Frame of Hearts - l.s.

Chapter Nineteen

He finds himself growing more and more distressed with Phil being around the place. He moved in; he's been here since September. He won't leave Louis alone, and he's persistent on trying get buddy-buddy with him. Louis wants to run away and try find his real father. Louis would be lying if he said he wasn't surprised that Phil is making such an effort to try and settle in with Jay and Louis. Louis is making it ten times more difficult, and he thinks that's rather okay. The more uncomfortable he is, the better. He can't hide behind that Jesus beard forever.

Phil knows Louis hates him; it's not hard to see. His mum can even see it, and Harry can sense it every time he comes over. Louis and Harry are always around Phil, and it seems like Phil has a strong dislike towards Harry. Louis didn't care; Phil was the intruder - not Harry.

It's Louis' seventeenth birthday. Harry arrives on time with a grin plastered on his face and his hair covered under a beanie. He hugs Harry, holding him tight before stepping away and dragging Harry behind him to the kitchen. His mum and Phil are there, as always, and Louis greets them kindly and tells them about Harry's stay for the day.

"Oh," Jay mutters. "Don't you want your birthday present love?"

He never knew presents were still a thing at his age. He rolls his eyes and folds his arms. He glares at his mum.

"What is it?"

"Well, Phil picked it out for you," Of course, he had to be the nice one. "It's out in the shed; I'll go grab it for you, yes?"

She kisses her boyfriend on the cheek and rushes off outside. Louis remains in the kitchen with Harry and Phil, stepping closer to Harry for assurance. Phil smiles at the two boys.

"Hello Harry," He nods to him. "How are you today?"

"Fine," Harry says in short. Louis wants to laugh into his shoulder. Harry hates him too. He leaves Phil to look at the cutting board on the bench, awkwardly tisking to remove the silence. Louis flicks at Harry's cheek and chuckles softly. Jay comes back with his present and settles it on the dining table. It's blatant what the gift is, and Louis is mildly disappointed.

"Here you go, love," She chirps, moving away from the present for Louis to go nuts on. "Happy birthday."

Louis rips off the wrapping and frowns. A canvas. He might as well have received nothing. Louis doesn't like to be selfish, but it's Phil's present.

"Thanks. I'll just add this to my other collection of fifty canvases."

"Louis don't be rude!" Jay shouts at him. She looks at her defence system - Phil - and he answers Louis back with a listen to your mother. Louis rolls his eyes, taking Harry's wrist and leading him up the stairs to his bedroom, leaving the five dollar canvas on the floor.

*****

"Don't think about him on your birthday, Lou. He's not worth your time."

"It's hard, you know? He's just there. I can't avoid him all the time, especially with mum also pushing him in my face."

He turns his back to Harry and sighs with a hand to his face. He hates the man. It's been five months and Louis hates him with all his might. He's acting like a child; Louis didn't care about that too much. He has a right to act silly if there's someone who's trying to enter Louis' life.

Harry moves forward and rests his chin on Louis' shoulder, wrapping his arms around his waist from behind. He grins and hums, trying to make Louis feel at ease.

"You're older than me, but you're still tiny."

"Teasing me on my birthday, are you?"

"Nope, just admitting the truth."