A/n: So I felt super creative and wrote a whole 8 pages for this chapter! I hope you enjoy reading as much as I did writing this one. :D
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"You did what!"
Tinker Bell sneered at me, showing her small pointed teeth threateningly. "I didn't think you wanted them anymore."
My mouth fell open. Tink crossed her arms and smirked. My fists were clenched as I fought back the urge to grab the floating demon in front of me. Tink's eyes were flashing wildly, daring me to try. Somehow, I had a feeling she'd win that fight.
"Those old things were dirty anyways. You can just use your other clothes." She sneered.
"What other clothes?" I yell. "I don't have any other ones! Just this shirt Peter is letting me borrow."
Tinker Bell's smirk quickly turned into a scowl at Peter's name. It wouldn't be a stretch to say she was against Peter giving me his clothes – heck, she was probably against any hospitality. But throwing out my clothes – my clothes – was just below the belt!
"What am I supposed to do? Run around naked?"
Tink glared at me. I knew she didn't like that idea. But seriously, did she expect me to stay in this baggy green shirt and fraying shorts (that could fit a sumo wrestler)? I don't think so. Tinker Bell pursed her lips, and glared. Again, the urge to reach out and smush her became all too tempting.
"Maybe the faeries can find you some thing else," Tink says slowly.
She was still glaring at me, but I must have gotten some sense into that nut-sized skull. I force a smile. Tink's eyes could have spit fire.
"Thank you," I say.
"Well we can't have you walking around without clothes." She looked me over with an evil glare, daring me to even think about being naked again. With another mean smirk she shot out of the kitchen in a green blur.
I roll my eyes, and walk out of the kitchen, down to the bottom floor. Peter had taken the Lost Boys on a hunting trip, leaving the tree house empty and quiet. The silence was weirding me out. Out of the tree house things were as loud as normal. Birds were singing, the trees were creaking and bumping into each other, and something that sounded like a howler monkey was yelling in the distance. I look back to the tree house and tap the trunk lightly.
"Would you mind pointing me in the direction of the Lagoon?"
A long branch snaked down and pointed north. I pat the branch. "Thanks,"
It pats my head and rises back up into the canopy. I start trekking into the forest, making sure to stay on the path the tree pointed. It was stupid to be walking alone, I knew that (especially after the pirate episode a few days ago) but I had enough with the "no bathing" thing. I would find the Lagoon if it'd kill me.
After just five minutes I found the Lagoon. Turns out it's a lot closer than I had thought. The crystal clear water formed a perfect half circle enclosed by a steep outcrop of rock that jutted up on the other side. There were smaller rocky islands near the edges that were perfect to hide behind and take off the nasty clothes I was in. I walk up to the bank, and dip my toe into cold water. It was a perfect temperature.
I jump in without hesitation. The crystal clear water was so clean it was like I was floating in air. I could see everything perfectly, every bubble, every seashell that glittered on the deep bottom. I swam to the surface and paddled to one of the larger rocks to undress. I quickly pulled off the shirt and shorts, both which felt like bricks in the water. I flung them on the rock to dry, hoping the water would wash them clean. I couldn't hope Tinker Bell would stand by her word with the whole "new clothes" thing. Unless of course, they were beyond ugly brown bags that could make any super model unattractive.
Yeah, I thought. That sounded like Tink.
I swam away from the rock, floating on my back to stare at the sky and find pictures in the clouds. It wasn't hard. The clouds seemed to form pictures on their own. In fact, you didn't need much imagination. The clouds paraded above, looking exactly like a bear, a cat, a dragon, a bike. I roll my eyes. Typical Neverland.
I dived down to get a better look at the shells and allow my hair to soak up the clean water. I was beginning to wonder how I ever managed to go so long with out a bath. I came back to the surface with a handful of shells, studying each one closely. They looked like they were decorated in diamonds and gold.
I was studying a large purple shell when loud hooting broke the peace at the Lagoon. My heart leaped in horror when I realized what the noise was.
The Lost Boys…
I dived into the water frantically, paddling as fast as I could to the rock where my clothes were. I didn't care how dry they were, I wasn't staying naked. I broke the surface when I reached the rock, keeping only my head above the water. The laughter and yelling was getting closer. I could hear the rustling of tree branches and snapping of twigs. I dipped a little lower, so my nose was barely above the water. I'd wait to grab my clothes after they left.
"We'll have a big feast tonight!" I heard Nibs yell excitedly. "Tobi will love it!"
Cheers followed.
"That pig sure ran fast!" said Charlie.
