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.

friendship, and even though she was worried about her daughter and wanted to

stood up from the seat and picked up the tray that Elijah set before her,

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

track.

to act so scaredly, but the way he was so angry

softly on

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

would lie and say it‘s delicious if that would get you to eat, but I haven‘t tried it

so I guess

and Peach

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

tray down on his desk, and turned around

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

her appearance. Peach shrugged, trying to look unaffected by his touch, but she knew she wasn‘t fooling him because his touch

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

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

were sitting face to face, looking 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 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,”

head snapped up at the unexpected answer, watching him curiously. At this point, she didn‘t

Peach blinked owlislıly

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

that had

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

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 a few

a steak.” Elijah replied,

then said, “Mmhm… I think I will be a dessert,

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

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

be good to you… that

when she