Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to the story Bridge to Terabithia

I am just a fan of one of the most emotionally powerful books that I have ever read.

The Phone Call

Chapter 9

Eighth grade came to an end with Jesse and Leslie together as a couple. Another summer flew by, except of course for the two weeks that Leslie was gone with her parents on vacation. Those two weeks, for Jesse, seemed to last forever. He tried to keep himself busy so the time would pass more quickly and soon Leslie was home again and things were good again. They spent some pleasant times in Terabithia relaxing and dreaming. They played a bit at fighting off the evil monsters that they had conjured up in their minds, but they were getting too old for that sort of play, and feeling like they had lost something important to them they turned to more grownup pleasures. Leslie would sometimes read aloud while Jesse sketched or painted. They would talk for hours about nothing at all or about their thoughts, and hopes, and dreams. They counted that summer as one of the best in their lives, a turning point as they took a step from childhood into adulthood. Terabithia was still there but it was different in some way that they couldn't explain. They didn't fully understand what was happening to them. They were leaving childhood behind and it left a melancholy glimmer of remorse in the back of their minds. However, it was a special time for them, a wonderful time; a time full of memories that would last them throughout their lives.

Before they knew it summer was gone and school began again. They were in the ninth grade now, high-school freshmen, they were growing up. After school that first day they went together to sign up for the cross-country team. There was one coach for both the boys and girl's teams. He was a local legend where track and cross-country were concerned. His assistant coach was a former Lark Creek High School student and track and cross-country team member from several years ago. She had returned to Lark Creek after finishing college and now was teaching at the high school. The coaches greeted the kids and wrote down their names on the roster. After they had finished taking down all the names and a little bit of background information from each student the coach had the team sit down on the grass in the field where practice is held. The early September sun shone brightly down on them from a cloudless sky of brilliant blue. The air was warm and still. There was a feeling of excitement among the new team members. The coach stood before them and gestured with his hands for them to settle down. He had no need to yell or blow a whistle, he was 'coach,' soft spoken but greatly respected. When the team was quiet, and the buzz of their excited voices died out, their attention turned to the coach and he began his welcoming speech.

The boy's team, they were told had not won a meet in ten years. The coach went on to say that he hoped this would be the year to break that dismal record. Looking around at the team Jesse wasn't too hopeful.

The girl's team on the other hand had won the league championship the last three years. That record, the coach said he hoped to continue this year. He had been quite excited to have Leslie join the team, and a couple of the other freshmen girls were good runners with fast running times. It was going to be a good year for the Lark Creek High school girl's cross-country team.

After the welcoming speeches the coaches took both teams on a slow jogging tour of the Lark Creek high school cross-country course. When they returned from their tour, the coaches led them in a light workout. Then it was announced that their first meet was a home meet to be held one week from today. Jesse groaned; they'd never be ready.

After practice Jesse and Leslie headed back to the school building where the late bus that would take them home was waiting. As they were walking across the practice field they spotted Scott Hoager and Gary Fulcher. The two boys were hanging out at the far end of the field with some other kids that Jesse and Leslie didn't really know.

"If we had Hoager and Fulcher on the team we'd have a chance of winning some meets," Jesse mumbled to himself under his breath.

"What?..." Leslie piped, "Did you just say what I thought you said?" She looked over at Jesse like he had grown an extra head.

"Oh I was just thinking out loud I guess." Jess said and stopped walking, he put his hand on Leslie's arm stopping her, she looked over at him expectantly. Then he continued, "you know if we had Hoager and Fulcher on the team, we might have a chance at winning some meets."

"That's not going to happen," she said, and rolled her eyes.

"Why not?"

"Because they won't do it that's why," she snickered.

"Maybe it's 'cause nobody's asked them to join the team."

"Don't tell me you're going to ask them," she sighed in exasperation.

"Maybe."

