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

the seat

silent breath and walked away from the table with the tray tightly in her grips. Striving to stay optimistic, she strode confidently

track.

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

on the door and waited patiently before calling out,

and when he didn‘t answer, Peach swallowed softly and said, “I got a tray of chicken soup with rice and veggies

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 James

so I guess

the door knob turning interrupted her and

while he gave a small smile and said, “Come in.”

his desk, and turned around

was about to step past him, Elijah grabbed onto her wrist and pulled her in

eaten yet, and you are worried about me?” Elijah asked, arching his eyebrow as he studied her appearance. Peach shrugged, trying to look unaffected by his touch, but she knew she wasn‘t

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

gently grabbed her by her shoulders and sat her down in the

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

watching him curiously. At this point, she didn‘t know what she was expecting to hear. But this was not it,

blinked owlislıly at

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

had fallen

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

“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 moments, Elijah just stared at her in bewilderment, realizing why it was so easy to talk to her. Then he broke eye contact with Peach and

know… Maybe a steak.” Elijah replied, shrugging his

then said, “Mmhm… I think I will be

Miss Grace felt a sense of relief wash over her as she listened to the

getting closer to Elijah is a risk because he seems like a man with

that he will be good to you… that he won‘t do anything that

thought, smiling when she heard her daughter