Greenfield Town looked perfect from the outside.

The streets were always clean, colorful flowers decorated the sidewalks, and every evening the golden sunlight made the entire town shine beautifully. Families walked happily through parks, children laughed while riding bicycles, and neighbors greeted each other warmly every morning.

To everyone else, Greenfield was a peaceful little paradise.

But for Harry Mitchel, it was the loneliest place in the world.

Harry was a sixteen-year-old boy who lived in a small house near the edge of town with his parents. He had no brothers or sisters, and most days his home felt painfully quiet. While other teenagers spent time with friends, played games together, or laughed in groups at school, Harry spent almost all of his time alone.

Every morning began the same way.

The loud sound of his alarm clock pulled him out of sleep at exactly six-thirty. Harry slowly opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling above his bed for a few seconds. His room was silent except for the soft sound of wind brushing against the window outside.

He sighed deeply before sitting up.

Another school day.

Another terrible day.

Harry dragged himself toward the mirror beside his desk. His messy brown hair covered part of his tired eyes, and dark circles sat beneath them from sleepless nights. Even though he was only sixteen, the sadness on his face made him look older.

He quietly wore his Greenfield High School uniform and picked up his bag.

Downstairs, the smell of toast and eggs filled the kitchen. His mother, Sophia Mitchel, smiled softly when she saw him.

“Good morning, Harry.”

“Morning,” he replied quietly.

His father, Daniel Mitchel, sat at the table reading the newspaper while drinking coffee.

“You should hurry,” Daniel said. “The bus will be here soon.”

Harry nodded silently and sat down for breakfast.

Sophia looked at him carefully. “Everything okay at school?”

Harry instantly lowered his eyes toward his plate.

“Yeah,” he lied softly. “Everything’s fine.”

That word again.

Fine.

Harry used that word every single day because it was easier than telling the truth.

The truth was painful.

School was not fine.

Not even close.

Almost every student at Greenfield High treated Harry like he didn’t belong there. Some ignored him completely, while others laughed at him for no reason. But the worst were the senior boys who bullied him nearly every day.

Harry never told his parents because he didn’t want them to worry.

After breakfast, he quietly left the house and walked toward the bus stop. The cold morning breeze touched his face while dry leaves moved slowly across the sidewalk.

A few students were already standing there laughing together.

Harry stood alone at the corner.

Nobody greeted him.

Nobody even looked at him.

A few minutes later, the yellow school bus arrived with a loud screech. Harry took a deep breath before climbing inside.

Immediately, laughter echoed through the bus.

“Well, look who decided to show up.”

“The loser is here.”

“Hey Harry, did your imaginary friends leave you too?”

Several students burst into laughter.

Harry kept his head down and silently walked through the aisle.

Near the back sat Ethan Cole and his friends, the most feared seniors in school. Ethan was tall, athletic, and cruel. He enjoyed making Harry’s life miserable.

As Harry tried to pass by, Ethan stretched his leg into the aisle, blocking him.

“Where are you going, freak?” Ethan smirked.

The other boys laughed loudly.

Harry quietly stepped around him without saying anything.

“Aww, he’s too scared to talk,” another boy mocked.

Harry finally found an empty seat near the window and sat down quietly. He stared outside while pretending not to hear the laughter behind him.

But every insult hurt him deeply.

Sometimes he wondered why people hated him so much.

He never bothered anyone.

He never fought with anyone.

He only wanted to survive school peacefully.

Yet somehow, that was never enough.

The bus eventually arrived at Greenfield High School.

Students quickly rushed inside the building while talking excitedly with their friends. Harry walked through the crowded hallways alone, gripping the strap of his bag tightly.

The loud noise around him only made him feel more invisible.

Inside his first class, Harry quietly sat in the back corner like always.

Nobody sat beside him.

Nobody ever did.

Throughout the lesson, students whispered, laughed, and passed notes to each other while Harry focused silently on his notebook.

At lunch break, things became even worse.

Harry carried his lunch tray toward an empty table near the cafeteria window. Just as he sat down, Ethan and his friends walked over.

“Well, well,” Ethan said loudly. “The lonely king is eating by himself again.”

One of the boys grabbed Harry’s juice bottle.

“Give it back,” Harry said quietly.

The boys looked shocked for a second before laughing even harder.

“Oh wow,” Ethan smirked. “He can actually speak.”

