Author's Note: Ah, here's the next chapter! I know the last chapter was a bit on the short side, but I think this will help make up for it. Hope you like it, longer author's note at bottom. (I added a bit more information to it!)
Chapter 13: Peter's Story
Wendy listens to Peter's side of the story, gazing at him in amazement. Though nearly a grown-up, he still possesses a rather complacent attitude. That is what makes him Peter Pan, after all.
"…I decided I wanted to grow up and I left for London," Peter explains. "Tink came with me for support, I guess." He refrains from telling Wendy the reason of his departure from Neverland. He does not tell her about the unhappy memories that beset him and stopped him from flying. Tinkerbell flew with him to make sure he would stay afloat with fairy dust. Peter will tell Wendy the truth later, when and if she wants to know. Then, his true feelings will be revealed. "I landed in Kensington Gardens, where a policeman nearly arrested me for playing on my flute. The Eddingtons were taking a walk and they heard my song. I could have killed the officer right then and there, but I did not. The Eddingtons adopted me and sent me to school. I work for my father's company now."
"Your choosing to grow up was an adult decision in itself, Peter," Wendy responds. "Perhaps you were maturing every day, and you did not realize it." Peter shrugs.
"I don't know. All I know is that living has turned out to be an awfully great adventure." Wendy smiles at the teenager and he sighs.
"Do you know how old you are?" Wendy questions.
"I'm sixteen. When the Eddingtons took me in, they asked me how old I was. I told them I had no idea, but they seemed to be quite good at determining ages. They told me I looked to be about thirteen, so that's what I was. My birth date is the day they found me in Kensington Gardens."
"Oh, you look much older than sixteen, maybe eighteen," she replies, blushing a deep pink. A cunning smile forms on Peter's lips and he looks into Wendy's face. He can see everything from her expression. Wendy gathers up the courage to ask him the question that Peter dreads.
"I do not mean to be rude, but why – why did you return to London?" Wendy swallows nervously and looks up into Peter's face. He hesitates for a moment and she takes a step toward him.
"I –," Peter answers. The smile disappears from his face. She wants to know so soon? "I wanted to grow up."
"There must be more than that, Peter. I'm sure you were lonely without the Lost Boys."
"I was not lonely," Peter says defiantly. Of course you were lonely, Peter thinks. You were lonely because she was not there. He looks pale, which is very odd.
"Was it…love?" she adds. Wendy cannot help to ask this. She questioned about love him once before, but he said he did not believe in it. Could he have changed in these past years? He must have, being part of a family and such.
"Yes," Peter answers slowly.
"WENDY!" a shrill voice calls. Wendy takes a sharp breath and falls back into reality. She spins around, listening for the voice. It is Aunt Millicent. She blushes in embarrassment and turns to Peter.
"Will you accompany me to my parents?" she questions. Peter smirks and smoothes out his hair. He makes it superbly neat.
"I'm sure your father will murder me as soon as he sees us together."
"Don't say such things! My parents and my aunt will think highly of you, as do I." Peter offers his arm like a perfect gentleman; Wendy takes it gratefully. She squeezes it reassuringly and they stroll back to the ball. Aunt Millicent lounges with Mr. and Mrs. Darling on the outskirts of the dance floor. Evelyn and a few of the other girls are eyeing Wendy and Peter suspiciously. The teenagers walk up to Aunt Millicent and she stops yelling.
"Aunt Millicent, I would like you to meet Peter Eddington," Wendy says and her parents step up behind the bewildered woman. Three pairs of eyes ogle Peter, who feels dreadfully uncomfortable. The pair of piercing blue eyes belongs to Mr. Darling, who has a strong resemblance to Captain Hook.
"I know who he is," Millicent snaps disdainfully. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
"It is a great honor to meet such a respectable family like yourselves," Peter responds and Aunt Millicent clucks. George does not like the way Wendy is so close to this young man, seeing as she barely knows him. Aunt Millicent inspects Peter with cold eyes. He stands straight and lifts his chin bravely. He wants very much to be approved by Wendy's family.
Suddenly, Aunt Millicent puts her hand over her mouth in surprise and raises a finger to Peter's mouth. Peter steps out of the way, confused by this act. "What do we have here? A kiss, I see."
"Millicent, you are mistaken. Mr. Eddington surely would not have a kiss," Mr. Darling speaks. Peter peers at Wendy and knows instantly what they are talking about. The kiss that Wendy promised would be his forever and always. He thought it was hidden, but obviously he was wrong. Aunt Millicent points to Peter's lips and he lowers his head.
"There, there! Don't you see it?" the determined woman persists. Mary Darling knows it is true. There are just some things a mother understands.
"Wendy," Mrs. Darling starts, "you should bid farewell to Peter. We are going to be leaving shortly." Peter begins to move away from the Darlings and Wendy goes with him.
"I did not mean for that to happen," she states. "I cannot comprehend my aunt sometimes."
"Is it really there, Wendy?" Peter implies, a satisfied smile coming to his face. Wendy's heart begins to beat a little bit faster.
"The kiss? Yes, it is faint, but it is there."
"I shall give it back to you then," Peter declares, resting his hands on his hips. He crows and laughs all at the same time.
"Kisses can never be returned. That is yours, and yours alone." A sad silence drifts in between the two.
"Will I see you again?" Peter asks and Wendy notices the tiny bit of childlike innocence he has left. She is not sure if they will meet again. A cold sweat forms on her neck and her whole body feels weak
"I do hope so," she prays. "Have you forgotten how to fly?" She does not need him to answer because she knows the truth. If he could, he would be at her house already, waiting to travel to the stars and listen to her stories. "Good-bye Peter."
"I'll be looking forward to hearing more stories," he murmurs. "Especially about Cinderella." Wendy laughs, as the tears begin rolling down her cheeks.
"Me too," she agrees and stares at Peter. His sapphire eyes seem to be glossy, as if he will start crying too. He gives an awkward wave, and Wendy is reminded of the last time she saw him. The two differences are that he was flying away and he was younger. I'll see him again, I know I will, Wendy promises herself and dabs her eyes with her gloves. She meets her parents by the door and they do not ask her why she is in such a state.
Thus, Wendy's visit to the ball is ended.
Thankfully, good-bye is not forever, as one will soon find out.
Author's Note: Thank you so much for the feedback, my faithful readers and reviewers! I truly enjoy reading all your comments. I am inspired by you plus the movie to write so much more. I hope that this chapter wasn't so bad. Hmm…I can already picture Jeremy Sumpter as a cute older teenager. (I know you must think I'm crazy, but I'm not…well, a little bit, haha) I'll update as soon as I can. I have many assignments to do over the weekend and I don't know if I will finish them. High school can be so cruel. Bye and thanks for the reviews!!!