Chapter 3 — The Empty Seat Beside Him

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.

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