Counting Stars

Chapter 16

Juliette's P.O.V.

I sat there on the bed for a long time, thinking. I finally came to the conclusion... Who cares what Peter says? He can't keep me here forever. Well, actually he can because this is Neverland; but nonetheless, I am a person. He has no right to keep me here like some kind of prisoner. He says he "loves me" but has shown no signs of love. I shouldn't have to feel scared around him if he loves me so much. Last time I checked, that's not how you treat the ones you love.

I have to think of something. It can't be like last time where I just ran off. Maybe I can act like I like it here? No. I'm a shitty actor and after what happened yesterday and this morning, he would never be stupid enough to believe it. Peter's too smart for that. Oh, what if I get those pirates to take me home? No way. I'm terrified of them and I'm sure Captain Hook was kind of horny. I ain't about that.

I guess I'm just gonna have to wait for the right time. When that is... I don't know. I don't know this island like Peter does and I would probably just get myself killed. I'm smart and know how to fend for myself, I'm just at the same time a little stupid and would be clueless enough to touch something that could kill me.

Maybe if I just get out of the tree house, I can take it from there. I make my way over the ladder only to find out I can't get down it. Seriously, there is like some kind of invisible floor right where the ladder starts. I bang my foot against it but it rebounds and pushes my foot off of it. No way. Did Peter do something to it and now I can't get out? I knew he didn't trust me but this is ridiculous. Actually... no I understand this. I did just try to run away again. Smart boy. I think to myself.

But now this doesn't help me because I'm stuck here!

Why does Peter even want me? Of all people to kidnap, he had to pick me. There is nothing different or exciting about me. I'm sixteen. I live with my mom in a crummy apartment building in Rhode Island, the smallest state in the United States. I have a good relationship with my mom. My best friends name is Molly. I do set design for our school plays and musicals. My idea of a good time is hanging out with my small group of friends at someones house and renting old movies. Nothing about that description was cool or different about me. I'm just a regular girl. I just wish Peter would see that and realize he doesn't need me.

I just sit on the edge of the bed and put my head in my hands. I don't know what to do. I really don't. I have never been this unsure about anything before. I wish my mom was here with me now. She was really good under pressure. I just miss her so much.

I hear someone climbing the ladder, but I already assume it's my captor. I just wish he would go away. Or I could go away. I don't look up. I don't want to look at him. I'm actually too scared to look at him. I don't know what he has planed and to be frank, I wasn't interested.

Before I heard any talking of any kind, in front of my face was a rose. It was beautiful and full of life. Plus, I love these orange colored roses. They're different and cool. How would he know that? Oh, right, he followed me for a few weeks. The creep.

I don't take it right away. I slowly pick my head up and look up at Peter. I don't know why, but he looked so... innocent. Did he feel guilty about scaring me, or is this part of his plot to make me love him? I couldn't tell.

I slowly picked up my hand and took the rose from him. "Thank you." I weakly say. I may be mad and scared of him, but I was raised to be polite. No matter what the rose is for, it still is a kind gesture. "Why are you giving me this?"

"I'm sorry..." He trailed off.

"Really?" No, of course he isn't really sorry. If he was truly sorry, he would have apologized right then and there. Or God forbid, let me go!

He crouched down in front of me and cradled my cheek. Probably predicted, I flinched at his touch. Not only because I was scared, but because it was also the cheek he slapped yesterday and there was a little bit of stinging left. "I truly am sorry. I really shouldn't have lost my temper with you. You are too precious and I don't want you hating me."

"Then why can't you let me go? I know you won't truly let me go, but even just to let me see my mother, just so I know that she is alright."

Peter didn't get mad, he just sighed. "When I can trust that you won't try to run away from me, then I will consider letting you see her." I just nod my head.

"I accept your apology..." His face lit up a bit. "but I don't forgive you." The joy in his face went down, but the hope didn't.

"I know you will forgive me one day. After all..." He stood up a little so he was hunched over, but his head was just a little above mine. I looked up into his eyes. They were a dark green. Not like 'when he gets mad at me' dark green, but a menacing dark green. Like he knew something I didn't. "We've only got forever."