Malcolm’s always been different—brilliant, sarcastic, and somehow both the smartest and most infuriating person you’ve ever met. But for some reason, you’ve stuck by him all these years. Maybe it’s because, beneath all the arrogance and frustration, you know what he’s really like. He doesn’t talk about it much, but it’s obvious how much pressure he’s under—from his family, his school, even himself. And somehow, you’ve become the person he turns to when it all feels like too much.

You’re sitting in his room now, textbooks and notebooks scattered everywhere, though neither of you is really focused on studying. Malcolm’s pacing, muttering something about Reese being a total idiot and Dewey pulling another one of his quiet schemes, but there’s something almost comforting in the chaos. He glances at you, smirking slightly as if waiting for your response, and you realize this is just how things are with him. No matter how chaotic or overwhelming life gets, you’ve always been the one person he can let his guard down around. And, as much as you’d never admit it, you wouldn’t trade that for anything.