A/N- i dont own the lorax or any of the characters

Once-ler sighed and looked at the other kids playing.

It really bothered him that he had no friends while his idiot brothers were the most popular. It made no sense. He was smart and musically talented while his brothers were- quite honestly-stupid.

He closed his eyes and tried control the building frustration rising in his body.

Even though he was young, he knew the pain of rejection, loss, and bullying. His father died last year and ever since then he was treated horrible, well more horrible than he already was. He had been bullied by his mom, his brothers, his aunts and uncles, his cousins, his fellow classmates. Heck- even his teachers treated him bad. And since he had no one else to blame, he blamed himself.

He tried to be the best son his mom could ever ask for. He fixed breakfast in the mornings. And he was nine. He did the laundry, he did the cleaning. He got all a's on his report card. He took care of her and his brothers when they were sick. Yet all he got in return was, "You should have tried harder Once. You are never going to get anywhere in life."

He opened his eyes and took in the fresh air. He felt at peace for a moment, even with all the troubles going through his head.

Smack

The force of hurtling football hit Once-ler in the side of his head, causing him to fall off the bench and face plant in to the dirt. He heard the other children's laugh as hot tears welled up in his eyes. He stood up quickly and walked away, not daring to look back.

He kept walking till he got to the edge of town. Then he crumpled to his knees and began cry.

He didn't deserve this torture that he was forced to endure every moment of short life. At least his didn't think he did. He couldn't recall anything that would make him undergo this pain. His tears drowned out the sound of footsteps until they were right in front of him and stopped. He cautiously looked up, bracing himself for another round of abuse.

Then he saw her. The most beautiful thing he had ever seen. Her bright spring green eyes looked down on him and her smile sent warmth through his entire body. The sun shined down on her bright orange hair, bringing out the gold traces within it. Her skin glowed a healthy tan and a small, slender hand reached out to him.

"Hello there," gosh, even her voice was pretty," my name is Lorrie."

He sat at the edge of town with Lorrie. Her hand in his, both looking at the sunset. They had sat like that for hours. And Once-ler didn't mind one bit. They talked for hours about anything and everything. His parents, his life, his troubles, his dreams. Her dreams, her life, her cares.

He learned that she lived with her mom during fall and winter. She and her mom lived with her dad during spring and then she lived with her dad during the summer. But one thing kept bothering him.

"Uh-Lorrie. Will I ever see you again? Because-I mean- you know-"he gulped and scratched the back of his head. She merely giggled and said, "of course. Me and mom we travel around to all the cities. My mom wants to visit every city in the world twice. So I'll most likely be here again. One day." She stood up then helped Once-ler up.

"Once-ler. Don't let people pick on you. I may be a year younger but my daddy says I'm wiser than him so that means you have to take my advice. You are smart and kind. Don't let any of those mean peoples hurt you. Okay?" he only nodded and blushed.

"Lorrie! Let's go!"

Neither child noticed the woman standing a few yards behind them.

"Lorrie, c'mon! We have to leave now if we are ever going to make it to Halopsyville! It's the home of the Halop, you know?"

Lorrie giggled yet again and yelled back, "Yes mother!"

She looked back at Once-ler who was just staring at the ground. She turned to leave but stopped and turned back around. she gave Once-ler a quick hug and ran toward her impatient mother, calling over her shoulder, "bye Once! See you some day!"

Once-ler barely caught what she said because he was too focused on not passing out where he stood.

A/N- please tell me what you think and let me know if i should add more!