"You might as well ask cows to fly Jess...you're crazy…It must be the endorphins talking" Leslie giggled and shook her head at Jesse's silly ideas.

"You asked my father to build a bridge, I never would have believed that would happen."

"That was different."

"Was it?" Jesse mused, and then his eyes lit up and he said.

"Hey… I've got an idea."

"Yeah? What's is it?"

"This is the starting line for the cross-country course right," he said, stating a fact in the form of a question.

"Yeah," Leslie said looking suspicious of Jesse's intentions. She watched as Jesse fished in his bag and pulled out his stopwatch, then he dropped his bag on the ground.

"Here." he said handing the watch to Leslie, "time me… When I say 'go' start the watch, then cut through the woods to the first mile marker, and meet me there."

"What are you going to do?" She asked. She knew Jess pretty well, she knew him better then anyone, and she had a pretty good idea what he was thinking.

"Trust me, just do it ok."

"Yeah...Ok," Leslie said, she was worried. Then Jesse strolled out to the middle of the field and called to Scott Hoager.

"Hey Hoager, you're a big jerk!"

"Huh?...What?…" Scott looked up to see who was calling him, and squinting from the bright sun light he saw Jesse Aarons standing in the middle of the field taunting him. "Oh yeah Aarons!" he shouted at Jesse, "…I'm gonna kill you!" Jess could see the rage on Scott's face. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all he thought to himself, well, it's too late now.

"Ya gonna have to catch me first ya big jerk." Scott took off running toward Jesse, Jess stood his ground for a few seconds and waited for Scott to get closer to him then he turned and started to run. As he passed Leslie he shouted, "GO!" Leslie clicked the button on the stopwatch and took off running through the woods taking the short cut to the first mile marker of the cross-country course.

It took Gary Fulcher a few seconds to realize what was happening but when he did he joined the chase.

Jess scrambled to stay ahead of Scott. Scott was faster then he had anticipated and he hoped he could hold out for the mile. Looking over his shoulder he saw Scott was hot on his heels and back in the distance he could see Fulcher struggling up the trail. Jess called some mild insults over his shoulder to keep Scott chasing him.

The first mile of the Lark Creek cross-country course was one of the toughest in the county. It included a steep gravel covered hill, rocky and rutted terrain, tree roots and other obstacles cluttering the forest floor.

Jess struggled to keep his distance from Hoager, but he was already tiring out. After all he had run this course earlier and had just finished a workout at practice. Now he was trying to outrun Scott Hoager who was faster then he thought he would be.

Jess scrambled up the steep hill slipping a few times on the gravel as he ran. When he reached the top he paused and looked back down. Scott was struggling up the hill. He was about halfway to the top and he was breathing heavy. It looked to Jess like he was about to abandon the chase, so he called down to Scott, chiding him, "what's the matter Hoager, gonna let a little hill stop ya?"

Scott glared up at Jesse, "I'm gonna get you Aarons," he huffed and continued on up the hill with renewed energy. Jesse smiled down at him, and said, "You'll never catch me Hoager."

Jesse's heart was pounding in his chest and his breath was coming in short gasps. He charged on pushing himself to the limit. Damn he thought to himself, Hoager's fast. Then he thought again, but that's a good thing, and he managed to smile a sly little smile to himself as his feet pounded along the uneven trail.

Then rounding the last corner he saw Leslie standing in the trail just ahead. She stood in the dappled sunlight holding the stopwatch up in front of her. As he approached her he slowed his pace a bit to let Scott catch up to him at the one-mile marker. He yelled over to Leslie to stop the watch, she obeyed and punched the button.

