Chapter 3
The Smile She Couldn't Fake
The note stayed in Luna's pocket for the rest of the day.
She didn't know why she kept touching it, as if she needed to make sure it was still there. It was only a piece of paper with a short sentence, yet it felt strangely comforting. No one had written something for her in a long time—not without expecting something in return.
When the final bell rang, students flooded out of their classrooms, laughing as they made plans for the afternoon. Luna quietly packed her books and waited for the room to empty before standing.
She preferred leaving last.
It meant fewer conversations.
As she stepped into the hallway, she heard a familiar voice.
"Luna."
She turned.
Noah was leaning against the wall outside her classroom, his backpack hanging from one shoulder.
"Were you waiting for someone?" she asked.
"Yeah."
She glanced around.
"Where are they?"
He smiled.
"I'm looking at them."
Luna blinked.
"Me?"
"You seemed like you'd leave before I got the chance to say goodbye."
"You don't have to say goodbye."
"I know."
"Then why did you?"
"Because I wanted to."
She didn't know how to respond.
People usually stayed away from her. She had become so used to being invisible that Noah's simple gestures felt confusing.
The two of them walked toward the school gate in silence.
Unlike the silence she shared with her family, this one wasn't uncomfortable. It wasn't filled with disappointment or expectations. It simply... existed.
Halfway down the sidewalk, Noah stopped in front of a small bakery.
"The smell is amazing," he said.
Luna looked through the window. Fresh bread and pastries lined the shelves.
"I should go home."
"Have you eaten since lunch?"
"...Yes."
Her stomach growled loudly.
Noah raised an eyebrow.
"I think your stomach disagrees."
Embarrassed, Luna looked away.
"I forgot."
"Then let me buy you something."
"No."
"Why not?"
"I don't like owing people."
"It's just bread."
"It's still something."
Noah studied her for a moment before walking inside the bakery without another word.
A minute later, he returned carrying two warm melon buns.
He held one out to her.
"I'm not giving this to you."
She frowned.
"What?"
"I'm asking you to help me."
"Help you?"
"I accidentally bought two."
"You did that on purpose."
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
For the first time in what felt like forever, Luna let out a tiny laugh.
It escaped before she could stop it.
Noah's eyes widened.
"There it is."
"What?"
"Your real smile."
The laughter disappeared instantly.
Luna lowered her head.
"I don't smile much."
"I noticed."
"It's easier not to."
Noah didn't ask why.
Instead, he took a bite of his bread and looked up at the sky.
"My grandmother used to tell me that people who smile the least usually need one the most."
Luna stared at the warm bun in her hands.
Slowly, she took a small bite.
It was soft.
Sweet.
Still warm from the oven.
She hadn't realized how hungry she was.
The afternoon breeze carried the scent of rain.
Dark clouds slowly gathered above the city.
"It looks like it's going to rain," Noah said.
Luna nodded.
"I don't mind."
"Getting wet?"
"The rain hides tears."
The words slipped out before she could stop them.
Noah looked at her, surprised.
Then he quietly opened his umbrella.
"Maybe," he said softly. "But I hope one day you won't need the rain anymore."
Luna looked at him without speaking.
She wasn't sure if that day would ever come.
But for the first time in a long while...
She found herself wondering what it might feel like if it did.
