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.

Elijah than just friendship, and even though she was worried about her

a worried look appearing in her eyes. Giving her mother an encouraging nod, Peach stood up from the seat and picked up the

tightly in her

track.

to act so scaredly, but the

herself down, Peach knocked softly on the door and waited patiently before calling out,

Peach swallowed softly and said, “I

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

so I

turning interrupted her and Peach looked up with widened eyes when the door

Elijah rubbed his hand over his tired eyes while he gave a

on his desk, and turned around to face

to step

eyebrow as he studied her appearance. Peach shrugged, trying to look unaffected by his touch, but

touched Elijah‘s lips as he released her wrist

grabbed her by

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,” Well, this morning you… umm… what

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

blinked owlislıly at

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

that had fallen

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 mouth and swallowing it quickly. “Umm… If you were a meal, what meal would you be?” Peach blurted out, wanting

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

a steak.” Elijah replied, shrugging his

nodded thoughtfully and then said, “Mmhm… I think I will be

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

closer to Elijah is a risk because he

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

Grace thought, smiling when she heard her daughter