Disclaimer: I do not and will never own Bridge to Terabithia. It belongs to Katherine Paterson. Although I do own the idea of this story.
The Outcast and the New Girl
No one had ever been there for him. Not even his siblings, not even his parents. He was always alone. He thought of suicide, maybe someone will finally notice that he was alive, he was breathing, he was moving, and that he was human. Then again, he didn't do it. It's useless. Maybe his parents won't even notice the pool of blood somewhere out there. Jess Aarons was always a loner, an outcast. All he ever wanted was attention. Someone who would and could care for him. All the achievements he made at school, no one knows about it but the teacher and him. He always strived hard at school, getting big grades and participating in school events. He always bragged about it at home, but his parents would just nod and not even look at him, for they were always too busy with work and everything. His two elder sisters, Brenda and Ellie were snotty. Instead of an elder sibling's job to be there for their younger sibling, it was the other way around. His two younger sisters were far too busy with playing with each other, although May Belle was kind enough to talk to Jess sometimes.
For the sixteen years that Jess Aarons lived his life, there was this one place to where he would always go to whenever his problems were too much to bear. It was a forest with a deep creek that separated it from their land. He discovered it when he was ten years old. The only way to access the forest was an old, thick rope. The first time that Jess knew about the separated woods, he doubted going there. But he badly needed a place to go and cry his heart out, that's why he took the risk, and ever since, it had been his sanctuary.
Today was the first day of ninth grade. Jess' homeroom teacher was Mr. Davis. It also rained later that afternoon at Lark Creek High School. It was awfully muddy, but Jess didn't care. He didn't care one bit. Why should he? His worn out sneakers just had to bear with him. Earlier that morning, Principal Madison entered Jess' classroom. A new student with him.
"Good morning students." He greeted the ninth graders. Before speaking any further, he motioned someone from outside to come in.
A girl then emerged from outside the door.
"Class, this is Leslie Burke. She'll be joining all of you this year. She's from California. Please be nice to her okay?" With that, Principal Madison left the room.
"Okay then Leslie, since there's no available desk for you yet, please take my seat for now. I'll fetch some students later at lunch break to get a desk for you." Mr. Davis said to Leslie. Leslie just nodded and took a seat.
From Jess' desk, he couldn't help but look at the new girl. He couldn't deny the fact that she was attractive. Even if her hair was short like a boy's, it suited her well. Her green eyes were also captivating. But to Jess, she was just like any other student. Once she gets to know everybody, she'd become a preppy just like anyone else. He did hope that she wouldn't turn out as worst as Brenda and Ellie. Or Wanda Kaye.
Jess took a seat on LCHS's new school bus and leaned on the window. It just started to rain. The driver, Mr. Ford, was about to start the engine when a blonde girl emerged from the door. She was soaking wet, clearly she wasn't expecting the rain since it was bright and sunny the morning earlier. Seeing that there was no other empty seat, she opted to sit beside Jess. Jess noticed a presence beside him and the feeling of wet coldness.
"I'm sorry, I got you wet. I didn't bring an umbrella since it was sunny last morning." The girl apologized to Jess. Jess remembered her. She was the new girl from his class.
"S'Okay." Jess said to her. He was about to turn away when the girl offered her hand.
"Leslie Burke by the way. Nice to meet you." The girl smiled at him. Jess took her hand which was still cold and was shaking a bit.
"Jess Aarons. Nice to meet you too." He replied. Jess then turned away and leaned against the window again.
Ten minutes later, the school bus stopped at Jess' house. As he stepped down, he was surprised to see the girl following him.
"Are you following me or something?" He asked her. She just laughed and shook her head.
Pointing a finger at a house next to Jess', she said, "No. I live next door."
Jess looked at the house. Finally, someone bought the old Perkins' place. "I see." He then took off without any goodbye. It was still raining, but he just walked casually. Not caring if he'd catch a cold. Leslie Burke just looked at him from behind, wondering how he could be so cold.
.::::.Leslie's POV.::::.
I'm surely going to get a cold from this. But I'm intrigued by that boy, what was his name again? Oh, Jess Aarons. There was something in him. When I first introduced myself to him at the school bus, his eyes were… blank. It was blank yet I could feel sorrow in it. Looking at him leaning against the window, I could tell he was trying to hide something. It was like I could feel his pain or something, and somehow, I want to get rid of that pain from him.
Review please.