Dear Diary,

It's been a minute, but I'll tell you everything. I am now a Sophomore in Highschool. Kimberly and I are still best friends. George and I… well, we're still friends… also boyfriend and girlfriend. Arlene… well, I don't think we'll ever be real friends, but somehow high school has mellowed her out… only a little. Oddly enough, at least in Arlene's sense, Marcy and I have become frenemies. She has a part-time job at her parent's entertainment store, and Kimberly and I sometimes get discounts.

Anyway, I have been following my theater dream as I don't have a cooking class for a bit. The play is Peter Pan, mixed with the Broadway and Disney versions. Dad's been asked to help with the music. The tryouts were intense, but I was determined; I did my best. And today is the day the cast list is being posted at lunch. Placing faith and trust in this… really wish I had pixie dust.

Sincerely,

Drea

Drea tapped her hands on her desk as her light Carmel hair tied into a lazy bun. She praised the person who created that hairstyle. It's perfect for the girl who could hardly sleep last night and needed a quick hairstyle before she was late. Her blue overalls and a light blue t-shirt under them were also a quick pick.

RING!

All the students quickly stood. Some wanted to rush to the lunchroom; others, like Drea and Kimberly, rushed to the hallway to the posterboard for the Peter Pan cast list.

Kimberly's black hair was much more straight and neater than Drea's. She wore a short sleeve jean jacket, an AC/DC black t-shirt and ripped jeans, and red tennis shoes. "You look how I feel," Kimberly said, half-joking.

"That's the truth," Drea started. "That tryout was hard. I want to be Wendy so badly."

"You and almost every girl who auditioned," Kimberly added. "Peter Pan is the play almost everyone knows about. Ms. Reed was strict about it. Her tryouts made me pass out when I got home."

Drea nodded. Before the girls could continue their conversations, some girls and boys ran past them and surrounded the board. Drea placed her hand on her stomach. She could feel her heart in her stomach. Drea looked at Kimberly. "How much do you think Alene got the part of Wendy?"

"It's not fair! This is a mistake!"

Drea and Kimberly covered their ears as some other students did the same. As the girls slowly uncovered their ears, Kimberly looked at Drea. "Not a chance," she chuckled.

As the two friends went to the board, they saw Marcy and Alene… arguing? Though some seemed to be congratulating Marcy.

"How could you get the part?" Alene argued with much anger that you could practically see steam coming from her ears, at least in Drea's imaginative mind.

"I don't know," Marcy stated. "Why aren't you congratulating me?"

"Why? I didn't get the part."

"Just congratulate me."

"Fine, congratulations. Now, give me the part."

"No, I wanted this so badly!"

Drea and Kimberly exchanged looks. In middle school, no one saw those two argue, as Marcy never argued with Alene. However, since high school, Marcy seems to be backing away from Alene's shadow, which Alene hasn't seemed to let go of. Marcy even told her and Kimberly that she wanted to write scripts and do acting. Alene just assumed that Marcy would want to be a model like her.

Drea looked and smiled wide as she saw George, seeming to try and stop the argument. "George," Drea called as she ran to him, and Kimberly followed.

Catching George off guard, Drea practically tackled George in a hug. "Hey, George. What happened?"

"Marcy got the role of Wendy, and let's just say not everyone was so happy."

Drea felt her heart sink. There goes her dream role, though if anyone deserved it, it was Marcy. She was honestly surprised Marcy wanted to focus more on scriptwriting than acting; she was amazing in the audition.

Drea shrugged. "I guess there goes my chance. I guess I can just be a mermaid."

Marcy stopped arguing with Alene as she turned to Drea, confused. "Wait, you're not playing a mermaid. Didn't you look at the cast list?"

Alene groaned. "It's worst that she even got a good role."

Drea looked at George, confused. "Wait, what?"

George scratched the back of his head. "It's true… don't know how you will take it though… it's better if you see."