Scott caught up to Jesse and grabbed at his shoulder, he spun Jess around landing his right fist on the side of Jesse's jaw sending him stumbling backwards. It was a good thing for Jess that Scott was worn out from running. He didn't have much force in his punch, and Jesse barely felt it. Scott then pounced on Jesse tackling him, bringing him to the ground. Leslie tried to scream at them to stop, but the words caught in her throat, and no sound came out of her. She felt helpless as she watched the two boys tussling on the ground. They wrestled and rolled in the dirt and dust, Jesse struggling to protect himself from Scott's blows. Scott easily pinned Jesse since he was bigger and stronger, and Jess wasn't really all that interested in fighting anyway. Scott scored a few more good punches giving Jess a black eye that would show itself later. Then breathing heavily through clenched teeth, and with anger in his eyes, Scott's face hovered over Jesse's. Sitting on Jesse's chest, Scott continued to hold him pinned to the ground as Gary Fulcher came huffing and puffing up to them. Gary doubled over, his hands on his knees gasping for air; his face was a bright red. Jesse was impressed with both of them, especially Scott, not only had he run a mile but he had plenty of energy left over to knock him around and pin him to the ground, and he was hardly even breathing hard.

Jesse looked up at Leslie and in a calm but breathy voice, and as if nothing had happened, he asked her, "how'd we do?"

"Huh?" Scott grunted, confused by Jesse's comment. He still had Jess pinned to the ground and looking up noticed for the first time that Leslie was there. Leslie looked at the watch and read the time off to Jess.

"5 minutes 47 seconds," Leslie said, robotically, she was slack jawed and dumbfounded, still stunned by the display she had just witnessed.

Fulcher looked equally as confused as Scott and Leslie, "Huh?" He puffed.

Then Jess said, "not bad," panting out the words, "you're pretty fast Hoager," then gasping for air which was made more difficult by the fact that Hoager was sitting on his chest he added, "you too Fulcher."

"What?... what's going on… What's wrong with you geeks?" Scott sneered; his face all scrunched up in a puzzled expression.

"So Hoager, Fulcher how about you guys joining the cross country team?" Jess was smiling up at Scott who was still holding him pinned to the ground.

"You're out of your mind Aarons," he chortled in Jesse's face, then getting up off Jesse's chest he said, "come on Fulcher let's get away from these freaks, it might be catching." As they started to walk away Jesse rolled onto his side and propped himself up on his elbow.

"Hey…Guys…" He called after them feeling a bit disappointed, "with you two on the team we might be able to win some meets."

"Forget it Aarons," Scott called back to him and laughed. Fulcher called Jesse something that Leslie thought was completely rude and totally uncalled for. Then Scott Hoager and Gary Fulcher disappeared around a bend in the trail.

"Are you ok Jess?" Leslie asked kneeling down next to him; she was still shaking with fear.

"Yeah…Just disappointed I guess."

"I told you so," Leslie said, with sympathy in her eyes, "You got a black eye for nothing." Then she helped Jess get up onto his feet.

"I thought it might work," he said looking defeated.

"You watch too much TV Jess," she said shaking her head with a lighthearted giggle.

"Hey, I don't watch that much anymore… Not after you…You won't let me, remember."

"Well, anyway Jess, things like that only happen in the movies."

"Yeah, you're right. It was pretty stupid of me huh?"

"Well…You tried Jess, I've gotta give you credit for that." Then taking a close look at his wounded eye she said, "Come on, let's go home and get you cleaned up, and put something on that eye."

The next day at practice the coach commented on Jesse's black eye, what a shiner he had said. Jesse lied and told him he had walked into doorjamb.

Then Jess headed over to where Leslie and the others were dropping off their track bags, and looking up who should he see coming across the field but Hoager and Fulcher. They were dressed in shorts and tee shirts and they were wearing trainers on their feet. Jesse nudged Leslie and gestured in their direction, they watched as the two boys approached. The pair went up to the coach and Jesse and Leslie saw them exchange some words that they were too far away to hear. The coach beamed a great smile and wrote something down on the paper clipped to his clipboard, then he clapped them on the shoulders each in turn and shook their hands. Coach then turned and pointed in Jesse and Leslie's direction and the two boys came toward them.

