Violin.
The very instrument she hated was in her hands.
She held the bow loosely, fully prepared to let it fly from her fingertips.
Henrietta knew it would upset her. That was something she couldn’t bring herself to do.
No. Her mother, Elaine, loved the violin, and forced her daughter to practice everyday, varying in the minutes. So, for Elaine, she would play. Anyone else, Henrietta would not.
“Henrietta,” said Elaine in a clear voice, “Play something for our guests, would you, dear?”
Henrietta adjusted her sheet music. Her sister, Catherine, looked at the piece she picked, found the accompaniment, and nodded for her begin.
Henrietta briefly glanced at the starting note, taking in the key signature and adjusting the violin in her arms to start.
The room quieted as they played. The nobles Elaine invited to her gala for once had nothing to say as the room filled with music. Once they were done, the nobles clapped and congratulated Elaine for the entertainment.
Elaine accepted their praise, nodding for her daughters to begin a new piece. This time Catherine picked the music.
Henrietta adjusted her gown before picking up the violin again. She threw a glance to her sister, checked the piece, and replaced her sheet music. This time, when they played, the nobles acted as though they weren’t there. Like they were part of the background rather than nobility.
Henrietta felt herself growing angry, and she was sure it showed in her music. Catherine started to play rougher, attempting to match her sister. The sound grew louder as Henrietta’s anger grew. Catherine was playing as loudly as she could now, listening intently to her sister as her notes went higher.
As they finished, the nobles turned to them, fake smiles plastered on their fake faces. Elaine frowned even as the throngs of people in the room once again praised her for her daughters’ work.
Henrietta would be apologizing for how she played later on. That much she knew. To her mother, when she and Catherine play, they become her background noise. Something to fill the quiet. Something to keep her from hearing the awful ringing in her ears that haunted her.
Despite being part of Elaine’s background, she claimed to love hearing the violin. She said it reminded her of when their father would play a piece for her. So, for Elaine, and only Elaine, Henrietta would play. Nothing else mattered to her more than her mother’s happiness.
The only thing that might have mattered more was seeing her father again, but even then, it would still be for her mother. To make her happy.
If the violin made her happy, Henrietta would play. She would master any piece her mother desired to see her with a true smile on her face once more, rather than the smile she wore that didn’t quite meet her eyes.
Henrietta sent Elaine an apologizing look before picking a new piece and playing it, Catherine joining in a moment later. She subtly nodded to herself. To make mother happy, we will play.
Monday, July 18, 2016
My Future -Ambria Curtis
When you were in elementary school, you were probably asked what you wanted to be when you grow up or what you wanted to do. You probably told the teacher something like; a scientist, a doctor, veterinarian, model, famous or that you wanted to travel to the moon, or travel the world. Now that we are in high school, we have to be serious and think about what we want to do with our lives. We have to figure out what we want to be, and who we want to be. We have to figure out if we want to go to college or not, where we want to go to college, or where we want to work, or what will make us happy for the rest of our lives. I have figured out that I want to go to College at Arkansas State University. I want to become an English Teacher. English has always been my favorite subject I just didn't realize how much I loved it until now. I also happen to love kids. So, why not become an English Teacher? I want to be a role model to kids and teach them so that one day, they can achieve their goals and do whatever they want with their life. If I could help one person, that would make my life a world of difference. I've always loved helping people and it makes my day knowing that I helped someone. English has always been an easy subject for me and I feel like I could teach it to people. I have always loved kids and I think working around kids everyday would be a great experience! This past year is when I decided I wanted to become a teacher. Reading The Freedom Writer's Diary has really inspired me a lot. Before this year, I would have never dreamed about joining AP English because I was scared that it would be too hard but, I started trying really hard and discovered how much I really love English. I have figured out what I want to do that will make me happy for the rest of my life.
Things I Love/Strongly Like -Hattie Milligan
I was
just going to make this blog about things that I love, but the word love is
used rather loosely. So, now I am going to list things I love and strongly
like.
I love…
- God. He is my life, my savior, my rock, my redeemer, and I could not live my life without him.
