Sounds fine with me. Also, I believe it'll be so much better if we let any solid interactions between Ellie and the other boy be at the southern gate, and I can make Ellie try speaking with him but he doesn't notice she's there because he's too focused grabbing his stuff, or something along the lines of that.
And yes, I noticed that was the approach you were trying to make, and I don't mind it. Lindhall is still gonna be an unforgettable character for me :D