Traces of Narnia...featuring Peter Pevensie

Section 1 - Peter's Journey: CHAPTER 2 - Awakenings

How could he wait until Monday to talk with her again? He hatched a plan to run into her this weekend. The dining room. She had to eat and Saint Finbar's dining hall was still under construction. He would take his books and catch up on Shakespeare and calculus while he watched for her. His teachers would be impressed. School work came very easy for him so he just did the minimum. It could be a long weekend of waiting.

It had been a long day. By 4:00 p.m. on Saturday he was tired of studying, tired of waiting, and ready for a nap. He stretched, glancing up toward the door for what seemed like the one thousandth time and there she was. She was walking and talking with a shorter brunette girl her eyes casually roving the room, looking for him? When she saw him in their usual seats a smile brightened her face. The friend noticed the change and noticed him. Giving him a grin she waved and went across the room.

"Well, look at you. Studying hard?" April teased.

He waved off the comment, "Just catching up, and looking for you."

A blush of pleasure swept across her face. "Really? Well then, let's get some food, shall we?"

As they walked towards the food area, through the too crowded tables and chairs, a clumsy student pushed back his chair too quickly falling over into the aisle and nearly right into April. Peter who was close behind her grabbed and pulled her back against him to keep her from falling. They stopped, shaken at the near miss and waited until the student collected himself and cleared out of the way. It was the first time Peter had been this close to her. Close enough to breathe in the light scent of her hair. Close enough to feel her body leaning slightly against his. He hadn't counted on the rush of emotions or the jolt of almost electricity he felt at her touch. She turned to him looking shocked, surprised, and a little shy, had she felt it too? He leaned down to speak in her ear.

"Are you all right?"

She looked at him, her face very close to his and nodded. He smiled into her eyes. They were beautiful, a light green with flecks of yellow in the center, and a dark green rim around the edge. Reluctantly, he looked up, the way was clear. He didn't want to end the moment but they couldn't stand there any longer. They were already starting to draw attention. He stepped back and gestured for her to proceed. He barely noticed what he picked out to eat. She was quiet too, distracted.

As they took their seats across from each other, they both spoke at once, "I..." they laughed and smiled. He took the lead, and was surprised at the first words out of his mouth.

"You're beautiful."

"Thank you," she said softly, her face flushed.

He almost took her hand across table, but fought the urge. He cleared his throat, they needed to get back to safer ground, he thought practically.

"Tell me about your family." He thought that might be a good way to find out who or what she really might be.

"My dad, is well, overprotective of me, but you might have gathered that." She smiled when he grimaced. "My Mum works really hard and puts up with quite a bit. Elisa is the light and joy of the family. I was eight when she was born. Life got better after that."

At his puzzled expression, she explained. I had another younger sister, Trisha. She was born when I was four. She was too early and very ill. She only lived for two weeks. Her death was really hard on my mother and father. They retreated into themselves and really only came out again when Elisa was born. I was grateful to have my grandmother around. She took care of me during that dark time. She encouraged my love of dancing. She was a dancer too. No one knew that but me, but she taught me all she knew. We went on long walks through the forest. She taught me the names of all the trees, told me... no, I can't say it out loud. You will think I'm daft. I've never told anyone this before.'