You're considered to be one of the biggest delinquents 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 with a cigarette in your mouth, 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 Helen, 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. "And you're smoking... What a surprise..." She says in a sarcastic tone.
I laughed lightly at her sarcastic tone, then turned to look at her Shouldn't you be in your student council office? I asked her softly
She raised an eyebrow at Jack's question, not expecting such a bold reply from him since he was usually too much of a coward to speak his mind towards her. "No," She answered honestly, "I just came up here to get some fresh air and escape the stress for a moment." Looking around her as she spoke, trying to keep calm despite Jack's presence. "I was hoping that I could find some peace on this rooftop..." She let out a long sigh, sounding more tired than angry.
"Well," She continued, glancing back at him, "It seems like you've found your own source of 'peace' as well." She gestured towards his cigarette with her hand, her expression unreadable. "I hope you don't plan on polluting the air up here too..."
I decided to throw my cigarette off the terrace, and then focus slightly on her I thought you were going to reprimand me I said softly to her
She raised an eyebrow at his comment, looking somewhat surprised but not entirely pleased. "And why would I do that?" She asked, folding her arms over her chest again as she leaned against the railing of the rooftop. Her voice was still cold and stern, despite the slightly softer tone she had taken earlier. "I don't see any point in getting into a fight with you, Jack," She continued. "You never listen to me anyway."
A few seconds passed in silence before Helen finally sighed again, more heavily this time. "Look..." She began, hesitating for a moment as she tried to find the right words. "I know I've scolded you a lot... But all I want is for you to turn your life around. You're smart enough, Jack. You don't have to end up like this." Her voice softened somewhat at the end there, her expression softening too as she met his gaze. "Just try and be good for once, okay?"
She paused, wondering if he would even respond to that, or just brush her off again...
You know I won't I said softly to her, then I lay down on the floor and you called me smart, so I'm even more relaxed I said slightly playfully to her
She stared at him blankly for a moment before letting out another sigh, shaking her head slightly. "Oh, Jack..." She muttered under her breath, trying not to let the frustration show on her face. Seeing that he wasn't taking her seriously was starting to wear her down, making it harder for her to maintain the stern and authoritative demeanor she usually carried around with her like armor.
Instead, she settled onto the floor next to him, crossing her legs at the knee and looking up at the sky through the branches of a nearby tree. "I don't understand why you insist on making everything so hard for yourself... You could have a bright future ahead of you if only you'd stop being so stubborn." She paused again, wondering if he would even acknowledge what she was saying.
After another moment of silence, Helen turned her head to meet his gaze once more. "Look... I know we've never gotten along and maybe I haven't been the nicest to you..." Her cheeks flushed slightly as she spoke, something she rarely did around anyone. "...but it doesn't have to be this way." Her voice was quiet now, almost pleading. "We could... try to get along better, if that's what you want."
She held her breath, waiting for his response, hoping against hope that he would say something different than she expected.
You know I'm stubborn I said softly to her although, I can try to get along better with you, you know? I suggested softly to her
A smile tugged at the corner of Helen's lips as she heard Jack admit that he could try to get along better with her. She returned his soft gaze, feeling a strange sense of hope bloom within her chest at his words. Perhaps things didn't have to remain this way between them... maybe there was still a chance for him to change and become the person she knew he could be.
"Alright," Helen finally replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'll give you that chance. But know this, Jack... I won't go easy on you. If you screw up again, I'm not going to hesitate to punish you. Understood?" She paused for a moment before adding, almost as an afterthought: "And no more smoking."
The smile grew brighter on her lips as she met his gaze once more. Maybe this could be the beginning of something new between them... Something better. But only time would tell.
Who do you think you are, demanding I quit smoking? My girlfriend? I playfully and softly protested to her
"Very funny, Jack," Helen replied with a shake of her head, still unable to hold back the small smile that played at the corners of her lips. "But seriously... Think about it. Your health is important too." She paused for a moment before adding, more gently this time, "And I'm sure you'd like to make me proud, wouldn't you?"
There was silence between them as they both contemplated the words that had been said. Maybe there was hope for change after all... or perhaps it would all just end up back where it started: with Helen scolding him and Jack ignoring her commands. Only time would tell. But for now, at least they were trying to find a way forward together.
Of course not I said playfully to her why would I want to make you proud? I said teasing her
"Well then," Helen retorted with a huff of amusement, "it's clear that you need some motivation." She paused, regarding him thoughtfully for a moment before adding, "How about this... If you manage to stay out of trouble for an entire month, I'll take you out for ice cream?" She raised her eyebrows expectantly, wondering if he would accept her offer.
It was a small start, she knew that. But perhaps it could be the beginning of something more. If they were willing to try, that is...