The Legend Lives On

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Sixteen

Shaelynn's Point of View

As wonderfully romantic as the night Peter and I had dancing with the faires, still Danny had managed to get into my head about his proposition. Mainly one major thing he had mentioned stuck with me and wouldn't leave my thoughts alone.

"You have to pick a side, and it has to be soon. Because sooner or later, there will only be one left."

I knew my side, it was with Peter Pan, but I needed to make sure he was truthful about his past and intentions. I couldn't wait until something bad happened to finally realize the truth. My only question to myself was; how would I bring it up?

I decided I was too unsure about bringing it up directly, so I tried to fit it into a story. When I read it, I could ask questions reguarding it, and it could lead it's way into the conversation.

My heart was pounding with nerves even before I announced that I had a story to share. I had so many things to worry about; Would Peter and the boys like it? Would it lead into what I meant it to? If it didn't, how would I bring the subject up?

I slipped through the cloth that hung as a wall, seperating me to the boys. I had told them that it was unfit to share a room with males while you're a lady, and they had agreed. I was glad about my decision when I entered, for the boys were scattered around the room rough-housing. Peter Pan and Ben were flying around the room in a sword fight, and Oliver and Jacob seemed to be playing tag because they were in a hustle around the room. I saw a small, glowin figure by a shelf, and recognized Tinkerbell.

"May!" Oliver's eyes lit up in joy, but soon became annoyed by a tag by Jacob. "I quit the game, Jacob! May's going to tell us a story, see?" He pointed his small fingers toward my notebook I was holding.

I nodded my head while blushing, mostly because I was nervous about my plan. "I finished a story."

Peter yelled, "Halt, Ben!" And threw his sword away into the corner of the room. "Gather around everyone!" The other boys did as he said, not bothered by the change of subject. Tinkerbell crossed her arms and looked away with disgust.

Oliver cheered. "Story time!"

Peter gestured for me to begin reading, and I began. "The story began generations ago. It was always the boy who would never grow up, and the pirate with only one hand...and one replaced with a hook." The boys booed at the mention of Hook, Peter's arch enemy.

I rearranged my hands, trying to get rid of the stage fright creeping up my shoulder. I could be brave with these boys, they were like family, I told myself.

My face shrunk down to stone. I couldn't call them my family yet, it was too soon. Family was not who you chose, it's who you were born into. This was friendship; I chose these boys and have never regretted it. Friendship is more powerful than family.

I blinked at the call of my name, realizing I must have drifted off for more than a moment. I quickly began to read again. "Nobody knew how they became enemies for life; except themselves. There were rumors, but none of them seemed to be true. Only Hook and Peter Pan themselves knew..."

I drifted off, eyeing Peter and waiting for him to break in to explain what exactly was between them. Unfortunately, he swayed his hands up and down, guiding me to keep reading the story.

I managed a smile, and continued. "Tensions were rising in Neverland, and it was expected that Peter Pan and Hook would finally settle their feud once and for all. But how?"

The Lost Boys roared with challenge towards Hook, Ben screamed, "A battle!"

I smiled, raising my eyebrows at Peter Pan. Peter sat back in his chair, with a cocky grin on his face, clearly expecting his character to come out victorious. And of course he would, for who would dare to humiliate Peter? I certainly wouldn't, but that didn't mean his victory wouldn't come at a cost.