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

Peach stood up from the seat and picked up the tray that Elijah set

table with the tray tightly in her grips. Striving to stay optimistic, she strode confidently through the hallway until

track.

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

softly on the door and waited patiently before calling

didn‘t answer, Peach swallowed softly and said, “I

at the food, and mumbled, “I would lie and say it‘s delicious if that would get you to eat, but I haven‘t tried it myself.

it, so I

interrupted her and Peach looked up with

sigh, Elijah rubbed his hand over his tired eyes while he gave a small

down on his desk,

away, but as she was about to step past him, Elijah grabbed onto her wrist and

eyebrow as he studied her appearance. Peach shrugged, trying

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

her eyes, Peach immediately shook her head. But Elijah gently grabbed her by her shoulders and sat her down

closely, brushing a stray curl back behind her ear. “Are you not angry?” Peach whispered, unable to

and Peach‘s head snapped up at the unexpected answer, watching him curiously. At this point, she

blinked

biting down on her lower lip as she eyed him warily. “We should eat before

that had fallen over

but wonder 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 were a meal, what meal would you be?” Peach blurted out, wanting

and then he chuckled, mumbling, “What?” “You know… it‘s like a question game people use to get to know each other.” Peach explained as she placed another piece of chicken into her mouth and watched him expectantly. For

Maybe a steak.”

nodded thoughtfully and then said, “Mmhm… I think I will be

at Elijah‘s room door, Miss Grace felt a sense of relief wash over her as she listened to the gentle laughter

Elijah is a risk because he seems like a man with so

good to you… that he won‘t

thought, smiling when she heard her daughter