- My family. I am so thankful for the love, support, and everything else they do for me.
- My friends. They are always there, they make me laugh, and they always encourage me to do the right thing.
- My youth group. They make life so enjoyable and push me to live my life for Christ.
- Winning. Sports, board games, Just Dance. If there is competition, I have to win.
- Basketball. It is a huge part of my life.
- Going to the lake. I love being able to spend time with my family on the water.
- My dog. I love my dog so much. He is the best.
I strongly like…
- Ice cream. I like ice cream cones, milkshakes, and pretty much every other form of ice cream.
- Bacon. Oh my gosh l like bacon so much.
- Sushi. I could legit live off sushi.
- Coffee. I don’t drink it all of the time, but I savor every time that I do.
- Disney movies. They just bring me back to when I was little. They make me happy.
- Netflix. I would not have been able to watch One Tree Hill without it.
- Mexican food. I eat it like every other day of the week and I would not have it any other way.
- Relaxing. I really really like not doing anything.
- Tennis. It is always so much fun.
- My car. Driving is one of my favorite things to do.
- Sleeping in. I am not a morning person, so not having to be up for it is awesome.
- Going on long walks or bike rides with my sister.
- The Voice. It is one of my favorite tv shows.
- The NEA tournament. Watching basketball games all day is always such a blast.
- Shoes. I can never have too many pairs of shoes.
The Best Moment of My Life -Hattie Milligan
I still
remember the best moment of my life like it was yesterday. It was July 3, 2013.
My youth group and I were in Tahlequah, Oklahoma doing some mission work. We
had been roofing a house all week. The house we roofed belonged to a lady that
was disabled. She had two years to put a new roof on her house or the house
would have been taken away from her. We showed up on the last month of the last
year. The work was so hard and it was so hot outside. My shoes literally melted
to the roof of the lady’s house. It was miserable.
Every
night we had a church service. We would go to the chapel and sing, play games,
and then listen to a devotion. We always
heard the staff call Wednesday night’s service “cry night” and we couldn’t
figure out why. I mean we knew it involved crying but we did not know why we
would be crying.
So,
Wednesday night we walked to the chapel and sat outside waiting for the staff. When they got there we went inside, sang our
songs, and played our games. However, instead of doing a devotional, the staff
led us outside. When we got outside there was a cross surrounded by candles for
each youth group. We were instructed to
pick up a handful of sand and stand in a circle with our youth group. Then, we
were supposed to tell everyone one of our weaknesses that always made us stray
from God. After we did that, we were supposed to pick up a muddy rock, and go
to the cross to wash it off.
Everyone
was quiet at first. Then one of the girls in our group spoke up. After that it
was like a chain reaction. Everyone started crying and confessing. I told
everyone what was holding me back, I let go of my sand, I picked up a dirty
rock, I went and washed it off at the cross, and then I gave my life to God. It
felt like 10,000 pounds had been lifted off of my shoulders. I was so on fire. Ironically,
the best moment of my life was on “cry night.”
Sunday, July 17, 2016
charity!! sydney 9
there are 702 million people living in poverty.
780 million starving.
775 million adults (2/3 women) and 122 million children who are illiterate and the idea of an education is out of reach.
4 million women experiencing physical abuse or rape from their partners.
1 in 3 senior citizens dying from Alzheimer's or another form of dementia.
these statistics are a drop in the ocean that is global epidemics and we often think that we have no means of helping these people or that our contribution won't amount to anything in the grand scheme of things. this however is the farthest thing from the truth. in the technology ruled society we live in we are privy to so much more than those before us. there are apps like donate a photo where you simply pick a charity and take a photo (doesn't have to be of anything in particular or even of good quality) you donate it and automatically the Johnson & Johnson corporation will give a dollar to the charity you chose, such an easy way to make a life better! (24 photos pulls a child in India out of poverty guys!!!)
another amazing app with a purpose for the greater good is charity miles, you open the app, pick a charity and walk, run or bike and earn money for every mile :-)
you can do this while: exercising, Pokemon hunting, geocaching, shopping, or while we're walking the endless hallways of our school come August. Basically any time you spend moving can amount to so much more and make a monumental difference.
there are a plethora of other world changing routes you can take obviously, I just encourage you to choose one because the things we take for granted are luxuries that many others have never even experienced and its insanely easy for us to spread a little love
780 million starving.
