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.
A/N: Thanks to all of you who have read and reviewed this story.
The Phone Call
Chapter 13
Jesse was a senior in college now, May Belle had enrolled at the same state university that Jesse attended and they would often ride back and forth to school together. This was a great help to Jesse. May Belle would do some of the driving so Jesse could catch up with his homework or sleep. Sometimes they would just talk. It was through some of these talks that May Belle learned just how much her older brother still loved Leslie, how much he still missed her, and how much his heart still ached for her.
It helped having May Belle to talk to, because as the days passed Jesse found he was thinking of Leslie less often. He started dating more frequently now and was happier than he had been in a long time. Although he still thought of Leslie, and believed he was still in love with her, he had pretty much abandoned any hope of reuniting with her. May Belle told him never to give up hope and that she was certain that someday they would be together again. Then she said, "don't forget Jesse, just close your eyes and keep your mind wide open…remember?" Jesse smiled and nodded and said, "thanks May Belle."
In addition to his other jobs Jesse had taken on a position at the college as a tutor. It didn't pay much but it helped him with his own schoolwork and he received some course credits for it.
One of the students he had been tutoring was a cute young energetic girl with a wild imagination and a passion for fun. She had short blond hair, sparkling green eyes, and a smile a mile wide. She was a sophomore who was having a difficult time in her math class and she had contacted Jesse for help. Her name was Darcy, and there was something about her that attracted Jesse; he kept his feelings to himself though, keeping the relationship on a professional level.
Before long he had helped Darcy catch up with her class and found himself a bit saddened when their meetings came to an end. It was also nearing the end of the semester, and the Christmas break was upon them. Since he no longer was her tutor he had considered asking Darcy out on a date, but he waited too long and she left the campus and had gone home for the Christmas vacation. Just as well he thought to himself with a sigh.
Jesse kept himself busy during the break working and getting together with Scott and Gary. He made only one trip out to Terabithia during the break: to 'talk' to Leslie, to sort things out, to tell her about Darcy. He had decided to sell his property in the spring after graduation and this will probably be the last time he'll come to Terabithia. "I can't come here anymore Leslie," he said out loud to the forest, "damn you Leslie!… I still miss you!"
Jesse was glad when school started again; he would be busy now with work, classes, and tutoring. He had hoped he would see Darcy around campus when they returned from break, but after two weeks had gone by with no sign of her he gave up looking for her. He wasn't about to track her down, that would just be weird he thought, like he was stalking her or something. Then one day Darcy had tracked him down, found him and asked him out on a date. He was shocked, "ah…I…I…yeah…I mean… sure," he stammered in surprise. She laughed and hugged him and told him that she had thought about him often over the past two months. After that meeting they dated several times and became good friends. He told Darcy about Terabithia and the kingdom, but only briefly mentioned Leslie. He didn't tell her how close he and Leslie had been, only that they were childhood friends. He felt guilty that he had lied to Darcy but it's been such a long time since he'd seen Leslie he didn't think that it mattered. However, talking to Darcy about Leslie made him feel strange and uncomfortable. He could hear Leslie's voice scolding him for lying, so as a result he pushed the memories of Leslie even deeper down inside of him, hiding her away once more.
Jesse intended to kept his relationship with Darcy casual, they hadn't gone much beyond the hand holding good night kiss stage, it was the way Jesse had wanted It for now. Darcy, however, was determined to change all of that. She invited Jesse to her dorm room one night. "We can be alone," she told him with a seductive twinkle in her eyes. Jesse was reluctant at first but Darcy charmed him into accepting the invitation.
It was a Wednesday night and Darcy's roommate would be away with her boyfriend. "We'll have the room all to ourselves," she said. Jesse wasn't so sure about the idea, he knew he should probably be excited, but for some unknown reasons it made him very uncomfortable. She had hoped Jesse would spend the night with her but Jesse told her that he needed to be home in the morning to drive May Belle to school. Things were moving too fast he thought, and he had a queasy feeling in the pit of his stomach. Leslie popped into his mind and it made him feel guilty again. Why should I be feeling guilty he wondered, I haven't even seen Leslie in years, she's just a memory to me now. But he couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that he was doing something wrong, something very wrong. He decided that in defiance of his doubts and his guilt he would go to Darcy's room and enjoy her company.
