Greatwater Lake and like weeds do he only came and grew back again

Somewhere deep down, Phillip does want someone to help him up. More simply (depending on how you look at it) he just wants help in general. But that help would require touching and speaking and he does not want to speak nor be touched.

Phillip shrunk away from Mal and swiftly shook his head. This was something he had to do on his own. He looked around for any signs onlookers, and when the coast was clear he pushed himself up on shaking legs. He slouched and tucked his tail between his legs.