Exchange | Malum

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It was time.

Michael clung his hand to the brunettes as they walked to a house the pale boy has never seen nor entered before, and he couldn't believe his eyes when he saw how large the place was. It wasn't like a mansion of course, but it was something. And in a way, that scared him, because Michael didn't have anything but an old stalked up room that belonged to his neighbor, who was coincidentally thinking about selling the house and moving into a shelter for old people. Michael didn't know what it was called.

"Calum, I feel like throwing up."

"Why?" Calum squeezed the males hand, as a form of comfort, but in a way, it wasn't working. "You'll be okay, kitten."

"K - Kitten?"

"Is it alright if I call you that?" Calum questioned in such a soft and heartwarming tone that Michael felt the need to melt into the palm of his crushes hand. "Or I can call you something else, if you'd like. Darling, perhaps? Or maybe something more original, like. . . sunshine?" You are my sunshine. "I think I like the last option the most."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah," Michael smiled, though deep down, he wouldn't mind being called kitten. It just didn't feel right hearing it when everybody else called their girlfriend(s) or boyfriend(s) that and it was quite ridiculous if you ask him. "Okay, sunshine, you'll be alright. Will a kiss make it better?"

"A kiss would do wonders."

And maybe it was the sun reflecting off of those mocha eyes that made hearts beat like highway stereos, or maybe it was those chapped, plump lips that looked so kissable, or maybe it was the way Calum was plummeting his feet off of the ground and back on again, like he was in some sort of reversal contradiction. But he was beautiful, and Michael didn't really know that Calum was thinking the same thing about him. It was the unexpected things that made their relationship, whatever it was, feel like it's genuinely worth something, and maybe that's why kissing each other was their own form of therapy. It helped.

"Okay, I'll hold your hand while we walk in. My parents and sister are here, probably in the kitchen doing stuff. . . so uh, yeah. Just take a deep breath sunshine, they'll love you."

"I hope so."

And maybe everyone was putting on a fake smile when Michael walked in, or maybe they weren't, he didn't really know, but either way, it was oddly uncomfortable. "Mom, Dad, Mali, I want you to meet my everything; my sunshine, Michael Clifford."

"Nice to meet you," David grinned as he walked over and shook the pale boys hand, Michael wincing slightly due to the tight grip and excessively sweaty hands. Joy was next, a smile plastered over her face like makeup, then came along Mali, who seemed to be the only one who was actually happy. "Is there a reason you two aren't at school?"

"You know I never go, anyway," Calum shrugged, but that didn't excuse Michael, and Michael was scared that someone would tell his mom, even though she's dying. She's leaving too soon. He needed more time to cope. "I just came with Calum, cause' I'm sad, and he takes the sadness away."

Mali was smiling, the others were just nodding along to what Michael was saying. "Calum and Mali, why don't you two go upstairs and discuss dinner plans for tonight? We'd like to talk to Michael alone."

Now it was Michaels turn to freak out. This is exactly what happened with Karen, and the tables have turned in the worst way possible. He didn't want to be alone on the first meet up, but then again, he didn't have much of a choice. It's not like Calum warned his family about him coming here.

"Ah yes, you're the famous Michael, the one our son just can't seem to stop talking about," David pursed, and that brought a smile to the green eyed boys face. He didn't think he was worthy of being talked about to other people; people who are more important than him. "O - Oh, he talks about me?"

"More than he'll admit to."

"That makes me happy," Michael reiterated, knowing that the smile on his face would be painted on there for a while. At least that's what he hoped for. "Thank you for giving me that information."

"Yeah," Joy chimed in, "I'm surprised Calum brought you here. He hates us."

"Why?"

"He just. . . I don't know," Joy frowned, twiddling with her fingers underneath the table. "It's just funny, really, how the world works. One minute, he comes home all bandaged up because he was doing some stupid shit; and the next, he's all bubbly and blushing because you're here."

"I don't know what to say."

"Don't say anything," Joy chuckled, "I'm about to sound rude for a second here, but I think you're too good for Calum."

"Excuse me?"

"Too good to be true."

"I don't understand what that's supposed to mean," Michael pushed as he wrapped his arms around his stomach as a form of protection, despite knowing that it wouldn't do much. "How am I too good to be true? I'm the absolute worst."

"With the way he talks about you, I highly doubt it."

Michael wasn't paying much detail to his surroundings, but he did notice a couple of things. Like how both of the Maoris' parents had beer on them, and how the house kind of smelled like drugs that weren't even legal. It made him feel funny. "I understand if you don't want me to be with your son."

"I don't," David spat, sipping on another portion of his beer, "I also think he's way out of your league and could do so much better."

"T - That's just the alcohol talking, right?"

Now Michael really wanted to puke.

"Oh please, a little beer never hurt anyone," Joy responded, and Michael just wanted Calum at his side again. He didn't want to be alone, and he didn't want to be at this house. "I mean, did you actually think we'd approve of you two being together after what you did to him?"

"I didn't do anything."

"Explain why he put his life at risk for you then."

"It was for my mom," Michael felt like crying, "I couldn't afford to pay her hospital bills, and I offered an exchange with him, and that's. . that's just what he chose to do. Please don't hate me for it."

"We don't hate you, Michael," Mali stated out of the blue as she started walking down the stairs. "In fact, I think you're pretty rad, and that hair of yours is cool too, I guess. Ignore my parents, they're irrelevant."

"Your graduation party is cancelled."

"Cool," Mali shrugged, "I don't like socializing, anyway. Michael, come upstairs with us. Calum won't shut up about you."

And so Michael did, though he couldn't think straight as he slouched down in a beanbag chair with a random bag of chips in his lap, because apparently Calum has a mini fridge and cabinet in his room. Michael was really on the verge of tears now. "I don't think they're very fond of me."

"They hate everyone," Calum rolled his eyes, "I love you, is that enough?"

"Yeah, yeah, it's always been enough."

-

A/N;

Thoughts?

What did you guys think of this chapter?

What are your opinions on Calums' family???

GUESS WHO TURNED 18 TODAY???!?!? OH SHIT. ME.

I'm so old lmao.

Also I'm getting my rib tattoo tomorrow 😊

Please leave feedback. Love you guys.. 💕💕💕