Chapter 6: Peter POV

What. Just. Happened.

I don't know if Wendy said that because it is true or because she is in an emotional state. I'm hoping it's because it's true, but I have a feeling it's because she's in an emotional state.

"Where did he hit you?"

Wendy's eyes slowly trailed back to mine. "Most of his hits landed on my hands but he got a few on my ribs and stomach. Why do you ask? It doesn't matter anyway. He was a jerk, and that was that. Plus, I only have a few scars now. My mom let me get most of them lasered off but, the big one couldn't be removed."

I almost feel tears prick at my eyes but I'm stronger than that. I look at Wendy. She gets more beautiful every time I see her. I love the way her eyes sparkle with excitement when she talks about something she loves. But now, her eyes are glassy and scared. I swallow a lump in my throat. "Where are your scars?"

She visually tensed. She took in a shaky breath. She slowly lifted her shirt on the left side just two inches above the top of her jeans. That's when I saw it. A good three inch long scar. I started to reach over but stopped myself. Her knees were by the stump and her middle was two feet away from me.

I look up at her. She nods her head and looks up at the trees. I slowly reach out and run my hand along the faint line. She shivers as I run my hand over it.

I lift my hand up and take her hands in mine. Her eyes snap to mine as I left her up. I pull her into a sitting position and then grab her waist and put her in my lap. "I'm sorry you had to go through that. But let me make it clear I will never hit you. You deserve someone who will care for you and help you in your tough times. That guy was a jackass. And for taking advantage of you, I'm going to hit the daylight out of him one he gets out of jail."

Wendy moves to straddle me, puts her hands on my shoulders and gives me a small smile. "Thank you for always being there for me Peter. My mom says it would be a good idea for me to make a hit list of all the boys she wants me to kiss but... I'm too scared. I don't want to be near any boys right now," Her smile leaves her face, "I don't want to have to go through that again. I just..."

I put my arms around her waist and pulled her into a hug. She started to hyperventilate and tears rolled down her face. After a few moments she took a deep breath and pulled away to wipe her tears. "I just can't stand the thought of letting someone else touch me like that. I don't want to have to deal with another hormonal boy with no sense of respect or sanity. And I most certainly don't want to make a hit list, but my mom made me one a few days ago. But I can't do it because I'm a weak little chicken."

"Wendy, why do you let me touch you?"

She looks up at me and opens he mouth to say something but no sound comes out. "Because, I-I... because you don't scare me. And I've been close to you since like, third grade. Again, what does it matter. I let lots of people touch me."

I sigh. She is not getting the point. "Wendy, you are straddling me and my arms are around your waist. Also, my face is less that ten inches away from yours. Your not like this with anyone other that your parents and John. Hell, your not even like this with Tiger Lily or Tinkerbell. So, why?"

Wendy's eyes widen and her face heats up. She hurriedly looked at my lap she was straddling, my arms around her waist, and the distance between our faces.

"I-I don't know," she stutters, "i know this might sound wierd but I feel like in the past two years part of my has... wanted to be close with you. Almost like I've been drawn to you. I know, I sound like I've been talking crap and all but, I really mean what I'm saying. I know it sounds crazy but I actually want to be close to you. Please just don't hit me for telling you this." She retracts her hands and puts them around her head. I can't believe she actually thought I would hit her.

I pull her off my lap and stand up. "I can't believe that after ten years of friendship you think I would hit you. God, Wendy, I love you! Why would I hit you. Why do you think I would hit you of all people!"

I turns round and start to walk away. "Peter, please."

I stop and turn around. "Peter, he hurt me. He drew a KNIFE ON ME! He wanted me dead. She started to shake. She whispered, "please... I don't want another person I love to leave me..."

She probably did t mean for me to hear that last part but I did. But I can't talk to her right now. I turn to walk away. I hear scrambling then foot steps. Wendy runs in front of me and puts her hands on either side of my face. She pulls my head down to her level and our noses touch. I loosely put my arms around her waist but she stops pulling my head. I look into her eyes; she is scared.

"Wendy, what are you doing?"

"Trying to keep you from leaving."

"You don't need to do this. I know your not ready. Please do t do something you can't bring yourself to do. I'm not leaving you. I love you too much to leave you. All I've wanted to do for two years is hold you close to me and never let you go." I just admitted to Wendy my deepest darkest secret. I love her. I love her so much it hurts. It hurts so much I want to die. But then I want to live so I can love her some more.

She leans back but throws her arms around my neck and jumps up. I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her close. I squeeze her as close as I can get her. I realize because I'm a good eight inches taller than her, her feet are off the ground. She pulls herself up higher and slowly wraps her legs around my waist. I move my hands to the bottom of her legs to keep them there. I can hear her sign and I chuckle.

Then the moment is ruined by the bell. We both groan at the same time. I pull her closer and shove my face in her hair. "Any chance we could skip class?" I ask jokingly.

"Hmm, let me think...nope, nada, neva gonna happen. Now put me down. We need to get to class before Tink and Lily think I'm late. I'm usually the first one there." I put her down but lean down to her ear.

"Promise you let me have the first kiss. I need to know, Wendy. I really need to know."

She pulls away and brings her lips to my cheek. It was. A soft and friendly kiss, but it was real. And it was us. I noticed how she let her lips linger there before she pulls away. Now I know she meant what she said. As much as I want those lips on mine, I won't push her.

I'll admit, when she stopped crying and I had her over my shoulder, I was planning on putting her down and kissing her. But then all that stuff happened and she told me her story. I know what she went through was hard. I just pray she lets me in soon. I'm not saying I desperate, but I'm not very patient.

I grab Wendy by the hand and start to walk her back twards the gate. For some reason, Wendy let go of my hand. I was about to ask if I passed the limits. But before I could turn around, Wendy jumped on my back and wrapped her arms around me. I stumbled forward and grabbed her legs. "So we're about to see our friends for the first time after all this and you want to come in on my back?" I quirk an eyebrow at her.

"It's better than holding hands!" She giggles. She turns back to serious. "But please don't tell anyone about what happened. I don't want anyone to know about... well, about the whole 'I cried cause I was scared' thing. I just don't need the whole world to know that happened. Okay?"

"Okay."