775 million adults (2/3 women) and 122 million children who are illiterate and the idea of an education is out of reach.
4 million women experiencing physical abuse or rape from their partners.
1 in 3 senior citizens dying from Alzheimer's or another form of dementia.
these statistics are a drop in the ocean that is global epidemics and we often think that we have no means of helping these people or that our contribution won't amount to anything in the grand scheme of things. this however is the farthest thing from the truth. in the technology ruled society we live in we are privy to so much more than those before us. there are apps like donate a photo where you simply pick a charity and take a photo (doesn't have to be of anything in particular or even of good quality) you donate it and automatically the Johnson & Johnson corporation will give a dollar to the charity you chose, such an easy way to make a life better! (24 photos pulls a child in India out of poverty guys!!!)
another amazing app with a purpose for the greater good is charity miles, you open the app, pick a charity and walk, run or bike and earn money for every mile :-)
you can do this while: exercising, Pokemon hunting, geocaching, shopping, or while we're walking the endless hallways of our school come August. Basically any time you spend moving can amount to so much more and make a monumental difference.
there are a plethora of other world changing routes you can take obviously, I just encourage you to choose one because the things we take for granted are luxuries that many others have never even experienced and its insanely easy for us to spread a little love
this is not about ghosts or superstitions or love @ first sight- Sydney 8
i believe...
-in God
-in the power of music
-faith trust and pixie dust
-in getting lost before you're found
-myself
-in the power of prayer
-in the idea that cookies and a good laugh can fix anything
-in honesty
-in owning up to your mistakes
-in being your own person, no matter what that means to anyone else
-in hard work and that it inevitably pays off
-that Eric Clapton shot the sheriff but he didn't shoot the deputy
-that bunnies are pointless
-in aliens
-that family is important and that if you don't have a family you can always find one in the people you surround yourself with
-that you are who you hang out with
-in mermaids. 90% of the ocean is unexplored so I mean come on folks
-in meditation, it can make your day go so much smoother and your heart happier
-souls
-that if you turn the lights off and look into a mirror chanting some creepy beings name that you're asking for it
-that a little kindness goes a long way
-that one person (me even) can change the world
-i can fly
-that adventure is a big part of ones personal growth
-in humanity
-i can touch the sky
-that you should never wait around for things to happen, you have to make them happen
-in being independent and not relying on other people
-that time spent alone is well spent time
-that if you roll a suitcase down the stairs it's bound to hit your ankles
-^if that happens you're bound to cry
-in love (not soulmates though I don't believe in that)
it probably won't last forever but each time you experience it (from friends, family, dogs or boyfriends) it leaves an impact on you and changes you a little
-that going outside makes you happier
-that reading is not only good for the mind but good for the soul
-that Chris Pine will one day confess his love for me, right after Christian Slater
-in passions and that everyone has one
-that we all have a purpose and a reason to be here
-that Terry Connor is the most fantastic human I've ever met
-that God has a plan so me worrying about my plan is pointless
-in karma
-that you get what you give
-that you should always judge a person by how they treat you not by the rumors you hear about them
-that inner beauty is what will matter in the end
-that orange juice tastes best straight from the bottle
-in standing up for yourself and for those who can't
-that your actions matter
-that the way you treat people while you're here matters
-in forgiveness
-in witches and magic
-that being different is marvelous
-that I am done with this post
-in God
-in the power of music
-faith trust and pixie dust
-in getting lost before you're found
-myself
-in the power of prayer
-in the idea that cookies and a good laugh can fix anything
-in honesty
-in owning up to your mistakes
-in being your own person, no matter what that means to anyone else
-in hard work and that it inevitably pays off
-that Eric Clapton shot the sheriff but he didn't shoot the deputy
-that bunnies are pointless
-in aliens
-that family is important and that if you don't have a family you can always find one in the people you surround yourself with
-that you are who you hang out with
-in mermaids. 90% of the ocean is unexplored so I mean come on folks
-in meditation, it can make your day go so much smoother and your heart happier
