The Pretenders (ON HOLD)

Chapter 23

Important note at the end of this chapter! Please read!

Wendy heard footsteps behind her and she didn't stop running or turn around because she knew it was Peter. When he was running next to her, she asked him how he had caught up to her so fast. He didn't answer; he just got that serious look in his eye that made Wendy leave the matter alone.

"It's a long way from here to your house," Peter told her eventually.

She stopped and looked him in the eye. He seemed a little shocked, so she guessed that all the frantic thoughts that were speeding through her mind were showing on her face.

"Well what do you suggest then Peter?" she yelled, on the verge of tears. She was just so worried and upset and sorry and everything all mixed together. It was making her feel all panicky and sick.

"It's ok," Peter whispered calmly, gently rubbing her shoulder as she started sobbing. It wasn't the girly type of crying you get from most teens her age; it was a real cry. One that was enough to make Peter feel upset too even though he didn't know what was going on. He pulled Wendy into a hug and swayed side to side slightly until she calmed down. He just stroked her hair and kept telling her it would be ok, everything would be ok and eventually she started to hear him and understand.

"What's happening?" he asked, pulling back to look in her eyes. Wendy could see all that laughing and joking from earlier that day was gone and Peter was just Peter again.

"It's Simon."

Peter's breath caught in his throat and he frowned with deep concern.

"Is he ok?" he asked, stumbling over his words a bit. It came out as more of a whisper because he was trying to keep Wendy calm by talking softly.

"He's not feeling well." Peter could see the worry in Wendy's eyes. It was hurting her that her brother wasn't doing well.

"He's sick?" Peter asked, looking lost.

"No, it's not like that..."

"Then what?" he urged.

"It's like...he's not really there, you know?" Peter nodded because he did know. He wasn't sure how he knew, it seems that best friends always just know.

Wendy continued, "And when you have a conversation with him, your not really talking to him...you're just talking. Because he doesn't hear you, he just blocks everything out. He doesn't want to talk, or listen or play, he just wants quiet."

Peter just frowned and nodded a lot. There wasn't much to say.

"Why is he like this?" he asked carefully, not wanting to upset Wendy.

Wendy looked up at him with trusting eyes. "Something happened back in England. And Simon didn't handle it too well. Sometimes it just comes back and hits him with full force and he feels the pain all over again."

"What happened?"

Wendy just shook her head apologetically. He smiled and patted her on the back reassuringly. He didn't mind if she wasn't ready to talk about whatever happened yet, he would wait until she was ready. He had a feeling she was worth it.

"Well instead of running all the way home in this humidity, why don't we catch a bus?" he suggested, changing the subject.

"Ok," Wendy agreed. They walked to the next bus stop, Peter with his arm around Wendy, and they just waited in silence. The bus finally came but the slow drive to Wendy's house was almost torturous because all Wendy could think about was Simon. And all Peter could think about was Wendy; and how pained she looked. He had to help but the problem was he still wasn't really sure what was going on. He just needed to see Simon in person to figure out what was wrong with him.