Forever Neverland: Chapter Five
It was an unfortunate thing, time was. It never ceased to pass, the hours growing into days, the days accumulating into months, into years. It was also a curious thing, for time here was very different from time in the Neverland.
Neverlanders had no real sense of time, for a day only felt as long as it should be, coming and going as it pleased. On the mainland, however, a day was a day, strictly twenty-four hours with exactly sixty minutes in each.
Unfortunately, Peter Pan knew nothing of this, and was truly ignorant as to exactly how long he had left Wendy waiting. It could have been the next day after the last night they had met, for all he knew.
But time had passed, and Wendy was now a girl of fifteen---a mature girl, no doubt, with motherly tendencies, but still with the heart of a child and an unshakable childhood love.
She was taller, and her face had lost the plumpness of a little girl, her cheekbones more prominent, her lips fuller, her figure more curvaceous. The changes in her had been so astonishing and so impressive among other teenage boys that a few had actually come calling at all hours of the day.
Thankfully, her father was still overbearing and overprotective when it came to his little girl, and he had shooed them away with subtle threats. The large number of "brothers" in her clan also came useful in intimidating some of the meeker ones. Her mother, who had always wanted her to marry and start a family, was unusually silent on the matter, and Wendy would have never guessed that she was secretly hoping that a certainboy would come knocking at their door.
Strangely enough, her wish was about to come true, as Peter Pan had landed himself in London near midday, and was impatient to see Wendy. His clothes, however, were a bit tighter than usual and it was bothering him, especially with the rude looks he was getting. He was confused by this, but then remembered that he had grew, which only bothered him more until he convinced himself that growing a little wasn't so bad, so long as he didn't grow too much.
Shrugging, he entered the nearest shop, earning a few scolding glares from the snooty shopkeeper. His expression immediately changed, though, when Peter emptied a small bag of golden coins on the counter, with only one request. "I need clothes."
The next hour was spent--much to Peter's dismay and annoyance--fitting clothes. He left the store with a large sack of trousers, socks, knickers, and shirts. He was currently wearing some of his new clothes, and had gotten quite a few appraising glances and flirtatious smiles from passers-by. He only smiled smugly, enjoying the attention.
Finally, he reached the home of the Darlings. The sun's heat was becoming quite unbearable, and Peter was hungry. He banged the brass door-knocker several times, and waited impatiently for someone to answer it.
Mrs. Darling opened the door, expecting the post or another meddlesome boy. Who she saw waiting on the other side nearly gave her a fright, and she gripped the doorknob as if it would keep her upright.
"P-Peter, P-Peter Pan," she breathed.
A/N: Another chapter! (Finally. You guys must be furious with me...er. _) I want to thank all you faithful reveiwers and readers, especially Dorryen Golde, who, despite my hopelessness at updating, came back and reviewed again. :) Also, I just want to let you guys know that I would Never Ever stop a story halfway and Never Finish. That's just unfair. I'd like to think (laughs to self) that in all eventuality, my stories will be completed...someday, somehow. So never give up on me!
Thanks. :D
Next Chapter: Wendy.