Drea, confused, looked to Kimberly, who just shrugged. Drea walked from George over to the cast list. It read:

Peter Pan (Minor to Major roles)

Mermaids: Mary Scott, Maratha Golden, Angela Byers, Betty Wardle, Lily Frank, Sarah Whitworth

Pirates: all male auditions

(Plus, native Americans include girls)

Ms. Darling: Kimberly Andow

Smee- Brad Miller

Hook/Mr. Darling- George Easton

Tinkerbell/Nana- Alene Blake

Wendy Darling- Marcy Manmington

Peter Pan- Andrea Thomas

Drea's eyes widened. "I got the lead!" She should, and then her mind finally processed one problem. "Wait, I'm playing a boy?!"

"I should be Wendy!"

"I can't be a boy!"

"Well, hello to you too, girls."

Drea and Alene were not fans of the results of the cast list. They went to the theater office to talk to Ms. Reed about it. Mrs. Reed, despite her strict theater audition, Ms. Reed was a kind, witty woman who believed hard work and a good attitude was the key to life and good theater. She had gorgeous long brown hair and blue eyes. She wore a blue jumpsuit with red heels.

Ms. Reed sighed. "First, both of you sit down." Drea and Alene sighed as they both sat down. "Second, Alene, I don't want to hear anything about you taking Marcy's role."

"What? She told you that?" Alene asked.

Drea could be crazy but did Alene sound… hurt?

"No, she didn't," Ms. Reed answered. "The whole school heard the argument. Heck, I would have gotten her involved so we wouldn't get a noise complaint."

Drea snickered, causing only Alene to look at her with a strong glare.

"Second, I picked based on acting skills and personality. I need a very patient personality, and both of you are not very patient people."

"Yes, I am," the two teenagers said in unison.

Ms. Reed sighed. "I rest my case," she then turned to Drea. "And to answer your question, Drea, this is perfectly normal for a girl to play this role."

Drea looked shocked. "But haven't you seen Peter Pan? He's played by a boy."

"In the movies," Ms. Reed emphasized. "The animated movie was the first to use a male actor. Then later, it continued. However, the stage is different as the stage does not have the equipment, as men could not be light enough to fly on wires. And we're continuing that stage tradition. Besides, you earned this role. You have the most energy and creative mind to play, the boy that never grew up."

Alene smirked. "Cause she's the boy that never grew up." Drea glared at her as it was Alene's turn to snicker.

However, Ms. Reed cleared her throat, getting their attention. "Now, you both can reject the roles, but you may not get another role in this play. So, I need to know if you will accept the role."

Drea sighed as Alene looked annoyed, but the two knew one thing: this opportunity would not come up again. The two nodded in unison. Ms. Reed smirked. "See, problem solved. Now, no rehearsals today. We will save it after the weekend." Drea and Alene glanced at each other as they both left. "Oh, and one more thing," Ms. Reed started to say, causing the two to turn back to her. "Peter and Tinkerbell are friends. So, I hope you two could learn to get along."

The two rivals winced as they looked at each with disbelief before looking at Ms. Reed with disagreement in their eyes. This role was starting to become more trouble than it's worth.

Drea dragged herself to her old elementary school. Though Drea couldn't babysit the Long children as much anymore, she still did it from time to time and set a time to help. However, today, she couldn't seem to find them. Drea was about to give up when she heard a loud commotion from Ms. Long's office. When Drea reached the front of the office, she saw her little pals, Rebecca and Matt Long.

Rebecca had gotten a bit taller but still wore her blue-frame glasses and had her long blonde hair in a ponytail. She wore a top hat and looked almost like a suit that reminded Drea of Jiminy Cricket. In Drea's opinion, Matt had gotten a bit taller and had less of his baby face, but he was still cute. However, Matt's blonde hair was ruffled up, and his face had a black eye! Plus, the circus/marching band-like outfit he wore looked so out of sorts.

Drea quickly ran up to them. "Hey-are you okay-what happened?" Drea asked all at once.

