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Chapter 1

45 seconds left. I was running my ass off. 30 seconds left. I was panicking. The game was at a tie and we were so close to the goal. 15 seconds left. The ball got passed to me. Two midfielders came barging towards me. I kicked the soccer ball with my right foot, then with my left foot, confusing both of them. 5 seconds left. What have I got to lose?

I kick the ball to the top right corner of the goal, closing my eyes. I open them to see my teammates running towards me, cheering in excitement. I jump up, pumping my fist into the air. I hug my teammates, taking in the fact that I just scored the winning goal of the finals! We all run to the benches and Coach Chris pats me on the back.

"Congrats Mitchell," he says smiling. "You deserve it."

I nod as to say 'thank you' since I was out of breath. The team, all sweaty and tired, walk out to the middle of the field to each receive a medal with the words 'State Champions' on the front of the shiny golden metal. I look at it with pride, being my first state championship I've ever won.

After all of the celebrating, Coach tells us to go get our stuff from the locker rooms. We come back and huddle up.

"Girls," Coach says. "I'm so proud of each and every one of you. This has been an amazing season and an amazing team. I hope to see your faces at tryouts for next season." He smiles. "Alright everyone, hands in the middle. On three, one.. two.. three.."

"HAWKS!" We all yell cheerfully.

I leave the field saying my quick goodbyes and hurrying to my bike. I throw my bag over my shoulder and I pedal as fast as my extremely short legs could take, knowing if I'm even a second late, I'll be dead.

I park my bike in my front yard and scramble to get my keys from my bag. I open up the door as quickly as I could and look at the time. 7:59. Thank God. Now if I can just sneak up without my dad seeing me.

I walk two steps up to see his head turned back at me.

"Well hello to you too, Tessa," he said slurring his words. Great. He's drunk.. again.

"Hi, dad," I say smiling, a fake one if I might add.

"What's that?" he asks, pointing towards my medal.

"Oh, it's my medal. We won the state championship." I bite my lip, happy that he might actually care for once. "I scored the winning goal."

"Can I see it?" he asks walking up to me. He holds up the metal part close to his face before ripping it off my neck and throwing it to the ground. I stand there in utter shock. "It's worthless, just like you."

I run upstairs to my room, shutting the door and sliding down to the ground. I put my head in my knees and just sob quietly. Soccer was the only thing that made me happy. The only thing that made me feel wanted and needed. That winning goal meant everything to me and he knew it.

After what seemed like an hour of crying, I take a quick shower and get into my pajamas. I choose a random book to read as I fall asleep. I turn on my lamp and put on my reading glasses. As I sit on my 'bed', just two blankets and a pillow on the hardwood floor, I read the title and smile to myself. Peter Pan.

I flip through the pages of my favorite childhood story. I read every word carefully, even though I have read it countless times. I brush my fingertips over the picture of the man, or boy, himself Peter Pan. I shake my head lightly. "If only you were real. You could save me from this hellhole called life and take me to Neverland." I smile weakly, closing the book.

"Oh, but he is," a calming, soothing voice says. I furrow my eyebrows and grab one of my soccer cleats. I stand up slowly and watch as a dark silhouette appears at my window, allowing itself in.

"You can put the shoe down, I'm not here to hurt you." the voice says.

I bite my lip. "First of all, it's not just a shoe, it's a cleat. And second of all, how do I know you won't hurt me like everything else in my life?" I raise my eyebrows.

"Now," the voice says as I jump, hearing it from right behind me. "Why on Earth would I want to hurt you, Tess." I see the face of the voice, just smirking.

"H-how do you know my name?" I ask carefully. I make out the features in his face while I still can. He has blonde hair and beautiful gray eyes. I furrow my eyebrows noticing the scar running from right in between his eyebrows to the middle of his right cheek. He reaches out to touch my arm and I snap out of my thoughts.

"I'm here to make an offer." He says smiling sweetly.

"What is it?" I ask, looking down at my feet.

"Come to Neverland." I look up at him like he's crazy. "I'm not Peter Pan, but I am here to help you out."

"Who are you then?" I ask, taking it all in.

"Felix, my name is Felix." He says removing his hand from my arm. "So, will you come to Neverland?"

I bit my lip, a nervous and bad habit. I think about my options. Go to this 'Neverland' with this stranger, who is so sweet, or staying here with my alcoholic father who blames me for the death of my mother. Neverland it is.

I nod slightly and he smiles. "Off we go," and I fall into a deep sleep.

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When I woke up, I was laying on a rock which was surprisingly comfortable, as comfortable as a rock can be. I sit up and rub my eyes under my glasses. I stretch my arms to see a teenage looking boy staring at me. I wake up fully and jump.

"Woah there buddy," I say looking at him cautiously. "Who are you?"

"You're a girl." the boy says.

"Yeah, no shit," I say getting annoyed.

He chuckles. "You've got fire, I like fire."

"Okay, hot shot," I say confused. "You still haven't answered my question."

"Oh, and what was that love?" he asks and I notice his strong, thick British accent.

I take a breath before answering. "Who the hell are you?"

"Oh, did I forget to introduce myself?" he says like a cocky asshole, a HOT cocky asshole.

"Yeah," I say nodding. "Yeah you did."

"I'm Peter. Peter Pan."