The Second Star to the Right

The Girl Who Never Wanted To

Wendy folded her hands over her lap nicely. She had to be presentable at this dinner party. Sighing inwardly to herself, she regretted letting her mother throw a big party for her 17th birthday. It had only seemed like yesterday that she was fighting pirates and exploring Neverland with Peter Pan.
Peter Pan.
The name felt odd to say amidst her own thoughts. He was only a silly boy. A silly boy that she had never stopped thinking about.

She brushed the thoughts off as many people rushed into the large living room in the house. A familiar looking man approached her, for some reason she didn't know why. He extended one hand, with another behind his back. "Hello Miss. My name is James. Your mother has told me very much about you."

He had an odd toothy grin, and Wendy hated herself for not knowing why he seemed so familiar. If she didn't know any better, she would have sworn he looked like...

Her thoughts were immediately interrupted by James whisking her off her feet. "It's your birthday Miss, why don't you join in the festivities? Your mother went through so much trouble to present you to London."

Her face reddened slightly. To all of London? That was a bit of a stretch. She wasn't in a party mood anyway, so she wasn't sure why he was being so pushy. "I feel I should properly introduce myself." She said, separating their hands so she could curtsy. "I'm Wendy Moira Angela Darling, and I am pleased to meet you sir."

He grinned again, as if he had heard what he wanted to hear. "I know my dear. You are the star of the night!"

She opened her mouth to speak but a short-fat man ran up towards them, looking up at James with panic in his eyes. "Ca-... James. Something is wrong with the dust...duster..."

James looked alarmed and immediately excused himself, walking outside while yelling at his short companion. "That was odd..." Wendy mumbled to herself, feeling a knot form in her stomach. Those two seemed awfully like two pirates she had known well from Neverland, but that was impossible.

She didn't have much time to dwell on it though, for her mother dragged her over to the drink table and handed her a glass of champagne. Wendy scoffed at the offering and set it down, subconsciously feeling that she wasn't THAT ready to be an adult.

"Mother, I'm feeling awfully famished. May I rest for the night? This dinner party is lovely, I'm afraid I'm just not in the party mood today." She finally said, breaking the silence between the two.

Her mother sighed and nodded her head "Yes, yes. I suppose I can never get you into adult activities can I Wendy? Please go get some rest. Merry birthday dear."

Wendy blushed slightly and thanked her mother, walking up the stairs and stopping at the open door to the nursery. It had been years since anyone had actually lived in the nursery. Her parents had insisted that the room be remodeled into something that would be useful to the whole family. Wendy had fought them until they gave up.

She didn't want anyone to know why though. Late nights were the worst for her. Sometimes she would sneak into the nursery once everyone was asleep, and sit by the window. No one would ever come, but she hoped...prayed even, that he would remember. He would remember her and bring her back for another adventure, even if it was only one.

But she was sure he had long forgotten her by now. Tiger Lily and Tinkerbell were the only "mothers" that he needed, and it had been 5 years since Neverland. Surely other children had kept him more amused and entertained than she had.

The thought that he was still 12 had disturbed her more than she wanted to admit. Sure, technically he was thousands of years old. He still acted as if he were a boy though. It reminded her of why she left in the first place. Staying would have caused her more pain than what she was feeling now.