Be a good person for no reason

*****

The blaring noise of my alarm woke me up the next morning from my very deep sleep. I yawned kicking the duvet off myself before trudging to the toilet to take a quick shower. I had slept like a baby last night, almost at peace. More peace than I had been in during the whole past month. It was as though I was cocooned by a strange warmth the entire night.

I sighed stepping out of the shower wrapping myself in a towel. I was supposed to be visiting the school I was going to be attending for the rest of the year - with Elliot that is - this morning so I could get my schedule and take a tour before I actually began. I dried myself before I threw on some black jeans with a white top with my army jacket. I pulled my hair up into a ponytail and grabbed my trainers before running downstairs. Elaine and David were already at work after dropping Elle off to her school leaving only Elliot and I in the kitchen.

"You ready?" Elliot muttered placing his empty bowl of cereal into the sink walking out of the kitchen without waiting for an answer.

"Yeah" I whispered to myself with a deep sigh before following him to his car. Elliot was waiting for me outside the door waiting to lock up before he let me into the passenger seat of the car.

"Thank you" he pushed the passenger door shut before climbing into the drivers seat. He might be rude but at least he's chivalrous. The ride to the school was just spent in an awkward silence with Elliot looking more uncomfortable than ever. 

"Thank you for driving me here" I thanked as we pulled up the school. He just shrugged jumping out the car and opening my door for me before waking off as fast as he could leaving me to run after him. What is his issue? Walking into the school entrance it was hard to ignore the evident staring.

"Does everyone usually stare like this?" I walked step in step with Elliot who seemed to start walking ever faster. 

"I don't know, just walk" he knocked on the office door waiting for a 'come in' before stepping inside. I scowled at his response but didn't say anything.

"Morning, what can I do for you?" the lady behind the desk questioned looking at us from behind her computer screen.

"Morning, my name's Jessica Campbell. I'm the new transfer student" I smiled waiting for her to give me my schedule. The lady grinned at me jumping up from her seat.

"It's so nice to have you, I'm sure you'll love your time at Riverside High. Elliot knows the school inside and out and  I'm sure he'll be more than happy to give you a tour" the lady said looking up at Elliot. 

Elliot flashed the lady a lady a grin, "Ofcourse I can Mrs Smith" Ass-licker.

"Perfect! Off you two go then" Mrs Smith clapped her hands excusing us. I followed Elliot out the door waiting for him to say something. Instead he stood across me with his hands in his pockets for a few minutes.

I sighed, "I'm not going to force you to show me around the school, Elliot. Clearly I bother you for some reason so I'm sure you'd much rather do anything else but stand here with me" 

Elliot looked at me for a second. He opened his mouth to say something but instead gently shook his head, turned around and then left. Great. I tried not to let the irritation seep in but it was hard not to at this point. I shook my head at his retreating body but was no longer surprised. I stood outside the empty hallway for another couple of minutes before I decided to show myself around.

"You lost?" I heard a voice laugh from behind. 

"Nope, just new" I replied turning around to face the petite girl. With dark locks and grey eyes she was a sight to see. 

"Ah, you in need of a tour guide?" the girl skipped her way towards up coming up to standing a mere inches away.

"It would help. I'm Jessica, Jess for short" I introduced myself, a flash of recognition passed the girls eyes. 

"I know you! You've got videos on YouTube". I played with my fingers not knowing how to respond exactly.

"A few. I'm starting my senior year here. I was finding someone to give me a tour actually" I replied.

"I could give you a tour? I'm Alyssa" she stretched her hand which I took happily giving it a slight shake.

"It's nice to meet you Alyssa" Alyssa toured me around the entire school as she tried to get to  know me better. The last twenty minutes consisted of Alyssa asking me every question she could think of under the sun. 

"So you're telling me that you moved to a whole different country alone at 18?" Alyssa asked her eyes wide. I laughed at her expression nodding to her to her question.

"My Afghan self could never" she laughed. Alyssa was Afghan? No wonder she was stunning, Afghan people usually were.

"I'm sure you could" I laughed at her response.

"Trust me, my parents would have withdrawal symptoms" she laughed as we stepped out onto the football field.

"This is our final stop" Alyssa announced taking a seat on the bleachers pulling me down with her.

"That's our football team" she nodded to a group of boys throwing a ball around the field.

"This isn't football but okay" I joked looking at Alyssa. She shook her head at me before pointing to the field again.

"That's Elliot Black, the school quarterback" looking at him with doe eyes. I laughed, seems like he's got fans.

"We've met" I glared at his back before standing up from the bleachers.

"Thank you for giving me a tour, but I should get going. It was great meeting you" I saw Elliot getting ready to leave and took that as a cue since he was my ride home. Alyssa waved at me before allowing me to leave. I walked through the empty hallways once again waiting outside the front doors for Elliot. It had been twenty minutes and there was still no signs of Elliot. Shaking my head I took a seat on the steps pulling my jacket tighter around myself. The wind had started picking up and the next thing I knew it had started pouring it down with rain. I felt anger bubble inside me when ten more minutes passed with no sign of Elliot. I closed my eyes leaning my head against the wall trying to wash the anger away with the rain.

Now I imagine you would be thinking "why not just go back inside", I couldn't. Students had passes that would allow them to come in and outside on the main entrance. A pass that I still didn't have access to.

"Jess?" I heard Elliot call as he ran out of the main door. By the time Elliot had finally managed to make his way outside I was a chattering mess. I stood up pulling my soaked jacket tighter against me trying to control my shivering. 

"You're early" I said and began ignoring him walking towards his car. He unlocked it stepping forward to open the passenger side door but I beat him to it opening it and sitting in. He can shove his chivalry up his ass. I saw his fists clench before he walked around the car getting into the drivers side. Elliot cranked up the heat and we spent the drive in silence.

"I'm sorry, I'm not usually like this" Elliot mumbled looking embarrassed. I had almost missed it as he pulled into the driveway.

"Then why are you? I've literally done nothing to you?" I waited for him to reply and when he didn't I stepped out of the car waiting for him to unlock the front door. He followed behind me quietly unlocking the door letting me step in. I took my shoes off holding them in my hands before running upstairs to take a warm shower.

"I'm not the best with new people" Elliot said as he followed me to my room. I took my hair out of my ponytail letting it fall over my shoulder before turning around to look at him.

"I honestly am sorry. I don't know what's gotten into me. I'm sorry I've been so rude to you and I'm sorry I made you wait in the rain" he carried on before I had the chance to reply.

"I'll see if I've got it in my heart to forgive you" I joked looking back at him. He only laughed extending his hand towards me. 

"Let's start over. Hey, I'm Elliot" he grinned at me. I laughed taking his hand in mine.

"I'm Jess, it's nice to meet you" I replied.

"Now if you'll excuse me, I need to shower" I laughed pointing towards the door. Elliot left without another word. 

Maybe things might finally start to look up.