"But it was no match for the Lost Boys!" laughed a boy I didn't recognize.
Closer than I would have liked I heard a familiar voice crow. Many others replied loudly. My heart lurched. I slid closer to the rock, trying not to breath, as if some how that would make them leave faster.
"Peter, come on! What are you doing?"
There was a pause. I held my breath nervously.
"Go ahead," Peter called back. "I'll meet you at the tree house."
There were a few protests, but Peter convinced them to leave. My heart was pounding furiously. I hugged the rock tighter, listening to hear where Peter went, but the forest was silent. I started scooting around the rock toward the bank, planning to chance a glance to the shore when I heard the soft sound of splashing water. My stomach lurched and I quickly started to edge away.
I could hear some one slowly swimming into the Lagoon, their gentle strokes getting closer to my hide out. I reached up to my clothes, trying to grab them and pull at least the shirt on. The sound of some one getting out of water interrupted the rhythmic paddling. My eyes were locked on the rock in front of me, hoping that who ever had joined me was gone now.
A soft chuckle crashed that dream.
No, no! I wouldn't believe it! But I had to look…
I slowly raised my head, keeping my eyes on the rock as long as possible until I had to look up. My heart stopped, my body froze, a small gasp leaked from my lips; Peter stood on top of the rock, in all his glory.
My cheeks flooded with red. I snapped my head away and quickly covered myself with my hands but they didn't seem to be big enough. Suddenly the crystal clear water wasn't as amazing.
"I thought that was you, Tobi." Peter laughed.
I tried to laugh along, but it sounded more like I was being strangled. I was quickly scooting away from Peter, while trying to keep myself covered. It wasn't really working.
"Where do you think you're going?" He chuckled.
He plunged back into the water with a large splash, showering me with his wave. Before he had a chance to peek under water I grabbed my shorts and flung them on. I didn't care how heavy they felt in water, it was like a blessing. No more booty exposure.
Peter resurfaced a few feet away from me, his hair clinging to his face. He began paddled leisurely toward me, apparently oblivious that I was still topless. I tried to cover my front as best I could while reaching for my shirt still drying on the rock. There was only word to describe it: FAIL.
"Tobi, what's wrong with you?"
He was only a foot away from me now, leaning against the rock as he watched me struggle. I was forcing myself to look at only his face. But even with my eyes locked on his my peripheral caught small glimpses of what was underwater. My cheeks burned even more.
"Peter, I'm topless!" I hiss.
Peter shrugged. "So,"
I raised my eyebrows in amazement. Maybe Tinker Bell was right. Peter was still innocent… And then Peter's eyes began to travel away from my face, to my chest and staid there. My cheeks got hotter. Why did I have to point it out!
"Hey! Up here!" I yell, kicking him in the side.
Peter quickly looked back up to my face, but I could see the change in his eyes. He was aware. There was no denying it.
"What did you say?" He mumbled.
My eyes widened. He wasn't even paying attention. I could tell he was miles away… or rather, minutes away, thinking of things he shouldn't be. Crap, this wasn't good.
"Can you hand me my shirt?" I say.
Peter raises his eyebrows quizzically. "Why?"
"Because I want it, okay?"
Peter just grins. I knew that look. That wasn't a good look. That was the I-want-to-wrestle-until-you-cheer-up look. Normally it would just be annoying to try and fight Peter off. Now, he'd probably end up drowning me.
I wasn't going to uncover myself.
"You need to lighten up," Peter says with a smirk. "You aren't supposed to swim with clothes, anyways."
Peter was slowly getting closer. I started stepping back, not bothering to check where I was going, only caring that it was in the opposite direction of Peter. In only a few strides my back was pressed up against another rock.
Peter had cornered me.
My heart started beating faster. Peter's smile was an ear-to-ear grin now, and I knew there was no way of out swimming him. He lifted his arms up, putting them on either side of me. Now I really was cornered.
"Why are you blushing?" Peter whispered.
Our faces were just a few inches away. I could smell his sweet breath, and feel the warm air touch my lips. My body quivered.
"I'm not blushing,"
Peter smirked. One of his hands left the rock to brush my cheek. He cupped it in his rough hand and gently squeezed it. My breath caught in my throat.
"I bed to differ," He chuckled.
My cheeks burned in response, making Peter's smile grow. The hand on my cheek slowly moved to the back of my neck, his fingers weaving through my wet hair. He was leaning closer, his eyes darting from my lips to my eyes. His chest was pressed against mine. Only my arms folded across me kept little distance between us, but I could still feel his tone body against mine.
"Can I kiss you?" he whispered.
