after class :: malum

fifteen ☼

i'm like sick and in hospital but holla @me for still updating this!

The Hood family sat, anticipated. Calum's report was emailed to him, and the boy sat with his laptop on the dinner table.

Mali, unfortunately, couldn't be there as she had a singing gig.

The brunette sucked in his lower lip and opened his report card. His eyes squinted as he blabbered out,

"History, C. Biology, C. Chemistry, D," he grimaced at his bad marks.

He continued reading out his marks, his heart overfilled with joy that he didn't fail maths.

He worked hardest on that, after all.

"And, English," he smiled sadly, looking up at his eager parents. "I got a B!"

He was quick to stand up and meet their ecstatic arms that pulled him in for a bone crushing hug. For once in his life, he felt like his parents were proud of him. Genuinely proud.

His mother said, "You deserve it so much, dear. You are courageous and smart. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

It was 2AM when Calum concluded that he could not possibly fall asleep. The ceiling became his movie screen, his soft breaths the only sound he hears.

Truly, he was ashamed. He couldn't help but feeling like he fucked it up.

For once in his life, there was a person who gave every ounce of love and passion they have to him. All for what? For a good grade?

Refusing to accept that as an answer, he rolled over and stared out of his window at the moon. Michael was always on his mind, and it was killing him.

Four quiet knocks sounded at the white wooden door at 3AM, the younger boy sniffing and shivering out in the cold.

When there wasn't an answer, he dismissed his idea and turned around back to his mom's car.

   A small sound of a lock was heard, Calum turning around to see a tired Michael rubbing at his eye.

His broad shoulders stretched out as he adjusted the waistband of his sweatpants.

   "Calum?" he rasped, ruffling his red fringe that was extremely messy from sleeping on it.

The younger boy gulped at the sight and he nodded, stepping closer to the older man.

   With caution, he slowed down until being a foot away from him. "I'm sorry for being here, I was actually just going."

Michael recognised the small, scared voice. He extended his arm and lazily draped it around Calum's waist, reeling him into his home.

   "You're not going anywhere."

The pair settled on tea as they sat on the couch, staring at each other silently. They were both tired after all.

   "Did you want to tell me something?" Michael asked, taking a careful sip of the hot beverage.

Silence grew thick, Calum watching as the dim light created massive shadows on Michael's face.

   He just shrugged in response, scooting a bit closer to him. "I don't know."

A skew smile formed on the older man's face as he nodded lightly. "That's okay. I wasn't sleeping, either."

Now it was the younger boy's turn to be curious. "Why?" Because, to him, Michael was one of the most stable, most polite and least problematic person he has ever met.

"I feel like the most guilty person ever. Be honest here, have I ruined you?"

Yes. Michael has completely and utterly ruined Calum, but Calum would never have asked it any other way. Michael is Calum's best mistake.

"Only if I've ruined you."

After tea, Michael's bare chest barely collided with Calum's clothed one as they momentarily gazed into each other's exhausted eyes.

   There was obvious confusion evident in Michael's eyes as he tried to form words to describe how he was feeling.

He placed his hands onto the small of Calum's back, bringing him forward ever so slightly. His lips ghosted over the younger boy's.

   "I feel like I'm making a big mistake by falling in love with you," he whispered, his cold breath softly hitting Calum.

Even though he should be upset, the younger boy nodded with a smile. "You are."

With one swift movement, Michael's bottom lip glided over Calum's before he closed the gap between their lips.

   They never got tired of kissing each other, even when they were tired.

Michael's hand gracefully cupped his jaw before pulling away, leaning his forehead against Calum's.

   In barely a tone above a whisper, he asked, "Stay the night."

There was doubt in Calum's eyes for once as they trailed down Michael's naked chest and tall figure before locking with his eyes again. "Please."

With a sigh, the younger boy stepped out of the pair's embrace, dropping his head. "I can't, Michael."

He backed up even more, watching his lover's face fall into oblivion, his adam's apple rising as he gulped away his feelings.

A small nod came from him as he then lead Calum back to the front door without any words. A silent embrace and off the younger boy went, not looking back.

He waited until the car was out of sight before slamming his front door shut.

   His feet heavily hit his wood floors, making their way back to his bed. His empty bed.

He's found a person to love who's still trying to find themselves.

   Devastation was a feeling that Michael hasn't had for a long time, but he couldn't help but feel it in that moment.

Calum was his, and he was Calum's. But he couldn't help but feel like he was only Calum's.

A young person, especially at the age of sixteen, is capable of love. It's rare, but possible.

   There is an undeniable thought that Michael had that told him that this relationship to Calum is just another high school fling.

It's possible. And that scares Michael.

Calum wouldn't do that, though, right? He convinced himself that Calum's soul is too pure and beautiful for anything like that.

   He convinced himself that Calum's infatuation with him is mutual.

He tried convincing himself that he is not making a mistake.