I'm Supposed To Hate You ||Malum AU||

Chapter 54

Calum tapped nervously against the cup in his hand, glancing over at the door every few seconds. It had been a risky decision inviting Michael out for coffee. There was a slight chance that he wouldn't show up, even if they had made up, sort of. Calum had said to himself that if Michael didn't show up an hour after he was supposed to, he would leave and meet Ashton and Thomas in the park.

The bell above the door rang and Calum brought his attention towards it, surprised but relieved to see Michael standing there with shades and a SnapBack™ on. Calum waved at him and he sat down in the seat across from him.

"So..?" Michael began awkwardly, taking his shades off and placing them on the table. "You wanted to talk?"

"Yeah." Calum replied, tapping his coffee cup again. "Would you like some coffee first? I'll pay."

"Sure, why not. Can I have a latte please?"

Calum left his seat to buy Michael's drink, and also buying himself some time to think about what he wanted to say. Sure, he'd worked out what he wanted to say, but he hasn't worked out how to say it and that was the most important part.

He fidgeted with the money in his hand as he waited in the line, which didn't escape Michael's attention. It was comforting for him to know that Calum was just as nervous as he was, but watching the boy he cared for freak out internally also set him on edge. While Calum glanced around the room, Michael deliberately made eye contact with him and smiled kindly in an attempt to make him feel at ease.

And it worked.

"One latte." Calum announced, placing Michael's drink down in front of him with a smile. The nerves were still clear on his face and in his eyes but he had stopped fidgeting.

"Thank you. So, what did you want to talk about?"

Calum sighed and bit the inside of his cheek.

"I want to talk about.. Us. More specifically, issues we've had in the past with each other."

"I don't understand." Michael said, creasing his eyebrows together as he took a sip of his drink.

"Well, I know we talked about not actually hating each other but it's obvious that we had problems with each other from the beginning and we need to address them if we want to..."

"...take things to the next level?" Michael added, raising an eyebrow at him. Calum nodded. "Right, I see your point and I completely agree."

"There's a change." Calum snorted, earning an amused glare from Michael.

"You're the one who organises this talk and you're sitting there making comments like that, unbelievable."

"I know, I didn't think one person could be so funny." Calum grinned. Michael shook his head and tried to contain a smile.

"You spent years telling me I was a big headed twat then you say this?" He chuckled, his eyes shining as he grinned at Calum.

"You just have rubbed off on me."

"That sounds very sexual. Keep it PG Hood, we're in public." Michael smirked. Calum threw a napkin at him and made a disgusted face.

"I hate you Michael Clifford."

"I'm glad to hear it."
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After an hour and a half (mostly spent messing around), Calum and Michael exited the coffee shop hand in hand. Their past issues had been laid to rest at the small table in the corner, where they would hopefully stay for the rest of their lives.

Calum no longer thought Michael was a rude, obnoxious twat but an enthusiastic, bright and caring boy, with a dirty sense of humour that he secretly loved.

Michael no longer thought Calum was a touchy, aggressive moron but a sensitive, kind and strong individual with a past he didn't want to define him.

And it felt amazing.

It felt amazing to hold hands in public and not be afraid of judgement or rejection from the ones they cared about. It felt amazing to know that they had so much in common that they had never recognised before due to conflict. It felt amazing to care deeply about the other person to the point where it had crossed the line from hate. And damn, it felt amazing for Calum to feel Michael's lips against his as they stood outside the coffee shop, falling slowly but surely, head over heels for the boy he used to hate.

This is it. Finished. I'm Supposed to Hate You is complete and what a journey it's been. I would like to thank each and every one of you who have read, voted and commented on this book for all of your support. I love you all.