My mouth dropped open slightly in shock. Peter was waiting patiently, our lips just an inch away. His warm breath was flooding into my open mouth. I could feel my head tipping up involuntarily, my lips puckering on their own just to taste his delicious lips. I knew what my answer should be. The little voice in my head was screaming at me to say it, but I wasn't listening any more. I had to have his lips. Just a taste. Would that be so bad?
"Yes," I sigh.
Peter grins. He gently brushes his lips against mine, letting his honey taste linger on my lips before pulling away. The hand at the back of my neck held me tighter as Peter leans in again, brushing his lips against mine teasingly. I sigh, opening my mouth a little wider but Peter pulls away again.
My lips were tingling with desire. All I could think about was how close Peter was, how much I wanted to taste him again. Peter gripped my neck firmly and crashed his lips against mine, allowing our lips to finally mold together. My stomach erupted with butterflies. Peter's free hand found its way to the small of my back, pressing my body closer to his.
Our breathing fell into sync. His sweet breath was clouding my mind, filling every inch of me so all I could feel was his warm body against mine. My hands left my chest so they could wrap around Peter's neck and touch his hair. Our bodies crashed together. His rigid abs rubbed against my stomach. They were pulsing quickly with his heavy breath, stroking my skin so millions of goose bumps sprouted up.
The hand on my back slowly made its way to my waist, then to the bottom of my butt. Peter lifted me up, placing me on his hips as he turned around, so he could lean against the rock. I wrapped my legs around his waist, pressing myself harder against him. Peter responded excitedly, deepening the kiss and tangling his fingers in my hair.
A small moan escaped my lips. Peter replied by grinding his hips up. My heart leaped when I felt him hard against the shorts. My heart started beating wildly, and my breath became shallow. Peter's kisses were quickly growing deeper while his hands were clutching me harder against him. The voice in the back of my head started screaming again, and this time I knew I had to listen. This was going too far. But I couldn't stop myself.
Peter grinded his hips against mine and I pushed back automatically. One of Peter's hands found the hem of my shorts. It lingered there for a few seconds before gently gliding up my thigh. My breathing hitched.
Something hard and very solid collided with the back of my head, causing my forehead to slam into Peter's. I pulled away from Peter who was looking torn between making sure I was okay and continuing to kiss me. His chivalry won.
"Are you all right?"
I rubbed the back of my head, where a small lump was already forming. What the heck just hit me? Right on cue another missile flew at me. Peter's fast reflexes quickly pushed me out of the way. A sparkling blue shell collided with the rock where my head had been a second before.
"What the hell!" I gasp.
Peter just laughs and moves me out of the way as another sparkling shell flies at me. I look at Peter in horror. What was going on!
"Marissa, Annabel, come out. I know you're there." Peter called.
I followed Peter's gaze to the center of the lagoon. At first I thought Peter had finally gone insane until two colorful heads slowly rose from the water. My mouth dropped slightly as beautiful, slender white bodies followed, stopping at the waist. Two mermaids were smiling wickedly at us, both staring only at Peter. It didn't seem like they even noticed I was there.
The one to the left had bright pink hair that reached her belly. Her eyes matched the color of her hair, and her full lips. The girl to the right had light blue hair and similar eyes, which mimicked the Lagoon water almost perfectly. Both were stunningly beautiful and were decorated in seashells that accented their hair. I noticed how their tops were covered in large seashells, perfectly censoring their breast. Why hadn't I thought of that?
"Oh, Peter you caught us." Giggled the one with pink hair.
Peter laughed along. "You weren't hiding well, Marissa."
Marissa grinned, making me think of those petty cheerleaders in high school that got a kick out of stealing your boyfriends because they could. The blue head that must be Annabel began to swim toward us, keeping her eyes locked on Peter.
"We were only having a bit of fun." Annabel laughed.
I suddenly got a flash back of the old Disney Peter Pan movie, to the scene when the mermaids were trying to drown Wendy. And hadn't one of the mermaids exact words been, "We were only having a bit of fun"? I glared at the mermaids, oblivious that I was even there. So it was war they wanted!
"I don't think Tobi likes your games," Peter chuckled, bringing an arm around my shoulders.
For the first time Marissa and Annabel looked at me. But their flirtyness vanished instantly into a death stare. But it was so quick that we all knew Peter hadn't noticed. They looked back to Peter with giant grins.
"Why don't you let us play with Tobi?" Marissa asked with a sickeningly sweet voice. I wanted to slap her.
"Yes, yes!" Annabel chimed in. "We'll have lots of fun! Leave her with us, Peter!"
