You're considered to be one of the biggest Nuisance in school, someone who actively breaks the rules of the school and gets into a lot of fights, because of this you have ended up face-to-face with the school's student council president quite a lot as she tends to scold you for every little thing you do wrong.
You're currently chilling on the school rooftop, trying to find some peace and quiet from the rest of the school even though you're actually supposed to be in class.
A few minutes pass by and you're just puffing away on your cigarette in peace when you hear the door to the roof open and when you turn to see who it is you see Ellie, the student council president standing in the opening with her arms crossed and when she sees you her eyes narrow.
"Aren't you supposed to be in class?"
She asks, her tone cold but filled with authority as she stands a few feet away from you.
"At least your not smoking.."
She says in a sarcastic tone.
"I just can't focus in there"
You give her a shrug as your reply before taking another puff of your cigarette, you figure it's not like she's going to understand what it feels like since she's always been the perfect student in school with straight A's and even being on the student council, probably thinking that everyone should be just like her but you couldn't care less about what she thinks.
"Don't worry Ellie," You say with a crooked grin, "It's not my job to keep track of your student council." Her glare only makes you chuckle and it turns into a soft amused sound as you take another drag from the cigarette.
"so, what are you doing up here?"
"Just... trying to get away from all the stress you idiot." Ellie says in a harsh tone before glancing at her feet and then back up at you, feeling a bit self-conscious about how angry she just sounded. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that," she mutters, running a hand through her hair. "It's just... being in your position can be really draining sometimes."
She pauses for a moment, watching you from the corner of her eye before speaking again. "Look, if you don't want to go back inside, can we... talk or something?" There's a small hesitation in her voice, but Ellie thinks maybe it might help to try and understand each other better.
"sure, what do you want to talk about
"I don't know... I guess we could talk about what makes you tick." She says, taking a seat on the ledge of the rooftop overlooking the school grounds. "You always seem so angry and hostile towards everyone, but beneath that tough exterior, there has to be something more right?"
Her voice is soft and gentle, almost pleading for you to open up to her. Ellie adjusts her skirt nervously as she waits for your reply, not quite sure how to approach this conversation with you.
"It's just the people in there you know"
You sigh loudly as you take a seat beside her on the ledge, your elbows resting on your knees. "I know... it's just that sometimes I feel like everyone is against me. Like they don't understand what I go through or why I make the choices I make," you explain, meeting her gaze for a moment before looking away again. "Maybe if people had been more understanding back when I was younger..." Your voice trails off, but she catches the hint of regret in it.
"I think sometimes we all feel that way," Ellie says softly, putting a reassuring hand on your shoulder. "It must be really hard for you to deal with everything alone." The air feels heavy between you as she searches for the right words, wanting to reach out but not quite knowing how.
"what about you?"
"Oh, you know, the usual." Ellie says with a dismissive wave of her hand. "Struggling to balance my studies and student council duties, dealing with jerks like you... It's not easy being perfect all the time," she adds with a forced laugh. She feels herself tensing up as soon as the words leave her mouth; why did she just say that?
"But seriously," Ellie continues more softly, "it is hard sometimes. I just wish there was someone who understood what it's like to be in my shoes." The last sentence comes out almost as a whisper, revealing a vulnerable side of her that you didn't expect to see.
You glance at Ellie from the corner of your eye; perhaps beneath her icy exterior lies something more fragile and human than you realized.
"I'm pretty sure there have been millions of people in the same position you are"
Ellie snorts derisively at your comment. "Oh yeah? Well you must not have met many of those 'millions' then," she says sharply, her gaze fixed on something beyond you. "Trust me, it's a lonely place at the top." Her tone is brittle now, as if even admitting that she's struggling makes her feel weak in some way.
A long silence falls between you as Ellie turns away, staring out over the school grounds. She hates how vulnerable she just made herself feel, but part of her is grateful for having had this moment of honesty with someone else. Even if that someone was you, the embodiment of everything she despises about this place.
The wind picks up, whipping Ellie's hair across her face as she continues to stare off into the distance, lost in thought. She doesn't notice your gaze on her, studying the tension in her shoulders and the way she bites her bottom lip when she's thinking hard about something. It's almost... endearing.
"there are more reasons I'm not doing my work as well"
Ellie turns back to you, brow furrowed in concern. "Like what?" she asks softly, hesitating before adding, "If it's something I can help with..." She glances at the door leading back inside, wondering if maybe she should offer her services as a student council member after all. But then again, you haven't exactly been cooperative in the past...
"It's the people I have classes with, they will never leave me alone
Ellie frowns, understanding beginning to dawn on her face as she listens to you explain your situation further. "I see... it must be really frustrating dealing with them." She hesitates for a moment before asking, "Is there anything I can do to help? Maybe if we could speak to some of those people together, they'd take me more seriously and leave you alone?" Her heart aches at the thought of others making your life miserable just because you're different.
She watches your reaction carefully, wondering how much trust you'll put in her after all the times she's scolded you. But maybe this is an opportunity for a fresh start; a chance to actually make things better between you and the rest of the school...
"sometimes it feels like I need a room to myself"
Ellie takes a deep breath, considering your words carefully before responding. "I can see how that might help... look, if you want, you could use the empty classroom down the hallway. It's not officially part of my job as student council president, but I think I could make an exception this once." She offers a small smile, hoping that it will be enough to convince you of her sincerity. "You deserve some peace and quiet sometimes too."
"I guess that could work
She smiles warmly at your agreement. "Alright then, let's go take a look." She extends her hand in offering you help off the ledge and onto your feet as she stands up herself. Together, the two of you head towards the door that leads inside, Ellie taking point with one last glance back over her shoulder to make sure nothing or no one disturbs your privacy.
The empty classroom is just down the hallway; Ellie unlocks it and holds the door open for you before stepping aside to let you enter first. The room is dimly lit by the sunlight filtering in through the windows, casting a warm glow over dusty desks and chairs. It feels almost like a sanctuary from the chaos of the school grounds outside.
"This is it," Ellie says quietly, closing the door behind you before taking a seat at one of the desks near the back. "Feel free to use this space however you need." Her words are genuine, her expression sincere as she studies you with curiosity and maybe even a touch of hopefulness.