Colorful | Phan | Completed

23%

"How's the thing with the boys going?" My dad asked, sitting on the sofa in the living room. I sat on the love seat across from him.

"At the moment, not so good."

"Tell me."

"Well, you know my friend PJ, right?"

"Never liked him." Dad shook his head. "He always tried to put you down and then build you back up. I think he has obsessive compulsive... Or something."

I tilted my head. "Well, he told me he loved me."

"Oh?"

"But I don't love him."

"Atta boy!" Dad smiled, sitting up in his chair. "So what's the problem?"

"He started dating this kid that I liked."

Dad raised an eyebrow. "'Liked'?"

"Like... I don't know, It's complicated." I shrugged, lacing my fingers together above my lap.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. How's the job? Where were you?"

"Sweden." Dad's eyes lit up. "Painting portraits and drawing silhouettes. The usual." I pressed my lips together, and he squinted his eyes in confusion. "What?"

"Nothing."

"Daniel..."

"It's just... I had another art competition a month ago.. And you-"

"Said I would go." Dad finished, looking at the wall instead of my face.

"You didn't come." I reminded him.

"How did you do?"

"I placed second." I tried to smile, really I did, but all I could think of was how abandoned I had felt.

Dad closed his eyes, tilting his head down. "A month ago I was in California.. I'm very sorry I couldn't make it but I have a job to do, so that I can make money for you and help support you with art." He spoke in a low, hurried voice, as if he were worried he might bore me.

"I understand... But I had hoped to see you." I noted the man in front of me. He looked tired, worn down almost, and I didn't want to fight with him. I already had enough of fighting today.

"I brought you and Adrian something from Sweden." He grinned, standing from the couch and walking to the kitchen. He returned with two boxes, and a confused Adrian at his heels.

"This ones for you... And this for you." He said while handing us our presents. Adrian tore right into his, but I took my time. It wasn't every day dad got us something.

"What is it?" Adrian asked, holding out his present.

"It's a kit to make your own rocking horse! Or... 'Dalecarlin', as the shop keeper said." Dad explained, studying Adrian's face.

Adrian turned to me, and I found I was able to finally read him.

He hated it.

"Go upstairs, Ade. I'll meet you up there... and we can work on it later..." I raised my eyebrows, and my brother nodded. He thanked our dad with a hug, and ran up the stairs.

Dad averted his attention to me. "Do you like it, Dan?"

"I do. But I've already got two other telescopes, dad." I looked up at him with a sad smile.

He returned it. "I know... But I'd thought you'd like one from Sweden."

"Thank you."I nodded, holding the box tightly. "What about the other ones?"

"You could give them to a friend or something?"

A/N: Thank you everyone for reading, and for the nice comments! I'm gonna try to catch up with the reasons not to fall in love with Phil so get ready for like 3 of them next chapter.