Another boy suddenly pushed Harry’s shoulder hard.

The tray slipped from Harry’s hands, crashing onto the floor. Food scattered everywhere as students around the cafeteria burst into laughter.

Harry’s face burned with embarrassment.

He quickly bent down to clean the mess while trying to ignore the laughter surrounding him.

Nobody helped him.

Not a single person.

Ethan leaned closer and whispered cruelly, “You seriously don’t belong here.”

The boys walked away laughing.

Harry remained frozen on the floor for a moment.

His chest hurt badly.

Not because of the bullying.

But because he was completely alone.

The rest of the school day passed slowly. By the final bell, Harry felt emotionally exhausted.

As he stepped outside the school building, dark clouds had already begun covering the sky. Cold wind moved through the streets of Greenfield Town while students happily walked home together.

Harry walked alone like always.

When he finally reached his neighborhood, he noticed something unusual.

A large moving truck stood outside the empty house beside his own.

Workers carried furniture and boxes inside while a black car remained parked near the sidewalk.

Harry slowed his steps slightly.

“New neighbors?” he murmured quietly.

As he looked toward the house, the front door suddenly opened.

A girl stepped outside.

Harry froze instantly.

She looked around his age, maybe sixteen or seventeen. Her long dark hair moved gently with the wind, and her bright eyes scanned the neighborhood curiously. She wore a simple white sweater, yet somehow she looked beautiful without even trying.

For a brief moment, her eyes met Harry’s.

And then she smiled.

It was a soft, warm smile.

The kind that instantly made someone feel comfortable.

Harry quickly looked away, his heart strangely beating faster.

He wasn’t used to girls smiling at him.

Actually, he wasn’t used to anyone smiling at him.

“Abby, bring those boxes inside carefully!” a woman’s voice called from the house.

Abby.

So that was her name.

Harry quietly continued walking toward his house, but for some reason, he couldn’t stop thinking about her smile.

Inside his room, he placed his school bag near the desk and collapsed onto his bed.

The bullying, the loneliness, the embarrassment from lunch — all of it still hurt.

But somehow…

That girl’s smile stayed inside his mind.

Outside his window, the evening sky slowly turned orange as the sun disappeared behind the trees of Greenfield Town.

Harry stared quietly at the ceiling.

For the first time in a very long while, something inside him felt different.

Small.

Unclear.

But different.

Almost like hope.

And without realizing it, Harry Mitchel had just met the person who was about to change his entire life forever.

The next morning, Harry woke up earlier than usual.

For a few seconds, he remained lying in bed while staring at the ceiling. His room was still dark, and the soft sound of rain tapping against the window filled the silence.

Normally, mornings felt heavy to him.

But today was different.

For some strange reason, the image of the new girl kept appearing in his mind.

Abby.

Even her name sounded warm.

Harry quickly shook his head and sat up. “Why am I even thinking about her?” he muttered quietly.

He forced himself to get ready for school like always. After wearing his uniform, he walked downstairs where his parents were already having breakfast.

Sophia noticed him first. “You woke up early today.”

“Couldn’t sleep properly,” Harry replied.

Daniel folded his newspaper and looked at him carefully. “Everything alright?”

“Yeah.”

Harry sat down quietly and started eating. But his mind kept wandering back to yesterday evening — the moving truck, the girl’s smile, and the way she had looked directly at him without judgment.

Nobody usually looked at him like that.

Most people either ignored him or laughed at him.

After breakfast, Harry grabbed his bag and left the house. The cold morning air smelled like rain, and gray clouds covered most of the sky.

As he walked toward the bus stop, he noticed the house beside his.

The front door suddenly opened.

Abby stepped outside carrying a school bag over her shoulder.

Harry immediately looked away.

But Abby smiled the moment she noticed him.

“Hey,” she said cheerfully.

Harry awkwardly stopped walking.

“H-Hi.”

Abby walked beside him naturally as if they already knew each other.

“You go to Greenfield High too, right?”

Harry nodded quietly. “Yeah.”

“Perfect,” Abby smiled. “I was worried I’d be the only new student.”

Harry didn’t know what to say.

The silence between them became awkward for him, but Abby didn’t seem bothered at all.

“I’m Abby Rogers,” she said warmly.

“Harry Mitchel.”