Both grinned devilishly. I look up to Peter quickly to see him smiling at the mermaids. And to my horror he looked like he could see no problem with it! Was he INSANE!
"I want to go back to the tree house." I say quickly.
Peter looks back to me, his smile softening into a loving stare. "As you wish,"
"Oh no! Don't go!"
"Stay, Peter! Please stay!"
The mermaids began to swim towards us, their eyes darting towards me maliciously. Peter was already at the rock where my shirt was drying. He tossed it to me before swimming to the shore to put on his own clothes. I happily tugged on the shirt, not caring how baggy it was. The mermaids perfect bodies were nothing less than a giant self-esteem killer.
I swam to the shore where Peter was waiting. The mermaids looked like they were ready to beach themselves just to get Peter to stay a little longer. Marissa had a hold of his ankle and was trying every trick in the book to get him back in the water. Annabel just kept batting her eyes and making kissy faces. I wasn't sure who I hated more, but at the moment Annabel was winning.
Peter reached for my hand when I got to the bank, and laced his fingers with mine. Marissa and Annabel looked like they could kill. Peter brought my hand up to his lips and kissed it softly. I glance over to the mermaids, enjoying their looks of rage.
"Let's go," Peter says.
I wrap my arms around his neck as he lifts me into his arms. In a swift bound we were in the air. I glance over his shoulder as we rocketed up to see the mermaids glaring at me. I stick my tongue out just as they disappeared under the water. Oh, it was oooon.
Peter glances at me curiously as we skim the branches. He had a small grin on his face. I hadn't realized how much closer he was holding me. Closer than he normally did. I wondered if I should say something, then realized I didn't care. I rested my head against Peter's chest, listening to his steady breathing.
We reached the tree house in just under a minute. Peter landed in my room before letting me step down, keeping his arms wrapped around my waist. I let my arms linger around his neck so our foreheads pressed together. I felt completely peaceful being with him. It was like all my anxiety disappeared.
Peter slowly bent his head down, skimming his warm lips across my cheek to my lips. I quickly pressed back, tightening my grip around his neck so the kiss could deepen. Peter pressed my body closer to his, crushing me against his solid body. But I didn't care. It felt wonderful. One of his hands weaved its way through my hair, gripping it hard as he plunged his tongue in my mouth.
"Ah-hem!"
I jumped in surprise, pushing away from Peter to see who was in the room. At first I was sure I was just being paranoid, because Peter seemed completely unconcerned. He was still holding me tightly and began kissing the hallow of my neck. I tried to ignore him (which was ridiculously hard) to find who was there.
"Ah-hem!" said the voice again. This time I knew we weren't alone.
I spotted a small floating green light near the open wall and my heart plummeted. Tinker Bell was going to kill me! But the faerie flew toward us and I saw with relief that it wasn't Tinker Bell but one I'd never seen before. She had green skin like Tinker Bell, but her face wasn't as angular and scary. She actually looked pretty.
The faerie eyed Peter with annoyance. He was completely oblivious of her presence, continuing to kiss my neck and hold me against him like we were alone. I grip Peter's shoulder and roughly push him away. The faerie smiles.
"I-I'm sorry," I ramble. My cheeks were starting to blush.
Peter looked quizzically at the faerie like he'd never seen one before. She just laughed, her voice much more pleasant than Tink's.
"It's fine," she giggles. "You must be Tobi. I'm Holly."
She extended her little hand. I stare at it for a moment before carefully raising a finger. She shook it enthusiastically. Holly then turned to Peter who was staring at me again with a hungry look. She flew up to his face and poked him on the nose.
"Peter, you need to go." She snaps, but her happy voice was like little chimes. I was wondering if she could ever sound as scary as Tink.
Peter looked at Holly with a dejected face. "What for?"
Holly grinned. "I need Tobi."
Peter looked questioningly at me. I just shrug.
"Why?" he asks.
Holly beamed. "I'm here to make her a new wardrobe." At that she pulled out a long measuring tape and let it fall to the floor.
Both Peter and I stared at her in amazement. Holly winked at me, before grabbing Peter by the collar and "dragged" him to the door. He let her push him out of the room, giving me one last curious glance before Holly slammed the door in his face. She turned to me with a giant grin once Peter was gone. I inwardly sighed. Why did she need to bother measuring me? I'm sure Tinker Bell just wanted me in brown sacs.
Holly clapped her hands together excitedly as her little black eyes looked me over. "All right," she half sang. "Let's make you sexy!"
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A/n: That's it. Hope you enjoyed!
