A/N: Update 9
After dinner, Winnie and I were sitting on the porch swing outside her house.
"I think my dad really liked you," Winnie said smiling.
I nodded. The Hook at dinner was not the Hook that I knew and loathed. Something was up, and I needed to figure out what it was. "Yeah, he seems great," I lied. "What's up with your family? You don't look anything like your dad or brother," I said not really thinking.
Winnie's face fell. "I—,"
"I'm sorry," I interrupted, realizing I sounded like a real jerk. "That was rude. You don't need to answer," I replied blushing and standing up to leave. "I'll just go. Do you—,"
"Wait," Winnie interrupted grabbing my hand. "Stay. I don't mind telling you," she pulled me by my hand back to the porch swing. We laced fingers as I sat back down.
"I'm adopted," Winnie sighed. "I was just seven years old when my dad found me by the docks when he was traveling through England. I was left alone and abandoned. All I had with me was a small bag that contained a book and a picture of my family, which is the only piece of them that I have. I look just like my mother," Winnie smiled.
I squeezed her hand. "Well, she must have been beautiful then," I smiled, my face turning red. Man, Hook has thought of every backstory imaginable. I thought.
Winnie blushed. "You're the first person I've ever really told this to. I must really like you or something," Winnie winked scooting closer to me.
I tensed. Why did she have this effect on me? "I-I really like you too, Winnie," I finally stammered out.
Winnie laid her head on my shoulder. "Peter, I feel really comfortable around you. I feel like I've known you for a long time. But that's crazy, I only met you yesterday," she whispered nuzzling into me.
I was enjoying this moment. And for the first time in my Mainland life, I was genuinely happy. "You know, Winnie, I feel the same way. Something about you feels familiar, comfortable. I can't quite put my finger on it," I whispered into her hair.
She looked up at me with her gorgeous blue eyes and smiled. "Maybe it's a sign for something."
We sat in the silence for a while. I really wanted to kiss her. I couldn't though. I hardly knew this girl. Kissing meant so much to girls, and I had vowed that I would never kiss a girl again. It was too "grown up."
"I should go," I said standing up. "It's late, and we have school tomorrow."
"Oh," Winnie sighed. "I suppose you're right. Can I walk with you over to your house?" She asked standing up. I shrugged.
We walked slowly, still holding hands. We made our way up the porch steps and stopped. We stood facing each other. I couldn't take it anymore. I had to kiss Winnie. Screw the vow, I wanted to, and it looked like she wanted to as well. I smiled as I reached up and moved a strand of hair away from her face. Winnie smiled back.
"Winnie, I—,"
She rose up onto her tiptoes and gave me a quick kiss, smiled, and said, "Goodnight, Peter," She turned and walked back down the driveway.
"Goodnight, Winnie," I whispered as I turned the doorknob and entered the quiet house.
"You're home late," I heard as I closed the front door. It was Slightly.
I smiled. Slightly and I had a strange kind of friendship. He always seemed to be more mature than I ever was. He let me know when I made stupid decisions. And never let me hear the end of it.
"What were you doing?" Slightly asked.
"Wouldn't you like to know," I smiled slyly as I slipped by him up the stairs. "You better get to bed before Gail finds you awake. She'll get mad."
"Peter, I really don't think that you should be hanging out with them," Slightly said running up the stairs after me. "It's Hook and Smee. They've got to be up to no good."
"Slightly, I appreciate your concern, but I know what I'm doing. I'm on Winnie's good side. Besides, I don't even think Hook recognized me." That was a lie. But I just wanted Slightly to leave me alone.
"But, Peter," he urged.
"No, Slightly. You're not the boss of me. I'm older than you, and have been taking care of my own wellbeing for the past four years. I don't need you to tell me from right and wrong anymore. Goodnight," I closed my bedroom door with a little more force than necessary.
"Fine, Peter. But don't come crawling to me for help when things go wrong," Slightly said through the door. I could hear him storm off to his bedroom.
Maybe he was right. I mean, it couldn't be a coincidence that Captain Hook would move in right next door. Winnie seemed really genuine though. I didn't think that she was capable of hurting a fly. Just thinking about her makes my heart beat faster. How could someone as mean and nasty as Hook raise such a sweet, caring, beautiful girl like Winnie?
I climbed into bed, but I couldn't sleep. What Slightly said kept running through my mind. And I kept thinking about Nibs. I needed to apologize, or do something. I wouldn't be able to sleep until I made right of it. I climbed out of bed and slipped on my Chucks. I sneaked down the hallway, down the stairs, and out the front door, closing it softly behind me.
"I had a feeling you were going to show up," I heard behind me. I jumped, startled.
"Oh! Nibs, you're here. Perfect. Just the kid I wanted to talk to," I smiled.
He just sat there glaring at me, waiting for me to say something. I didn't know where to start. How do you apologize to someone you left without even saying goodbye?
"Nibs, I-I want to apologize for-for leaving you, and everyone else. It was selfish of me to leave Neverland to find Wendy. You looked up to me. You depended on me. And I just left with no intent of returning. But you have to remember, I was twelve years old. I didn't know any better. Surely you can understand that now," I blurted out.
He still just stood there. He made no movement, and no sound. His eyes were beginning to water. After several minutes of silent stares, Nibs began to slowly walk towards me. I just stood there. He reached me and wrapped his arms around me. We stood there, him hugging me. I was a bit shocked and wasn't sure how to react. Finally I wrapped my arms around him as well. I could hear Nibs sniffling, and could feel the hot tears as they stained my shirt.