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The mail came through the slot on the door, the maid shuffled through it and found an elegantly written letter addressed for Miss Wendy Darling. She hustled upstairs and knocked on the dark maple chamber door, twisting the knob open.

Wendy laid on her bed, homework spread all over, and she stared at it wordlessly.

Josie hated to see her like that, Wendy had spoken not a word since she had came back from her friend's house. The maid said softly, "A envelope for you dearie."

Wendy took it and opened the note awkwardly, not making eye contact with her. Josie watched her read it, then she continued gazing off into space. The maid asked impatiently, "What did it say child? What has brought you into such a mood?" Wendy blinked, as if surprised to see her standing there, and murmured, "Bethany White is having a betrothal gathering, and I'm invited."

Josie frowned, "I remember you telling me about that rotten girl. You don't have to go."

She was shocked to see tears in Wendy's eyes as she moaned, "O, you don't understand! Peter's betrothed to her, and I have to go for the sake of him!" Josie stated, "Then you have a predicament there."

Wendy threw herself at her pillows and wept passionately, Josie touched her shoulder, "Don't cry missus. You can do better, there is plenty of other men out there for you." Wendy sat up, "No! There is no one else! There is truly no one else like him! I lo-!"

She stopped herself from saying it but her mind, she knew, she knew it.

The darker-haired maid grinned knowingly, "Go to the party and have fun." Josie gave her the long black dress to wear and pinned her hair up. Wendy did indeed attend the party. It was set in Bethany's luxurious apartment, the gathering was beautiful. She entered and was greeted by Mr. and Mrs. White, they grinned, "Good to see you Wendy." She nodded and walked away, looking around for only one person. Bethany and Peter walked over, the beaming girl dressed in pearls and lace, "Wendy Darling, I'm ever so joyful you could come! Aren't you Peter dear?"

He smiled, "You look nice Wendy."

She held her head high, even though a lump rose in her throat. Bethany turned to her new husband, "I'll be right back Peter, I have to have a chat with Wendy."

She led Wendy away to a bare room and looked upon a family portrait, "It's absolutely admirable, isn't it?"

Wendy swallowed, "Yes, ever so." Bethany looked at her, "Wendy, I understand that you had feelings for Peter. I think it's terribly sweet." Wendy didn't have a good feeling about this talk. Bethany examined a ring on her finger, "The fact is, Wendy, it isn't sweet anymore. Peter Pan is mine now and I do hope you understand. I wouldn't have invited you here if it wasn't for Peter, and quite frankly, I don't like you. I never did."

Wendy said inwardly, Neither did I hon.

Bethany met her gaze, "My point is, stay away from him. He doesn't need you anymore, he has me." Wendy confirmed quietly, "You don't love him."

She sneered, "Wake up and smell the roses sugar, it's never about love Wendy, it's about looks and money. Always was." Bethany fluffed her bangs, "If you'll excuse me Darling, I have a party to host." As soon as she left, Wendy went to find Peter.

"Peter!"

He looked up expectantly, "Wendy?"

"You cannot go through with this," she said desperately, "Bethany isn't marrying you out of love and she knows it! She doesn't love you!" Peter knit his eyebrows, "You told me that this was a good thing."

He didn't believe her.

Wendy shouted, as she was escourted out of the party, "She doesn't love you, the world doesn't work that way! She doesn't love you Peter!"

She landed on her knees as they shut the doors behind her; Wendy rode back home, trembling with sadness for herself, and Peter Pan. When she got home, Aunt Millicent was waiting for her. Wendy took off her jacket numbly, "Please, I wish to be alone."

"You are lucky I don't throw you out into the street for such atrocities you cause. Thankfully, I have found you a suitor."

Wendy knew at that exact moment Aunt Millicent's cold gray eyes flashed. She screamed, "NEVER! I WILL NEVER MARRY HIM!" and stormed to her room, falling asleep crying into her blankets.

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