In writing this story my intent is to just let the story flow. I just want to see what I can put together while writing on a daily basis. It's kind of like an exercise I had in a class a long time ago. We were given a topic and 5 minutes to do something with it. I'm doing something similar here. Not rushing but trying to not over analyze everything either.

Chapter 3

Leslie found driving the streets in and around Lark Creek a far cry from the controlled chaos of Los Angeles. She remembered actually being scared when she ventured onto the 401 freeway for the first time. There were so many lanes and it seemed rush hour was every hour. She couldn't forget a memorable Saturday evening getting lost in Hollywood. What started as a sightseeing adventure quickly turned into a lesson on preparation. Her parents had given her a GPS to help navigate the city. Leslie Burke, however, knew that to truly experience a new place you had to find your own way. It was like learning a language. You had to immerse yourself in the environment. Besides, using a GPS was cheating. Hours of frustration and profanity laced language and Leslie never again ventured out without her GPS. The fear, however, didn't last. It time Leslie could feel the heartbeat of the city. She became part of the pulse. Surfing, biking, running, hiking these were year round activities in a beautiful atmosphere. Rock concerts, Broadway musicals, museums, even the cemeteries were an attraction. It was intoxicating.

"Well, Leslie you're definitely not in Kansas anymore," she said to herself with a chuckle. Almost immediately she felt guilty. Lark Creek was her home. She had no right to feel depressed. In so many ways it saved her. Leslie Burke wouldn't be Leslie Burke without the small town of Lark Creek. Without Jess Aarons who knows what road she would have gone down. What about Kyle Travis? At a critical juncture in high school he was the glue that held them all together. Inf fact it was Kyle that woke her up this morning in. "How could he be up so early?" she asked aloud. If anything she assumed he would sleep a full day at a minimum. Considering his occupation who could blame him? He sounded like the same old Kyle on the phone. Ever upbeat and ready with a plan he had energy that even Leslie envied. She wasn't surprised he picked Murphy's to meet. The boy loved the place like a second home. The food was the obvious reason but Leslie knew that the original owner, one Raymond T. Murphy, better known as old man Murphy had a lot to do with it. Murphy was a former Army Ranger that loved to tell stories. Growing up, Kyle just happened to be fascinated by all things military. At that time the place was decorated with all kinds of military memorabilia. It might as well have been the Smithsonian to Kyle. Leslie always thought it was an odd setup and couldn't imagine how it survived. The food was good, if greasy, but it had the feel of an army surplus store. When Murphy finally retired he sold the place to a young couple who kept the name but little else.

Leslie sighed as she glanced around while waiting at a traffic light. The cold, gray blanket that stretched on forever challenged her sun obsessed brain. Sure, southern California had the May gray and June gloom but it paled in comparison to the oppressive nature of an east coast winter. Leslie spent the better part of her morning digging through her closet to find clothing that could stand up to this weather. She felt a bit over dressed but hated being cold.

"There it is" she said with a smile. "Wow, this is different." Murphy's was still there but all around it a strip mall arose from what once was open land. The old breakfast joint stuck out like a steak at an all vegetarian feast. The strip mall had that freshly built look, everything was new. Murphy's, though renovated years back, just seemed that much older. Still, the parking lot was as full as she remembered it being and there was a small crowd huddled outside. Saturday mornings were particularly crowded. After parking Leslie quickly texted Kyle and braced for the cold. She nearly broke into a sprint to reach the entrance. It was the smell that made her stop. Bacon, pancakes, and coffee, they all had a distinct and pleasing scent. Yet, when rolled into one glorious aroma it was overpowering. Suddenly she felt like a plate of blueberry pancakes would be perfect.

Leslie walked in and scanned the crowd for her friend. It wasn't long before she found that distinctive high and tight haircut. Kyle was sitting in a booth by himself sipping on a cup of coffee. He was wearing one his trademark plaid button down shirts with sleeves rolled. Although it appeared he was wearing a thermal underneath the shirt. He must have had a bit of an adjustment to the cold weather as well. He seemed oblivious to the world around him. Kyle often wandered off into his own mind. Leslie always figured he was working on some story. In high school he had the uncanny ability to spend class time working on his stories yet stayed on top of everything going on in the class. As she walked towards the booth Kyle suddenly looked up and smiled.

