Letting Him In

Chapter-51

"I guess Peter Pan was right
Growing up's a waste of time
So I think I'll fly away
Set a course for brighter days
Find the second star, I'm soarin'
And then straight on to the morn'
I know that I'll be fine
'Cause I know Peter Pan was right"

-Anson Seabra, Peter Pan Was Right
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Elijah

Elijah couldn't breathe. The last two days, he'd finally been happy. Dean had left after another hour of just laying in bed with him, talking about anything and everything. And even after he left, Elijah's mood hadn't dampened.

But of course life had to play it's twisted games. Nothing good ever lasted.

At this point, Elijah wasn't even sure where he was going. All he knew was that he had needed to get out of that white, dull room, out of the hospital. He was going wherever his feet would carry him, as long as it was away from there.

The weather was pleasant tonight, cool wind ruffling his hair as he walked on the sidewalk. The night sky was starry and clear of clouds.

Ironic, how everything around him seemed to be in high spirits, when there was a storm brewing inside his heart.

Before long, he found himself standing in front of Kaeden's house. It wasn't surprising, if he thought about it. Kade was someone who'd been there every time Elijah had nowhere else to go to.

But isn't this time different? He thought bitterly. This time, there isn't any going back, any chance of things getting better.

Yet, his hand reached out to ring the doorbell. He wasn't sure if he had meant to do it, or if his subconscious had made the decision for him, but he didn't care.

The door opened about a minute later, revealing a confused Kaeden. His hair was slightly unkempt, and he was in a pair of pajamas and t-shirt.

"Were you asleep?" Elijah asked. He was surprised at how normal he sounded, like his emotions weren't tearing him to shreds on the inside.

"No," Kaeden replied, moving aside to let him in. "Binging Suits. What're you doing here? It's past midnight."

He sounded confused, but not worried. Elijah wasn't sure how to reply, so he just shrugged. His mind wandered to the countless times he'd shown up here unannounced, every sleepover he'd had here, every stupid prank him and Kaeden had pulled to make Raine laugh after a stressful day.

He walked up the stairs, Kaeden following close behind, and went to his friend's room. Sure enough, the computer was open, paused halfway through an episode, a bowl of half-eaten Ramen beside it.

Raine would be horrified if she saw Kaeden leaving food on the bed instead of the side table, and he smiled faintly at the thought.

"Hey, is everything okay?" Kaeden asked, putting a hand on Elijah's shoulder, causing him to jump. Lost in his thoughts, Elijah hadn't even noticed him come up behind him.

Elijah didn't want to reply. Because no, everything wasn't okay. But for now, in the intermediary time between finding out that his world was about to crash and burn, and saying it out loud, he could let himself pretend for a little while longer; pretend that everything was okay.

"Depends on how you define 'okay', I guess," Elijah said. "I mean, Thanos thought eliminating half the population of the universe was okay to restore the balance. I doubt anyone else agrees."

Kaeden seemed at a loss for words, clearly having picked on that something was very, very wrong.

Kaeden opened his mouth to say something, but Elijah beat him to it. "How's things with you and Laia?" he asked the first thing that popped into his head. Anything to stall the inevitable conversation a bit more.

"It's over," Kaeden said slowly, still seeming confused by Elijah's behavior. "She cheated on me."

Elijah's heart dropped. He knew how much this relationship had meant to his bestfriend.

"Shit," he said. "Jackson?"

Kaeden nodded. "Fucking Wests ruining everything, huh?" Kaeden chuckled dryly, and at any other time, Elijah would have laughed at that. "I should've seen it coming, anyway. Jackson is like an addiction for her. I don't know why I expected her to be able to stay away from him for long."

"It's not your fault. And it's her loss, not yours," Elijah said.

He knew it would take time, but Kaeden would find someone better. Laia didn't deserve the affection Kaeden felt felt for her, not if after everything, she'd still gone back to Jackson.

"Lijah, what's going on?" Kaeden asked after a pause in which Elijah sat down at the edge of the bed, Kaeden leaning against his desk on the opposite side.

Elijah didn't know what to say. A dull pain had started to crawl up his upper body.

"Lijah?" Kaeden prompted, and the worry in his voice twisted Elijah's heart.

"I'm sorry," he mumbled. And he really was.

"For what, Elijah?" Kaeden asked slowly. He crossed the small distance between the desk and the bed, sitting next to Elijah. The feeling of deja vu hit him; only this time, there was no upside that kaeden could show him.

"The treatments aren't working," Elijah whispered, staring at his hands.

The only sound that followed his words was Kaeden's sharp intake of breath, tension filling the room.

"There has to be something else," Kaeden said finally, his voice desperate and almost pleading. Elijah didn't look at him, not wanting to see the pained expression that was sure to be on his face. "Another treatment, something. There must be a new trial, or-"

Elijah shook his head. "There's nothing else, Kade" he cut him off shakily. "It's over."
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Hey guys!

The story isn't going to end just yet... I'm far too attached to let go of these characters without giving a few chapters for closure. So, a few more bittersweet chapters before it ends.
I've had this planned since the beginning (okay, I did contemplate changing it alot of times).

Thoughts on the chapter?

See you soon!
XXX