Jelsa: A Tale Of Two High Schools

Chapt. 10

Jack adjusted his shirt for the tenth time, scrutinizing himself in the mirror.
"Jack, can you help me with my homework?" A voice said behind him. He looked over his shoulder to see Ellie standing with a book in her hands.
"Sorry El, but I'm going out tonight, remember,"
"To see Elsa?"
"Mmh," Jack nodded.
"When can I meet her?"
"Soon kid," He turned around completely, "Soon, I promise."
"Pinky swear," She held out her little finger.
Jack smirked and curled his finger around hers', "I pinky swear that you will meet her soon,"
"How soon?"
"I don't know. I'll to have ask Elsa, but I'm sure she wants to meet you,"
"Is she really as pretty as you say?"
"She's almost as pretty as you."
"Is Elsa your girl friend?"
"What? No,"
"But you're going to her house again. And you got all dressed up,"
"This isn't dressed up,"
"You look better than you normally do,"
"You know how to wound your big bro," Jack clutched a hand to his chest in an exaggerated manner making the girl giggle.
"Do you like her?"
"Yeah,"
"Then she's your girl friend,"
"It's not simple Ellie,"
"Sure it is, if you like her, then she's your girl friend."
"But she's not. She's just a friend,"
"Then ask her to be your girlfriend,"
Jack's cheeks grew crimson, "Why do you want your big brother to have a girlfriend so much? Huh?" He tussled her hair.
"Why don't you want a girlfriend?"
"Who says I don't want a girlfriend?"
"But you don't want to ask Elsa to be your girlfriend,"
"El, things with Elsa are...different. It's kind of hard to explain, okay."
Ellie pouted.
"Don't give me that look," Ellie only folded her arms over her chest, her face becoming more cross, "Fine. If that's how you're going to be then you leave me no choice," Jack pulled her into a hug and started tickling her. She laughed loudly wriggling in his arms.
"Jack! Stop!" She screamed.
"Only if you promise not to pout,"
"Okay! Okay!" She cried and Jack let her go.

"Can I go now?" He asked looking at his watch.
"Wait," Ellie held up her hands blocking the doorway. She made a circle motion with her wrist and Jack sighed knowing what she wanted. He turned around slowly so she could see his entire outfit. She tilted her head looking at his light blue dress shirt, that was neatly tucked into his jeans.
"So do I pass inspection?" He asked holding out his hands. She tiled her head the other way then indicated for him to stoop, with he did. She flatted a section of his hair that was sticking out then gave him thumbs up.
"All good,"
"Alright you little munchkin, let's go," He laughing grabbing her around the waist, so she was hanging sideways as he left the room.
"Ja-ck," She laughed, "Let me down,"
"Are you sure that's what you want?" He faked dropped her and she squealed.
"No, no. Don't drop me!" She laughed harder him his arms.
"If you keep wriggling like that I just might," He shifted her so she was over his shoulder as he headed down the stairs. He walked into the kitchen and plopped her down on the table.
"Okay, how about a kiss for good luck?"
"Why would you need good luck?" Ellie asked.
"Your brother is going to be spending time his new friend's family. He's going to need all the help he can get," Their mother said entering the room.
"Mom," Jack whined.
"It's true," She said with a shrug.
"Good luck," Ellie said leaning forward to kiss him on the cheek. He smiled her and tussled her hair affectionately before grabbing his car keys.
"I'll see you guys later,"
"Don't forget the flowers,"
"Got 'em," He picked up the bouquet of fresh crocuses he'd gotten.
"Be careful on the road," His mother called after him.
"I always am," he replied.
"And have fun,"
"I'll try," He laughed as he left the house. But it was a nervous laugh. He was more than a little anxious about tonight. He'd seen each of Elsa's family at the doorway, but every encounter was brief. He hoped he'd be able to make a good impression.

The drive to Elsa's house was somehow both long and short. He was excited to see Elsa in person again. It had been almost a month since they first met, but most of their conversations had been through text. He loved those moments when he actually got to see her. So the drive seemed agonising long, but when he did pull up in front her house it was all too soon. He grabbed the flowers and got out of the car. He took a few deep breaths; his breath faintly frosting in the late November air. Someone must have heard or seen the car pull up because he was few steps away from the porch when the front door swung open.