"You guys change your minds about cross country?" Jess asked as they approached.

"You think you're so fast Aarons," Scott sneered, "well I'm gonna kick your butt."

"I'd like to see you try Hoager," Jess said, and he meant it. Then he turned to Leslie and whispered, "I hope he does."

It turned out to be a much better season then the last ten for the Lark Creek high school boy's cross country team. They didn't win the league championship or anything close, but they did manage to win three out of the ten meets that they ran that fall. When you consider their past record that was a fantastic improvement, and the coach was quite pleased with the team. In his mind, he told them, you guys are champions.

The girl's team won the league championship easily. They won every meet they ran; they were unstoppable. They were referred to as the fastest girls in the county. Jesse was a little uncomfortable with that label. Leslie thought it was cute until Jess explained the double-entendre. Leslie's face fell, she was embarrassed, "that's terrible," she said.

Scott Hoager and Gary Fulcher, as they got to know Jess and Leslie better through cross-country and then later indoor and outdoor track, put their differences to rest and became good friends. Through their high school years they proved quite protective of Leslie and to Jess, aside from Leslie, they were his closest friends. Scott commenting to Jess on more then one occasion how lucky he was to have a girlfriend like Leslie, and that he would be a fool to ever let her go.

Time past much too quickly for the friends and before they knew it their first season of cross-country came to an end. Then there was indoor track and after that outdoor track. There were classes and homework, there were dances and parties, there were both good times and bad times. Thanksgiving came and went and made way for Christmas, which went by in the wink of an eye. The cold winter days and nights soon melted into spring. Then it was summer and summer fun. Leslie left for her two weeks family vacation, but things were good again when she returned. Terabithia was still a good escape from their troubles but they found themselves there less often as they grew older. Summer jobs, summer fun, and summer activities becoming more important then their childhood fantasy playground.

Then suddenly, as if without warning, and before they knew it or were prepared for it they were sophomores, and a busy year was ahead for Jesse and Leslie. Of course there was cross-country and indoor and outdoor track. There were the classes and the homework, there were more dances and parties, and there were field trips. There was one very memorable field trip; it was a class ski trip to the mountains where Leslie taught Jesse how to snow board. Then there were double and triple dates with Scott and Gary and their girlfriends. Fun times and many memories of wonderful times spent together. Then there were the many nights Jess and Leslie would do their homework together. And every now and then they would steal away to Terabithia and huddle and cuddle in the tree house. They hoped it would never end, things were good, they were young and in love and their love only grew stronger with the passing days. They would dream of a future together and imagine a life shared. Maybe get married. Of course we'll get married Jesse would say and have a family, Leslie would agree. It all sounded so wonderful.

Before they knew what was happening, before they even absorbed being sophomores, another year had slipped by and they found themselves on the brink of another summer vacation. Both Jesse and Leslie had lined up summer jobs at the recreation department as councilors for the summer day camp. Basically it was playing with the little kids which was more fun then work. Of course Leslie would be gone for part of the summer vacationing with her parents, but she'd return and life would be wonderful again. Jesse was happy, he was truly happy, he was in love and completely at peace with the world, and happy.

Then Jess was made happier still, if that were even possible, when the Burkes invited him to go with them to the New Jersey shore for a week of their vacation. Jess was so excited that he didn't understand why Leslie seemed troubled.

"What's the matter Leslie?" he asked, fearful she no longer felt the same toward him. "Don't you want me to go with you to the New Jersey shore?"

"Of course I want you to go. It's just that..." she stopped herself before she said more.

"What?...It's just what Leslie?"

"Nothing Jess..." Then she grabbed onto him, wrapping herself around him, pulling him tight, tighter he thought then she had ever held him before. It was as if he would vanish from her if she let go. Then she whispered in his ear, "I love you Jesse Aarons, I love you with all my heart." She was crying. It must be a girl thing he thought to himself.