freedom

chapter six

Chapter 6

hānai family

Milly grabs her bag, as she braces herself to head out into the blinding daylight. At school, Milly can lose herself in routine and avoid confronting harsh realities for a few welcome hours.

As Milly makes her way through the busy school hallways, she keeps her head down and hustles past her usual friend group. Milly feels their eyes on her bandaged hands, no doubt whispers are already starting.

Striding into her first class, Milly is revealed to see a familiar face – Elijah sitting in the back with an easy smile, radiating calm. Returning a small wave, Milly immediately feels soothed just being near him. His calming presence seems to drain some of the ache from her bones.

Sliding into the seat next to Elijah, Knowing Elijah's perceptive gaze has already noticed her battered hands appearance with concern. But he just offers a subtle nudge of reassurance without pressuring her to explain until she's ready. As class begins, Milly gratefully loses herself in the droning lessons.

The final bell rings signalling the end of class, Milly's sore muscles protest slightly as she rises and stretches her arms out over her head with a soft groan.

Beside Milly, Elijah packs up with attentive eyes, noticing her subtle winces and stiff movements. "Are you okay beautiful?" He asks with gentle concern.

Milly forces a light smile that doesn't fully meet her eyes. "Just tired is all. Long weekend."

They both know it's a deflection, but Elijah wisely doesn't push. Looping an arm around her waist, he suggests casually, "C'mon let me give you a massage before the next lesson. Might help loosen you up."

The offer is nothing but caring, Milly nods gratefully, she allows Elijah to guide her into the empty hallway. His strong hands kneading her tense shoulders, finding herself built all up with knots as Elijah releases them with practiced skill. Milly closes her eyes, she goes boneless as Elijah works his magic on her knotted shoulders, she can't help but go pliant under his caring massage. All the trauma and stress gripping her mind slowly begins to fade away with each deft movement of his skilled hands.

As the knots in her shoulders finally unknot, she sighs contentedly while turning in his arms to meet his gaze. Silently conveying eternal gratitude through her eyes.

Just as Milly turns in Elijah's arms, basking in the comfort of his caring touch, Elijah's usual crew rounds the corner. Milly can't help but notice that most of them seem coupled up in various states of intimacy – Milly suddenly feeling self-conscious yet longing to maintain this connection with Elijah a bit longer, Milly starts to pull away with an awkward cough. But Elijah holds her gently in place, meeting her eyes with sincerity.

"Don't let them interrupt what matters between us, beautiful," Elijah murmurs low enough for just them. His easy confidence calming her nerves as usual.

Turning to face his crew with Elijah's strong hands on her waist, Milly stands tall under their playful gazes and quips. It being clear they fully accept her into their tight-knit group – a notion that both heartens and surprises her after the rejection of her own fractured family.

Elijah's soft kiss on Milly's temple, careless of their hoots, reaffirms what really matters. Leaning into his sturdy frame, Milly allows herself to feel safe and comforted by his embrace.

Suddenly some arms fling from behind to around Milly as Milly turns around, she sees her best friend since childhood. "Elijah is stealing my girl!" Alice says in a teasing tone Milly Laughs at the joking accusation that Elijah is stealing Milly away, Milly can feel the last lingering bit of stress fade away when she now also has the comfort of her oldest friend by my side. Alice knows Milly better than anyone, her bubbly humour being what got Milly out of a lot of dark times.