Of Gambling, Hooks and Growing Up:
Prologue
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Summary:
Wendy's mom once told her that gambling was very unlady-like. But, she never really did take interests in dices or cards. That was until, she met that boy, Peter Pan. 2003Movieverse && AUverse. PxW
Theme:
A modern Peter Pan story set in modern New York City (although I'm not too familiar with New York so, I'm sorry if I made any mistakes on how things work in the place. I've only been there once and I don't even live in America).
Inspiration:
Highly inspired by the 2003 movie adaption of Peter Pan, Bounty Hunter, an awesome fic called 'Just A Pinch Of Pixie Dust' && a summer vacation that involved playing cards with my friends. Also, my one motivation to write this fic is my extreme obsession of Wendy + Peter's love affair :")
A/N:
Ever since I saw that 2003 movie adaption of Peter Pan for the first time since I was a kid, I fell madly, deeply in love with everything about it! The only flaw was, the ending :/ I mean, I know it stayed true (mostly) to the original plot && words of dear J.M. Barrie, but I still can't help but be a little bit disappointed that Peter && Wendy didn't get the happily-ever-after they deserve :/ A great author once said that 'Even Peter Pan && Wendy occasionally deserve their happy ending.'
Disclaimer:
J.M. Barrie is the genius behind Peter Pan. All belongs to him && always will.
Dedicated to Jeremy Sumpter && Rachel Hurd-Wood for giving Peter && Wendy the perfect chemistry.
There was this boy that always, always, sat right in front of her every time she rode the 6am subway. He always looked rough, at the same time had a gentle glint in his eyes. He was always wearing the same black leather jacket, that seems to grow tighter every week, and black military boots.
She would always try hard not to stare but, he always managed to find a way to catch her eye. Whether it was the way he sat, whatever he was doing, or when he comes into the train with a playful grin or smirk.
She'd sometimes try to talk to him, only to come out with words failing to be spoken. And then there are times when he'd fall asleep on the train, his head, filled with golden brown and blonde curls, droops down onto the window pane with his elbow up for support. She'd stare and take in his visible physical features. He looked her age yet, there was something rather boyish about his features. Something that made him look so much younger than his probable age. Though, she couldn't put her finger on it.
She wondered, what was his name?
She came home one night with her friends Phylia and Karla Jane, exhausted. Her mom welcomed the two girls into their humble apartment with warmth as she led her two friends up to her and her brothers' room. Once inside, she closed and locked the door, not before turning the door board around to the sign 'Wendy's girl talk', and then sat down at her own bed as Phylia took Michael's and Karla Jane took John's.
"So, what's up?" Karla Jane had asked, taking her shoes off and then stretching her legs and spreading them onto John's bed.
"Nothing really." Phylia shrugged as she too started to try and get comfy at Michael's bed. "How 'bout you Wendy?"
"I haven't got any news yet." Wendy said, leaning against her headboard.
"Awww, shoot." Karla Jane said, sighing as she sat indian style at John's bed.
"Well, what do you guys wanna do?" Wendy asked her guests.
"Hmmm, I've got an idea." Phylia said as she grinned mischievously at her two friends.
"What do you have in mind, dear Phylia?" Karla Jane asked as she raised an eyebrow at her friend, her southern accent coming out strong, indicating her curiosity.
"How 'bout a game of cards?" Phylia, the tan, black haired Filipina of the friends, asked.
"I'm not too fond of them." Wendy frowned as she looked intently at her friend who started to take out a pack of cards from her bag.
"You carry cards with you?" Karla Jane's brow rose at Phylia.
"Well, you never know when it might come in handy." Phylia said, winking at the blonde with a small smirk.
"Mother said gambling is very unlady-like." Wendy frowned even more, annoyed at the fact both her friends ignored her last comment.
"Wendy, just 'coz it's cards, it doesn't instantly mean it's gambling." Phylia rolled her eyes. "You should really kick that English mentality of yours out your head. You're in New York now."
"My family's just a little bit traditional." Wendy snorted, flipping her curly brown hair.
"A little? Your mom still uses words such as awfully and perfectly!" Phylia exclaimed now starting to shuffle the cards like an expert.
"Awfully and perfectly still exist, you know." Karla Jane interrupted.
"Yeah, but, not when you use it like 'an awfully long time' or 'perfectly horrid'." The Filipina said, still shuffling the cards professionally.
"She does have a point." Karla Jane pointed out.
"Oh, whatever!" Wendy huffed as she got off the bed and sat down at the floor. "If we're playing cards, we're playing them on the ground!"
Her two friends shrugged their shoulders and obeyed as they sat down onto the carpeted floor with her.
"Whatever you say dear." Phylia smirked, happy she got it her way. "Okay, so this game is a little bit complicated but, once you get the hang of it, it'll be easy."
"What's it called?" The curly blonde, Karla Jane, asked curiously.
"Tongits." Phylia replied simply.
"What kind of name is that?" Wendy asked, raising an eyebrow.
"It's a game I grew up with in my country. My dad used to play it all the time." Phylia said as she carelessly handed twelve cards each to Wendy and Karla Jane. "Here is how to play the game, just collect three cards of the same number, like three fours or collect three cards of the same shape that go in order, like King, Queen and Jack. We call those houses. If all your cards run out, you win. If all the cards in the pick-up pile run out, we all decide the winner by showing each others left over cards && counting how much it is all together. The houses aren't included when counting up by the way."
"Hmmmm, sounds fun." Karla Jane muttered, picking up her cards.
"And complicating." Wendy added, doing the same. She looked over at Phylia who had thirteen cards on hand. "Wait a minute, how come you have thirteen cards?"
"Ohh." Phylia muttered as she put down her hand of cards. "You see, we all pick up a card, at the start of our turn, from the pick-up pile. At the end of our turn, we throw in a card to the player after you and they can pick that card up or they can pick one up from the pick-up pile. If she picks your card up, she can't pick another one from the pile anymore. The person that starts the game can't pick up a card from the pile so she has to start with thirteen cards, if you get what I mean?"
"Ohh! I get it!" Karla Jane exclaimed.
"I'm still confused." Wendy sighed as she looked at her cards, already finding 3 Jacks.
"Don't worry, I'll explain throughout this trial game." Phylia said as she winked over at Wendy, starting the game as she put down 3, 2 and an Ace of hearts.
When her friends had left, Wendy fell back down on her bed, totally worn out. She had fun, if she had to be honest. After two trial games, she understood it all properly now. She even won three of the five official games!
She turned to her side as she closed her eyes, thinking of the concept of Tongits. Phylia had said that being keen and smart wouldn't be the best weapon to use at such a game. She had said that in Tongits, luck was all she needed.
Luck was all she needed. Just like gambling.
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IMPORTANT:
This shall be updated weekly the minute I get my laptop ^^ So far, I'm only on my friend's PC -.- But don't worry, I've got more chapters typed out in my blackberry for this &+ another fic so just be patient :) I shall not abandon you :D && if you want to know more about my fics, follow me on twitter (link on profile) && send me a PM here of your Twitter username so I can accept you :) && I hope you enjoyed this && that the plot somehow sparked your interest :) Ohh && reviews will be very much appreciated -^^- So please, review :DD