"Hey, Drea," the two Long children greeted solemnly.

Drea then touched Matt's black eye, causing him to wince. "Who gave you an eclipse eye, and why do you guys look like you jumped out of a book?"

Rebecca rolled her eyes. "You can thank mom for that. This was supposed to start off with 'fictional book week.' I wanted to go as Indiana Jones, but mom said no. So, I was stuck as Jiminy Cricket from Pinocchio."

Drea shrugged. "Well, Pinocchio was a book before it was a movie." Drea was not going to go into the darker story of Pinocchio till she was 13… 15. Drea then looked at Matt. "And you are?"

"I'm supposed to be Timothy mouse from Dumbo," Matt said. "Though Clayton didn't think so. I told him terminator wasn't a book."

Drea sighed. "And Clayton terminator thought you were John Connor."

"If that means he thought I was his punching bag, then yes," Matt answered.

"I told you to just leave his costume alone," Rebecca scolded.

Matt then glared at his sister. "You were the one who egged me on."

"After he hit you!"

"Troublemaker!"

"Baby!"

"Stop!" Drea shouted, stopping the two from fighting and another black eye arriving. "So, where's your mom?"

The two pointed to the principal's door, and once again, Drea heard the loud commotion. Drea sighed as she walked up to the door and slightly opened it, and the shouting nearly blew off her eardrums.

"I'll have your job! You hear! This is favoritism!"

Drea peeked in, and a woman dressed in green and curly fancy brown hair stood in front of the desk Ms. Long sat behind. Ms. Long was patient and looked pretty and different in her Cinderella dress. Drea wasn't surprised, as Ms. Long usually participated in the fun. Clayton's mom, whom Drea assumed the woman was, was not as impressed.

"Mrs. Ross," Ms. Long said calmly but firmly. "As I have said, I, myself, am removed from the results of this situation, and I have no say in either side's punishment. Besides this situation, I am involved in the investigation of bullying. Your son has been in multiple reports of bullying, not including today. So, he may receive a suspension."

The woman slammed her fist on the table. "This wouldn't happen if those two hoodlums had a father; in fact, if they had a decent mother. Maybe there should be an investigation into that."

Ms. Long frowned as she stood up. "Do what you like, and I will give you the number, but if you ever threaten my children—"

Drea quickly widened the door stopping the two adults. "Excuse me, Ms. Long?" Drea said, acting as if she heard nothing. "But I am here for…."

"Oh," Ms. Long said as she looked at her wristwatch. "It is time." Ms. Long looked over Drea and Mrs. Ross's shoulders. "Rebecca! Matt! Head to the cafeteria; Drea and I will meet you there; have Ms. Faye place some ice over that eye, Matthew."

Rebecca and Matt nodded, grabbed their backpack, and headed to the cafeteria.

Ms. Long looked at Mrs. Ross. "Now, if you would please. Pick up your son from the nurse's office, and please leave."

Mrs. Ross huffed. "Mark my words, you won't have a job as soon as I'm through." Mrs. Ross walked to the door and then eyed Drea. "And you are?"

"I'm Andrea Thomas. Though friends call me Drea. I babysit the Long children," Drea said politely as possible.

Mrs. Ross huffed. "Clearly, your work hasn't yielded any fruit. Have you ever babysat anything other than your pet?"

Drea smirked. "Yes, have you ever learned what bullying and threatening mean? Cause I think you need a better job."

Mrs. Ross immediately frowned. "I would expect as much from the babysitter Ms. Long would hire." Before the two could respond, Mrs. Ross huffed off and walked down the hall.

Drea turned to Ms. Long and walked to her desk as Ms. Long flopped in her office chair. "She seems nice," Drea started sarcastically.

Ms. Long looked up and gave Drea. "I should scold you for the comment to Mrs. Ross, but you're not my student anymore." Ms. Long chuckled, causing Andrea to join her. Ms. Long sighed. "Don't worry about me; Ms. Queen of Hearts has said that every time her son fails a test or is set to the office."

