Reaction || Malum ||

27

2 weeks later

Calum's POV

It's been two weeks and the embers of guilt are still smoldering within my chest. The guilt has transitioned to more than just getting Michael kicked out of his childhood home. It's the guilt I feel of holding everyone back from their destination. I'm like that pesky problem that arises just before you are set to go on the trip of a lifetime, I'm that flaw. But worst of all, I'm ruining Michael. He tries his best to keep his spirits high but I can feel it fading quickly. Michael is the beauty of the summer leaves on the trees but just like the leaves, he fading to his dismal shades. He works so much even though we are doing fine financially and I tell him there's no need. I don't like to see him so different.

"Why don't you do something romantic for him?" My coworker, Emily, spouts off from behind the counter as I swept up some fallen popcorn. I don't talk much to her but she knows enough about Michael to try to help me help him. Thanks to Ashton, I got a job at the movie theater and Emily has helped me in adjusting.

"D'know." I mumbled with a shrug and Emily chuckled softly and I saw her jump up to sit on the counter. It was close to the end of our shifts and being a Monday evening, everything was slow.

"Here's what you need to do Cal. You need to get his favorite food, rent some movies and make a romantic evening in for the two of you." Emily smiled and I was leaning on the broom as I listened to her speak. That didn't sound like a bad idea but maybe a little boring.

"Just pizza and movies? Isn't that a little, boring?" I questioned quietly and Emily scoffed. She went silent for a moment then startled me by clapping her hands together in an epiphany.

"Take him somewhere special to you!" She said excitedly and I raised an eyebrow at him. "Like somewhere only you go and is special to you, take him there. Don't you have a place like that? Everyone has a place like that." She rambled on but my brain was thinking through what she was offering. I did have a special place like that.

"The bridge." I whispered to myself then looked up to Emily who was smirking with satisfaction.

"There you go." She said proudly and hopped off the counter to head back to the break room. I finished my job quickly and put up my broom before changing out of my vest into my sweatshirt. Mondays were busy for Michael so I knew I'd have to take the bus or have Emily drive me home.

"Need a ride?" Emily asked while she was putting the strap of her bag over her shoulder. I nodded and she grabbed her keys shaking them slightly.

We walked through the theater to the back door, squeaking it open to the darkening parking lot. The sun was setting casting shadows where it doesn't touch anymore. A cool wind was blowing in my face as I tugged on my sweatshirt to shield myself from the chill. Emily drove a beat up old car that had a passenger door which caused my shoulder pain when I had to open it. I yanked it open to slide myself onto the set next to a giggling Emily.

"You should get that fixed." I mumbled and Emily giggled more.

"I've had this car since I started driving, I can't bear to get rid of her." She pouted and I shook my head. She backed out of her parking spot and tore off down the road towards our apartment. I was thankful for Emily on days like this to keep my mind off things.

"Thanks again for the ride." I said before nearly straining myself trying to open the door.

"No problem Cal, see you Wednesday?" She beamed and I nodded. I dug my keys from my pocket and hurried up the stairs to prepare a nice evening for Michael.

I kicked my shoes off at the door, and stopped momentarily to take in the mess that our apartment had become. Both of us work on a daily basis and have lost time to put into our home or each other. With a sigh I began gathering the various jackets that had gathered on the furniture and hug them on the coat rack in the corner. Next I grabbed up all of our shoes and divided them among our two rooms and returned to the living area. Then there was the kitchen. Cereal bowls and milkshake glasses littered the sink and countertop from nights passed so I loaded them nicely into the dishwasher.