Katherine Paterson is one of my all time favorite authors. I recently re- read her book 'Jacob Have I Loved,' I thought I might add a bit of it into this story. If you have not read 'Jacob Have I Loved,' I highly recommend it.

I do not own any rights to the story 'Bridge to Terabithia,' or 'Jacob Have I Loved.'

What Dreams May Come

Chapter 3

Jesse improved his skills as an artist, and as the years flew by he tried his best to do well in school. He kept his grades up with the hopes that someday he would be able to attend college, or an art school. But, as his senior year of high school approached, the thoughts of continuing his education dimmed. Jesse's father tried his best, but financial setbacks and layoffs drained their resources.

Jesse had taken on a part time job after school and on weekends to help out with the family finances. He knew that when he finished high school he would need to find a full time job to help his family. Helping his family through these tough economic times was far more important than attending college at the moment.

There was one thing that Jesse still indulged himself with, and that was running; he still loved to run. He had been voted captain of the Lark Creek high school cross country team, and he wished that Leslie were here to share his excitement and joyful pride.

After school, and before he had to be at work, Jesse would go on long runs through the fields, and woods near his home, sometimes passing by the house where Leslie Burke had once lived. There were times that he was convinced he could feel Leslie's presence near him as he ran over the familiar trails, and fields he knew so well. Many times he would work out his problems, and clear his mind while he ran along, believing that Leslie was somehow there with him, guiding him. Sometimes, on these running jaunts he would wind up in Terabithia, and there he would find inspiration for his drawings and his stories about Leslie.

For his comic books, and his stories about Leslie Burke, he had changed her name to, Leslie Blake. That was her alias in his stories, but when there was danger, or evil are about, she becomes; The Queen Master of MegaLand.

Jesse had very little time to work on his comic books now. Between school, and work, and his responsibilities as captain of the cross country team, it left him very little time for anything else. Whenever he did get a free moment to himself, he would spend it working happily on his beloved stories about Leslie.

One day after school, Jesse, as usual, had gone out for a long run to clear his head. As he ran the old familiar trails his thoughts turned to Leslie Burke. For some reason that he didn't understand, he sensed a strong presence of Leslie very near him; more intense than he had ever felt before. It was unlike any feeling he had ever experienced. He felt as though he could reach out and touch her, and for a brief moment, that seemed so unreal, he could smell her scent, and hear her breathing next to him. A terror rose up inside him, he was frightened by these sensations, but he was also comforted by them at the same time. Jesse stopped running and stood very still, the forest was quiet, and the feelings he had just experienced had left him. He scanned the woods, believing that if he looked hard enough he would see her smiling face among the trees and shrubs of the forest. She wasn't there, it was just his imagination. A chill shot up his spine as he shook off the eerie feelings; he drew in a deep cleansing breath, let it out slowly, and jogged home.

When he returned home he ran up the road to his house, and found a strange car parked in the driveway next to his dad's truck. That's odd, he thought, why would his dad be home at this time of day, and who could that strange car belong to. It had him wondering as he walked past the unfamiliar sedan.

Then to his surprise as he opened the back door to the kitchen, a small fur ball of a dog flew at him.

"P.T.?… P.T. is that you?" He exclaimed in surprise, his face grew a tremendous smile.

"What are you doing here boy?" he asked as he bent low to pet the little dog.

"In here Jess," his father called to him from the living room.

"Ok dad, coming," he scooped P.T. up in his arms, and carried the squirming dog into the living room as P.T. licked at his face. Jess walked into the living room to find his mom, dad, MayBelle, and Joyce Ann all sitting together on the couch.

He was somewhat surprised, but after being greeted by P.T., he half expected to see Judy and Bill Burke, and indeed, there they were, sitting together on the love seat. They smiled at him. Jesse put P.T down, and Bill and Judy came up to him, and hugged him, each in turn.

"Hi Jess," Bill said as he hugged him, "How have you been Jesse…?" Bill released Jess from his embrace, and held him by his shoulders, leaning back he looked Jess over, and said, "My… you've grown up…you're quite the young man now."

