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.

instincts told her that there was more going on with Peach‘s feelings towards Elijah than just friendship, and even though she was

her mother an encouraging nod, Peach stood up from the seat and picked up the tray that Elijah set before her, mumbling, “The worst

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

track.

racing, and she felt lightheaded, her breathing getting heavier. She knew it was ridiculous to act so scaredly, but the way he was so angry this morning at

deeply to calm herself down, Peach knocked softly on the door

swallowed softly and said, “I got

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

I guess it

interrupted her and Peach looked up

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

down on his desk, and turned

away, but as she was about to step past him,

me?” Elijah asked, arching his eyebrow as he studied her appearance. Peach shrugged, trying to

I thought…” A small smile touched Elijah‘s lips

head. But Elijah gently grabbed her by her shoulders and sat her down

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 hold back her thoughts

At this point, she didn‘t know

Peach blinked

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

that had fallen over

help 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

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

a steak.” Elijah replied, shrugging

and then said, “Mmhm… I think I will

Elijah‘s room door, Miss Grace felt a sense of relief wash over her as she

you getting closer to Elijah is a risk because he seems like

will be good to

thought, smiling when she heard her daughter