The Marvelous Elijah’s Return

What did you just say

The sound of her room door opening made Peach raise her head off the pillow and gazed at her mother, standing in the doorway, smiling at her. “Can I come in?” Miss Grace asked cheerfully, closing the door behind her and stepping inside the room.

Slowly, Peach sat up from the bed, hugging her knees as she rested her head on her kneecaps, feeling a sense of sadness welling up within her as she watched her mother approach her with a warm smile and sit down beside her on the edge of the

mattress.

“James made chicken soup for dinner with rice and vegetables.” Miss Grace told her kindly.

Shaking her head slowly, Peach said with a sad smile, “I‘m too full already, Mama.

You should go ahead and eat without me.”

“Peach, you have been in here all day and have barely put much in your stomach. That‘s not healthy!” Miss Grace chided her, gently squeezing Peach‘s hands. One look at her mother and Peach could see her concern clearly written across her wrinkled brows and pursed lips.

The sight made Peach‘s heart clench painfully in her chest, making her realize what her behavior was doing to her mother, so she smiled saintly and said, “Okay, let‘s go.”

The dining hall was quite peaceful when Miss Grace and Peach walked to the table, sitting between Rookie and Ryan.

Suddenly Matt entered the hall, and when James saw him alone, he frowned, mumbling,” Elijah is not joining us?”

Shaking his head slightly, Matt sighed and then said, “He won‘t even answer the door.”

The room fell silent after Matt‘s words and everyone stared at each other quietly for a moment, feeling a mixture of feelings stirring inside them. “Dish some food in a bowl, and I will take it to him,” Peach said, raising her gaze to meet James‘ concerned

ones.

Silently, Miss Grace darted her eyes towards her daughter with a soft expression on

her face.

that there was more going on with Peach‘s feelings towards Elijah than just friendship, and even though she was worried about her daughter and wanted to protect her, she understood

appearing in her eyes. Giving her mother an encouraging nod, Peach stood up from the seat and picked up the tray that Elijah set before her, mumbling, “The worst that can happen is that

table with the tray tightly in her

track.

She knew it was ridiculous to act so scaredly, but the way he was so angry this morning at Melina‘s outburst… she couldn‘t help but be

down, Peach knocked softly on the door and waited

he didn‘t answer, Peach swallowed softly and said, “I got a tray of chicken soup with rice

would lie and say it‘s delicious if that

I

door knob turning interrupted her and Peach looked up with widened eyes when the

eyes while he gave a small smile and said, “Come in.” Pursing her lips, Peach walked inside the room, set

down on his desk, and turned around to

she was about to step past him, Elijah grabbed onto her wrist and pulled

haven‘t eaten yet, and you are worried about me?” Elijah asked, arching his eyebrow as he studied her appearance. Peach shrugged, trying

food, so I thought…” A small smile touched Elijah‘s lips as he released her wrist and said,

her eyes, Peach immediately shook her head. But Elijah gently grabbed her by

at her fluttering lashes. Slowly, he brought his hand towards her forehead and Peach winced when his warm palm brushed against her skin, causing goosebumps to rise across her entire body. “Your mother said that you weren‘t feeling okay this morning,” Elijah commented softly as he examined her face closely, brushing a stray curl back behind her ear. “Are you not angry?” Peach whispered, unable to

him curiously. At this point, she didn‘t know what she

Peach blinked

on her lower lip as she eyed him warily. “We should eat before the soup gets cold.” Elijah continued, breaking

had fallen

if it was okay to push the topic of Melina and his relationship further. But she simply smiled when he handed her a spoon and said, “You should also try a bite of it.” Peach nodded her head and took a piece of chicken before bringing it to her mouth and swallowing it quickly. “Umm… If you

get to know each other.” Peach explained as she placed another piece of chicken into her mouth and watched him expectantly. For a few moments, Elijah just stared at her in bewilderment, realizing why it was so easy to talk to her. Then he broke eye contact

don‘t know… Maybe a steak.” Elijah

nodded thoughtfully and then said, “Mmhm… I

wash over her as she listened to the gentle

a risk because he seems like a

to you… that he won‘t do

when she