Frame of Hearts - l.s.

Chapter Twenty Two

unedited chapter. i'll come back to it later. it's extremely long, so hm okay

It worsens during the day.

Louis avoids everyone at all costs. He doesn't go to block one or two, but he's forced for the rest of the day to face the daring eyes of the young adults in front of him. He's mocked and abused, they see him as an individual who doesn't fit in. Louis doesn't fit in with anyone, and he nears the people who used to love him for who he was. They've turned their back against him and ran with their own friends away from the person who is just too different.

He's seen Niall, but not Stan. He's probably a coward for not showing up, knowing he's spread this deadly disease of bullying upon Louis. He goes to Maths in block three, and he's at the front of the class. Spitballs are launched at him, and Louis picks them out of his hair during class. He hears kids laughing at him still, and the teacher doesn't stop them. The end of class arrives, and Louis is shoved once again by his classmates. He's on the floor with his books and the clan chuckles. Louis stands and wipes himself off, walking with his head down to his Art class.

Art is fine and simple. It seems as if none of the girls in the class really cared about what they've heard, or maybe they don't want to talk to Louis at all. He paints his feelings on the paper and scrunches it up and throws it out. His class ends and it's lunch. He ambles down the corridor with warning, but the warning isn't enough for Louis as he's pelted down with a school bag. He lands on the ground yet again with people laughing. Louis cries shamelessly on the floor and people throw names at him again. Poof, dicky-boy, faggot, boy-lover... all sorts.

He manages to run away from them again to the oak tree to have lunch alone. He doesn't try to find Harry, Harry's probably found out as well, and he's probably reacting the same way. Louis doesn't have anyone to go to anymore.

He's alone.

*****

"Look," Harry starts, grabbing Zayn's hands between his. "If you go out on a date with him, maybe he'd ask you out. We'll come with you if you want--"

"Are you seriously that desperate, H?" 

Harry really is, because he's that sick and tired of seeing Zayn lead Liam on without doing something they both obviously want to do. "I am, c'mon, what have you got to lose, Z? You're flirting like fifth graders and you've already fucked--"

"Sh!" He snaps. "Harry, keep your voice down, will you? Jesus fucking Christ."

Harry apologizes and whispers. "Why are you being like this, Z?"

"Like what?"

"You're pushing him away like he means nothing. You like him, you can see it every time you speak and Liam is exactly the same with you. Doesn't matter if you've been friends for a while, that's makes things easier."

"Like you and Louis?" Zayn asks. Harry hums nervously and sounds disapproving. "You're bein' a little bit of a hypocrite, Harry. Why won't you turn and face Louis like you're telling me to do with Liam?"

"Because I know Louis doesn't like me back in that way, Z."

"Bullshit--"

"Just because you kiss someone doesn't mean they like you, Zayn," Harry rebuts. "I'm telling you, Louis isn't like that. He'd never like someone like me. I'm a boy, for starters, and Louis doesn't seem to be keen on any other guy but me, really."

"He could be experimenting?"

"Yeah, but it's Louis," Harry says. "Louis makes up his mind and he sticks with it. He's always been like that, ever since we were seven and eight," Harry sighs and noises of a person pacing down the corridor is heard. Harry turns and sees Liam with an enormous grin on his face. He stands beside Zayn, and Harry rolls his eyes at the shy, black haired boy. "What are you all smiley about?"