Reaction || Malum ||

36

Michael's POV

There are just moments in life that we really dread. Mentally we put them on the back burner in hopes of ignoring them all together but they never really. Today is one of those days. Not only do I hate getting dressed up, I hate weddings and I hate that I have to see my parents. The thought that this is Rose's wedding is the only thing that's keeping me from saying fuck it, and crawling back into bed. Seeing my mum and dad just eats at me until I feel like I could throw up. Hopefully, in the spirit of the occasion, they don't toss me out on the front steps and ban me from their home. Maybe they have a little bit more decency than that.

My hands are numb from nerves making it hard to button my shirt, let alone tie my tie. The last time I wore a tie Rose had to tie it and that was the night of the masquerade ball. That night was fucking incredible. I still feel Calum's lips on mine and the sweet taste of champagne. My cheeks flushed at the memory and I ran my hand through my hair in an attempt to calm myself before I got too worked up. I put my hands back to work on the tie but it wasn't tying. With a loud groan I gave up on it and attempted to coax my hair out of my face but in a way it was still presentable. When that was finished I decided to ask Calum if he could help me out.

"Cal?" I called out and he appeared in the doorway. His tie was tied already and he was tucking his buttoned shirt into his black dress pants that were much too loose. Rose threatened to beat us if we showed up in skinny jeans so we weren't left with much of a choice.

"Yeah?" He questioned as he finished his shirt and I looked at him through the mirror.

"Can you tie this damn thing?" I asked and Calum nodded with a small laugh.

"Yeah." He said quietly as he moved towards me. I tilted my chin out of the way while Calum worked on my tie which he did so slowly and diligently.

"How'd you learn to tie a tie?" I asked because he was doing a good job.

"My dad. I used to have to dress up for school when I had a soccer game so he taught me how." He answered and I nodded as he finished. I turned back to the mirror and looked at my reflection. Not too shabby I suppose.

"Thanks." I smiled and pecked his cheek quickly. We nearly had the same outfit on except my my pants were a dark grey color. They didn't have any black in my size and as much as it pained me, I got this color instead.

"Are you ready?" Calum asked as he fixed his messy hair in the mirror.

"As ready as I'm gonna get." I sighed and he nodded in understanding. I sprayed some cologne on my neck and gathered my wallet and phone to shove them in my pocket. We walked through the apartment and to the front door where my new set of car keys were sitting on the table near the door.

Yesterday I got my car back. Everything was apparently settled with insurance or what have you, and I got my car back. I only drove it once and I was a nervous wreck the entire time. I just was afraid it would all happen again. I unlocked the doors and we both slid onto the leather seats. Calum buckled his seatbelt and looked over at me with a worried face. I'm fine, it's all going to be fine. My sweating hands gripped the hard leather of the steering wheel and I attempted to calm myself but a hand rested on my thigh. When I turned to Calum he offered me a small smile and all my nerves seemed to evaporate.

"It'll be okay Mikey." He assured and I nodded. Of course it would, Calum's right by my side. I pecked his cheek and put the car into reverse.

It felt weird to be driving again but with Calum singing softly in the passenger seat, I felt a little safer. Almost subconsciously I drove back to my old house. The neighborhood was so familiar yet had grown so foreign. The perfect front yards, the perfect trees, the perfect houses were all so odd to me now. Looking at how everything is perfect, I don't belong here. I never belonged here. Where I live now, with Calum is more of a home then this place ever was to me. And when we pulled into the driveway, that became so certain. My parents bought this house for them, for their own personal conquest. To boast about how much money they make and how rich they are, but they aren't. They aren't rich. Yes they have a ton of money and yes it supported me for many years, but they aren't rich.