notepad ; malum

10

The next couple weeks, Michael hung out with Luke, Ashton and Calum but things were awkward because the tension between Michael and Calum was unbearable. They tried doing old things they use to do together, like get frozen yogurt, but Michael would just ruin it for everyone. 

Calum was really trying to get Michael to warm up to him and convince him that Jace was lying, but nothing seemed to work. Michael would just insult Calum, tell him to be quiet or just flat out ignore him. 

The four were walking down the hallway, Luke and Ashton silently debating on something that had happened in their maths class. Michael had his books clung to his chest tightly and Calum was awkwardly fiddling with his backpack straps. 

As they were about to walk out the door, an oh so familiar shrill that made Calum cringe rang out. 

"Hey, whore!" The blood curdling voice, that belonged to Jace, taunted. Calum looked up, expecting Jace's eyes to be on him. But instead, Jace was looking directly at Michael. 

Michael was staring right back at Jace, looking up because he'd recognized the voice. He was afraid everyone in the room could feel his heart physically shattering. Jace was mad at him for something he didn't do and now was treating him rudely. 

Insults and witty comebacks were piling up and getting stuck in Michael's throat to the point where he looked like he was going to vomit. But he didn't want to insult Jace. Jace was just mistaken and would surely apologize after Michael proved he hadn't been cheating. 

Before he knew it, Michael was being pushed back and his old friend with the fuzzy trooper hat stood in front of him. Unable to speak, Calum just gave Jace the middle finger and Michael found it oddly adorable. Wait, no. He was mad at Calum. 

Jace's eyebrow raised and he took a step towards Calum. "Oh, look. It's mute. Stepped up for another beating, I see?" He asked, smirking devilishly when he heard Ashton whisper "Another?!", in the background. 

"You didn't tell your friends who beat you up? Oh, wait." Jace maliciously teased, a smirk twisted on his lips that sent shivers shooting down Calum's spine. 

Surprisingly, Michael stepped up beside Calum and found his voice- setting aside every bit of hatred he felt towards Calum. "What do you mean another?" He questioned, crossing his twig arms over his chest. 

Jace laughed. "Jesus, you guys are dense." He spat, looking over all of them before his eyes landed back on Calum in an evil stare. "Why don't you tell 'em, Calum? C'mon, use your words," He mocked, turning to look at his flock of idiot friends before turning back to Calum. "We all believe in you." 

Calum felt like crying as embarrassment washed over him. He never really thought about it, but when it was brought up, he felt useless, pathetic. He felt like a fifth grade student who couldn't spell the word 'the' or an eighth grader who didn't know what 2+2 equaled. He was a 12th grader who couldn't speak, for Gods sake. 

"Shut up, asshole." Michael suddenly stepped in. It was kind of like a really fragile chicken standing up to a large bull which is why Calum reached forward to bring Michael back a bit. Though, he'd have to admit that he wasn't exactly the fittest since he dropped soccer. 

Jace's eyebrow shot back up, turning towards Michael. "Oh? Sticking up for the person who broke up you and the best person who ever entered your life?" He snobbishly asked. 

Michael let a huff out of his rotund, red lips and mustered up the most intimidating look he could manage. "You were definitely not the 'best person who ever entered my life'. You're a rude and conceded dickhead and I wish I had never met you. Go fuck yourself."