Free Shades of Neverland by Carey Corp

truth.
    Aunt Mildred was not the only person to have noticed Peter’s particular attention. The whole room seemed to be abuzz with conjecture. The observation caused Wendy to focus on her external surroundings rather than the boy in front of her, who, even now, leaned in for a kiss.
    Wendy stepped back causing Peter to halt mid-gesture. But unable to recognize her movements as reaction to his action, and unwilling to let go of their moment, he advanced.
    “Wendy,” he implored so familiarly and tenderly. He still had enough boyish arrogance left in him to be thoughtless of anything but his most pressing need. Need of Wendy. Heedless of their audience, he reached out to stroke her cheek.
    Conscious of Aunt Mildred closing in, Wendy began to panic. She flinched away from Peter’s hand, her cheeks burning with shame. Perhaps, if she had not been from such good society she wouldn’t have cared that all eyes were on her. If she had had more to draw from in life, she might have been able to be coy and flirtatious. Maybe she could have matched Peter’s stare and cunningly made some encouraging retort. Perhaps she could have even given Peter some indication that she returned his sentiments. Then he would have escorted her to the garden where they could have privately declared the magnitude of their feelings for one another.
    If only Peter, merely by being himself, had not stripped her to the point of transparency for the whole of London society to witness!
    Instead, Wendy was ill equipped to deal with either the force of her internal emotions or the external scrutiny. With Aunt Mildred bearing down on her and the entire ballroom gawking with unveiled curiosity, the poor girl did the only thing in her nature to do. She fled.
    “Please, do excuse me,” she mumbled. Then, she turned her back to and walked away from the only thing that truly mattered to her. It took every ounce of effort to get through the front doors and outside without breaking into a run. Once escaped, however, Wendy Darling ran all the way home.
    Only when she had locked herself in her room did she allow her insides to explode outward in gut-wrenching sobs. Hours later, although exhausted, Wendy could not sleep. What must Peter think of her? How could she ever explain to him when she didn’t understand herself? Surely Aunt Mildred would inform Wendy’s parents of her secret; how would she ever make them understand? They would never forgive their daughter for loving an actor when a banker was within her grasp.
    We must not be too severe with Wendy, whose life had not been her own since childhood. The rich matriarchs who ruled her class still clung to the notion that a favorable match was indeed the only situation that could deliver a young lady from financial and societal ruin. Such matches were measured by bank accounts, not sentiments. When it came to the Darling household, venerable Aunt Mildred was no different.
    Near daybreak, Wendy began to doze. In her dreams, the brave Wendy accompanied her to the party, lending her strength. When finally face to face with Peter, everything went exactly as it should. Peter escorted her to the garden where he professed his love. How her heart leapt for joy! Wendy was about to make her own declaration when cutthroat pirates descended upon them from all sides. They were a horrible lot of the blackest villains with ropes and knives.
      Peter leapt forward to protect her. Taking on a dozen at once, he fought valiantly, but it was no use. They were captured. As they were being taken to the Pirate Captain, a little glowing light appeared. At first, she thought the mischievous pixie was there to save them. As it got closer, Wendy realized that it was tinkling with glee. The spiteful creature was laughing because it had led the pirates to the garden. It had orchestrated their capture.
    With growing horror, Wendy realized the satisfied pixie was not laughing merely because of what had occurred but because of the terrible