“Well, Harry Mitchel,” she grinned playfully, “you don’t talk very much, do you?”

Harry looked embarrassed. “Not really.”

Abby laughed softly.

For some reason, her laughter didn’t annoy him like everyone else’s did.

It felt… nice.

When they reached the bus stop, several students glanced curiously at Abby. A few boys immediately whispered to each other after seeing how beautiful she was.

The school bus soon arrived.

Harry’s chest tightened instantly.

He hated the bus.

Every morning felt like walking into humiliation.

Students quickly climbed inside while laughing loudly. Harry stepped onto the bus quietly, expecting the usual insults.

And exactly as expected—

“Well, the loser’s here again.”

“Morning, crybaby.”

“Did you miss us, Harry?”

Laughter spread across the bus.

Harry lowered his eyes and walked forward silently.

But this time, something unexpected happened.

Abby followed him.

Most empty seats were near the front, but Harry automatically walked toward the middle where he usually sat alone.

Then Abby sat beside him.

Several students looked shocked.

Harry looked confused too.

“You can sit somewhere else if you want,” he said quietly.

Abby frowned slightly. “Why would I?”

Harry didn’t answer.

At that moment, Ethan Cole looked over from the back seats and smirked.

“Well, well,” Ethan said loudly. “Looks like the freak made a new friend.”

His friends laughed.

Harry immediately felt nervous.

He didn’t want Abby getting involved with people like Ethan.

Abby calmly looked toward them. “Problem?”

The boys looked surprised by her confidence.

Ethan stood up and walked closer. “Actually, yeah. You’re sitting in our spot.”

Harry’s heart sank.

That was true.

The seat Abby had chosen usually belonged to Ethan and his group.

Harry quickly stood up. “It’s okay, Abby. We should move.”

But Abby remained seated.

“There are plenty of empty seats,” she said calmly.

Ethan’s expression darkened slightly. “Listen, new girl. Nobody sits here except us.”

Abby crossed her arms. “Then maybe learn how to share.”

A few students nearby gasped quietly.

Nobody talked back to Ethan like that.

Harry looked terrified.

But Ethan only stared at Abby for a few seconds before scoffing.

“Whatever,” he muttered.

He walked back toward his friends while muttering insults under his breath.

Harry blinked in disbelief.

That had never happened before.

Nobody had ever defended him.

Not once.

Abby looked toward him again. “You okay?”

Harry slowly sat down. “Why did you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Stand up to them.”

Abby shrugged casually. “Because they were being jerks.”

Harry didn’t know how to respond.

For the rest of the bus ride, Abby kept trying to start conversations with him.

“What music do you listen to?”

“Do you like movies?”

“What subjects are you good at?”

Harry answered awkwardly at first, but slowly he became slightly more comfortable.

By the time they arrived at school, he realized something shocking.

For the first time in years…

The bus ride hadn’t felt terrible.

Inside Greenfield High School, students stared at Abby constantly. Some admired her beauty while others whispered about the mysterious new girl who had sat beside Harry Mitchel.

Harry could already feel people judging him.

As they walked through the hallway together, Abby glanced around curiously.

“This school’s huge.”

“You’ll get used to it,” Harry replied quietly.

A girl suddenly approached Abby with a bright smile.

“Hi! You must be the new student. I’m Jessica.”

Abby smiled politely. “Nice to meet you.”

Jessica looked toward Harry for a second before lowering her voice slightly.

“You know… you don’t really have to hang around him.”

Harry instantly felt his stomach drop.

He was used to comments like that.

But hearing them in front of Abby hurt differently.

Before Harry could walk away, Abby spoke calmly.

“Why not?”

Jessica looked surprised. “Well… people here think he’s weird.”

Abby glanced at Harry briefly before looking back at Jessica.

“He seems nice to me.”

Jessica awkwardly forced a smile before leaving.

Harry stared at the floor quietly.

“You didn’t have to say that,” he murmured.

Abby smiled softly. “I wanted to.”

The entire day felt strange for Harry.

During classes, he noticed students constantly looking toward Abby. Some boys even tried talking to her between lessons.

But surprisingly, Abby kept sitting beside Harry whenever she could.

At lunch break, Harry automatically prepared himself to eat alone outside like usual.

But Abby followed him again.

“You always sit by yourself?” she asked.

Harry nodded slightly.

“Well, not today.”

