Elijah's Son Chapter Three: Elijah... Dad

(Joshua's POV)

Running into the forest I skidded to a stop by the river and see Hope sitting there with her arms around herself. Even though, she probably wasn't cold I placed my jacket over her shoulders and smiled when she snuggled into the familiar clothing. 

Hope has and always will be like a little sister to me, despite the fact that Hayley doesn't like me. Taking a seat on the log next to her I let the silence sit for a while before asking her,"What's wrong?" Not choosing to answer at the moment she simply puts her head on my shoulder before taking in a deep breath and saying, "Mom and Dad are being unreasonable." 

I smirk because whereas I was grateful for everything that Uncle Nik and even Hayley did for me, Hope had it different. For me, I knew that my place in this house could at any moment be taken away from me and tended to just smile and nod. 

Hope had the freedom to disagree and push back which made me happy because it contributed to her outgoing personality which made her who she was. Knowing that Hope was waiting for an answer I shrug and say, "They usually are in your case." I laugh as she shoves me and then buries her head in her hands. 

Taking pity on her I ask, "How are they being unreasonable?' I almost fall off the log as she explodes, "I want to go to a party thrown by some of the most popular kids at my school and they're not letting me go." I move back as she flails her hands everywhere and nod before asking, "Well, I mean when does it start," if I told Uncle Nik I'd go with her he'd probably be more willing to think about it than straight shut her down.

Settling down she mumbles, "At 8 and ends at 12," but I hear her clearly and can't help but laugh which makes her start to assault my arm. I push her away slightly and apologize before asking, "Well, what were you expecting for them to say?" She shrugs before mumbling something incoherent and laying against my side again. 

I roll my eyes before picking her up from under her knees and back before walking back home slowly. It takes me a while before I'm able to get home but as soon as I reach the end of the stairs Aunt Hayley storms up to me and demands that I put Hope down. Except she was so out of it that before I even completely let go of her she began to sway until I picked her up again. 

Uncle Nik takes her from me and they both go upstairs but not before he gives me a pointed look towards the couch where Elijah's sitting, making it clear he doesn't want me to go and hide in my room. I hesitate before going over and taking a seat on the opposite end of the couch which makes Elijah look up from his phone. 

He smiles and I try to make conversation as I start, "Elijah," but before I could continue he frowns and I freeze up, thinking I had already done something wrong. He waits for me to say something but I shrink back into the couch until he says, "I believe it would be more appropriate for you to call me Dad or Father perhaps." Nodding, I play with my fingers praying Uncle Nik will come down soon.