The Real Peter Pan

• Chapter 17 •

"Everyone you meet is fighting their own battles. Accept that."
-Anonymous

My breath is shaky and my eyes are just focused on the concrete as I kneel.

Hook? What was that about?

"You're going to going to get her killed!"

My mind flashes back to Peter's words. What was he talking about? My head is pounding.

"Brennan!" A voice yells behind me. I don't turn but flinch as a hand is put on my shoulder. "Are you okay?" Nicolas asks worried.

I shake my head hoping to rid of the thoughts. "I- I don't know."

"What are you still doing here?" Stephan speaks this time.

"I'm- I..." My mind is jumbling everything at once and I can't find words.

Nic helps me stand. "It doesn't matter Stephan. Come on, I'll take you home." He says looking at me.

I nod slowly. He wraps an arm under me for support as we begin to walk away but a yell turns me around.

"Wait!"

It's Peter.

"Brennan! I'm so sorry!" He yells running over to me. I flinch away from him and he gives me a sad look. "Please... Don't be scared of me. I'm sorry."

I shake my head as tears fall down my cheeks.

Stephan grabs hold of Peter and begins to drag him towards the house. "Peter- let's go."

Nic puts his arm around me and begins to walk us away.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••

"Here you go dear." The waitress smiles as she sets a cup of coffee on the table.

"Thanks." I nod. I take a sip and sigh.

"Better?" Nic asks sitting across from me. I give a small smile. "That's what I thought!" He laughs. "Coffee can cheer anyone up."

Tapping my fingertips on the mug it's quiet for a moment. "I want answers."

"Brennan-"

"No. I can't handle this. What is going on? Who's going to hurt me? Who's Hook? Why is Peter trying to protect me!?" I yell.

"Shhhh!" Nicolas shushes. "Listen, here's the thing. If you want answers... You need to talk to Peter. "

My fingers massage my temples. "How can I do that? I don't want to see that bastard."

"He's the only one that can tell you what's going on."

I grown angrily and take another sip. "I hate this."

Nic grabs one of my hands and rests it in his own. "I know. I'm sorry." He looks into my eyes and shakes his head. "I, well none of us wanted you to be in this situation."

"I don't even know what 'this' is."

He squeezes my hands in a gentle gesture. "You will- but you need to ask-"

I drop my head. "Yeah yeah. Peter." I huff.

"We should do this more often. If you need to vent or something? If you have questions I may not be able to answer them but I'm positive I can provide some advice." Nic smiles.

I have no choice but return a smile of my own and nods. "I would like that."

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

"No."

"Please Claire!" I plead.

Shaking her head she slams her locker shut. "Absolutely not."

"For me?"

"Why would you ask my to hang out with you, Nic, and MY EX when just a couple of days ago you were ready to murder Stephan?"

I try to think of something convincing. My mind goes blank so I just shrug. "Okay fine. Honest truth; I need to find out some answers to a couple of suspicions I have about Peter and the only one that may be able to answer them is Stephan."

"Why can't you just ask Peter?"

"Yeah that's not an option. I don't want anything to do with him right now."

Claire huffs and massages her temple.

"Please, you won't even have to-"

"Fine."

My eyes light up. "Thank you!"

"Yeah, whatever." She rolls her eyes.

"Saturday at 10:45. I have to talk to Nic about what we're doing but then I'll get back to you. Okay?"

"Okay."

"Awesome. See you later!" I say walking off.

"Wait Brennan?" Claire calls behind me. I turn around with a confused look. "Yeah?"

She narrows her eyes and walks to me. "What's with you and Nicolas hanging out all the sudden?"

I just stare at her for a few seconds. Over the last couple of days Nic and I have been getting closer. A lot closer, but I don't know how to explain our relationship yet.

"Uhhhhh- good friends?" I say mentally slapping myself.

"Uh huh..." Smiling, she shakes her head and walks off.