Give me Michael - Malum AU

.11.

The blue haired boy was in front of the room 312. He wanted to knock, to enter, to speak with the brunette. He wanted to do so many things but he was absolutely petrified. He knew he had no right to be here. He knew the tan boy was in this room because of him and that precise fact was tearing him apart. Michael slipped against the wall just next to the door and waited. He was done crying for now, but he needed time to figure out what to say to the Maori boy. However, his thoughts were quickly interrupted by the door opening and Ashton and Calum's mum getting out of the room. As soon as he saw him, the blond jumped on Michael and punched him once, twice, three times, and if doctors didn't have him stop, he would have thrown his fist in the blue haired boy's jaw many other times. Michael, as surprising as it can be didn't fight back. He knew he deserved it. The older was asked to go outside to calm himself down, letting the woman and the pale boy alone.

Joy – Calum's mother – was glaring at him. Tears were rolling down her face and even though she wanted to leave, she knew she had to speak with Michael. He wouldn't be here if he had no reason to, not someone like him. She motioned him to come with her and went sitting on the corridor's chairs. He followed her, not saying a word at first, but when he realized she wasn't speaking, that she was only waiting, he took a deep breath and tried to explain himself.

"Listen, Joy..." seeing the look on her face, he quickly corrected himself. "Sorry, Mrs Hood, I know this is all my fault. I know I've been... awful with him? I'm not even sure this is the right word. In all honesty, I don't think there's a word strong enough to qualify what I've done to him, I know that. But you have to know... you have to believe me when I say that I've never, NEVER wanted what happened today. I didn't know what was planned. I wasn't there the all-time, I swear. When I arrived outside, I saw them. I saw them punching and kicking someone, but I just, I didn't react. I didn't know that was him, I didn't know. Then they stopped and that's when I saw him. I didn't know what to do. I just... didn't. Bellamy, Taylor and Brian made me go to class with them and... I knew I had to do something to help him... so I've called 112 (911 in US). I know that's not enough, that I should have stopped them, I should have stayed by his side, not only today but one year ago as well. He needed me, I know that now. I know, Mrs Hood. I would ask you to forgive me, but I don't think I deserve it. I have one thing I'd like to ask you though... Could I... Could I see him, please? I'd like to apologize to him, he deserve to know that I regret every part of what I did. I've understood a lot of things in just one afternoon, and I'd like him to know that I'm sorry and that I won't bother him anymore."

The teenager was back at crying and he was trying really hard not to sob. Crying in front of someone was already a lot, he didn't need to sob as well. Joy, on her side, didn't know if she should hate him or trust him. Her baby had been twice in the hospital because of him, of this... idiot. However, seeing him breaking down like he was right now, reminded her the little boy she used to see 24/7 years ago. The one who cared for her son.

"How can I be sure you won't hurt him when you'll be in his room?"

"You can't, but if you or Mali or Ashton want to come inside with me, you can."

Michael smiled sadly when she had nodded and told him that Ashton will come with him. She called the blond, asking if he was fine with it. Obviously, his first reaction was to say that it was an extremely bad idea, but when he saw that Joy wouldn't change her mind, he agreed. He came back from outside a few minutes after and promise Calum's mother that he would protect her son and would try not to punch the younger again. She watched the two teenagers entering the room and sighed. It was better for her to stay outside. The three of them had to talk and see if they could fix things. However, she still was anxious about what would happen in there.

Saying that Michael was stressed when he entered the room was an understatement. As for Ashton, he was ready to murder him if he needed to. On his side, Calum was just shocked, and felt betrayed. How the blond dared to come along with the one who put him in here?! He was angry, that's for sure.

"Cal' before you say anything, know that I didn't want him to come but he convinced your mum. So I'm here to make him leave if he cross the line or if you want him to get out. Now, do you want to listen to to what he has to said or do you want him to leave?"

The room fell silent while the brunette thought. Was he ready to speak with Michael? After this weekend and after this afternoon? Was he strong enough? He didn't know, but he wanted to hear. He wanted to hear what the pale boy had to tell him. If he had convinced his mother, and god only knows how much she hated him right now, then it may be worthit to listen to him. His choice was made.

"I'll listen, but when I say stop, you shut up and leave. Is that clear, Clifford?"

The latter just nodded. He knew he couldn't discuss. Not today, not now.

"Calum I'm sorry. I really am. By the way, I owe you some apologize to you too, Ashton. I know I've been a jerk, a dick, whatever you want to call me. I've treaten you badly, I know that, and I'm sorry. I've never wanted things to go that far. I never meant to really hurt you but... the next day you told me you were gay, I don't know why you thought I was the one who told everyone, because that wasn't me. You stopped talking to me. My parents heard about it, and made sure I wouldn't talk to you anymore. After two weeks of trying to let you know the truth, I've just... stopped trying, I guess. That way, I could protect you from my parents and — as selfish as it sounds — i could protect myself from them as well. That was the beginning of everything. People believed I was the one who betrayed you, and began to like me. I didn't fight the rumor anymore, there was no point in it. Everyone was waiting for me to keep going, to bully you. I don't know why I did it, but I did. However, I didn't know they would do that to you, I swear Calum, I didn't know, and when I realized what was happening, it was too late. You were already on the floor, beaten up. At first, I went to class but I knew I had to do something so I called 112 and-"

"Stop. Calling 112 doen't fix everything. I heard enough from you for today."

The blue haired boy, stared at the brunette blankly. The he nodded and left the room, along with a broken boy in it.