Before Jesse could answer Bill, Judy had pulled him into a tight hug and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

After they said their hellos, and indulged in some small talk, they caught up on what had been going on in their lives. Jesse knew of the Burkes' work, and he had read their recently released books. Jesse filled them in on some of what he had been up to. He told them that he was captain of the cross country team, and Bill said that if Leslie were here, he knew she would be very proud of him. There was a lull in the conversation after Leslie's name was mentioned. Bill ended the uneasy silence, and asked Jesse, " so Jess…What are your plans for college…? Do you have any schools picked out yet?" Jesse, nervously avoiding Bill's eyes, looked down at the floor. College was a sore subject, and Jess felt uncomfortable answering the question.

"No," he said, with a sadness in his voice that didn't go un-noticed, " I'm afraid I'm not able to go to college next year. I have to help out around here and put some money aside…maybe I can go to college later on. Maybe in a couple of years I'll be able to go." There was an uncomfortable quiet pause that filled the room, then Bill said, "Well Jesse… that's…um why we're here." Bill felt awkward at that moment. Earlier he had been excited to tell Jess his plans, but now he felt like he was intruding on their lives. Bill decided to go ahead anyway and tell Jess his news, feeling that it may be even more important now, then ever.

"Jess," Bill began, "We realized that Leslie would have been going off to college next year, and…" Bill choked up, and Judy picked up where he had left off, "We thought that offering a scholarship in Leslie's name might be a nice way to help some student who might not be able to go otherwise." Then Bill, regaining his composure, cleared his throat and said, "So, Jess, we thought of you...You were such a good friend to Leslie… I don't know if I ever told you this… but she loved you you know."

"Ya… I know," Jess said awkwardly, "you told me that at the memorial service."

"I did?...I guess I did didn't I…"

"Ya…you did," Jess said, "and it really meant a lot to me."

Bill went on, "You were her best friend Jess… her only real friend. So… Judy and I…we…we want to offer you a full scholarship to the college of your choice… money is no object. We intend to cover all your expenses: tuition, books, housing, meals, transportation… everything." Jesse's mother gasped; tears came to her eyes. Jesse wasn't sure if they were happy tears, or not, but decided they must be happy tears. He thought it was strange that it would make his mother cry.

"Wow," he said after a short pause, he was stunned, "I don't know what to say. I…I don't think I can accept… I mean I didn't really do anything to deserve it."

"Say yes Jess, I think Leslie would want you to." Jesse turned to face the speaker, it was his father. Jesse heard the words, but he didn't believe his ears. He was surprised to hear his father approve of his taking charity from the Burkes', and going to college instead of helping the family. But then, his father had been so different since that day up at the pond so many years ago.

Jesse did say yes to the Burkes' and he attended one of the finest art schools in the country. He continued to write his comic books, and they slowly began to gather readers. It started as a small strip in his college paper. Just three to five panels an issue. Then, after college, it grew into a series of comic books. Its popularity continued to grow, and it grew into a bestselling, and much sought after comic book series. So much so that several years after he had graduated from college Jesse was able to quit his day job, and devote himself to writing his comic books full time. He had also started work on a novel about his favorite subject; Leslie Burke, and by the time Jess was thirty years old, he had made good on his promise to Leslie. He had become famous, and Leslie Burke was the main character of his successful comic book series, and now his first novel. The comic books and his new chapter book for young people have become incredibly popular, particularly among college students.

There were even rumors of a movie deal. The rumors proved to be more truth than rumor, Jesse had indeed been in negotiations with, Disney, and Walden Media.

Jesse Aarons, as it turned out, had become very rich, and very successful, and he owed it all to Leslie Burke.

A/N:

'Megaland' was a word that AnnaSophia Robb used in an interview to describe Terabithia.

Let it be known throughout the land, that 'Leslie Blake (Burke): Queen Master of Megaland' is not a real book. (no duh) Although I could write one, come to think of it.

I'd like to thank everyone who read, and reviewed my story. It means a great deal to me, thanks.

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