Another first day

Ch.17.New.Girl.

Leon.S.Kennedy
"Ya'll need help bringin' this in?" This guy's seriously getting on my nerves, making his want way too obvious, all while I'm standing right next to her. Even Chris has noticed, and he's oblivious to pretty much everything else.

"We've got it just fine, thanks." I take one of the boxes, eager to get him out of here, and to show him I'm more than capable of taking care of this, giving him a pointed look on my way inside, pulling the screen door open with my free hand and nudging the other with my foot before stepping inside. She's right behind me, trying to open it, but I don't want help, I just want her to relax, let me do all the work. She huffs at my refusal, heading back out toward the truck. I don't like it, wanting her to follow me inside, stay with me while I work, but that isn't rational, or normal, even, so I let her go, my eyes trained down at the box in my hands.

"Hello." I set the box down, unsure what's even in it, standing back up straight to look at her, a young woman, mid twenties, short, brown hair. I guess I take too long to return her greeting, only a few seconds going by before she speaks again, so much for the whole "Doesn't talk much" thing. "Name's Jill Valentine, good to meet you."

"Okay." Not exactly the greeting I meant, but it's what came out. I do feel a little bad for my lack of friendliness, but there's not a chance in hell I'm gonna be able to trust this girl, let alone be friendly with her, not when I've got the only person I need right outside, not when the thought of her living under the same roof as me makes me feel sick to my stomach. I've never been the most trusting, but it's worse now, after Ada's betrayal, losing so many people back in Raccoon city.

"Hi! You must be our roommate!" She makes it look easy, holding out her hand for the woman, Jill, to take. She introduces herself happily, her usual friendliness shining through, her pretty smile given so easily to this stranger, who doesn't seem all that eager to return her enthusiasm, her smile forced, her body stiff. I don't get her unease, my partner is anything but intimidating, unless she's in a special kind of mood, which isn't the case right now, elation rolling off her, her pleasedness to meet the woman in front of us damn obvious. "And I guess you've already met Leon?" She juts her thumb at me, and my eyes meet the woman's, the sick feeling pushing its way up my throat. God, this is terrible, living with a complete stranger, one that doesn't seem fond of my favorite person, at that.

"Kind of? Leon, huh? Nice name..." She smiles at me, too sweet to be real, her hand coming out, an elbow digging into my side prompting me to accept the handshake, her hand holding on a little longer than I'd like, her eyes trained on mine making me nervous, not wanting her attention on me, wanting to drag my perfect partner back to my room and stay there for forever.

"Oh! You have to meet Chris!" She goes running off, of course, leaving me alone with the woman, who leans against the wall, staring at me, making me sicker than I probably should be, my lack of socialization over the past couple months leaving me anxious without my saving grace nearby. I need to get over it, convince myself not everyone is out to get us, that there are good people, but it's harder to do than to say, I guess, the only person I even half trust being Chris, only because he's been a good friend to the both of us, even if I haven't been able to.

"She's... Friendly..." I don't feel like talking, at least not to her, not even sure what she wants me to say. I don't look at her, only nodding lightly and crouching down in front of the box, pulling my knife out of my pocket, ripping it through the many layers of tape keeping it shut. "So... What squad are you in?" I peel my eyes up, expression a little too flat when I look up at her, not sure what to say, our little group isn't really something we're allowed to tell people about, not that I would tell her anyways. I'm saved from having to respond, though, this being the one time I've been thankful for Chris' volume problem.