-souls
-that if you turn the lights off and look into a mirror chanting some creepy beings name that you're asking for it
-that a little kindness goes a long way
-that one person (me even) can change the world
-i can fly
-that adventure is a big part of ones personal growth
-in humanity
-i can touch the sky
-that you should never wait around for things to happen, you have to make them happen
-in being independent and not relying on other people
-that time spent alone is well spent time
-that if you roll a suitcase down the stairs it's bound to hit your ankles
-^if that happens you're bound to cry
-in love (not soulmates though I don't believe in that)
it probably won't last forever but each time you experience it (from friends, family, dogs or boyfriends) it leaves an impact on you and changes you a little
-that going outside makes you happier
-that reading is not only good for the mind but good for the soul
-that Chris Pine will one day confess his love for me, right after Christian Slater
-in passions and that everyone has one
-that we all have a purpose and a reason to be here
-that Terry Connor is the most fantastic human I've ever met
-that God has a plan so me worrying about my plan is pointless
-in karma
-that you get what you give
-that you should always judge a person by how they treat you not by the rumors you hear about them
-that inner beauty is what will matter in the end
-that orange juice tastes best straight from the bottle
-in standing up for yourself and for those who can't
-that your actions matter
-that the way you treat people while you're here matters
-in forgiveness
-in witches and magic
-that being different is marvelous
-that I am done with this post
Impossible Peter Part One - Kim Wilson (13)
(This is very long and I'm sorry to bore you with it but it's the beginning of a story that I may or may not continue.)
Chapter One
"You never listen to anything I say! You don't value my opinion! We moved halfway across the country and you never asked me if I wanted to leave. What did I ever do to you to make you hate me this much?" I screamed at my father. We were having, yet again, another argument. Trying to count how many we have in a day would be like counting the stars: it could go on forever.
"You were born! You survived when Layla and Mary didn't," he snapped, "Just go to your room and stay there. I don't want to see your hideous face for the rest of the night. In fact, just stay there until you're old enough to move out." Each word he spoke pierced my soul more.
I ran down the long, dark hallway and slammed the door to my room behind me. With tears running down my face, blurring my vision, I fell onto my window seat.
"You're so ugly." "I wish you weren't born." "Who would want to be friends with you?" These thought swarmed my mind. Sitting on my window sill, I was feeling sorry for my pitiful life. My mother and twin sister died two short years ago, so my father decided to move from my childhood home. The memories tortured him, but they were all I had left. That home used to contain a happy family; this house just contains pieces of a broken, misshapen "family."
The move wouldn't have been so bad, if my dad actually cared about me; instead he blames me for my mother and sisters death. I wasn't even present when she died, I was with my grandmother. They were driving and hit by a drunk driver. If anyone were to be blamed, it wouldn't be me. What makes him blame me, I'll never know. To top it all off, I was in a new city, I had no friends, my dad hated me, and everyone at school bullied me. I had no one. I was alone. Gazing at the stars, I wished nothing more than to be on one of them. I wished so desperately to be transported somewhere occupied by the kindest people. Somewhere with people who would love me, despite my flaws. I wanted to travel somewhere I could be loved, but that wasn't life. There was no hero swooping in to save me from my despair. It was only me crying among the twinkling stars.
I tugged on the pillow lying next to me and drew it close to my face. I screamed until my muffled cries were nothing more than a dull throb in my ears. When I raised my head, I saw the face of a boy looking at me curiously. He looked about my age, maybe younger. His hair was tangled in curls and was the brightest shade of blonde I've ever seen. His face showed great concern as he studied me. How he managed to get in my window, I did not know.
"Don't think your pity party has gone unnoticed. My name is Peter Pan," he held out his hand. I slowly reached up and shook it, "Why are you crying?"
"My name is Terra and I'm crying because my life is a mess," I said laughing at how pathetic I probably looked. My whole situation was not something someone my age should have to endure. Typical teenagers don't have to go through their day wishing they weren't alive. It was too much for someone like me to bear.
