A Stranger in Terabithia
Disclaimer-I do not own any rights to the book Bridge to Terabithia
A Stranger in Terabithia
Jesse and Leslie both dreaded and looked forward to the new school year. Dreaded because it meant a return to early mornings, long days, homework and of course the idiots, sociopaths and other degenerates that made high school so pleasant. Of course things were a bit different now then they were five years ago when they first met in the fifth grade. They were juniors in high school and Jesse had "inherited" his dad's truck when the family got a new one. Both were stars on the cross-country team, both were academically excelling (though Jesse was a bit behind Leslie in several areas) but most importantly they had finally, as Jesse's father put it "gotten over themselves" and expressed their real feelings for each other. Up to that pivotal moment they both dated other people as they traversed the rocky road of adolescence. They noticed how their friendship was tested with each relationship. Surprisingly, it was Jesse's little sister Maybelle that helped them realize they were just torturing themselves.
"Would you two just stop it!" she said one evening as Jesse and Leslie were arguing…again. "Maybelle, this is none…" Jesse tried to say before being cut off.
"Just admit that you guys love each other and be done with it. You've been in love practically since the day you met. Everybody seems to know but you two." As Maybelle left the room the two looked at each other in silence for a few moments. Finally unable to stand it any longer Leslie broke the silence.
"Jesse…she's right, about me I mean. I…I do love you Jesse. I'm tired of holding it in and I can't handle fighting with you anymore over our dating situation." Leslie felt both relief and dread as she looked into Jesse's eyes. She didn't know what to think as he was just staring at her. Suddenly Jesse moved closer to her. He gently placed his hands on her waist and kissed her. Leslie, though somewhat startled eagerly returned the kiss. Finally drawing apart Jesse looked into Leslie's emerald green eyes and smiled.
"I've wanted to do that for a long time, too long. I love you Leslie. I'm sorry I didn't say it sooner." As he continued to look into her eyes he saw them mist over. "I wish I had said it sooner too. It doesn't matter now, we've both said it. Now kiss me again."
On their first day back at Lark Creek High School Jesse and Leslie walked the familiar hallways to their first class, which luckily they had together. After taking their seats Jesse and Leslie stared at their American history teacher then turned to each other.
"He talks to himself, that can't be good" Jesse said. Leslie smiled but had a different opinion. "I suppose you've never talked to yourself Jesse Aarons?" she said as she looked back at her teacher. Mr. Allen was one of Lark Creek's newer teachers. He was generally well regarded by both faculty and students. Before becoming a teacher he tried making a career of the Army. After one deployment too many and a divorce he called it quits. Nobody knew why he settled in Lark Creek, he wasn't from the area and it wasn't exactly a garden spot. Of course compared to Iraq it probably wasn't so bad after all.
"Good morning everyone," he said enthusiastically. "I can tell you're all thrilled to be here from those big, wonderful smiles" he said sarcastically. Only Leslie was smiling but that wasn't unusual. Leslie scanned the room and was surprised to see Paul O'Donnell sitting on the other side of her. She met Paul back in their freshman year when they had a couple classes together. It took her over a month to get him to speak but once she did he opened up. It wasn't a dramatic transformation like Jesse a few years earlier but it was a move in the right direction. Jesse teased her relentlessly, "I thought you said I was enough work to last you a lifetime" to which Leslie countered, "Well, you've begun to bore me so I'm trying to find new inspiration" She always had a snappy comeback to make Jesse feel stupid when he tried teasing her.
Leslie looked over at Paul and said hi to which Paul responded. If anything Paul O'Donnell was consistent. He never missed class and pretty much dressed the same from year to year. Believe it or not he had a reputation. However it wasn't the kind of notoriety anyone would want. For bullies to exist there must be those that will be bullied. Paul O'Donnell was a favorite target of bullies. Jesse and Leslie could both relate but they agreed that what Paul went through was worse than anything they endured in their day. Over time Scott Hoager and Gary Fulcher faded from the world of Jesse and Leslie. Oh they were still at school but Jesse wasn't so small anymore nor was he afraid. Nor was Leslie for that matter. In fact it was Leslie that broke Scott's nose back in their freshman year. Since then their high school existence improved dramatically. Paul wasn't as lucky. For one thing he had no allies. There was no "Leslie" in his world at least not anymore. Paul had a best friend once much like Leslie had Jesse. Her name was Sarah Bradford. Leslie didn't know the story behind what happened but Sarah didn't seem to hang out with Paul anymore. She never felt comfortable asking him and doubted he would talk about her anyway. That left Paul a party of one. Being a loner in high school was like being a loner in prison. They were easy prey for a group of bullies.
As the day wore on Jesse and Leslie met up again before their last class. As it turned out Mr. Allen was the best teacher either one of them had outside of their cross country coach whom they knew since the 9th grade. "He's not so bad, kinda funny actually. Best of all, no homework today" Jesse said as they made their way to the gym.
"See, talking to your self isn't always a bad thing. He actually seems to know what he's talking about too. My Trigonometry teacher is questionable. She seems oblivious to the fact that not everybody understands the stuff as easy as she does" she said as they came to the gym. "Mrs. Adams?" Jesse asked, opening the door for Leslie. "Yeah, you have her too?" Jesse let out a laugh. "You kiddin', I'm not taking Trigonometry. I've heard of her though. She actually used to teach over at the elementary school years ago. I think she moved to the high school the year you moved here." Leslie couldn't fathom Mrs. Adams teaching fifth or sixth graders or anyone for that matter. As they walked into the gym the two parted to their separate locker rooms.
Over the next few weeks Jesse and Leslie readjusted to school life and both found themselves quite busy between homework and cross country. Leslie was taking several advanced classes which took up a considerable amount of her time in the evening. Jesse was becoming irritated at not being able to see her more often. "Jesse I'm sorry but these classes really pile on the homework. I have to do it." Though he knew she was right he wasn't happy about it.
"You've been missing our morning runs Les. That's one of our best times together." Leslie felt terrible about missing their morning runs. She was just too tired to get up any earlier than necessary. "I know Jesse don't you think I miss our runs too? I'm just too tired." She said as she laid her head on his chest. She knew Jesse couldn't resist whenever she was affectionate. He hugged her and kissed her forehead and apologized for not being understanding.
'Works every time' she thought to herself.
In spite of their hectic schedules the two managed to squeeze in some time alone. One Friday evening as they lounged on Jesse's couch and watched TV Leslie thought of place she had nearly forgotten about. "Jesse, do you ever think about Terabithia?" she asked. Jesse looked down at Leslie who was resting her head on his shoulder. "Well, yeah sometimes I guess" he answered. "Why?" Leslie pushed herself up so she could look her boyfriend in the eyes. "It used to be so important to us and right now I can't remember the last time we were there" Jesse tried to think back to when they last made the journey across the creek. He was surprised that he couldn't remember either. "I can't remember either" he answered. "But it's been a while at least a year" Jesse looked over at Leslie and could see she was still trying to remember. "It's probably more like two years" she finally said. "Jesse, let's go tomorrow" Jesse was caught off guard by her sudden burst of enthusiasm. "To Terabithia?" he asked. Leslie eagerly nodded. "Well, okay"