Jesse left work early that evening and went up to Darcy's dorm room; he was still feeling apprehensive as she let him in. There were candles illuminating her room and incense filled it with a heady perfumed aroma. The pizza she ordered had just arrived and she had a bottle of wine with two glasses set on the table next to it. As soon as Jesse was in the room and the door was closed behind him, she came on strong to him. It unnerved him at first, she was apparently far more experienced then he was. She snuggled up to him purring and cooing in his ear. She smothered him with kisses, practically devouring him. Her probing hands were all over him, caressing him, groping him, fondling him. Jesse loosened up quickly, and forgetting about the doubts and apprehensions he had had he wrapped his arms around Darcy pulling her close. Boy was he enjoying this, he felt like he was about to explode. Things were getting so hot and heavy he was loosing control, and abandoning himself to the moment he forgot about everything that had been making him feel uncomfortable and uneasy.
"Oh Jesse," she cooed seductively, "I want you Jesse…."
Jesse embraced her tighter, pulling her closer, caressing and petting her.
"Oh Jesse," she purred, "I love you Jesse Aarons."
Suddenly Jesse's blood ran cold. "What did you say," he whispered in her ear. She again cooed seductively, "I said I love you Jesse Aarons."
Then it stuck him hard, it became crystal clear to him now what had been making him so uncomfortable. It was Leslie he was with; this is Leslie he thought to himself. He had been dating Leslie all along.
Horrified he stopped himself before it went any further. He grabbed Darcy by her shoulders pushing her away looking her in the eyes and said, "I… I can't do this!"
"What… what are you talking about Jess," she purred, "sure you can." She snuggled up to him again, running her hands over his body, fondling him, and looking seductively into his eyes.
"NO!…" he shouted, "I can't...I…I can't… I have to go." He pushed her away, more forcefully this time; she stumbled backwards gawking at him in disbelief.
"What's the matter with you…?" She shrieked with venom in her voice, "Its Leslie isn't it…Her and that stupid Terabithia place."
"Yes…" He said softly, feeling sorry for Darcy and angry with himself. "It's Leslie but how did you..." he was cut short.
"You need to make up your mind Jesse!" she screamed, "I don't believe you're still being loyal to a girl you haven't even seen in like… six years. You're a freak you Know that….A FREAK." Darcy was furious with Jesse. She glared at him with fire in her eyes, her nostrils flared in anger and her face was a bright crimson. Then picking up the nearest thing she could find she threw it as hard as she could at him, he reeled backwards, his arms flying up covering his face for protection, luckily for Jess it was just a pillow. Then she screamed, "get out of here you bastard… I never want to see you again….Get out!"
Jesse escaped out the door before she had a chance to find a more formidable weapon.
Once outside he felt sorry for Darcy. She had said she loved him, but she doesn't know what love is. He was also angry with himself. He had been using her all along not fully realizing it. He had been with Leslie all those times. He would look at Darcy and it would be Leslie he was looking at. He would kiss Darcy and it would be Leslie he was kissing. He would hold Darcy's hand and it would be Leslie's hand he was holding. He hated himself at that moment, how could he he wondered. The anger grew inside of him. "You knew," he scolded himself, " you knew what you were doing, you knew all along. You can't lie to yourself Jesse. Remember what Leslie said about lying…remember!…You are a bastard Jesse… a bastard and a freak."
Outside the night air was crisp and clean. The stars shone brightly against a black velvety sky, it reminded him of Terabithia at night. He turned up his collar to the cold as he walked through the campus to where his car was parked. Feeling alone and wounded he stopped in a secluded area near the parking lot and looking up into the star studded darkness he spoke out loud to the night sky. "You were wrong Leslie," he said. "I still miss you and I admit it… OK! I still love you!… I should never have listened to you…. I should have called you everyday, I should'a visited you in England, I should have written you a million letters, I should'a done a lot of things that I didn't do Leslie…I…I…YOU SUCK LESLIE!… WHY WON'T YOU LEAVE ME ALONE!" He was so sure now that he still loved Leslie, so completely and undeniably sure that she was the only one for him. That's why there can be no other, no one can take her place, no one even comes close. I've found true love he told himself. I just wish Leslie felt the same way.