"Then come with me! You don't have to worry about anything! I live in Neverland and I never grow up. I have no responsibility, no heart ache, no annoying parents bossing me around. I just go on adventures all day," said the boy called Peter. He was a curious fellow, dressed in a forest green shirt that seemed to be made of leaves, and black pants. He looked like a normal teenager, but he dressed oddly and spoke of magical things that couldn't possibly be true.
"What are you talking about? Everyone grows up; it's a part of life," I responded.
"Not me! I have a whole gang of Lost Boys in Neverland and we never grow old," he stated matter-of-factly, "I can fly you there. Wait here."
So, there I was standing on my window seat waiting on an impossible boy. I turned and l took one last look at my room. If I was to really go away that night, I wanted to remember the room of my last home.
"Oh, no!" I ran to my desk and pulled out my mothers locket. I could leave everything behind, but the last piece of my mother was not one of them.
"All you need is some pixie dust. And a little faith you won't fall," he laughed. Floating next to him was a tiny girl with skin that seemed to glow.
"Pixie?" I asked. This could not be real. Flying? Pixie dust? Fairy-like creatures?
"This is Tinker Bell; she's a fairy. Don't worry about her too much, you won't notice she's there a lot," he whispered. Tinker Bell's face turned bright red. She crossed her arms and stomped her foot. With her high pitched voice, she began to yell at Peter. All I could hear was bell like sounds, maybe that's why she was called Tinker Bell. "I'm just kidding Tink!"
Peter pulled out a brown leather sack and sprinkled glittering dust over my head. Slowly, my feet lifted off of my seat as if some force was pulling me up. Peter grabbed my arm and guided me out of the window. We flew past the beautiful stone buildings and soared into the dark, twinkling sky. We soared past constellation after constellation; Peter would point out each one as we passed. He was well educated for a boy who wouldn't grow up. I felt so free to have the cool breeze hitting my face and knowing that I was finally leaving my devastating life behind.
"Do you do this everyday?" I asked astonished. This was magnificent! Peter laughed at my excitement, clearly amused by my amateur flying ability. Suddenly, we burst through clouds and entered the land Peter called Neverland and at first sight I fell in love.
There were beautiful fields full of flowers. The flowers were beautiful eye popping shades of pink, yellow, and red, that appeared to stretch on for miles. We passed elegant mountains that seemed to reach Heaven. The sun was shining and reflecting off of the crystal blue waters. The water was so clear you could see fish and mermaids swimming in it below. The leaves of the trees were beautiful reds, oranges, and yellows. The sky was clear and the sun shined bright. I'm that moment I decided I never wanted to leave Neverland.
"Ahoy! It's Peter Pan," a voice shouted below, "Get him before he strikes again!"
"We have to hurry," said Peter, "I can't let the Pirates get you before you meet my crew."
Dogging the cannonballs aimed at us, we quickly flew to his tree home. The tree was like the others. It had large red leaves and in the center, a red door. The door was elegantly carved and opened without a sound. Inside there were five boys in a line and waiting. I looked around the room, taking in each detail. There was a small red sofa in the corner with a green rug underneath it. In the back hung a small painting of the mountains and flower fields we saw when we first entered Neverland.
"Hey, I didn't even have to call for a line up," Peter laughed, breaking my concentration. He hung the bag of pixie dust on a hook near the door.
"We heard the Pirates!" Exclaimed the boy at the front of the line. He was dressed in a rabbit suit. I quickly realized most of them were dressed in assorted animal suits. Each suit looked life-like and from a distance would look real. They must have used the suits as a camouflage to hide from the Pirates. Each boy looked older than four but younger than Peter. Peter didn't seem to have any friends his age either.
"They tried to get us. I wasn't even able to show Terra the meadow yet," he laughed. He turned and grabbed a hand-drawn map off of the desk in the center of the room.
"Who are they?" I asked.
"They're people like us. I brought some of them to Neverland, but they weren't right. They were jealous that I don't grow up, so they tried to trap the Lost Boys and use spells to keep them from growing up. I saved them all myself. Now they attack us, always trying to find a source of eternal youth," he explained. The atmosphere in the room shifted. I could sense that they didn't get along with the pirates. An awkward silence fell over us.
