Ellie had had a pretty bad day at school. She would've preferred going on patrol with Joel, but she had to follow the rules and go to school. She walked straight to her and Joel's house, not really greeting people. Not until she passed by your house.

You were relatively new to Jackson. Didn't go out too much and worked in the kitchen at the restaurant. But what caught Ellie's attention wasn't you, sitting on a rocking chair by your porch, it was who you were talking to. And she couldn't help but stop and stare, a small smile forming on her lips as she watched you talk to your parrot.

You didn't notice her, not at first. But when you did, you waved at her. She didn't hesitate to go up the stairs and stood in front of you.

"What is it?" Ellie asked, the smile not leaving her lips.

"It's a parrot... Called them Congo African Grey..." You said softly, the little parrot perched and chattering as Ellie lost her mind over it.

She had never seen one before. And it fascinated her, absolutely making her shitty day better. She asked questions about it, ones you loved to answer. She asked if she could come more often and you agreed.

The following days were filled with a happy Ellie who played and talked to the parrot. She absolutely loved it. Joel didn't know about the parrot. All he knew was that there was always a lot of noise by your house.

"I will try to keep it down." You said one time when he complained about it.

Until one fine morning, as he was about to head for patrol, he found a parrot perched and pecking at the wood of his porch. He quickly shooed it away, he watched you catch it.

"What's your damn problem?!" You said as you shouted at Joel.

"That flying rat is my problem." Joel shot back with a frown.

You gasped, letting your parrot fly back into the house.

"What did you just called it?" The friendly voice you usually used with him for Ellie was gone.

"Flying. Rat." Joel dared to repeat.