Second Date

Chapter 11: Military Ball

Chapter 11: Military Ball

Wendy was not having a pleasant Friday.

First, it was hot and overcast, much like her temper. Second, the fairies of the Pixie Hollow Exhibit would not stop pulling her hair. Third, Mr. Smee would not stop pulling her behind Captain Hook. Fourth, she missed Peter Pan. Fifth, no matter how many times she tried, Wendy could not escape.

"Now, now." Mr. Smee wrestled Wendy back to the exhibit. Panting, he mopped his brow. "Now there's no need to fuss. Capn Hook - "

"Captain Hook!" Wendy huffed. "Is a vile, dreadful bully! And you should be ashamed to partake in his awful schemes, Mr. Smee!"

"Oh me!" Mr. Smee bumbled. "Don't speak poorly of the Capn! He's a right honest pirate, you know! And when he returns -"

"When Captain Hook returns - " Wendy informed him, "- I shant be here!"

"Now come, come now!" Pleadingly Mr. Smee took Wendy's arm. He struggled to restrain her. "Don't cause a bother, Miss! Capn Hook gets frightfully upset!"

"Mr. Smee, I am frightfully upset!"

"Aw Mr. Smee. Is she getting away again?" Tinkerbell swooped before Wendy. Playfully, she snatched at her ponytail. "Come on big, ugly girl. Let's go for a spin!"

"No -" Wendy protected her hair. "-thank you!"

Tinkerbell winked at Mr. Smee. Like a viper, she seized Wendy's wrist.

"Why not?" Tinkerbell yanked as Mr. Smee pushed from behind. Laughing, Tinkerbell urged her fairy friends to join the tug-of-war. "Too good to be a fairy fan? Or are you too chicken to fly without Peter Pan?"

Tinkerbell lurched upwards. Wendy's feet left the ground.

"Afraid no one will catch you this time when you fall!?"

"Hey!" Suddenly, Jim Hawkins wrenched Wendy down. A fox darted under his legs and a blue alien crouched over his shoulder. "She said no thank you."

All fairies but Tinkerbell retreated. Haughtily she glanced at the Disney World tourists.

"Could someone tell me who this is?" Tinkerbell twirled, waiting for a response. "Noooobody? Nobody at all? Hmph."

Tinkerbell sneered at Jim. "Guess you're just a has been - or a never has been. Isn't that too bad, Jimbubble?"

Jim twitched. Then, he cued the blue alien. "Stitch. Charge."

"Meega nala kweesta!" Stitch vaulted into Tinkerbell. Happy as Godzilla at Christmas he attacked Tinkerbell's bun. "Tookie bah wah! KWEESTA!"

Fairies scattered. Tinkerbell screamed. Parents snapped pictures. The kids went wild.

Unemotionally, Jim took Wendy's hand. "Come on. Let's blow."

Though she was a little appalled by Stitch's behavior, Wendy followed. She stepped carefully as the fox wove between their legs.

"Jim." She said as Stitch released a war cry. "Jim will - "

"Oh now Miss! Miss Wendy none of this now!" Mr. Smee blocked their exit. "Capn Hook will be right cross if you flee with this disreputable pirate!"

The fox growled. Jim jerked at Mr. Smee. "Boo."

Mr. Smee fled, red pompom bouncing behind him.

Rolling his eyes, Jim resumed course. "Seafarers."

Wendy felt the skip return to her step.