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.

than just friendship, and even though she was worried about her daughter and wanted to protect her, she understood that she needed to

her eyes. Giving her mother an encouraging nod, Peach stood up from the seat and picked

tray tightly in her grips. Striving to stay optimistic, she strode confidently through the hallway until she finally reached Elijah‘s

track.

knew it was ridiculous to act so scaredly, but the way he was so angry this morning

knocked softly on

and said, “I got a

she pouted, looking 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. But it was

it, so I

interrupted her and Peach looked up with widened

eyes while he gave a small smile and said, “Come

down on his desk, and

shaky smile before walking away, but as she was about to step past him,

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

Peach replied, “James made you some food, so I thought…” A small smile touched Elijah‘s

Peach immediately shook her head. But Elijah gently grabbed her by her shoulders and sat her down in the

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 anymore. Her question caused Elijah to pause for a moment and drew his hand back as he rested against the chair and asked, “Angry? At who?” Shrugging her shoulders helplessly, Peach looked away from his intense gaze and muttered,” Well, this morning you… umm… what happened between Melina and you…” “Yeah, what happened was between Melina and me,

at the unexpected answer, watching him curiously. At this point, she didn‘t know what

Peach blinked

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

had fallen

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

each other.” Peach explained as she placed another piece of chicken into her mouth and watched

know… Maybe a steak.”

then said, “Mmhm… I think I will

Grace felt a sense of relief wash over her as she listened to the gentle laughter and playful banter filling

risk because he seems like a man with so

that he will be good to you… that he

smiling when she heard her daughter