"What is the meadow?" I asked curiously changing the subject. Peters mouth formed into a smirk and his eyes twinkled mischievously.
"I'll show you," he grabbed my hand and we ran through the beautiful trees with the Lost Boys and Tinker Bell trailing behind. He came to a sudden stop and pointed up. My gaze followed, and I saw that the trees grew together at the top and formed a dome which seemed to protect the tiny houses surrounding us. There were many houses made of mushrooms and flowers, with fairies like Tinker Bell dwelling in them. Tinker Bell flew to small, yellow flower house and visited with her fairy friends. Peter marched on and showed me a big bowl full of pixie dust.
"This is all the pixie dust Tink and her friends made me. I'm only supposed to use this but Tink will bring me more when I run out. You can share it with me if you stay. The Lost Boys and I can make you a tree house too," he said.
"You can be our mother!" Exclaimed the boy in the rabbit suit from behind us.
"Yeah, and she can read us bedtime stories!" Shouted another.
"And tuck us in at night! Will you please?" Pleaded the youngest dressed in a squirrel suit. The other Lost Boys pleaded as well.
"Oh, alright. First we need to start by getting you guys actual clothes. I can't have you all dressing like animals can I?" I laughed.
"I knew you were special!" said Peter. He chased the younger boys and played with them as I sat and sewed together cloth made by the fairies. For such tiny creatures, they were really good at making things, especially Tink.
I must have fallen asleep while sewing, because I was woke by Peter shaking me, announcing my tree house was finished.
"When did you make it?" I asked brushing dirt off of my skirt. Peter just smiled and lead me to the house. From look of the house, it appeared they worked hours.
"We made this while you slept. The clothes you made fit everyone really well, thanks. It's hard to keep the boys in line because they won't listen to another guy, except Mason. Mason is a really good kid," he explained.
"Is it the small one?" I asked pointing at the youngest. It seemed ironic that the youngest boy listened the most. "He helped me find a needle on the beach shore. Apparently 'stuffs like that always comes in from the mainland.'"
"Yeah. He's really good at finding that stuff-"
"Terra! Terra! We made you a house, now you can stay!" Mason yelled as he ran up to me. He gave me a hug and whispered to me. He told me that he was glad he could finally have a mom. It broke my heart to hear that, since I didn't have one myself. When I was wishing to find people who would love me while fighting tears, I didn't expect it to come true. Standing there with a small child looking at me with such affection, I realized that I could never leave this place. I could never leave them.
"Boys get to your houses, there's a big day ahead tomorrow. We're supposed to have tea with the mermaids," Peter instructed, going into his own house.
I slowly walked into my new home and settled into the wooden bed. For a house made of a tree, it wasn't that bad.
Chapter One
"You never listen to anything I say! You don't value my opinion! We moved halfway across the country and you never asked me if I wanted to leave. What did I ever do to you to make you hate me this much?" I screamed at my father. We were having, yet again, another argument. Trying to count how many we have in a day would be like counting the stars: it could go on forever.
"You were born! You survived when Layla and Mary didn't," he snapped, "Just go to your room and stay there. I don't want to see your hideous face for the rest of the night. In fact, just stay there until you're old enough to move out." Each word he spoke pierced my soul more.
I ran down the long, dark hallway and slammed the door to my room behind me. With tears running down my face, blurring my vision, I fell onto my window seat.
"You're so ugly." "I wish you weren't born." "Who would want to be friends with you?" These thought swarmed my mind. Sitting on my window sill, I was feeling sorry for my pitiful life. My mother and twin sister died two short years ago, so my father decided to move from my childhood home. The memories tortured him, but they were all I had left. That home used to contain a happy family; this house just contains pieces of a broken, misshapen "family."
