"Tink!" Peter called, stepping in the Hollow. It was quite dark now, the only light radiated from the occupants of the Hollow, that is, the fairies. Terence, the Keeper of Light, greeted Peter instead.
"Hello, Pan, how was your journey? Tinkerbelle said that you were enjoying yourself," he smiled brightly. It was one of his assets that Tink never would shut up about, however she claimed to still be in love with Peter. This smile however, darkened when he noticed Peter's expression. "Although now I'm starting to think she was being spiteful when she said that."
"No she was right. I was enjoying myself, until…" Peter sat down on the branch, thoroughly exhausted. Terence flew beside him to sit on his shoulder.
"Until?" he prompted.
Peter sighed, looking around. He was at the top of the main tree in Pixie Hollow, which was glittering with stray pixie dust. The branches swirled in a way so that Peter could have slept in the tree if he'd wanted to. He had many times, but had woken with pixie dust in places he'd rather not have it. Peter looked down at the roots of the tree, where many years ago he and Wendy had watched the fairy queen dance.
"Until I fell in love," Peter whispered, causing Terence to chuckle softly.
"Tell me about her then; you know you want to," Terence ordered, though not unkindly. Peter relented, letting in all his memories of Lucy back in, painful as they were.
"Her hair is very dark, a deep brown that smells like cherry blossoms. It is usually messy, but I quite like it that way," said Peter, smiling slightly. "Her lips are so red that if I look at them for a long time, I feel as if I should… well, kiss her. And I do kiss her! That is, when she allows it. And she has dark brown eyes that are like a doe's right before I shoot it. I could never hurt her though. Nothing could, she's so tough." Peter chuckled to himself, as if remembering some sweet memory of her that he quite enjoyed.
Terence raised an eyebrow for Peter to explain. "You see there was this one time where we were walking in the park and this boy came up to her and started flirting. When Lucy wouldn't go with him, he started pushing her around. Before I could throw him into the abyss, Lucy had punched his nose and blood started going everywhere! It was great!"
"She sounds feisty," Terence complemented.
"If only you knew… She's smart too. She would love Neverland…"
"Then why didn't you bring her? Didn't you tell her?"
Peter nodded his head hysterically, "I did! She wouldn't come!" he cried, flying into a standing position. Terence toppled off his shoulder and came to a halt on a bright red leaf, which was about to fall.
"Why? Neverland is an amazing place!" Terrence exclaimed, gesturing around at the golden tree.
"She doesn't want to leave her family!"
"Family?"
"Her parents and sister. But they will die anyway. In a blink of an eye they will all be gone."
"If she won't come with you, then you must live with her. Live with her until she dies."
"Dies?" Peter croaked, eyes widening in terror. "No! I forbid it! She won't die!"
"What are you going to do?" Terence asked, but it was too late, Peter had flown away.
If Lucy wouldn't come to Neverland, then Peter was just going to have to force her.
The flight to the mainland didn't take nearly as long as the last trip. This time Peter was full of his plans and confident in his persuasion abilities. Lucy would love Neverland. She would be with him forever.
Arriving in Lucy's room, Peter looked around happily, but his happiness was short-lived as he realized Lucy wasn't there. Peter panicked. How long had he spent in Neverland? Had Lucy grown up?
No. That was certain, for the room was still arranged as Peter had left it. Lucy was just not home. Peter relaxed a bit, before climbing out of the window and jumping into the air.
The air seemed slightly warmer and the occasional bird happened across Peter as he soared through London. Peter hovered over Lucy's school, mentally cursing himself. He'd forgotten about the dance. It had been ages ago when he left, but Peter had begged Lucy to allow him to accompany her. And what had Peter done? Gone and left for a floating island to sulk.
He landed now, hiding in a tree and watching as the girls made their way into the school, dressed beautifully with their hair curled and dresses smoothed out. They enter gracefully, swirling their skirts and twirling their hair, all except the most beautiful one of all.
She wore a deep red cloth that made her lips prominent. Her hair and eyes beckoning to Peter in a way only Neverland did. He yearned to go to her, to ease her mind. He flew away though, heading to the clothing stores.
Most of them were closed, though one was still open. Peter rushed in, and, grabbing the proper attire for a school dance, disappeared into a fitting room. A few minutes later, Peter emerged, looking like a prince.
He scrutinized himself in the mirror and was quite impressed. He could find no faults, but was still worried how Lucy would react to his being there. Shrugging, Peter jumped into the air and made his way to the school. He flew in through an open window and smiled nervously. He was in a music room, dark but there was a small candle that gave off some light. Peter picked up a flute and started down the stairs, grinning as he thought up a brilliant plan.