Frame of Hearts - l.s.

Chapter Sixteen

He doesn't go to school the next day, and his mum doesn't give two shits about it. She's left Louis alone completely over the last twenty-four hours. Louis thinks that's the way she should continue - for the rest of his life.

Of course, the absence of Louis on both buses to and from school brings a ring-a-ding of concern to Harry. He calls his mobile the moment he jumps off the noisy bus, walking up the trail to his house with his phone pressed to his ear. Louis answers.

"Lou," Harry is glad he answered. "Louis, a-are you all right? Where were you today?"

"I-I..," Louis didn't answer correctly, putting his jumper sleeve into his mouth again and chewing nervously. "I don't want to talk about it, all right?"

"Louis, please tell me. I'm worried--"

"Don't worry, okay? I'm not hurt or anything," Lies are spewing from his mouth. "Just... don't worry. I'm fine."

Harry knows he's not fine. Whenever Louis says he's fine, he's really not. He's known him long enough to get Louis' silly, but understandable, logic.

"Do you need cuddles?"

"Don't come over."

"Louis, you can't just leave this away from me. Please, just... I can do something. Please tell me."

"I don't need to tell you everything, Harry," Louis hangs up the phone angrily, slamming back into his pillow, crying softly with tears trailing down his bruised cheeks.

*****

Louis doesn't see the light of day for the entire weekend.

Harry misses him.

*****

Harry can't help to feel at least somewhat threatened to know that Louis didn't show up at school the Monday morning. Harry sits alone on the bus and hops off when he arrives at the front of the gates. He walks to the building and finds Zayn by his locker with Liam beside him. Harry should walk away. He should give space. He doesn't, though.

"Hi!" And he's sure Zayn's plotting his cold, vengeful death right now for interrupting their chat. Harry shrugs it off and stares at Liam. "What's up?"

"Nothing much," Liam responds gleefully. "Hey, I'll see you guys around. I need to talk to coach about something. You up for this weekend again, Haz?"

"Sure."

He nods the two boys off and walks away. Zayn still has the harsh stare on Harry. He smirks cheekily, and Zayn slaps his chest.

"Are you actually fucking serious?"

Harry laughs like a psychopath, earning another hit and growl from Zayn. Harry shakes his head, continuing to snicker lightly under his breath.

"And you don't like him, you say."

"I-I'm still makin' up my mind, H."

"Well, talking about nothing seems to be doing the trick for you, isn't it?" Harry mocks teasingly. "You should just take him out, or just get to know him. Sleepovers, or something?"

"Sleepovers? We aren't twelve."

"Z, you're going to lead him on and at some point, he's going to give up and leave you for someone else. And that's when you'll be crawling for him."

Zayn rolls his eyes. "I'll just go back to Perrie."

"And waste the rest of your school years?"

"Why don't you focus on Louis, hm? Instead of telling me what I should be doing with Liam, maybe you should just try with Louis - and see if it really works. I don't see you two together yet, do I?"