The move wouldn't have been so bad, if my dad actually cared about me; instead he blames me for my mother and sisters death. I wasn't even present when she died, I was with my grandmother. They were driving and hit by a drunk driver. If anyone were to be blamed, it wouldn't be me. What makes him blame me, I'll never know. To top it all off, I was in a new city, I had no friends, my dad hated me, and everyone at school bullied me. I had no one. I was alone. Gazing at the stars, I wished nothing more than to be on one of them. I wished so desperately to be transported somewhere occupied by the kindest people. Somewhere with people who would love me, despite my flaws. I wanted to travel somewhere I could be loved, but that wasn't life. There was no hero swooping in to save me from my despair. It was only me crying among the twinkling stars.
I tugged on the pillow lying next to me and drew it close to my face. I screamed until my muffled cries were nothing more than a dull throb in my ears. When I raised my head, I saw the face of a boy looking at me curiously. He looked about my age, maybe younger. His hair was tangled in curls and was the brightest shade of blonde I've ever seen. His face showed great concern as he studied me. How he managed to get in my window, I did not know.
"Don't think your pity party has gone unnoticed. My name is Peter Pan," he held out his hand. I slowly reached up and shook it, "Why are you crying?"
"My name is Terra and I'm crying because my life is a mess," I said laughing at how pathetic I probably looked. My whole situation was not something someone my age should have to endure. Typical teenagers don't have to go through their day wishing they weren't alive. It was too much for someone like me to bear.
"Then come with me! You don't have to worry about anything! I live in Neverland and I never grow up. I have no responsibility, no heart ache, no annoying parents bossing me around. I just go on adventures all day," said the boy called Peter. He was a curious fellow, dressed in a forest green shirt that seemed to be made of leaves, and black pants. He looked like a normal teenager, but he dressed oddly and spoke of magical things that couldn't possibly be true.
"What are you talking about? Everyone grows up; it's a part of life," I responded.
"Not me! I have a whole gang of Lost Boys in Neverland and we never grow old," he stated matter-of-factly, "I can fly you there. Wait here."
So, there I was standing on my window seat waiting on an impossible boy. I turned and l took one last look at my room. If I was to really go away that night, I wanted to remember the room of my last home.
"Oh, no!" I ran to my desk and pulled out my mothers locket. I could leave everything behind, but the last piece of my mother was not one of them.
"All you need is some pixie dust. And a little faith you won't fall," he laughed. Floating next to him was a tiny girl with skin that seemed to glow.
"Pixie?" I asked. This could not be real. Flying? Pixie dust? Fairy-like creatures?
"This is Tinker Bell; she's a fairy. Don't worry about her too much, you won't notice she's there a lot," he whispered. Tinker Bell's face turned bright red. She crossed her arms and stomped her foot. With her high pitched voice, she began to yell at Peter. All I could hear was bell like sounds, maybe that's why she was called Tinker Bell. "I'm just kidding Tink!"
Peter pulled out a brown leather sack and sprinkled glittering dust over my head. Slowly, my feet lifted off of my seat as if some force was pulling me up. Peter grabbed my arm and guided me out of the window. We flew past the beautiful stone buildings and soared into the dark, twinkling sky. We soared past constellation after constellation; Peter would point out each one as we passed. He was well educated for a boy who wouldn't grow up. I felt so free to have the cool breeze hitting my face and knowing that I was finally leaving my devastating life behind.
"Do you do this everyday?" I asked astonished. This was magnificent! Peter laughed at my excitement, clearly amused by my amateur flying ability. Suddenly, we burst through clouds and entered the land Peter called Neverland and at first sight I fell in love.
There were beautiful fields full of flowers. The flowers were beautiful eye popping shades of pink, yellow, and red, that appeared to stretch on for miles. We passed elegant mountains that seemed to reach Heaven. The sun was shining and reflecting off of the crystal blue waters. The water was so clear you could see fish and mermaids swimming in it below. The leaves of the trees were beautiful reds, oranges, and yellows. The sky was clear and the sun shined bright. I'm that moment I decided I never wanted to leave Neverland.
"Ahoy! It's Peter Pan," a voice shouted below, "Get him before he strikes again!"
"We have to hurry," said Peter, "I can't let the Pirates get you before you meet my crew."
