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Sneaking into Tiger Peony's room was easier than the trio had expected.
Not that, that calmed Panos’ nerves in the slightest as he tiptoed closely behind his two new friends—Samantha and Blue Veronica. He couldn’t help but wonder as he did so what Blue’s sister could have possibly done to warrant the bookworm’s wrath.
When he had asked, Blue just looked at him solemnly and replied with “You wouldn’t understand. You don’t have siblings.”
Which Panos couldn’t help but think was a little unfair since he had his cousin, Paro, which wasn’t that different in his opinion. But he knew better than to point this out to the two stubborn girls and just went along with their plotting. Slightly cursing himself for doing so because now he was here—in Neverland, in a stranger’s bedroom carrying a bucket of rotting sardines that they were about to hide all over the older girl’s room.
He should have said. Like Paro told him to.
But atlas, the things he did for love.
He really, really, really hoped that this whole ordeal wouldn’t end in bloodshed when Tiger Peony inevitably found out about their little prank.
She seemed nice enough from afar but who was to say that she wouldn’t murder Him, Sam, and Blue for doing this to her like some people back home would have done…
Panos really hoped he was wrong. He didn’t want to die. He was only 8 after all and he had so many important things left to do. Like helping his mom out at the restaurant next Thursday like he said would before he had left the house.
Or graduating from the second grade.
Or dressing up as an adult in a trench coat with his cousin and Hadie to go see an R-rated movie.
None of which he could do if he died today.
Samantha glanced back at him and slowed her pace, waiting for him to catch up to her before leaning towards him and whispering, conspiratorially “Remember, if we get caught… You’re deaf and I don’t speak English.”
He glanced at the leader of this little scheme and furrowed his brow “But… What about Blue?”
The brunette shrugged, smiling faintly “This was her idea. If we get caught, we’ll bail and let Ronnie take the fall.”
Panos giggled quietly at the thought. Muffling it with his free hand.
“HEY! I HEARD THAT!” the girl in question sputtered, offended.
Samantha rolled her eyes, which only made him giggle louder.
“You were supposed to!”
“Supposed to hear what?” an unfamiliar voice asked from behind them, causing Panos to freeze. Eyes wide as the bucket slipped from his hands.
Blue Veronica stared passed him in horror momentarily, before it morphed smiling nervously “O-oh hey, Peony…. Funny seeing you here…”
Oh Shit, oh shit, oh shit.
Panos took off running and Samantha must have followed his lead, because he heard footsteps behind him and BV yelling for them to come back.
But they didn’t and ran as fast as their little feet could carry them. Never looking back.