"What did happen?"

"Oh," Ms. Long started. "From what I know, Matt told Clayton his costume didn't fit the instructions. Clayton started picking on Matt, and Rebecca made it worse by goading Clayton on. Clayton pushed Rebecca, and Rebecca pushed back. Clayton pushed Rebecca to the ground; Matt fought Clayton, Clayton punched Matt and chaos ensued."

Drea hummed. "Wow, I hardly ever hear them get into a fight."

"That's the effect of getting older," Ms. Long said as she started packing up. "Rebecca seems to think she knows everything and teases everyone. Now, Matt is becoming so shy and less confident in everything. Not to mention, those two argue more than they ever did."

Drea sighed. Ms. Long wasn't wrong. Drea saw some of those changes, and now it seems less and less that the two children want to go on secret adventures. It honestly hurt.

"On brighter news," Ms. Long started. "I heard you got the role of Peter Pan! It fits you so well."

Drea sighed but smirked. "It would have been better if I was a boy."

Ms. Long closed her suitcase and headed to the door as Rebecca followed. "Oh, Drea, it's tradition. Besides, I'm hoping to get Rebecca and Matt involved, as they are asking our school for lost boys and mermaids. I'm hoping you could help me convince them. They hardly listen to my suggestion nowadays."

Drea nodded immediately. "Of course, I would love to get them out of the effects of the age of not believing."

"Age of not believing?"

Matt and Rebecca sat on the lunch table seats as Ms. Faye returned with an ice pack for Matt. Ms. Faye was a beautiful, kind lady. She had curly blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes. She was in her cooking outfit but had it mixed with outfit peasant clothes of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

"Yeah," Rebecca questioned. "What's that supposed to be?"

"Well," Ms. Faye started to explain. "It's about around 8-l2, where things you once believed seemed impossible. Matt being eight, and Rebecca being11, that's about the age it starts to happen." Ms. Faye grabbed her water bucket and washcloth and walked around to the other side of the table as Matt and Rebecca followed her by turning to face her. "It's a terrible thing it is."

"Why is it terrible?" Matt questioned.

Rebecca glared at Matt. "Shows what you know."

Matt glared back at her sister. "You don't know either."

Rebecca stuck her tongue out at her brother. Ms. Faye simply chuckled as she started washing the table and hummed, then… started singing.

When you rush around in hopeless circles, searching everywhere for something true. You're at the age of not believing when all the make-believe is through.

"That's Rebecca to a tee," Matt commented, causing his sister to glare at her.

When you've set aside your childhood heroes, and your dreams are lost upon a shelf. You're at the age of not believing, and worst of all, you doubt yourself.

"Alright," Ms. Faye said. "Hands off the table. I have to make it shine." The children quickly did as they were told and continued to listen to the song.

You're a castaway where no one hears you on a barren isle in a lonely sea.

"What's that supposed to be, poetry?" Rebecca questioned in a teasing tone. Matt nudged her, and Rebecca glared at her brother before looking back to Ms. Faye.

Where did all the happy endings go? Where can all the good times be?

"Matt! Rebecca! Time to go! We have to take Drea home too!" Ms. Long called.

Matt and Rebecca gathered their stuff as Ms. Faye kept cleaning and singing.

You must face the age of not believing, doubting everything you ever knew.

"Goodbye, Ms. Faye," Matt and Rebecca said in unison as the siblings started to walk off. As Faye waved and continued.

Until, at last, you start believing; there's something wonderful in you…

"You think it's true?" Matt questioned.

"No, silly, it's just a song," Rebecca interjected. Rebecca turned back to Ms. Faye. "Isn't that… right?"

However, no one was there; it was like she had vanished. Matt and Rebecca exchanged looks before shrugging and heading down the hall to meet their mom and Drea.

Unknown to them, a glowing ball of sparkling light suddenly appeared where the kids once stood. It then dashed off to the window into the sky.