Dogging the cannonballs aimed at us, we quickly flew to his tree home. The tree was like the others. It had large red leaves and in the center, a red door. The door was elegantly carved and opened without a sound. Inside there were five boys in a line and waiting. I looked around the room, taking in each detail. There was a small red sofa in the corner with a green rug underneath it. In the back hung a small painting of the mountains and flower fields we saw when we first entered Neverland.
"Hey, I didn't even have to call for a line up," Peter laughed, breaking my concentration. He hung the bag of pixie dust on a hook near the door.
"We heard the Pirates!" Exclaimed the boy at the front of the line. He was dressed in a rabbit suit. I quickly realized most of them were dressed in assorted animal suits. Each suit looked life-like and from a distance would look real. They must have used the suits as a camouflage to hide from the Pirates. Each boy looked older than four but younger than Peter. Peter didn't seem to have any friends his age either.
"They tried to get us. I wasn't even able to show Terra the meadow yet," he laughed. He turned and grabbed a hand-drawn map off of the desk in the center of the room.
"Who are they?" I asked.
"They're people like us. I brought some of them to Neverland, but they weren't right. They were jealous that I don't grow up, so they tried to trap the Lost Boys and use spells to keep them from growing up. I saved them all myself. Now they attack us, always trying to find a source of eternal youth," he explained. The atmosphere in the room shifted. I could sense that they didn't get along with the pirates. An awkward silence fell over us.
"What is the meadow?" I asked curiously changing the subject. Peters mouth formed into a smirk and his eyes twinkled mischievously.
"I'll show you," he grabbed my hand and we ran through the beautiful trees with the Lost Boys and Tinker Bell trailing behind. He came to a sudden stop and pointed up. My gaze followed, and I saw that the trees grew together at the top and formed a dome which seemed to protect the tiny houses surrounding us. There were many houses made of mushrooms and flowers, with fairies like Tinker Bell dwelling in them. Tinker Bell flew to small, yellow flower house and visited with her fairy friends. Peter marched on and showed me a big bowl full of pixie dust.
"This is all the pixie dust Tink and her friends made me. I'm only supposed to use this but Tink will bring me more when I run out. You can share it with me if you stay. The Lost Boys and I can make you a tree house too," he said.
"You can be our mother!" Exclaimed the boy in the rabbit suit from behind us.
"Yeah, and she can read us bedtime stories!" Shouted another.
"And tuck us in at night! Will you please?" Pleaded the youngest dressed in a squirrel suit. The other Lost Boys pleaded as well.
"Oh, alright. First we need to start by getting you guys actual clothes. I can't have you all dressing like animals can I?" I laughed.
"I knew you were special!" said Peter. He chased the younger boys and played with them as I sat and sewed together cloth made by the fairies. For such tiny creatures, they were really good at making things, especially Tink.
I must have fallen asleep while sewing, because I was woke by Peter shaking me, announcing my tree house was finished.
"When did you make it?" I asked brushing dirt off of my skirt. Peter just smiled and lead me to the house. From look of the house, it appeared they worked hours.
"We made this while you slept. The clothes you made fit everyone really well, thanks. It's hard to keep the boys in line because they won't listen to another guy, except Mason. Mason is a really good kid," he explained.
"Is it the small one?" I asked pointing at the youngest. It seemed ironic that the youngest boy listened the most. "He helped me find a needle on the beach shore. Apparently 'stuffs like that always comes in from the mainland.'"
"Yeah. He's really good at finding that stuff-"
"Terra! Terra! We made you a house, now you can stay!" Mason yelled as he ran up to me. He gave me a hug and whispered to me. He told me that he was glad he could finally have a mom. It broke my heart to hear that, since I didn't have one myself. When I was wishing to find people who would love me while fighting tears, I didn't expect it to come true. Standing there with a small child looking at me with such affection, I realized that I could never leave this place. I could never leave them.
"Boys get to your houses, there's a big day ahead tomorrow. We're supposed to have tea with the mermaids," Peter instructed, going into his own house.
I slowly walked into my new home and settled into the wooden bed. For a house made of a tree, it wasn't that bad.
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