Chapter 4 — Chemistry Partners

The news about Abby Rogers choosing Harry Mitchel as her chemistry partner spread through Greenfield High School faster than anyone expected.

By the next morning, almost everybody seemed to know.

Students whispered about them in hallways, stared during classes, and exchanged confused looks whenever Abby walked beside Harry. Some people thought Abby was joking. Others believed she felt sorry for him.

But Harry himself didn’t understand it at all.

Why him?

That single question remained inside his mind constantly.

As Harry stood in front of the bathroom mirror early that morning, he adjusted his school tie nervously.

“You’re overthinking again,” he muttered to himself.

But he couldn’t help it.

For the first time in years, someone actually wanted to spend time with him.

And it scared him.

Because deep down, Harry feared that eventually Abby would realize everyone else was right about him.

That he really was awkward.

Boring.

Weak.

Someone not worth staying beside.

Downstairs, Sophia noticed him fixing his hair repeatedly.

“You seem distracted lately,” she said while placing pancakes onto the table.

Harry immediately stopped. “I’m fine.”

Daniel smirked slightly behind his coffee mug. “Is there a girl involved?”

Harry nearly dropped his plate.

“No!”

Sophia laughed softly while Harry’s face turned red.

“Relax,” she teased gently. “We’re just joking.”

Harry quickly grabbed his bag after breakfast.

“I’m leaving.”

His parents exchanged amused looks as he hurried outside.

The cold morning wind brushed against his face while he walked toward the bus stop.

And just like always now, Abby was already there waiting.

The moment she saw him, she smiled brightly.

“Morning, partner.”

Harry tried hiding his embarrassment. “Morning.”

Abby noticed his awkward expression immediately.

“You look nervous.”

“I’m not nervous.”

“You adjusted your tie three times while walking over here.”

Harry blinked in surprise. “You noticed that?”

“I notice everything.”

Harry looked away quickly while Abby laughed softly.

The bus arrived moments later.

As soon as they climbed inside, the usual staring began again. Several students whispered while watching Abby sit beside Harry.

Harry still wasn’t used to it.

Ethan Cole glanced toward them from the back of the bus and smirked mockingly.

“So the chemistry couple is back.”

His friends laughed loudly.

Harry immediately looked uncomfortable, but Abby simply rolled her eyes.

“Do you ever say anything intelligent?” she asked.

The students nearby laughed quietly at Ethan this time.

His expression darkened instantly.

“You think you’re funny?”

“I think you’re annoying,” Abby replied calmly.

Harry quietly pulled at her sleeve. “Just ignore them.”

Abby glanced at him before sighing. “Fine.”

Ethan stared at Harry for a long moment before speaking again.

“You better not get too comfortable, Mitchel.”

Harry stayed silent.

That was usually the safest option.

But surprisingly, Ethan didn’t continue.

Maybe because Abby was there.

Or maybe because for the first time, Harry wasn’t sitting alone anymore.

At school, chemistry class became even more awkward than before.

The moment Mr. Raymond told students to begin discussing project ideas with their partners, the classroom filled with excitement and chatter.

Harry nervously opened his notebook.

“So…” he murmured. “What topic should we choose?”

Abby leaned against her chair thoughtfully.

“What about chemical reactions?”

Harry blinked slightly. “That’s actually a good idea.”

Abby smiled proudly. “See? I’m smart.”

“I never said you weren’t.”

“Wow,” Abby gasped dramatically. “Was that a compliment?”

Harry sighed while trying not to smile.

“You make everything dramatic.”

“That’s because your reactions are funny.”

As they continued discussing ideas, Harry slowly relaxed.

Talking with Abby felt strangely easy compared to everyone else.

He didn’t constantly feel judged around her.

He didn’t need to pretend.

For the first time in a very long while, he felt comfortable being himself.

After class ended, Abby closed her notebook.

“We should probably work on the project after school.”

Harry nodded. “Library?”

“Or…” Abby hesitated slightly. “You could come to my house.”

Harry froze instantly.

“Your house?”

“Yeah. My parents would love meeting you.”

Harry’s heart began beating nervously.

Meeting her parents?

The idea alone terrified him.

Abby noticed his panic and laughed softly.

“You look like I asked you to fight a dragon.”

“I’ve never really gone to people’s houses before.”

Her expression softened slightly.

“Then you can start today.”

Harry didn’t know why such a simple sentence affected him so much.

You can start today.

As if Abby truly believed things could change for him.

The rest of the school day passed surprisingly quickly.

For once, Harry wasn’t counting the minutes until he could go home.

Even lunch break felt different now.

Instead of sitting alone beneath the tree, he sat with Abby while they discussed project ideas.

Though mostly, Abby talked while Harry listened quietly.

At one point, Abby suddenly looked at him carefully.

“You know,” she said softly, “you smile more now.”

Harry looked confused. “Do I?”

“Yeah.”

He lowered his eyes toward his lunch nervously.

“That’s probably your fault.”

Abby grinned proudly. “Good.”

After school ended, dark clouds slowly gathered over Greenfield Town again.

Harry and Abby walked side by side toward their neighborhood while cold wind moved through the streets.

“So,” Abby said casually, “what do you usually do after school?”

Harry shrugged slightly. “Mostly read. Sometimes play video games.”

“That sounds lonely.”

Harry stayed quiet.

Because it was lonely.

Abby seemed to realize her mistake immediately.

“I didn’t mean—”

“It’s okay,” Harry interrupted softly. “You’re right.”

For a brief moment, silence formed between them.

Then Abby smiled gently.

“Well, you’re not alone today.”

Harry looked toward her.

Something warm spread through his chest again.

By the time they reached Abby’s house, Harry’s nervousness had returned completely.

The Rogers house looked warm and welcoming, with soft yellow lights glowing through the windows.

Abby opened the front door and stepped inside first.

“Mom! Dad! I brought my chemistry partner.”

Harry awkwardly stood near the entrance while voices echoed from another room.

A moment later, a woman with kind eyes entered the hallway smiling warmly.

“You must be Harry.”

“H-Hi.”

“I’m Mia Rogers,” she said kindly. “Abby’s told us about you.”

Harry looked surprised.

“She… talked about me?”

“Of course,” Mia smiled.

Before Harry could process that, a tall man walked into the hallway carrying a mug of coffee.

“And I’m Jonathan Rogers.”

Harry shook his hand awkwardly.

To his surprise, Abby’s parents didn’t look at him strangely at all.

No judgment.

No mocking smiles.

Just kindness.

“Make yourselves comfortable,” Mia said warmly. “I’ll bring snacks.”

Harry looked completely lost.

Abby noticed immediately.

“You okay?”

He nodded slowly. “Your parents are… really nice.”

Abby smiled softly.

“So are you.”

Harry looked away instantly, embarrassed again.

They eventually sat together at the dining table surrounded by books, papers, and chemistry notes.

At first, Harry focused seriously on the project.

But slowly, their conversations drifted away from chemistry.

They talked about movies.

Music.

Childhood memories.

Favorite foods.

And little by little, hours passed without Harry even realizing it.

At one point, Abby burst into laughter after Harry made a surprisingly sarcastic comment.

Harry himself looked shocked.

“I can’t believe you just said that,” Abby laughed.

Harry smiled shyly. “I guess you talk enough for both of us.”

“That might be the funniest thing you’ve said all week.”

Harry laughed quietly with her.

And in that moment, something inside him changed again.

For years, loneliness had built walls around his heart.

But Abby Rogers kept finding ways through them.

One smile at a time.

One conversation at a time.

One moment at a time.

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