GIA

The World

Elijah

"Elijah slow down."

"I'm sorry," I apologize, loosening my grip on the steering wheel.

I can't stop thinking about what just happened. I haven't seen that man in almost 3 years and the day he pops up I just so happen to be egging houses. He looked confused to see me, like he can't believe his son that he sent out on the street is still alive. Ironic how he was wearing the same robe he had on when he-

"Earth to Elijah," Gia yells, breaking me out of my thoughts.

"Yeah, sorry sorry."

"Where are we going?" she asks.

"Do you trust me?" I ask softly.

"To be so honest I don't know how to answer that Elijah."

Dang that hurt

"Look, I know you want me to open up, and I'm still not ready to open up all the way but after what happened I owe you at least an explanation," I whisper looking up to her.

"You don't owe me anything," she replies, turning towards me.

"Just let me at least tell you who that was, please."

"Fine, but only because you want to. And if there's anything you don't feel comfortable sharing then you don't have to, okay?"

"Okay," I reply, turning back towards the road.

"So what is it you want to tell me?" she asks.

"A lot, but I'm not going to tell you here, I want to take you somewhere."

__________________________________

"Where are we?" she asks as she steps out of the car.

"Lovers peak," I reply with a smile on my face.

That smile soon fades when I step out of the car and my mind is flooded with old memories. This used to be a happy place and now it just reminds me of things I rather forget.

"So why are we here?"

"Because, this place has a lot to do with what I'm about to tell you," I say, letting out a big breath.

I look over to see her staring at me with a confused expression, almost like she's trying to figure me out. She does that a lot. Her big brown eyes glow as the light from the sunrise hits her face at just the perfect angle. Her braids are still tied back allowing her facial features to truly show. She has nice full lips and a dimple that only shows when she smiles really hard. She truly is one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen.

"You are gorgeous," I whisper.

"Aw thank you, you're so sweet," she says smiling, taking a step closer so that we're face to face.

"And you are very handsome," she whispers before planting the softest kiss on my cheek.

Lord, I think I just melted into a million pieces.

"I guess this is where I share my trauma huh?" I laugh.

"You got it, I'll be here the entire time if you feel it gets too hard."

I give her a small smile before guiding her to the bench by the edge of the peak. We take a seat and I let out a deep breath before deciding to start and avoiding eye contact.

"So um, this is where my dad proposed to my mom when I was 3. He brought us all here for a picnic and then when the sun started to set he asked her to marry him, she said yes of course. My mom ran a daycare and my dad was a successful real-estate agent. He actually made a lot of money off of it, he was very popular especially with politics. Every important person in town sent their kids to my mom's daycare and they called my dad whenever they needed property. Anyways, when I was like 14 things in my house just started to go completely downhill. When I turned 18, let's just say I did something my dad always told me not to do. I only did it because I thought he was lying about everybody ignoring me but he wasn't. Long story short after that he kicked me out, and I've been homeless ever since. I slept on this bench the first month being away from home. That was my dad back there, I hadn't seen him since he kicked me out. It was like all I needed was to see him again and every bad thing he ever did came right back to mind. We used to live on the other side of town so I didn't think he would be there, they must've moved. I guess that just goes to show they're better off without me huh," I say as my voice cracks.

"Oh no Elijah look at me," she whispers, grabbing my face and moving it to look at hers.

Her eyes are filled with tears and now I feel bad for making her cry.

"You have the biggest heart ever, anybody would be lucky to have you in their presence. You are so sweet and kind and loving and gentle and don't you ever think they're better off without you. It may hurt, I know, but you are so much better off without them even if it's hard to realize it."

"Yeah but sometimes I miss them, I miss having a family," I cry.

"Oh baby I know, I know. And I wish I could tell you it gets better, I really wish I could but it never does. That void will always be there no matter how hard you try and fill it. You were young when it happened, you have every right to miss them. I don't know how much this will mean to you but you have me, and I don't plan on going anywhere," she whispers, still cupping my face.

"It means the world."