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 Third Meeting

"Ellie, your turn to wash the dishes." Nancy Aarons told her daughter. Ellie whined and complained that her favorite soap opera still hadn't ended, but Mrs. Aarons was rough and Ellie eventually gave in and turned the TV set off. Brenda was out on a date, and the two younger girls were playing Barbie like the usual. Mr. Aarons was still working, lucky to be able to hold two jobs.

Jess was in his room, thankful that his two younger sisters were downstairs playing with each other. He got his sketch pad and started drawing. Most of his drawings were inspired from the pain he was feeling. When he was ten years old, he drew dragons, ogres, trolls and other creatures made up from his then younger mind. This time, he would draw something abstract, something that he'd be the only who could understand. Sometimes, he wanted someone to know of this pain, and sometimes he'd want to keep it to himself. After drawing and releasing some of the pain out of his system, Jess returned his sketch pad to his table and drifted off to sleep.

Morning came. The sunlight from outside was in direct contact to Jess Aarons' eyes. He cursed under his breath and shut his blinds. May Belle and Joyce Ann were still in a blissful sleep. He looked at the clock beside him and it read six-thirty. Everyone would still be asleep at this time. Jess slipped into his overalls and took a jacket with him. He decided to go to the forest today. He hadn't been there for a month.

Meanwhile, at the Burke's residence, Leslie just woke up. She looked outside from her window as it was her usual habit, to greet the morning sunlight, but it was way too early of course, and because it had rained the day before, clouds were still on the sky, making it look gloomy. She was surprised to see her classmate, Jess Aarons, out so early in the morning. What's he doing out so early? She wondered. She decided to follow him. Taking her pink coat with her and her boots, Leslie tiptoed her way out of their house.

Jess took the rope and swung forward, his feet crashing the strong current on the creek. He then walked casually to the old tree house that wasn't far from where the rope hung. Last year, he was able to provide a proper roof for the tree house. He brought snacks and papers there so that he won't run out of his resources when he'd decide to stay for the night. At least the tree house was a lot safer from the rain than the first time he set foot on it. Jess took a wooden box to sit on and rested his back comfortably on the tree house wall. He closed his eyes. The smell of the forest and the feeling of peace was enough to make him feel sleepy again, although he was there for barely ten minutes. The rain began again, only this time it wasn't hard. Jess moved to the center of the tree house to avoid the raindrops, and closed his eyes again as he inhaled and exhaled to relax more.

As Leslie entered the tree house, she saw Jess Aarons in a blissful sleep. She tried to go near him but a shriek from the old wooden floor of the tree house woke him up.

He was startled for a moment when he saw her, but then, this was his private place, what is she even doing here? "What are you doing here?" Jess asked her. His eyes were menacing, clearly he wasn't happy that she was here.

"I uh, followed you." Leslie avoided his eyes.

"Why?" Jess asked. His rage was burning inside. How dare she follow me? We don't even know each other!

"I-I'm sorry. It's just that I was curious why you were out so early in the morning…" Leslie apologized. When she lifted her head, their eyes met.

Jess Aarons felt an instant connection.


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