Chapter Twelve

Wendy struggled to get through the next day. All she could think of was Pete, The Neverlands, hungry lions and beautiful mermaids - her head was swimming with so many thoughts! She couldn't wait to see Pete again and was looking forward to sleep.

To help pass the time, Wendy decided to work on her mural, and as it turned out, her recent dreams were an inspiration to her painting. She found herself drawing many colorful scenes from The Neverlands. She painted the mountains and the woods, with their picturesque trees and unique flowers. She created the vibrant blue bay, full of mermaids and elaborate ships. She drew the lion, with its enormous mane of hair and hungry amber eyes. And she painted herself with Pete, flying hand in hand, high in the sky amongst the clouds and birds.

She took her time painting Pete. She wanted to get him just right, with his sandy, tousled hair and emerald green eyes. Standing back, she carefully examined her creation and decided she was happy with the results. She had perfectly captured Pete's charming smile and the twinkle in his eye. Wendy observed how she had painted herself. She looked gloriously happy, happier then she had been in such a long time.

Thank you so very much, Pete, she smiled.

Wendy gave credit to Pete for lifting her from the deep depression she had felt herself slowly sinking into. Without his consistent appearances, she was not sure where she would be right now, or how hopeless she would be feeling. Before Pete, she didn't have anything to look forward to. But now...she felt like she did. It was hard to believe that Pete was just a dream. He felt so real!

But that is what he is, she sadly reminded herself. Just a fantasy.

She found herself thinking of Evelyn and wishing that she was there to talk to. She would have been able to help her work through her dreams and feelings. And she would have known how to make sense of Pete.

Wendy didn't believe she could talk to anyone else about what was happening to her. She knew that telling her parents or the doctors would result in a one way ticket to an insane asylum. And even though she had always confided in her brother John, she didn't want to share this with him, for fear of scaring him.

I just have to keep it to myself, she sighed.

Unless...she spoke with Pete about it. After all, her subconscious had made him up, so he wouldn't judge her, and most importantly, he wouldn't be able to tell anyone.

That's it! That's what she would do. She would speak with Pete. If nothing else, it might help her find some perspective. Satisfied with her decision, she cleaned up her painting supplies and went downstairs. She knew her family would get restless if she didn't make an appearance soon, so she figured she'd better visit for awhile before dinner.

Wendy was thankful her family gave her plenty of space. Having time to think in private felt therapeutic to her, and she was grateful they didn't hover too much. But they were her family, and she enjoyed hanging out with them, so she was pleased to have found them playing Monopoly at the kitchen table.

"Hey, kiddo! Whatcha been up to?" her dad asked when she entered the room.

Wendy cleared a tickle from her throat, "Just working on my mural."

Her mom smiled, "How's it coming, honey?"

"It's coming. I really like the new paints that you got for me. Thank you," Wendy responded and sat down to join them.

"We're just starting another game," Michael piped in, "Wanna play? You can be the dog..." he offered, knowing that Wendy always liked to play with the Scottish dog token.

"Sure, I'll play," she smiled, and they settled in for one more round.

* * * * * * * * * *

That night when Wendy was in bed, she felt the familiar breeze against her face and she looked up. Pete was standing in front of her with a big smile on his face.

"Hi," Wendy said, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

"Hello, Wendy. I have something for you," he grinned, with his hand behind his back.

Wendy's eyes lit up, "What is it?"

Pete sat next to Wendy on the bed and pulled his hidden hand forward, revealing a white tiger lily.

Wendy gasped, "A lily?" She couldn't believe what she was looking at.

"Do you like it?"

Slowly, she reached up to take the softly scented flower from Pete's hand, but couldn't say a word.

"Wendy, do you like it?" he asked again.

She took a shaky breath, "This was my friend's favorite flower."

Pete nodded his head and smiled softly, "I know."

"Pete," she began. "I just don't know how to make sense of you. You seem to know everything about me, but to me...you remain a mystery. I know that you are a dream, I just can't fit all of the pieces together. Normally, I can figure out why I dream of certain things. Like, when I dream of Evelyn, I know that it is a dream because she is on my mind. Or when I dream of puppies, I know it's because I have always wanted one, but my dad is allergic. I just don't understand where you have come from. At first, I thought it was because I needed a friend. But then how do you explain us flying, and The Neverlands...and the crazy trees and flowers?" she questioned, "What about the mermaid? And the lion that wanted to eat me up?"

Pete let out a deep breath. "Why do you think I am a dream?" he asked softly.

Wendy laughed, "Are you serious? I think that you're a dream because...because boys can't fly! And I can't fly! And there is no such thing as The Neverlands, or mermaids. And because teenagers do not live alone in the woods, forced to protect themselves from dangerous animals. You can't be real. And...if this isn't some sort of dream...then I must be going crazy. All of the medicine they have me taking, trying to cure a disease that doesn't want to go away..." she trailed off, looking away.

Pete reached for Wendy's hand, and continued to listen.

"You're so brave," she whispered, her breath catching in her throat.

"Wendy, do you know that I think you are braver then me?" Pete asked.

Bewildered, Wendy looked up at him. He seemed so serene sitting next to her on the bed. His eyes appeared uncharacteristically gentle, not twinkling with adventure like they usually were. His hand felt strong and comforting as it wrapped around hers.

"I live in a magical place that feels like a fairy tale. A place where I do not have rules or boundaries. A place I can live freely and in any way that I choose. And you - you live here," he continued, looking around. "Dealing with real life and all of the struggles that go along with it. I see how sad you are... That is what first drew me to you. But now that I am here - I can see how very brave you are. Much braver than me. You have your own unique lions to fight."

Wendy looked thoughtfully into Pete's eyes and saw all of the fragments of him that clung to her heart. There were times when he looked so far away, like fluffy white clouds off in the distance, and other times when he seemed so present, like early morning dew. Sometimes, he looked at her as if she held his whole world in the palm of her hand. And yet there were moments he would aggravate her with his cocky and cavalier attitude. But mostly she saw the times where he was a confident and carefree boy who promised excitement and adventure. A boy who never judged her... Who was completely unafraid.

Wendy's heart beat wildly in her chest as she slowly leaned forward and brushed her lips against Pete's waiting mouth. Their kiss was so soft, she knew the memory of it would last a lifetime. When she pulled away, they just stared at each other, not saying a word.

Moving aside, she let Pete slide into the bed next to her. Quietly, they held hands until the first rays of the sun shown through the lace curtains of Wendy's bedroom. Opening her eyes in the morning light, Wendy found that Pete was gone. In disbelief, she looked at the pillow beside her.

He had left the lily behind.

How had Pete left the flower? He's only a dream...isn't he?

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