Chapter 3
Courtney's POV
The next few days were very busy, me training the girls and avoiding Pan at all costs. I placed a protection spell around our side of Neverland to prevent those annoying boys from coming over and destroying our weaponry again, and to prevent Pan from approaching me the way he had the other night.
"Courtney, are you alright?" Angela, my most loyal companion, asked me. I looked at her, realizing I had spaced out. "Yes, of course. Why do you ask?" She looked at me, an expression of worry. "I'm alright, I just...I need some distance." I stood up. "Watch over the girls while they train. If anything happens, which it shouldn't, just call for me." Angela nodded and then I was on my way.I stopped at the beach, taking a deep breath and sitting down in the sand. I slipped off my shoes and dug my feet into the damp sand, letting the cold water wash over my feet. I pulled my knees to my chest and stared out at the water, letting my thoughts wander. I hated to admit it, but I couldn't stop thinking about...Pan, about the partial kiss and his stupid proposition. I just couldn't stop thinking about his proximity or the way his lips felt against mine. "No!" I groaned, wanting to ignore whatever feelings I was beginning to have for that malevolent imp.
"I can't stop thinking about you either, dearie." That familiar voice that had been haunting my thoughts for the past few days since our last encounter. I turned to look at him. "How did you-" "Did you really think you could keep me away with a silly protection spell?" Pan laughed and walked toward me. I stood up and backed away from him. "Stay away from me, Pan." He arched his brow and took another step forward, in turn, causing me to take a step back. "You don't have to run from me, Courtney." I frowned and watched as he stepped closer until I could feel his warm breath brushing my face. My breath hitched in my throat as he reached up to touch my cheek, lightly brushing his fingers against my skin. "Do I really take your breath away?" He whispered, moving closer until his face was inches from mine. I looked up into his eyes, letting out a shaky breath. "Take my deal, Courtney. Side with me." Pan said.
He leaned in, pressing his lips against mine, an actual kiss this time. I closed my eyes and kissed him back with just as much pressure. His hands cupped my face as the kiss deepened, my hands clutching his biceps as my knees went weak. Pan wrapped his arms around my waist to keep me from falling to my knees in the sand. I wasn't sure why I'd given in to his kiss, but I knew that, unfortunately, I was enjoying every second. I wanted this, I wanted...Pan. But was it really worth giving up the ownership of my part of Neverland and share the island with him? Could I truly trust him, or would he turn on me as I'd heard many stories about his betrayals in the past? My thoughts were constantly wandering, but there was one thought that would help me decide what to do with Pan's proposal.
"I can't take your deal..." I pulled away, removing Pan's arms from around my waist and stepped away, wanting to distance myself from him. I couldn't think when I was with him. "What's the reason for your declination this time, love? You obviously want me as much as I want you." I shook my head and turned my back to him, walking along the shore. "Courtney..." I heard him following after me, but I just started to run. I wanted to get away from him. "Courtney! You can't run from me!" "Watch me, Pan!" I shouted, running as fast as I could, not certain of where to but anywhere away from Pan was good enough for me.
I stopped running after what felt like forever and placed my hands on my knees to catch my breath. I looked around, seeing nothing but grass and dirt and trees. I stood up straight and started walking, unsure of where I was, but I didn't care. I needed space and time to think. I closed my eyes and let my head fall back, wishing that I could just disappear, but unfortunately, that wasn't one of my powers. "Why me?" I questioned. Why did Pan want me?
"Because you're different from the others." I opened my eyes and spun around quickly, a fireball in my hand. "Pan! I left you for a reason!" I hissed, wishing he hadn't followed me. "I want you because there's something about you that draws me to you, that makes me yearn for you, Courtney. I can't explain it, at least not with words. I would have to show you." I glared and prepared to throw the fireball at him. "Ah ah ah," Pan waved his hand, blowing out my fire. "You know what happened the last time you used your powers against me. Let's not repeat history." I rolled my eyes and stomped away from him. I heard him sigh and made the mistake of looking back at him, but he was no longer there. I turned back around to go back to camp, but ran into a hard chest. Pan grabbed my arms firmly and backed me up until my back was pressed against a tree. "Stop running away from me. It's completely useless because you know I'll catch you." I rolled my eyes at his smugness. "Just leave me be, Pan. I don't want this." I looked down at the ground, too afraid to look at him. "I can't agree to your proposal." "Why not? What's stopping you?" He asked, but I didn't reply. Pan placed two fingers beneath my chin and lifted my head, forcing me to look at him. "Courtney..."
I sighed. "What about my Girls? And your Boys? What will become of them if you and I were to collaborate?" "They'll be joining forces with us. I won't let anything happen to you or them." I looked at his face, searching for lies in his words, but he seemed sincere. Almost as if he truly wanted this...wanted me. "I need to think about it, Pan. Alone, please." He nodded and started to back away, but I pulled him to me and kissed him with every bit of passion and anger I had in me. He was obviously surprised but didn't complain and instead kissed me back. I wasn't sure what had come over me but I felt like I needed to kiss him, as if I'd die had I not done so. "Go." I whispered as I gently pushed him away, turning my back to him. Pan chuckled. "Alright, but you know where to find me when you've made your decision, Courtney." I nodded and waited a few seconds before turning back around, seeing that Pan was gone. I ran my fingers through my hair, wondering what to do in that moment. I decided to get the Girls' opinions on the proposition, so I headed back to camp with wild thoughts in my head and the feeling of Pan on my skin.
