A/N - This story is what would have happened, (My verson at least) if Jess couldn't go with Ms. Edmunds that day.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything! It belongs to Katherine Paterson!

Chapter 1 - Fateful Day

Jess Aarons woke up on early on a Saturday morning to find Maybelle standing in the doorway with a phone. She grinned and said, "Jess! I called you three times!" Jess nodded. And reached for the phone. "Its your girlfriend." She smiled sheepishly and scurried off when Jess yelled after her, "She's not my girlfriend!"

"Hello?" Jess said into the phone half expecting the cheerful voice of Leslie.

"Hey Jess." The woman on the other side of the phone said.

"Hi, wait, who is this?" Jess said with confusion.

"I know this is a Saturday but this is your teacher, Ms. Edmunds. I was gonna go down to Washington and go to the National Gallery with my sister but she changed her plans last minute and now I've got an extra ticket. I was thinking that you might wanna come and keep me company." Ms. Edmunds suggested.

Jess' throat went dry. He had a crush on Ms. Edmunds and he really wanted to go. But he was afraid to talk into the phone in fear she would hear him shake.

"Jess?"

He broke into a cold sweat.

"You still there, Jess?"

"Yeah."

"Do you need to get permission first?" she asked gently.

"Yeah, just-just a minute." He said quietly. He put the phone down and scurried into his parent's room. His mother was the only one in bed but she would be the only permission he needed.

"Mom?" Jess asked.

"Hmmm? Is it the baby?" His mother asked sleepily.

"No, she's fine Brenda has her."

"Hmmm," She nodded and went back to sleep.

"Can I go on a field trip with a teacher?" Jess asked hopefully.

"Ask your father, I'm too tired honey." Jess squinted, and sighed. He knew his father wouldn't let him go.

Jess returned to the phone.

"I'm really sorry, but my parent's said I have to much work to do." Jess lied. He had to make up an 'important' excuse, but he didn't want his parents grounding him for the rest of his life when he got home.

"Oh," Ms. Edmunds said blankly, "That's too bad. Maybe I'll find another person. Thanks anyway Jess!" She finished cheerfully.

"Yeah, sorry, bye." Jess replied he scolded himself for his choice of words.

"See you on Monday."

"See you," Jess said. He heard the click of the phone and sighed. He really wanted to go with her. But he knew his parents would kill him.

Jess thought well leaving his room. He bounded down the stairs and out the door.

Jess trotted down the hill to the Perkins house. He really was looking forward to hanging out with Leslie, but he was still in regret of not going to the museum with Ms. Edmunds. Jess reached the door and knocked on it lightly.

Bill answered the door still looking very tired. His hair was a bit messed up and he wore a white undershirt with shorts on. He held a cup of steaming coffee in his left hand and he peered at Jess through his round glasses.

"Ahh Jess, I suppose your looking for Leslie." He smiled at Jess. "She'll be out in a minute." Bill said and called to his daughter. "Come in," he added.

Jess stepped into the doorway and stood by the door. After about a minute, Leslie came striding down the stairs also looking kinda tired. She was ready to go, except for her shoes which see walked over past Jess and grabbed the pair sitting at the door.

"You ever gonna say hi to me?" Jess teased.

"Hi Jess!" Leslie muttered. She didn't say in a disrespectful tone just in a tired voice.

"Hi," Jess responded. Leslie slowly laced her shoes and stood.

Jess grinned and pushed his black hair out of his eyes, "You wanna go there today?"

Leslie grinned back at him, "Sure. I'll race to you to the rope."

Mr. Burke spoke up from the kitchen table, "Make sure you two are back before lunch!"

"Sure dad," Leslie hugged him and left her house and tore after Jess. She smiled, Cheater. She thought.

She was gaining on him but he got too much of a head start.

Laughing, Jess beat Leslie to the rope swing. He grinned at her and smiled. "I- finally- beat you!" He spoke between breaths.

"Yeah," Leslie rolled her eyes. P.T. trotted up from behind. He playfully yipped at Leslie and ran around her legs once.

"Good boy, P.T." She patted his head and picked him up to swing across. Leslie gripped the rope with her right hand and P.T. in her left. She swung and reached halfway when, SNAP! The rope broke and she hit her head on a rock and fell limp into the river.

"Leslie!" Jess shouted and dove into the river after her.

A/N: AHAHAHA! I am SO mean! I gave you guys a cliffhanger ending, (Even though you can probibly guess what will happen). Anyway R&R! I don't care if you flame! Also tell me if you want me to continue past a chapter 2.