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.

with Peach‘s feelings towards Elijah than just friendship, and even though she was worried about her daughter and wanted to protect her,

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 he

giving Miss Grace a faint smile, Peach drewla silent breath and walked away from the table with the tray tightly in her grips. Striving to stay optimistic, she strode confidently through the hallway

track.

suddenly began racing, and she felt lightheaded, her breathing getting heavier. She knew it was ridiculous to act

to calm herself down, Peach knocked softly on the door and waited patiently before

answer, Peach swallowed softly and said, “I got a tray of

say it‘s delicious if that would get you to eat, but I haven‘t tried it myself. But

I guess it

the door knob turning interrupted her and Peach looked up with

sigh, Elijah rubbed his hand over his tired eyes while he gave a small smile and said, “Come in.” Pursing her lips,

on his desk, and turned around to face

walking away, but as she was about to step past him, Elijah grabbed onto

worried about me?” Elijah asked, arching his eyebrow as he studied her appearance. Peach shrugged, trying to look unaffected by his touch, but she

down shyly, Peach replied, “James made you some food, so I thought…” A small smile touched Elijah‘s lips as he released her wrist and said, “Sit and help me finish

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

behind her ear. “Are you not angry?” Peach whispered, unable to hold back her thoughts anymore. Her

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

Peach blinked

she eyed him warily. “We

had

picked up two spoons from the tray, Peach couldn‘t 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 and took a

placed another piece of chicken into her mouth and watched him expectantly. For a few moments, Elijah just

Maybe a steak.”

I think I will be a dessert,

of relief wash over her as she listened to the gentle laughter

you getting closer to Elijah is a risk because

good to you… that

Grace thought, smiling when