Long Way To Heaven

LWTH~15

 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith," ~Galatians 5:22

Elijah P.O.V.

Never play basketball again. 

Have you ever repeated a statement so many times it becomes blurry? That you drown in the word over and over again. You lose yourself within it, not sure of who you are anymore or what to do. That is the hollowing sinking feeling that has consumed my every mind ever since I left the hospital. It's has been difficult to eat and to sleep. I keep on having recurring nightmares of either my family or the accident that took basketball from me.

Julia has been praying for me every single day yet I feel disconnected. From everything and everyone. I just feel lost as if I am in a wilderness, without any direction or help from anyone. 

You know that's a lie.

I scoff at my inner voice in its attempt in trying to remind me of… Mercy.

"Elijah? Elijah, baby are you alright?" Julia snaps me out of my thought. She has decided to drive me to school since I am still recovering.

 I turn my gaze from the window back to her. She has her blonde hair up in a sloppy bun, that pairs very well with her deep blue eyes. She is wearing a large white winter jacket due to the cold November weather.  I would think she is used to the cold being that she is from Canada, but it still affects her. Paired with black tracksuit pants, she looks like she is ready for the winter war.

Students scurry around the car all heading to the main building. Taking in a deep breath I give her a silent nod. 

"You seem so far from it. You sure everything is okay?" She still pushes. My rage builds up and I clench my jaw once again nodding robotically. She looks at me with disbelief but refuses to push it any further. "Alright honey, have a great day. Greet Mercy form-" At that statement I storm out, causing my hip to squeal in pain.

I groan in pain then drag myself slowly away from the car. All eyes turn to me as mumbles and whispers erupt within the students. I haven't been to school in nearly two months or thereabout. Once I enter the hallway, all heads swivel in my direction even from teachers and I do my best to ignore their stares. I move like a bullet on a mission to hit its target,  which is currently my locker.

After pushing through the crowd of students I arrive at my locker. I punch in the combination and it clicks open. I grab my books for class, now that I have been out of school for such a long period it is going to take a lot of effort to catch up with my classmates. Suddenly a compelling reason causes me to lift my gaze towards the stairs and there she is.

Mercy chats with her friend Veronica,  as well as a few other people from Eden. She has a large smile plastered across her beautiful face. I have to resist the urge to walk up to her and say I am sorry. I pushed her away and I don't need her feeding me fake lies or granting me fake hope in the plan God has for me. I pull my gaze away from her and slam my locker shut. 

I turn to walk to my class, but before I leave I glance over my shoulder one more time and I see Mercy staring at me. I quickly avert my gaze and face forward. The bell rings causing the rumble of students to erupt. Pain begins to soar into my hip and I have to balance myself against the wall before I can regain my footing. Taking in a deep breath I walk down the hall and turn into a semi-empty hallway. 

"Elijah!" she calls out from behind me and I freeze on the spot.

"You just don't get it to to do you?" I say harsher than I expected. I turn around and nearly choke on the rest of my words when my gaze lands on her magnificent brown eyes. Shaking off the thought I continue. "Stay. Away. From. Me, Mercy. I will not repeat myself."