Response || Malum || (Sequel to Reaction)

9

Michael's POV

"Calum." I called softly through the door but there was no answer. "Cal, come on." I pleaded, knocking this time but still no answer.

Last night was so fucked up. I never meant to say all those things and now I'm paying the consequences. I was so shitty to Ashton about not thinking of Luke's feelings or the bands and I did the same damn thing to Calum. I let both hands grip the hot mug of coffee I had brought for Calum and I stared at the dark liquid. What have I done? I just got Calum back then I go fuck everything over.

"Cal please." I begged, resting my throbbing head against the cold, unforgiving wood.

I took his silence as a cue to leave and I reluctantly headed downstairs. I watched my bare feet against the floor as I reached the kitchen but this time it wasn't empty. A shirtless Ashton was sprawled out against the counter while Luke was pouring cereal into a bowl. After the harsh things I said to Ashton last night I was terrified of my repercussions this morning, but I suppose if he and Luke were in the same room then maybe something had resolved between the two of them. Talk about having to drag my wounded ego behind me as I made my way into the kitchen. I contemplated just dumping the damn coffee down the drain but decided against it and sat the mug on the counter.

"Uh morning." My voice was nervous but both lads turned to look at me. Ashton looked exhausted but Luke offered me a smile as he returned the milk to the fridge.

"Morning." Luke sounded a lot better than last night which I was thankful for. Ashton avoided me and put his head back down on the counter. I guess I should be the one to apologize, I acted like a complete ass.

With a deep sigh, I moved around Luke with his full cereal bowl to open the medicine cabinet. My hand grabbed the small bottle of pain killers then headed for the sink to fill an empty glass with water. By the time I turned around, Luke was sat next to Ashton, spooning Frosted Flakes into his mouth while Ashton tried to fight Luke for his spoon. Luke slapped his hand away and they both chuckled. I was silently interrupting a moment they were sharing and my heart wrenched. Do Calum and I act like that? Did I completely fuck everything up? I shook the thoughts from my head to carry on with my initial plan to apologize to Ashton. I placed the glass of water in front of him, gathering both of their attention. Next, I placed the bottle of aspirin down and slid it noisily to rest next to the glass of water. Ashton narrowed his eyes playfully at me so I reached out to slide the water even closer to Ashton, making him smirk. He looked between me and the peace offering then began to unscrew the cap on the medicine.

"I uh, I'm sorry." I said, looking down to trace the tile on the counter. My poor poor ego.

"It's all good mate, I understand why you were upset." He smiled before guzzling down some of the water to chase the tablets of pain reliever. I glanced over to Luke who looked thankful that most everything was right again in the household. Most everything.

"Truce?" I questioned, holding out a hand for Ashton to shake.

"Truce." He smiled but stood to hug me instead. Luke laughed at the two of us but when Ashton returned to his seat, things went quiet.

"Have you talked to him?" Luke asked chewing a bite of his cereal.

"Nope." I said clearing my throat to cover up my voice cracking.

"He'll come around." Ashton did his best to assure me while he finally managed to steal a bite of Luke's cereal. The way the two of them were looking at each other now like nothing ever happened made me sick to my stomach. If only it were that easy for Calum and I right now.

"I'm gonna go, shower." I lied, leaving the two of them behind.

When I reached the top of the stairs, I went straight for Calum's door. After all we'd gone through just to get to this point, I hoped he could forgive me for all I said last night. Damn the alcohol for speaking things I never intended to say. I guess I just was still feeling the aftershock of Calum leaving but I should've let that all go ages ago. My hand slid down the door but I couldn't bring myself to knock anymore, he wouldn't answer anyway.