Andrea was already in position, on the stage proving to the world that she can host the event when Elijah saw the text that Malcolm left him.
I'm stepping out for a bit.
Elijah showed the text to April who was puzzled at first, worried for the good part and understanding in the end.
She simply nodded at Elijah who was almost panicking.
"That's all I get?" Asked Elijah feeling disregarded, "Is there something else going on that I don't know?"
April shrugged, "I don't know, Elijah. He's your best friend too... What do you think happened?"
Elijah paused before absorbing April's attitude, "Okay now this is too personal to let it slide"
"What is?" Asked April trying so hard to listen to Andrea but, failing in obvious attempts.
"Your behavior with me" Elijah called it straightforward, "Are we good?"
April let out a frustrated sigh, "No Elijah we are not! And for your information we had never been good ever since I returned from the army!"
Elijah was stunned. It was the first time April raised her voice at him. In public.
She was angry.
"People are looking at us" Warned Elijah through gritted teeth.
April looked at Elijah like he had told her that he was pregnant, "Your best friend is going through shit, your sister barely sleeping, Your boyfriend is currently performing to you and all you could register was 'peoples' eyes on you?"
Elijah was shocked and trained his focus on stage where Jason really was, seated on a long chair with a guitar in hand, his gaze soft on Elijah.
"I missed it, April. This was his surprise to me" Elijah covered his lips, tears trailing down his cheeks.
April rolled her eyes before handing him her handkerchief, "Keep it together"
Elijah couldn't hear what Jason was saying through the song due to his inner world working overtime but, he could see his gaze on him, the way his eyes reflect his soul, the way his lips move with a secret shy unguarded smile for him.
"He loves me this much?" Mumbled Elijah making April turn to him sharply.
"And that surprised you?" Asked April puzzled.
Elijah turned to his sister, "He... He... He's afraid of the stage but today... He sang for me from the stage!"
"That's not all dufus! He just proposed to you!" Cried April looking at the stage.
When Elijah looked, Jason was already on his knee, the ring pocket open with an open question to him- "Would you take me as I am?"
Elijah was frozen in place, he could feel people waiting for his reaction, he could see just how awkward the moment was growing to be before he felt a push from April.
"He gets you" April said softly, "I wouldn't let him wait long if I were you"
Elijah swallowed hard the bile that was rising, taking his first step towards the future he was once sure that it wasn't written in his cards...
He could hear Andrea urging him forward, making the audience respond to the situation positively with the history of a burning Queer church from before.
Jason was so happy when Elijah was right in front of him, "I'm sorry... I know this isn't ideal but, I want the world to know that I'm yours"
"I love you" Whispered Elijah before he took the ring from Jason and wore it himself.
After moving back stage, Elijah saw the smiling Amy and remembered that Malcolm had left.
"Is everything okay with Malcolm?" Asked Elijah and Amy's smile dimmed. She shook her head.
He was overwhelmed. Amy signed to him and Elijah nodded.
"Where is he?" Asked Elijah worried and Amy pointed to the backdoor.
He went with his Mother.
Elijah was startled, "What mother?"
Madam Boy.
Elijah looked at Jason for sanity because something was not adding up- Madam Boy was a religious old man who loves to be in drags. Was this Madam Boy's new personality?
Malcolm's mother?
"What's wrong babe?" Asked Jason concerned.
"Turns out I'm more selfish than I thought" Muttered Elijah before he walked away leaving Amy and Jason hanging.