Beauty From Ashes

Chapter 18 Part 1

Authors note: 
So yeah, Albert and Cheyenne have had some difficult, and sensitive situations......
Well maybe something more encouraging is happening with Kevin and Elijah!
So who's in the pho- Oh. Uh-oh.

Erm, anyway....
Kevin's POV:
It's the beginning of summer, and I've just returned to Nevada after spending the second half of winter and the entire spring with Angela and all of the other Conquerors.

It's the beginning of summer, and I've just returned to Nevada after spending the second half of winter and the entire spring with Angela and all of the other Conquerors. We all go out separate ways at the airport. Particularly, me and Angela. 

"Well, that was a pleasant surprise," I said. "Perhaps you and these guys really CAN offer more than we claim to know. 

"Indeed my dear," Angela whispered. "There's so much good and pleasurable surprises-"

"Don't push your luck. Even if there was a chance for us to sleep together, it's still HIGHLY slim…. You gotta earn it. Not TAKE it like the others."

Angela then chuckles and raises her hands. "I swear….you share all the same intrigue as SHE did. Sometimes I do like a grind for an outcome." She said. "Hopefully we'll be able to do more stuff together soon…."

"We'll see."
When I step away from Angela, I turn a corner and I see Elijah Jacobs waiting for me, looking tense and defensive as soon as he sees me. I approach him with a chuckle. "Heyyyy buddy! It's good to be back!!"

I raise my hand for a high-five, but Elijah doesn't unfold his arms to return the high five. He just continues to scold me coldly. "Yeah. I bet." I look at him, just nervous and confused. "Your parents are waiting at the house. Let's go," he said before snatching my bags and walking away. 

Whoa. What's with him?
I stammer. "Eli, what are you-?"

"How do I know that your promise is going to be kept?" Angela called out behind me. 

I turn around to face her before I speak out…..as does Elijah. "Just be patient. Again….We'll see!" 

"I guess we shall."

"Just don't be pushy," I mock. 

Elijah then storms up to me from behind and grabs onto my wrist. "Come ON!!!" 

He angrily drags me away, much to Angela's amusement. "Well….this should be interesting…"

Elijah throws my suitcases into the backseat and angrily enters the car before driving away a little too fast. "Hey, uh, you might wanna slow down a bit. I think this is past the speed limit "

"Maybe. Maybe not. I don't care, I just wanna get as far away from them as possible," Elijah coldly replied. "You know me, I'll take the risk of getting a ticket." 

"Hmm. Of course you would."
A long moment of awkward silence goes by.
Sigh. "So how have you been?" 

"Fine. Just…...unable to talk, or reach out to you. All because of the new job, which I BARELY had any time to prepare for after you dropped it on me!" 

I turn over. "So you really did it, huh? You actually took the job as youth pastor."

"You gave me very little choice. I know that the group needs someone they're familiar with as a leader, someone they trust, and feel safe around," Elijah explained.

"That's good man. That's good," I said.

"Yeah. Even though HALF of the kids there didn't respond well to seeing me as your replacement!"