Before he could protest, Abby sat across from him beneath the large tree near the courtyard.

For a moment, Harry felt nervous.

People were staring again.

But Abby acted like she didn’t care at all.

As they ate lunch together, she talked about her old town, her hobbies, and funny childhood memories.

Harry mostly listened quietly, but sometimes Abby managed to make him laugh softly.

And every time he laughed, Abby smiled proudly like she had achieved something important.

By the end of the school day, Harry felt emotionally confused.

How could someone like Abby be so kind to him?

She was beautiful, confident, and friendly.

She could easily become popular.

So why spend time with the weird lonely boy everyone ignored?

As the final bell rang, students began leaving their classrooms.

While Harry packed his books, Abby suddenly leaned closer.

“See you tomorrow, Harry.”

Harry looked at her for a moment.

Then, very slowly…

He smiled.

A real smile.

Small.

Shy.

But real.

Abby’s eyes widened happily.

“There it is,” she grinned.

Harry looked confused. “What?”

“Your smile.”

For some reason, Harry’s face turned red immediately.

Abby laughed softly before walking out of the classroom.

Harry remained frozen in his seat for several seconds.

His heart was beating strangely fast again.

Outside the classroom window, rain slowly began falling over Greenfield Town.

But for the first time in years, Harry felt warmth inside his chest.

And although he didn’t fully understand it yet…

His lonely world had already begun changing because of Abby Rogers.

The rain continued throughout the night, covering Greenfield Town in a cold gray atmosphere. Water slowly slid down Harry Mitchel’s bedroom window while the soft sound of thunder echoed far away in the distance.

Harry lay awake on his bed, staring at the ceiling.

But unlike most nights, he wasn’t thinking about school bullying or loneliness.

He was thinking about Abby Rogers.

Every little moment from yesterday replayed inside his mind again and again.

The way she smiled at him.

The way she defended him on the bus.

The way she sat with him during lunch without caring what others thought.

Harry still couldn’t understand it.

Nobody had ever treated him kindly before.

Not like that.

A small smile slowly appeared on his face before he quickly covered his eyes with his arm.

“What’s wrong with me?” he whispered quietly.

Eventually, exhaustion pulled him into sleep.

The next morning, Harry woke up feeling strangely nervous.

He got ready quickly and rushed downstairs where his mother was preparing breakfast.

“You seem energetic today,” Sophia said with a teasing smile.

Harry looked confused. “I do?”

“A little.”

Daniel glanced at him from behind the newspaper. “Maybe school isn’t so terrible anymore.”

Harry almost choked on his juice.

“It’s still school,” he muttered awkwardly.

His parents exchanged amused looks while Harry quickly finished breakfast and grabbed his bag.

Outside, the streets were still wet from the rain. The morning air smelled fresh, and sunlight slowly broke through the clouds.

As Harry walked outside, he noticed Abby locking her front door.

The moment she saw him, her face lit up.

“Good morning, neighbor.”

Harry tried hiding his nervousness. “Morning.”

Abby walked beside him naturally.

“You know,” she said playfully, “I was wondering if you’d actually talk more today.”

Harry sighed quietly. “You really like talking, don’t you?”

“Someone has to balance your silence.”

Harry accidentally laughed under his breath.

Abby immediately pointed at him dramatically. “See? That’s the second smile.”

Harry looked away quickly, embarrassed again.

When they reached the bus stop, several students instantly noticed them standing together. Whispering spread almost immediately.

Harry could already feel people staring.

“You okay?” Abby asked softly.

Harry nodded, though he wasn’t fully okay.

He wasn’t used to attention.

Especially not because of a girl like Abby.

The school bus soon arrived.

As usual, Harry’s stomach tightened the moment the doors opened.

But Abby climbed inside confidently beside him.

Students watched them carefully while whispering.

“Why is she always with him?”

“She could literally hang out with anyone.”

“I don’t get it.”

Harry heard every word.

He quietly walked toward his usual seat near the middle of the bus. Abby sat beside him again without hesitation.

A few moments later, Ethan Cole and his friends entered from the back.

Ethan immediately noticed Abby sitting beside Harry.

His expression darkened.

“Well,” Ethan smirked loudly, “looks like the loser got attached.”

His friends laughed.

Harry looked down silently.

Abby crossed her arms. “Do you ever get tired of acting annoying?”

