jackson, although seemingly huge compared to the wide open land surround it, was a small town. which means everybody knows everybody knows everything about everybody. which often meant that if you acquired a reputation some how, it stuck. you, born and raised in jackson, developed a reputation as a sensitive person pretty early in life, frequently tearing up over things that others thought nothing of. because of that fact the people of jackson tended to walk on eggshells around you, watching their tones and the topics of their conversation when you were near.

while some people thought your sensitivity was a tad annoying, no one ever commented or acted on their annoyance until ellie. you met ellie one of her first weeks back at jackson after the hospital incident, bumping into her accidentally while walking to the stables to help feed the horses. the encounter ended with you sobbing to your friend dina over the new girl who called you a ‘brainless moron’ for running into her, babbling about how you hoped you never saw her again. unfortunately your wish was not answered considering that everywhere you went, there ellie williams was. even though you were forced to be around each other almost daily, her attitude towards you never softend. one time you even confronted her about it only for her to cut you off with a ‘listen, i don’t know why the rest of this town is coddling you. but i’m not like that, either suck it up or get out of my face’ and walking away from you.

thats why both of you were less than thrilled to be partnered up for a patrol together today. you were honestly thinking about faking sick and just staying in when you heard a pounding on the door, you opened it only to find ellie standing there, completely ready to go with a scowl painted on her freckled face. her eyes glance over your pajama clad body before sighing and huffing out a “get dressed and c’mon, i don’t want to deal with your crybaby self for any longer than i need to today” before pushing past you to walk straight into your house.