Wow, things have been overwhelming this past year, and I honestly didn't have any time for myself. Books were gathering dust on my shelves and stories were left unfinished. Sorry for the long disappearance! I intend to keep this story going at about an update every 2 weeks starting now, but if anything unexpected happens again, I might have delays in updates. And lastly, thank you SO MUCH for staying with the boy who knew how to fly after all this time:) It means the world to me to read your comments and have your encouragement. At any rate, I'm starting off slow with the story so here it is! enjoy~

-TheLonelybard

Chapter 10

Another day passed by with the barest hint of snow. The sun hung low in the sky and the clouds scattered as if blown away by a cannon.

That's funny, Wendy thought. She thought she'd seen a similar scene long ago.

Her classes had just ended and she was staring out the window, as usual, watching the sky turn navy blue.

"Wendy! We are visiting Mrs. Mather's dress emporium after this. Want to join us?" Said Lizzy, a tall girl with wild blond curls who had been closest to Wendy ever since they met on the first day in Alford School for Girls. These days however, Lizzy had been associating herself more and more with the Dunton twins who introduced her to the world of the elite.

"Hurry now, Mrs. Mather's open only until six and we want to make the most out of our visit."

"Oh, yes Anna! Imagine if we found the one perfect dress for the party next week."

"Danya, I told you so many times before…don't wear anything similar. You'd make me look just like you!"

"But I am just like you, Anna. Besides, I wanted a green one and you wanted red." And with that, Danya lifted her chin and turned to leave.

Anna, the older twin, went after her, rolling her eyes.

Seeing this, Lizzy immediately went after them with a sparkle in her eyes. She then suddenly paused and turned to Wendy, "Come with us! You don't have anything to do anyway."

Wendy had an indecisive look on her face and stood up from her desk, ignoring the other girls bustling out of the room.

"Please?" The fair-haired girl pleaded with big brown eyes.

Wendy smiled in defeat. "Oh, fine if that's what you want. I might leave before you though; aunt Millicent expects me to be home at five tonight to plan for some occasion."

"Really? What sort of occasion?" Lizzy raised an eyebrow, catching up with the twins. "I bet it's the same party Anna and Danya are attending next week!"

"I surely hope not…" Wendy mumbled. The twins were already a hundred feet ahead of them.

"What was that?"

"Nothing." Wendy grinned, "Let's catch up to them shall we?"

As the sun continued to set, the twins continued with their invasion of Mrs. Mather's emporium. They had demanded to see every new piece of red and green dress the shop had and had tried on the twentieth set of clothing by the time the stars began to appear.

Wendy was contemplating leaving right then just as the twins were changing again, but Lizzy's enthusiasm in being involved in "girl matters", as she had called them, made her a little reluctant to leave just yet.

"Just what is so special about this party that the twins wanted a new stylish dress for? They are barely satisfied with anything here and this is the biggest emporium in town." Wendy commented with a hint of sarcasm.

"Well, it's not entirely their fault. I mean, it's the Pallisers' party, why wouldn't they be excited for it? It's not like I get to go, I wasn't even invited and…"

For Wendy, Lizzy's voice slowly faded into the background the moment she mentioned the Pallisers. And just before she could say anything, the twins burst out of the changing room and were both arguing. "No! This is my dress, I found it first."

"Danya, I'm the eldest and besides, you picked it for me so it is naturally mine."

"That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard! If anyone is to wear this dress it is me, and if anyone is to dance with me while I wear this dress it is Peter Palliser! Lizzy, tell me it's mine."

This set off another set of arguments and Lizzy could only watch in utter confusion at the quarrel in front of her.

Wendy, on the other hand, was lost in her thoughts. Peter would be there!

And with that, she felt several things at once; she felt her heart move a little, excited for no reason, and then quite disappointed that she was not invited. I am not upset though, Wendy thought. And I have no reason to be. I'd rather stay at home and read a good book or have an evening stroll in the park.

Despite what she thought, Wendy felt a hint of gloom in her heart.

Suddenly tired, she told Lizzy that her time was up and that she should walk home with her. Lizzy contemplated for a second and decided to stay. In truth, the blond girl had never been to any balls or social gatherings. And because she did not have rich parents like some of her peers do, she'd always wanted to experience the daily events of the elite society herself.

Wendy understood this, of course, and left with a small smile.

Out on the streets, the streetlights laminated the way. Wendy walked down the cobblestone path, glancing up at the half moon.

Arriving at her house in Kensington, Wendy tiptoed her way up the stairs, planning to evade the chat with aunt Millicent. However, as if reading her mind, aunt Millicent appeared from on top of the stairs. "Ah, Wendy sweetheart! I have been waiting for you to come home. Let us all have some tea downstairs."

Wendy smiled enthusiastically, hiding her intention to escape.

Once the Darling women were seated at the table, Aunt Millicent began telling Mrs. Darling about the upcoming occasions that they should attend. Wendy objected once during their 'meeting' for having too much schoolwork and ended up with two less events.

"Then it's decided! You will be attending the Christmas ball, the tea party with all the ladies, and the birthday party next week."

"A birthday party? Next week? That is quite soon, don't you think? Wendy might not have something to wear." Mrs. Darling commented.

"Well, we will have to find her one soon then!" aunt Millicent dismissed.

"And whose birthday is it, aunt Millicent? Must I give them a birthday present?" Wendy asked.

"My dear, it is someone you know." She winked at the girl. "The person even wrote to you himself with a very endearing note attached to the invitation."

To be continued...