The laughter instantly stopped.

Ethan stared at her carefully before stepping closer.

“You really like defending him, huh?”

“I really dislike bullies,” Abby replied calmly.

The tension inside the bus became heavy.

Even students who usually ignored Harry were watching now.

Ethan leaned against the seat near them. “You know what his problem is?”

Abby raised an eyebrow. “What?”

“He acts like a scared little kid all the time.”

Harry’s chest tightened painfully.

Ethan continued speaking loudly so everyone could hear.

“He never fights back. Never says anything. Honestly, it’s pathetic.”

Several students laughed quietly.

Harry clenched his fists.

Abby looked toward Harry for a brief second before turning back to Ethan.

“Maybe he stays quiet because he’s more mature than you.”

The entire bus went silent.

Even Ethan looked shocked.

One of his friends muttered, “Did she seriously just say that?”

Ethan’s jaw tightened slightly.

But before he could respond, the bus driver shouted angrily from the front.

“Sit down or get off my bus!”

Ethan scoffed and stepped away.

“This isn’t over,” he muttered toward Harry before walking back.

Harry remained frozen in his seat.

His heart pounded heavily inside his chest.

Abby looked toward him gently.

“You don’t deserve that.”

Harry stared at the floor quietly. “I’m used to it.”

“That doesn’t make it okay.”

Harry didn’t know why, but her words affected him deeply.

Nobody had ever cared enough to say things like that before.

The rest of the ride passed quietly.

When the bus arrived at Greenfield High School, students immediately spread rumors about what had happened.

By the time Harry reached the hallway, people were already staring at him more than usual.

Some looked curious.

Some looked amused.

And others looked annoyed that Abby continued spending time with him.

Inside chemistry class, Harry automatically walked toward the back row.

But when he sat down, Abby placed her books on the desk beside him.

“Still saving me a seat?” she joked.

Harry blinked slightly. “You actually want to sit here?”

“Of course.”

Harry looked around nervously. “People are gonna talk.”

Abby shrugged casually. “People always talk.”

Before Harry could answer, Mr. Raymond entered the classroom carrying several folders.

“Good morning, class.”

“Good morning,” students replied.

Mr. Raymond placed the folders on his desk before speaking again.

“Next week, we’ll begin our chemistry project presentations. You’ll be choosing partners today.”

Excited chatter instantly filled the classroom.

Students immediately turned toward their friends.

Harry quietly lowered his eyes toward his notebook.

He already knew what would happen.

Nobody would choose him.

It happened every single time.

Mr. Raymond nodded toward the class. “Choose wisely. This project will affect your final grades.”

Within seconds, everyone began pairing together.

Jessica joined her friends.

Athletes grouped together.

Even quiet students found partners quickly.

Meanwhile, Harry sat silently alone.

Exactly like always.

He tried pretending it didn’t bother him.

But deep inside, it hurt every time.

Mr. Raymond looked around the classroom. “Anyone still without a partner?”

Harry slowly raised his hand.

A few students laughed quietly.

Ethan smirked from across the room.

“Shocking,” he muttered.

Harry felt humiliation burn across his face.

Then suddenly—

“I’ll work with Harry.”

The classroom became silent.

Harry looked up instantly.

Abby sat beside him calmly, her hand raised confidently.

Mr. Raymond smiled slightly. “Alright. Harry and Abby together.”

Whispers exploded across the room.

“You’ve got to be kidding.”

“Why him?”

“She could’ve picked anyone.”

Harry himself looked completely stunned.

After class ended, students immediately began leaving while whispering about them.

Harry gathered his books slowly before finally looking at Abby.

“You didn’t have to do that.”

Abby tilted her head. “Do what?”

“Choose me.”

Abby smiled softly.

“Maybe I wanted to.”

Harry stared at her speechlessly.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Abby leaned slightly closer with a playful grin.

“Besides, you seem smart. I don’t want to fail chemistry.”

Harry laughed quietly before he could stop himself.

The sound surprised even him.

Abby’s smile widened proudly again.

“There’s the third smile.”

Harry shook his head while trying not to laugh again.

But inside his chest, something warm slowly continued growing.

For years, Harry had felt invisible.

Forgotten.

Unwanted.

Yet somehow, Abby Rogers kept choosing the empty seat beside him.

And little by little…

Harry was beginning to realize how much that truly meant.