"Hey Les!" he said enthusiastically as he sprang from his seat and embraced her. Leslie had to admit surprise. Kyle was perhaps the friendliest person she knew but he was never much of a hugger. It was a welcome surprise though. Leslie was from a family of affectionate people and she always appreciated a good hug. "It's great to see you. I'm so glad you could make it." As they sat down Leslie marveled at her friend.

"It's great to see you too" she said removing her wool cap and heavy coat. "You think I would miss breakfast at Murphy's with one of my best friends? I was so happy when my parents told me you were home."

"I swear I couldn't believe your parents recognized me."

"Kyle, they've known you since you were thirteen." Leslie said as she thanked the waitress for a steaming cup of coffee.

"Yeah, but I wasn't the only Marine at the airport. My mom didn't even recognize me when I graduated from boot camp."

"Well, they were glad to see you and so am I." Kyle finished another cup of coffee as the waitress reappeared.

"You're waiting for one more right?" she asked refilling his cup.

"Yeah, should be here any minute" Kyle answered. Leslie peered up from her menu.

"Who's joining us" she asked curiously. Kyle didn't answer immediately. It was obvious he was hesitating.

"I hope you don't get upset Les but uh….I invited Jess." Leslie felt a sudden sense of nervousness. She could literally feel her heart start to beat faster. Suddenly it was getting warmer. Why? Her best friend since grade school, that she had not seen in years was coming to breakfast. The boy next door that held a place in her heart that no other had been able to reach. Why would she be upset? Why was she nervous? Why was she starting to sweat? "You are upset" Kyle said snapping Leslie back into the moment.

"Wha….no, Kyle, I'm not upset. Why would I be?" She said hoping to reassure him.

"If anybody can pick up on the change between you two it's me" he said glancing towards the entrance. "I know we've been out of high school for a few years now and granted things change but you and Jess…"

"Jess and me what?" Leslie interjected.

"You and Jess really are best friends" he said looking into her eyes. "People throw that term around a lot but with you two it's the real deal."

"Kyle, I have a lot of friends. And you happen to be a best friend." Leslie noted the change in her friends face. A worried, almost painful expression seemed to melt over him.

"I know you have a lot of friends and I consider myself lucky to be one of them" he said fidgeting with his coffee cup. "You're beautiful, smart, funny and just a damn good person. I swear Les you really are like an angel. You're a magnet. People are drawn to you. But no matter how many come and go in your life there is only one Jess Aarons. It's like…it's like destiny or something. I don't want to see you two just drift apart. Life is short Leslie. You never know if there will be a tomorrow." Leslie was struck by how emotionally honest Kyle was being. There was real concern in his voice. He wasn't looking at her anymore. He was staring off into space as if lost in his own mind. However, this wasn't the daydreaming Kyle from high school. This was different. Leslie began to worry as a vacant expression fell over him. Leslie wasn't sure what to do. It was like Kyle wasn't there anymore. Physically he was but mentally he checked out.

"Kyle" she said as she gently took his hand. "You okay?" Her touch seemed to bring him back. The life returned to his eyes and he seemed to relax.

"Yeah…I'm okay" he said finally looking at her. "Sorry, Leslie. I kind of' spaced out there."

"It's okay, no worries. We can leave if you want."

"No, I'm okay. I'm fine, really. Besides, I invited my two closest friends to breakfast" he said with a smile. "I wouldn't trade it for anything. Now where the hell is Jess?"

"You think maybe he's standing outside?" Leslie asked. "Maybe he thinks you're meeting him outside."

"Certainly possible" Kyle shrugged. "I didn't actually talk to him, just sent an email. I'll go take a look."

A/N: Thank you for reading. I'm enjoying the return to Terabithia.