Patty Pan and the Lost Girls [Peter Pan Genderswap]

        They were wild girls, fun girls, lost girls. They didn't care whether or not their feet or faces were dirty, nor did they fret over their tattered frocks. Each girl smiled toothy smiles, enthusiastic smiles, opened their mouths with big belly laughs, so infectious the sound that it would be echoed through the entirety of Neverland. This place, this wondrous place, kept them as they were. Lost in time and social influences, they lacked regard as to how girls should act, instead acting as themselves. 

        William saw this and kept a wary eye on his sisters, Joan and Michelle. Already, Joan showed a penchant for daredevil tricks when she took flight, looping through treetops fueled only by her own happiest thoughts. Michelle idolized Patty Pan, the leader of these Lost Girls, and skipped after her at every chance. Even at bedtime, Michelle, with her face still painted by the neighboring Chieftain, laid fast asleep curled up against Patty Pan. 

        When Patty invited him to Neverland, he never guessed just how thoroughly these girls needed order in their lives. He took a moment to push out the image of Patty jubilantly dancing with that Chieftain's handsome son, a flare of jealousy he hadn't expected to possess for someone as reckless as Patty Pan. 

        A warm light flew into the room, silent and unnaturally graceful. William knew that it must be that Tinker fairy when he landed close to Patty's head. The fairy's light dimmed to keep from disturbing the sleeping girls. Tiny hands removed Patty's hat and swept her hair away from her eyes with tender care. The moment was intimate and practiced and William could imagine a thousand nights that have ended with the same private ritual. 

        William clenched his teeth and turned over. That same tight jealousy zipped through him. He should remember that he was here to take care of the Lost Girls and to keep Joan and Michelle from acting too much like the inhabitants. They were supposed to be gentle girls, demure and sweet. That was the way of the world outside of Neverland. And as magical as this place was, mother and father weren't here. No one's mother or father was here. As the eldest, he had a responsibility.

        In the morning, William woke to find that the girls, his sisters included, had gone out to swim with the Mermen. Knowing that Michelle hadn't learned to swim yet, he'd rushed out of bed, breathless when he arrived by the tree that leaned casually over the tall cliff. The girls were screeching with laughter, flailing as they leaped from the tree limbs and plummeted down into the clear blue waves. 

        "Good heavens! Where is Michelle?" William demanded in a hard tone. Noting the concern on his face, Michelle, with Joan's help, climbed down the tree. He saw that they were both soaked and had already enjoyed the leap to their possible doom, and were ready to try it all over again. William's face twisted in a rage.

        "It's okay, Willy. It's really a lot of fun," Joan said, shielding Michelle behind her sopping nightgown. 

        "You look ridiculous! Like wet rats! And Michelle can't swim!" William exclaimed.

        "Yes I can!" Michelle argued. She'd never stood up for herself before, depending on either Joan or William to be on her side. Both of her older siblings looked down at her with shock. "I learned this morning. It's easy!" Michelle closed her eyes, puffed out her cheeks, and moved her arms outward the way Patty and Joan had taught her. In water, she looked normal, but outside of it, the sight was funny enough that Joan giggled. And her warm chuckle made William laugh even though he tried to stifle it. And soon, all the Lost Girls were laughing from up in the tree where they watched the quarrel.

        What was it about this place? Could it always be so perfect?

        "Too chicken to try it, William?" Patty asked and tilted her head back and crowed. She sat beside the tree, crossed legged and flying, smiling, happy thoughts floating through her. She was dripping wet too, but looked nothing like a rat. Her grin was goading, challenging William to try his hand at his own bravery. It was the same grin that convinced him to fly to Neverland, the very same grin that made him run for hours in the woods chasing Lost Girls in an endless game of tag, this same grin that helped him stay up late with the girls and listen to the Haudenausonee tell stories. I dare you, William, this grin seemed to say.