Yes, it’s true. The beloved Zayn Malik has left One Direction. On March 25, when his break off was announced, fans immediately took over Twitter, ranting about their feelings towards the news. “If zayn has left one direction I’m leaving home” said fan account @caitpattersonx on Twitter.

Hashtags were formed, videos were made, and articles were written about the pop sensation. Some fans were very shocked, while others anticipated his goodbye.

The 1D boys are struggling with the loss of their friend also and are trying to assure fans that they will still carry on as a quartet: “We’re gutted that Zayn chose to leave, but now after a few performances as a four piece, we’re feeling confident and are determined to carry on stronger than ever,” said Liam Payne to People magazine in an exclusive interview.

Malik stated in his goodbye post on facebook,  “My life with One Direction has been more than I could ever have imagined. But, after five years, I feel like it is now the right time for me to leave the band. I’d like to apologize to the fans if I’ve let anyone down, but I have to do what feels right in my heart. I am leaving because I want to be a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight. I know I have four friends for life in Louis, Liam, Harry and Niall. I know they will continue to be the best band in the world.”

After the word spread that the high-note-singing Malik left his band, fans began to do outrageous things. Some ran away from home, while others cried for hours in their room. However, a group of girls took Malik’s goodbye a little too far. The hashtag “cutforzayn” began to trend on Twitter and Instagram. Many fans carved his name into their skin, while others felt the action just simply didn’t fit for the situation.

“I think it’s a sad and unfortunate thing that people resort to an action like that so quickly,” said Emily Benish, a freshman at LHS. “I think people are overreacting.”

Most 1D fans would agree in saying that self harm is not the way to go about Malik’s absence. Groups of Directioners even decided to make fun of the matter and made mocking posts directed at those who decided to follow through with this action.

Malik still has not addressed the cutting situation, or posted anything since the day he left the band, leaving fans curious as to what truly happened to him.

The reasons behind Malik’s goodbye change depending on who is asked. Some girls believe that he was no longer enjoying the band and fame, yet others think it had to do with his emotional breakdown. Recently, Malik stepped out of 1D’s tour due to personal issues.

“The higher-ups ordered Zayn to take a break because there are concerns for his well-being,” an insider told Radar Online. “Zayn’s management is livid right now, but they are also very sympathetic to his situation. He is in bad shape, which is the real reason he went home to London.”

After being absent on tour for a significant amount of time, Malik decided to officially cut ties with his best friends of five years.

“I am really sad that he left, but I am also glad that he didn’t resort to something more permanent due to his unhappiness,” said a dedicated fan, freshman Katie Mulligan.

Despite “wanting to be a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight” a single by Malik himself was released a few days later with NaughtyBoy, a close friend of his. “I Won’t Mind,” Malik’s first-ever solo tune, got millions of views before being deleted. There are still traces of his song floating around YouTube, and fans are still sending mixed reviews about the song. Some have been left with feelings of betrayal, while others are proud of what Malik is doing.

“Personally, I am mad,” said Audrey Manfredini, a freshman. “He said he wanted to live a normal life, but then he went and made music with NaughtyBoy.”