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.

motherly instincts told her that there was more going on with Peach‘s feelings towards Elijah than just friendship, and even though she was worried about her daughter and wanted

encouraging nod, Peach stood up from the seat and picked up the tray that Elijah

walked away from the table with the tray tightly in her grips. Striving to stay optimistic, she

track.

heavier. She knew it was ridiculous to act so scaredly, but the way he was so angry this morning at Melina‘s outburst…

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

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

if that would get you to eat, but I haven‘t tried

it, so I guess it

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

while he gave a small smile and said, “Come in.” Pursing her lips, Peach walked inside the room,

on his desk,

walking away, but as she was about to step past him, Elijah grabbed onto her wrist and pulled her in front of

Peach shrugged, trying to look unaffected

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

Elijah gently grabbed her by her shoulders and sat her

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

watching him curiously. At this point, she didn‘t know what she was expecting to hear. But this was

blinked owlislıly at

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

that had fallen

spoon and said, “You should also try a bite of it.”

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

Maybe a steak.” Elijah replied,

and then said, “Mmhm… I think

Grace felt a sense of relief wash over her

know you getting closer to Elijah is a risk because

to you… that he

when she heard