Somewhere in Neverland ➳ Connor McDonough/ Before You Exit Fanfic

Fourteen

Julia's POV

        I woke up the following morning and everything seemed like a dream. A horrible yet wonderful dream.

Well, even if my adventure was a dream or not and whether he actually existed or not my forever belongs to Connor and nobody else because I tend to stick to my word.

"Rise and shine Julia!", my mother yelled, bursting into my room and I groaned.

"2 more hours."

"But it's already noon and don't you know what day it is?"

"Isn't it Thursday?"

"No, silly. It's your birthday. I can't believe my little girl is 20", she said, looking as proud as ever. "I've already picked out what you should wear. It's all folded up onto your chair."

She exited my room humming a tune and I looked at her with wonder. What happened to her while I was gone?

I went over to my desk and pulled out the chair to see a bunch of clothes folded up.

She picked out a mint green crop top, white high-waisted shorts, black converse and a white cardigan.

It seems like my mother had finally had a change of heart and figured out that I wasn't 4 years old anymore.

I put on my clothes, finally feeling like myself for once.

Then I thought about how old I am today.

"20", I sighed to myself.

I knew all too well that that number will keep on adding up until it eventually stops and stays the same forever. What would have happened if I stayed young in Neverland? Did that place actually exist? Or was it just a dream within a dream?

"Julia! Happy Birthday, sis!", I heard James yell as he tackled me to the floor.

He too was in better clothes. Jeans, black t-shirt, leather jacket, and we had matching black converse.

"I love this change of wardrobe. It suits us better", I said as I dusted off any dirt that had made its way to my clothes.

"Tell me about it."

"So, what exactly are we going to do?"

"The McDonough's will come over. We'll have a barbeque in the backyard. The normal", he said and my heart sank a little. Will Connor be with them?

"Oh. Okay."

"Well, come on everyone's already downstairs waiting for the birthday girl."

James gave me one more hug before walking back downstairs where everyone was waiting.

I took one last look in the mirror and sighed. 

My entire being would just crumble to the floor if I didn't see Connor there downstairs. His eyes twinkling as soon as he saw me and he would embrace me and never ever let go.

I exited my room and gripped the banister in my left hand as I practically glided down the stairs as everyone smiled at me. Everyone exept Connor because he wasn't there.

I felt my eyes begin to tear up but I held them in because I didn't feel like explaing that I had fallen deeply in love with their eldest son whom I've never met in real life and that I was completely devastated that he still hasn't returned to them. To me.

Joan was the first to envelope me in a hug and I hugged back.

"You're such a beautiful 20 year old now. If Connor were here he would fall to his knees", she said and my breath hitched in my throat. Was that last part really necessary?

"Well, I'm sure he's amazing."

"He truly is", she sighed.

The next one to hug me was Riley.

"Happy Birthday, Jul", he said, using the nickname that only he calls me because he's the only one I allowed.

"Thanks Riles."

He kissed my forehead and I longed to feel Connor's lips again but I don't think anything would satisfy that longing but Connor himself.

"Toby!", I exclaimed, running into his open arms.

"You're practically the big sister I'll never get to have. Happy 20th!"

"Thanks."

My dad hugged me next followed by Mark and then the real celebrating finally began.

The adults had their little talk in the far corner of the backyard were the boys and I had a silly string fight and by the end of it you couldn't even see my hair underneath all of it anymore.

I was seated on the ground with everyone else as Riley and Toby struggled to get everything out of my hair.

"I hate silly string", Toby mumbled and I giggled.

We were all staring up at the stars after a long day of fun and activities but I focused on my favorite one. The star that had changed everything for me and left me feeling empty yet happy. The second from the right.

"Today has been the best party ever! Thank you so much!", I said as I scanned through everyone who was seated on the grass with me.

"Don't say thank you yet. We still didn't have cake", James said and I noticed a dim flicker of candles from behind me.

I quickly stood up and turned around as I came face-to-face with the dirty blonde and blue eyed boy that I fell in love with.

"Happy Birthday Julia!", he yelled and I ran into his arms as he lifted me and spun around.

I placed a sweet kiss to his lips and we both smiled through it.

"Uhh... is there something that we're missing here", James asked, definitely confused with what just happened while both of our parents just stood there smiling along with Mark and Joan.

I looked at Connor and he whispered in my ear, "That was amazing!"

I blushed at what he said. Honestly, I was surprised by my own actions as well but I'm just so happy that he's here.

"Let's just say that we're kind of together now", he said and everyone cheered.

We ate cake and it was all devoured within minutes.

"Goodnight. And Happy Birthday Julia", everyone said as we all went our separate ways.

A question still lingered in my mind though.

Was Neverland even real?

I turned around and saw Connor walking behind his two brothers and from the corner of my eye I saw the same green fabric with the same bright red feather poking out of his back pocket and I finally got my answer.