Chapter Two

Eli, John, and Michael

Narrator's POV

*BRRRRINNNNGG*

Wendy quickly shoved her school books into her bag and pushed her way through the crowd of students to the door.

"EXCUSE me, PARDON me. Come on people I've got places to be!"

She sighed, letting her shoulders slump in relief as she finally made it out into the slightly less crowded hallway. "Okay, come on Wendy."

She took a deep breath and walked quickly to her locker, not even thinking about the code as she opened it purely out of habit. It swung open just as a familiar face made its way around the corner.

"Woah, watch it Wendybird you could've hit me in the face with that thing."

Wendy looked up, unimpressed, and tried to hide her smirk "Too bad, I was so close this time."

She grabbed the book she needed and shut the locker, walking away as she shoved the book into her already crowded backpack.

"Hey where are you going? I was going to ask if you…" "Listen, Eli, I really can't talk right now because I have to go get John and Michael from school okay? Sorry." She gave a slight wave as she kept walking and left Eli in the dust.

"Oh…okay cool," Eli went to wave back but, seeing that Wendy was already gone he quickly ran his fingers through his hair. Turning around he walked back towards the classroom wondering if she'd ever give him the time of day.

Wendy made her way out of the school and tried to inconspicuously fast walk to her bike. Flipping her backpack around her shoulder so that it faced forward, she grabbed her phone and threw it into the basket on the front of her makeshift vehicle. Walking the bike to the edge of the road, she adjusted her backpack before setting off towards the elementary school.

On the way there she thought about her day so far. It had started alright but she could only pull so much enjoyment out of school.

Then she thought about when she was leaving. She hadn't meant to leave Eli behind. She thought of him, his tousled brown hair that he was always pushing out of his chocolate brown eyes. They had been best friends since he moved to town in 3rd grade. She didn't like pushing him away like she had but she had things to take care of. Lately, she always did.

Between picking up John and Michael from school, and all of her chores added on to her schoolwork, she didn't have time for anything fun. Sure she played with her brothers and told them stories, but then she would always have to step away and supervise them. She felt herself starting to distance herself from their games, and everything she used to love to do. Wendy shook the thoughts out of her head as she rounded the corner to the school.

She would not grow up. She couldn't.

She waited for a few moments before John and Michael made their way out of the school. Michael made it to her first, having run as fast as his little legs could take him. She squatted down and hugged him before asking how his day was.

"Today we did arts and crafts and I made two macaroni necklaces." He handed her a miniature string of macaroni pieces. Wendy looked at it and giggled before sliding it over her wrist. Michael huffed, blowing his blond hair out of his face as he did so.

"It was supposed to be a necklace," he relaxed and shrugged, "oh well," Wendy smiled at the young boy, " I love it, thank you Michael."

I have one too see? He lifted up his own looking at her through a piece of the macaroni.

Just then John made his way up to the pair, having strolled leisurely to where they stood.

"What is that Michael? Oh I know what it is, it's a telescope isn't it." Michael's blue eyes widened and he beamed, putting his hands on his hips, "Yes. That's what it is exactly.

"You know what you use telescopes for don't you?" Wendy asked the proud boy, glancing at John as she did so. The two shared a smile as the young boy thought about the question."

"To look at stars?" He guessed, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"To look for Peter Pan!" John said, striking a pose he imagined Peter would use.

Michael's eyes lit up immediately at the mention of the boy. "Peter Pan, Peter Pan!" He chanted. Wendy and John laughed as she gently placed the boy into the front basket after removing her phone. The boys chubby legs swung outside the basket as he looked through his telescope. "I'll keep a lookout," He said proudly. After John had retrieved his bike, the siblings headed towards home, looking out for Peter Pan all the way.