Jesse ran to his car, and with tears burning his eyes he started the long drive home. On the way he passed by an illuminated sign that displayed the time, temperature, and date. The date caught his eye, that date he thought, what is it about that date? He slammed on his brakes and pulled off the road. "Of course!" He cried out loud.
Tomorrow it will be ten years to the day that he had cut down the enchanted rope. It was a special day in his life; it was the day he fell in love with Leslie Burke.
He went to bed that night with a heavy heart, missing Leslie more then usual. He wanted her, he wanted to hold her and tell her how much he missed her. He wanted to tell her that he still loved her. Someday soon he'll find her he told himself, but he didn't really believe he would.
It was impossible for him to fall asleep thinking about Leslie, he tossed and turned most of the night. But at some point in the night he did fall asleep, but it was a troubled, fitful sleep.
"Jess… Jesse...wake up… Jesse."
"Huh...Wh...What…what is it May Belle?" Jesse said sitting up and rubbing his eyes, shaking the grogginess from his head.
"Some guy's on the phone for you."
"Huh? Who is it?" he asked yawning.
"I don't know," she shrugged, and handed Jesse the phone.
"Hello?"
"Hello Jesse," said a deep raspy voice on the other end.
"Who is this?" Jesse asked timidly.
"I'm your best friend and your worst enemy," the raspy voice said, "Don't you remember me Jesse?"
"Ah...No...What do you want?"
"Your soul Jesse, I want your soul." The voice was throaty and frightful.
"What?… Who is this? Is that you Hoager?... Not funny Scott, it's too early in the morning for jokes man."
"Oh no… I'm not Scott; don't you remember me Jesse? Don't you remember what you said? You said you'd give anything to take back that day, That day that Leslie died….Remember?"
"WHAT?...What are you talking about? " then Jesse remembered that dream he had so many years ago, it came back to him as vividly as if it had been yesterday. "How do you know about that...That was just a stupid dream."
"Was it Jesse, was it just a dream?" There was sinister laughter on the other end that sent chills up Jesse's spine.
"It's been ten years since that day Jesse and payment is due… Oh, but there is one thing you can do to save yourself… and Leslie."
"And Leslie?"
"Oh yes, I get her soul too, didn't I tell you." There was more deep guttural laughter.
"What do I need to do?" Jesse asked, frightened more for Leslie's safety then his own.
"Simple," the chilling voice began, "since you love her so much, ask her to marry you… But Jesse, it has to be by midnight tonight…. And it has to be in Terabithia, in the tree house…. " There was more of that terrifying laughter.
"By midnight tonight?" Jesse cried, "that's impossible!"
"Oh…Really… What a shame." The voice mocked, "why is that Jesse?…You still have the ring don't you?…don't you Jesse?"
"How do you know about the ring?"
"Oh I know Jesse. I know everything. I know about you and Darcy and why you ran out on her…. I even know about your little tryst on the beach in New Jersey. A goodbye gift from Leslie. She wanted you to be the one Jesse… How adorable," he chortled, " Love!… yuck!"
"Well the jokes on you, whoever you are," Jesse mocked boldly, "I've already asked Leslie to marry me, and it was in Terabithia, in the tree house."
"Well, well, well, let me see," The terrible voice said and paused a moment as if in thought, then he continued, "hmm, if I remember correctly she turned you down. It even made her angry if I recall."
"How do you know all this?" Jesse demanded boldly, but still shaking with the terror he felt.
"I just know Jesse. I've been watching." There was more of that chilling laughter. Then abruptly the laughter stopped and the voice on the line became stern and even more horrifying then before. " Remember Jesse," he growled, " you have until midnight tonight…Then your souls are mine." There was a pause. Then the dreadful laughter began again, and Jesse, gripped with fear, listened as it faded away and was gone. Then the line went dead.
A/N: About the character Darcy, like Leslie and Jesse her name is gender neutral being either a boy or girl's name. Also the name Darcy means dark one, hmm, makes one wonder doesn't it.
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