Directioners everywhere are dropping to their knees and bawling their eyes out about the heart-wrenching news released March 26 : Zayn Malik is leaving the band. While most people were breaking out the sunscreen, Directioners were breaking down *insert crying emoji here*.

The British boy band started five years ago after all of the members auditioned solo for the hit TV show, X Factor. Although they weren’t picked individually for their talent, Simon Cowell, a judge on the X Factor, saw potential in each of them and formed a band. The group, consisting of Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, and Zayn Malik, grew wildly famous from the show, but not enough to win. They did land in third place, though.

After the show, their boy-bandom continued and their success did as well. Their hit debut song, What Makes You Beautiful, hit number four on the Billboard charts and they didn’t stop there. The band also continued to make four albums. Most recently, the Beatles-inspired singers went on their On the Road Again world tour.

Being with the band became to become a problem when Malik was featured online just a little too cozy with a fan. He rushed home to his fiance, Perrie Edwards, to ensure his loyalty. After he left, the band expected his return, but when he came back, he explained to each member individually that he would not be staying in the band. The band and band’s management believe that Malik’s anxiety has a big impact on his leaving.

It seems now that One Direction has hit a fork in the road with Zayn’s departure from the group. Malik explained that he was too stressed out with the tour and he wants normalcy. Zayn has released a new solo song that leaves confusion upon Directioners everywhere. What’s next for Zayn?  For One Direction? We will just have to see what the future holds.

Even though the quintet has now been reduced to a quartet, they still plan to continue on their world tour and develop more albums without him.