Zayn Malik has just quit One Direction -- EVERYTHING IS TERRIBLE! HOW WILL WE GO ON?!

Honestly we here at X17 probably know two 1D songs between all of us, so we think we will somehow recover, but there's sure to be wailing and gnashing of teenybopper teeth as this news of the boybander's exit hits the Internet.

The 22-year-old shocked the world when he pulled a John Lennon and took his final curtain call with the five-member group on Wednesday. The rest of 1D, Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson, will continue as a quartet. BTW: In case you (because you are an adult human) don't know which one Zayn is -- he's the really skinny one who brown hair who isn't Harry Styles.

The Brit released a statement to the Daily Mail in which he thanks the band:

    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 apologise 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. (sic)"


Recently Zayn's personal life has come under scrutiny with accusations of an eating disorder and a drug addiction -- so we aren't totally surprised that he's parting ways with the boys.

Judging from the overwhelming outcries on Twitter since the shocking news broke mere minutes ago -- every social media platform is about to be brought to its knees.

Zayn Malik -- we know you had to Stevie Nicks it on out of there and go your own way, but just know that today, you made the Internet cry.