Days passed and Jess found himself constantly staying with Leslie. He hardly went home; only to eat and to sleep. The rest of the time he was out in Terabithia with Leslie and occasionally May Belle would come along. May Belle, for some reason, couldn't see Leslie clearly, though she pretended to in order to try to make Jess happy. Jess knew she was pretending and that was ok with him. In a way he was glad that he was the only one that could see Leslie.

Spring break was nearly over and Jess was determined to enjoy every minute of his last school free days. It was towards the middle of the afternoon when Jess, having just come back from Terabithia, noticed there was a car parked in front of the old Perkins place. There was a boy sitting on the trunk of the car that was looking towards the house with a sorrowful expression on his face. Jess waved hello before jogging into the kitchen and grabbing the peanut butter sandwich is mom had made for him.

"Who's over at the house?" May Belle asked, her voice sticky with peanut butter.

"I don't know. But I'm gonna go check it out," Jess said glancing out the window.

Within five minutes he was bolting out the door again and stealthily creeping over to the Perkins place.

"Sir, it's 'aunted I tell you. Are you sure you wanna go through with it?" Jess could hear a voice that sounded remarkably like Moustache Man's talking.

"Yes, quite sure. It's wonderful," a different voice said.

"Ai'ght then. We'll be back with the papers tomorrow," Moustache Man said.

"Thank you." Jess crept closer so her could see the front of the house and the boy again.

"Hi," the boy said hopping off the car and walking over to Jess.

"Hey," Jess said casually.

"So you live over there?" the boy asked pointing to Jess's house.

"Obviously," Jess said.

"Sorry, just trying to make conversation," the boy said laughing.

"You guys buying this place?" Jess asked.

"I hope not. I've never been much of the out-doorsey type," the boy said mournfully. Jess frowned. He had never met anyone who didn't like the out doors.

"How can you not like the out doors?" Jess asked in disbelief.

"What are you supposed to do? There's hardly any sidewalk…it's all dirt, and there's no kids for miles around….besides you of course."

"What ? Am I not good enough for you?" Jess asked angrily.

"Sorry, that came out wrong. I just meant….like…" the boy searched around for the right words but found nothing.

"Sorry," he said again.

"That's fine," Jess said, "See you later." Jess started back into the direction of Terabithia but then the boy ran after him.

"What's you name?" he asked Jess.

"Jess," replied Jess, "Yours?"

"Damien," the boy said holding out his hand. Jess shook it and then stood there until Damien left. But he wouldn't leave.

"What's the school here like?" Damien asked.

"I don't know…it's ok I guess."

"You don't talk much do you?" Damien said smiling.

"I talk plenty. But I have somewhere to be," Jess said, not returning the smile. He just wanted to go back to Terabithia.

"Can I come with you?" Damien asked.

"Well…." Jess said akwardly; he couldn't tell Damien about Terabithia...

"Jess! Momma says you hafta milk Bessie!" May Belle shouted from the house. Jess rolled his eyes.

"Coming!" he shouted back.

"Damien, time to go!" called Damien's father.

"Maybe I'll see you later," Damien said cheerfully to Jess before running back to his car. Jess watched him go and then ran to his own house.

Hey, thanx soo much for reviewing, and I'm sorry I haven't updated sooner. I've been busy...sorta...anyways, stop reading my note and tell me what you thought! Please:-D