A/n:I can't get online!!! In fact, I'm not even updating this! My good friend Almatari is!

Chapter 9—Of Neverland and School

In Neverland the weather has been sporadic. Some days the sun shines with a ferocity that scorches over the forest. Other days the air turns a burning cold, forcing everything—and one—into shelter.

At the beginning, the earth had turned hard and barren to that the Lost Boys hid underground for quite some time. The faeries retreated to shelter of trees, mushrooms and like, while the mermaids found warm water currents to hide by. The Indians found refuge in their thick-skinned tee-pees and the pirates hid below deck, equipped with blankets and furs. The ground crunched with fresh snow and the trees were frosted, shimmering in the stark sunlight. Then, suddenly, the sky turned a vibrant blue and the snow melted, thawing the ground. The Jolly Roger tilted dangerously back into place, rocking the lagoon so dangerously that Captain Hook swore loudly in his cabin.

Everyone thought it: Peter Pan had returned.

But no one saw him. Not the pirates, who sought to fight him, nor the Indians who meant to ally him. Not even the Lost Boys, who searched fervently and shouted loudly, could find Peter. It was if he had returned, only he had not.

The forest bloomed, but only in reds and pinks, free of all blues, purples and yellows. Nibs stumbled into a clearing.

"Coast is clear," he stage whispered to the other boys, who promptly entered the scene.

Curley's face was hard as he glared to the sky. "Do you think he's foolin' us fellahs?" he asked softly.

Slightly shrugged and brought his hand to his quiver on his back as something darted from the bushes.

The twins looked about quickly and smiled. "At least it is warm now," said one of them.

"Yes, it was cramped inside," said the other, stretching comically.

"But I miss Peter," complained Tootles.

Slightly hit him in the head. "Don't you worry about it you blubbering twit, he'll come back. Peter wouldn't leave us."

Tootles nodded, but his heart was worried. He stared again to the sky.

The clouds were puffy and full, like cotton candy and puffs of majestic smoke. The space around them was so blue that it was blinding. The flowers let out an intoxicating aroma that filled the boys' nostrils, making them light-headed and happy.

The twins sat down. "This is hard," one of them said.

"Neverland is so huge! How are we supposed to find him?" said the other at the same time.

"Just shut up all of you," snapped Slightly, "I'm trying to think and you're not helping one bit. If we need to find Peter we need a plan."

"Like a battle?" asked Curley excitedly. "I'll plan it then!" He grinned and went about sketching a plan in the earth.

Slightly frowned. "No! Not like a battle! We're not hunting Peter; we're trying to locate him. It's different."

Curley stopped drawing and looked to Slightly. "Then what are we supposed to do?"

Slightly thought about this for a second. Nibs sat down on a log.

"Anyone up for a little search and rescue?" Slightly asked.

0o0o0o0

Though Wendy tried, she couldn't convince Peter to return to Neverland. He had grown content and was an ordinary scene sitting on Wendy's windowsill.

Wendy was pulling her hair out.

Tuesday at school Katherine acted like Wendy didn't exist. Abby, Gale and Isabella were cold towards her too. Donovan shot her a disgusted look in the halls, but otherwise showed no recognition of her.

In math class Wendy missed the usual annoying notes from Katherine and at lunch she sat alone as she watched the others laughing and eating casually. She tried talking to Katherine, but Katherine would hear none of it.

"Wendy, I was wrong to like your cousin. It is plain to see that the Darling family has a rule about interrelations marrying or dating or at least kissing. I'm telling you, no one in my family has ever sucked face if they were actually related."

Wendy didn't know what to say. She could fess up and say that Peter wasn't really her cousin, but then everyone would think of her as insane and as a liar. Or she could say that they didn't actually kiss, that Katherine was seeing things, but Katherine wouldn't believe that. Wendy found herself with her back against the wall and panicking to get out.

After school she didn't even notice that Tinkerbell had hidden her pencil case. She just sat at the kitchen table and stared blankly at her notes.

Peter came downstairs.

"Wen-dy!" he called, "Wen-dy! Are you home?"

Wendy didn't answer. Peter saw her and became worried.

"Is she dead, Tink?" he asked.

Tink chattered loudly. Still Wendy said nothing. She glared venomously towards her calculations and bit her tongue.

"Wen-dy!" Peter poked her shoulder and scooted around the table. "Wen-dy! Are you OK?"

"Leave me alone," she hissed.

Peter smiled and looked to Tink. "See Tink, we've gotten her talking."

Tinkerbell jingled.

"Now Tink! That was mean! Wendy's much better talking than dead!"

Wendy didn't react.

Peter was still beaming. "Oh! I get it!" he exclaimed. "This is like a game, isn't it? I need to get you to move, don't I?" Peter waited anxiously for Wendy's answer, but none came.

He bit his lip. "Something's wrong Tink," whispered Peter to the fairy.

Tinkerbell circled Wendy and jingled a bit more. She tugged at Wendy's hair sharply and danced about on her notes for a few seconds, but to no prevail. Wendy did not budge.

"Wendy?" Peter was becoming worried. "Wendy, are you alright?"

"Peter Pan," she said with a sharp edge in her voice. "Leave me alone. You've ruined my life."

Peter didn't know what to say to that. He had never ruined anyone's life before. Except maybe for Captain Hook, but he didn't really count. He was an enemy, not like Wendy who he was trying to make better.

He sat down sadly and rested his chin on his hand. He pondered for a minute.

"Hey, Wendy," he said after a while. "Want to come back to Neverland with me? You'll never grow up and the Lost Boys and very funny."

Wendy shrugged and thought for a minute. Neverland actually didn't sound so bad anymore. Anything to escape her parents and the vengeful Katherine. Wendy shut he book.

"OK Peter," she said, "I'll go to Neverland with you."

End Chapter

((There you go and my sincerest apologies! I really did mean to update this faster, but I couldn't get online! Really! As a result of me not getting online, I can't give shoutouts. Really sorry about that too. I hope you liked what I did manage to put up though. What will happen next? Honestly, I have no idea. They'll go to Neverland and...uh...read and find out!))

Shoutouts:

I feel really bad about not giving proper shoutouts, especially since I got so many reviews!!!

Tallemera Rane

Zorrina

Lizzie Presscott

Jinxed4Ever

peter pan fan

WendyBell

KarkKestralSilkeQuees

bLuEhEaVeN79