually tell when things aren’t real, it just… it gets hard sometimes when I’m stressed or overly emotional..” Mira says.

Zoey nods, “Like earlier..” Mira nods, confirming Zoey’s words.

“I’m so sorry for not listening to you Mira,” Rumi says, “I really did think it was all in your head..”

“I know, and I know you just want to make sure I’m okay.. But.. I need you both to listen when I say something is happening, please, and … just.. Stop making me feel so crazy,” Mira sighs softly.

Rumi and Zoey smile and nod reassuringly.

“Awwweee, I love you girls!” Bobby says pulling everyone into a hug, “Now eat this food, so I don't have to throw it all away,” Bobby smiles and leaves them all alone now that the conflict is over.

The rest of the night is filled with love and laughter between the three of them. Mira got her family back.

Chapter Text

Days pass, and Mira’s father doesn’t show himself, but Mira is still on high alert, trying to make sure her father doesn’t try anything.

One day, while Mira and the girls are out getting some food, a young man approaches them.

“Mira, Mira, why did you leave us?” He asks softly, pulling on Mira’s sleeve.

Mira blinks in shock.

Her father sent her brother to manipulate her.

“Dad says we’re going to be homeless because of you!” He shouts, crying softly.

“.....” Mira doesn’t know how to respond.

Rumi and Zoey seem just confused..

“Zyron..” Mira starts, looking around for her father, “Is dad with you?”

Zyron shakes his head.

“Mira, who is this?” Zoey asks, clinging to Mira's arm to peek at her brother.

“This is my brother.. Zyron..” Mira says shakily.

“Mira, will you give us money so we don't have to live in the road?” Zyron looks like he’s about to burst into tears.

“Zyron, buddy, I promise you, that no matter what happens, I will not ever let you sleep on the streets,” Mira's voice is firm, like she’s making him a promise.

“What about Dad?” Zyron asks.

Mira's expression sours.

“Dad can fix his own problems, you don’t need to worry about him,” She says.

Zyron shakes his head, teary eyed, “Dad said you were selfish!” He shouts before rushing off.

Mira is stunned. Standing in silent disbelief.

“Are you okay?” Rumi breaks the silence first.

Mira nods, “Yeah, he.. Must have told Zyron to say that..” Mira sounds unsure, her heart breaking for her little brother. But she's not sure she’ll be able to just brush it off this time.

Rumi and Zoey share a look.

“Do you wanna tell us about him?” Zoey asks softly, “What’s he normally like?”

Mira smiles softly, thinking back to the days of caring for her little brother.

“He’s a good kid, likes sports and the few board games we had passed down from concerned relatives, but otherwise he never fussed,” Mira starts, “He’d never complain, even on nights when we didn’t have enough..” Mira smiles as she thinks back to him, clearly caring about her little brother.

“Sounds like you guys used to be close,” Rumi chimes in.

“We were, but that was before I left,” Mira sighs, thinking back to her brother's cruel words, “I just couldn’t do it anymore,” Mira admits.

“You were just a kid, you shouldn’t have had to take care of him anyway,” Rumi mumbles.

“Yeah, but.. If I didn't, no one would…” Mira says.

“But who was taking care of you?” Zoey asks.

“No one,” Mira mumbles.

“See, that’s not healthy, I’m glad you’re not living with them anymore,” Zoey adds, pulling Mira into a sudden hug. Rumi joins, giving them both a big squeeze.