Author's Note: I am so excited to have written this chapter. It is my longest yet and I am finally getting into the main plot. I also finally found the quote I based my title off of and realized it was wrong! It is will not would. So I will be changing my title.
Disclaimer: I do not own names and phrases.
Chapter Three
I stared out the window as we pulled up to the front of the school. The front entrance was illuminated brightly and decorated with sparkling snowflakes. Inhaling deeply, I opened the door and came around to the other side of the car where Wendy sat. She wore a simple white dress decorated with sequins in a faded pattern that was denser on the bottom and became more sporadic as it came higher up.
Tearing my eyes off Wendy, I smiled into the rearview mirror at Mrs. Darlings face. "Thank you for driving, Mrs. Darling." I paused. "I am sorry for my – problem – earlier."
"It's perfectly fine, dear. Whenever you need me, I will always be here," she comforted, a slight look of despair in her eyes.
While I walked Wendy to the door, we were both silent. I knew what she was thinking of. I tried to distract her.
"You look really pretty," I said dumbly. "That dress looks really good on you."
"Thanks." She smiled briefly, looking up at me, but then the grim expression returned to her face. She could hardly return the compliment.
I was grateful when we finally reached the front door and I didn't have the need to distract her anymore because the student council representative at the registration table could do that for me.
Wendy rummaged around in her purse until she found the tickets. "Here they are," she said, presenting them to the glum junior stationed at the table.
"Thanks," he grumbled.
As we walked around the corner to where the gym was, I whispered in Wendy's ear, "Well, someone is disappointed he didn't have a date."
Wendy gave me a joking frown and reprimanded me. "That's not nice, Peter." Then she gave up and broke out into a grin, finally getting her distraction.
As I turned to walk into the open doors of the gym, I heard Wendy catch her breath. I was speechless. There were sparkly silver-gold trees everywhere, giant snowflakes suspended from the ceiling by invisible aids, and a cottony, glittery concoction that looked like snow piled in heaps around everything else. If it weren't for the lined wooden floor, I would never have guessed it was a gym.
"C'mon, Peter, I see Anna," beckoned Wendy, nearly halfway through the crowded gym before I snapped back to reality.
I caught up to Wendy and we found our way to Anna, who was hop-skipping around her date. I had a double take when I saw her date. Opposites attract, I guess.
Anna did a little dance in a circle around Slightly, who wore an expression of patient adoration. For the occasion, he took a break from his usual Goth dress of complete black (with an occasional illegible white scrawl or metal accessory) to wear a Tuxedo. He still had the overdone eyeliner on, though.
Unsuccessfully trying to keep in my hysteria, I decided I should be paying more attention to the conversation.
"…How long have you two been going out?" I heard Wendy asked Anna, who had apparently paused her jig when she saw my date. I shuddered at the thought. My date.
"Slightly asked me a couple of weeks ago, during French. He actually said it in French first, trying to be all romantic-like – " she gave him a smirk and watched him blush " – but then he remembered how awful I am at French and asked again in English."
"How about you?" Slightly offered. "When did you ask Wendy?" He grinned and his piercing eyes seemed to look into my soul.
"Tuesday, study hall," I responded, acutely aware of how childlike it sounded.
"Cutting it a bit close, huh?" Slightly said, laughing. "I always leave plenty of time – "
Just then Principal Chief came on the announcement speaker, going into a long and boring speech about relationships, the New Year, drunk driving, and – God help me – sex.
Just about when I thought the heat in my face would kill me, he cued the DJ to start playing music for the traditional slow-dance kick off to the Ball.
Wendy linked her hands behind my neck and I, in the midst of fighting an internal battle with myself, put my hands on her waist. It baffled me, how I could want this so much, yet be so terribly afraid.
I looked into Wendy's eyes and saw her happiness shining through her eyes like sun through a stain-glass window. It was hard to believe only a few hours ago…
A fresh wave of horror surged through me as I suddenly remembered part of my blocked out fight with my father. He said it, that one hurtful statement, with barred teeth and a fistful of my Tuxedo, "No one would care if you died."
I had a question, but I didn't want to ruin the moment, Wendy looked so happy…
"Peter?" Wendy looked up at me with worry.
Oh, too late for that. Well, here goes nothing.
"Wendy," I ventured, unsure. We never talked about these things. The only way I had to gauge it was her reaction to my father. "Um…I was wondering…"
"Yes, Peter?" The suspense looked like it was killing her. I almost laughed at the pun. Almost.
"What's it like to die?"
"No! Peter!" The exasperated look on her face told me I should have kept my mouth shut. "You wouldn't. You couldn't. You won't. I won't let you!"
Oh, but I would. I could. She was the only thing that was stopping me.
To die will be an awfully big adventure.
Book Reference: This chapter isn't in the book either, but the end is kinda like the end of chapter 8 "The Mermaids Lagoon." Well, it ends in the same line, but it takes a different process to get there.