A Visit, A Goodbye and A Broken Rope

A Bridge to Terabithia Ficlet

A/N: This is my third installment of what I intend to be a collection of BtT one-shots or ficlets. In a way, these first three "chapters" so far can be considered within the same universe and continuity. I'm not sure if it will still be the case in the future, though. But you might note that I deviated a bit from book and film canon in this chapter. I might be able to expand these stories into a more cohesive multi-chapter novella or novel (much like A Life Rescued, and a host of others out there?), but for now, I'll let these be short stories that can stand on their own.

More author's notes can be found at the end of the first chapter, and at the end of this chapter.

Lastly, as a matter of disclaimer, I do not own the rights to BtT, or its characters.

Enjoy!

Grace

Leslie Burke had never felt so indignant in her life, as she stepped off the maroon Volvo station wagon and bolted down the dirt road toward the direction of the creek, across which her kingdom Terabithia lay. Their kingdom.

"Leslie! Wait!" her best friend, Jess Aarons, pleaded, as he started to run after her. But Leslie didn't as much as look back. She felt tears welling in her eyes, and somehow she just couldn't resist the urge to weep.

It started earlier that Saturday, when Leslie got a knock on her bedroom door, which was slightly ajar and letting sunlight from the hallway stream into the narrow crack. A shadow now overcame that ray of sunlight. "Leslie, I called you three times. You've got a phone call," her mother, Judy, related, as she stood by the doorway. "It's your boyfriend!"

"Mother!" Leslie exclaimed, her cheeks flushing, as she stood up from bed, not at all pleased with the manner by which she was suddenly roused from sleep, and even more at how embarrassing that conversation might have been, if overheard on the other end of the telephone line. "How many times do I have to tell you? He's not my ... Never mind."

Leslie let out a defeated, het hopeful sigh as she took hold of the wireless receiver.

"Hello. Sorry about that," Leslie spoke into the mouthpiece as Judy left the room, but not without giving her daughter a knowing wink.

"Hey, Leslie," it was Jess. "Ms. Edmunds called me up to ask if I could come with her to the museum up at Washington this morning. I think it would be great if you could come along, too."

"Are you sure it's okay?"

"Umm, yeah. I think she's quite fond of you, so it should definitely be okay. But I'll ask her anyway when she gets here. Besides, I think I'd feel awkward going with Ms. Edmunds all by myself," Jess responded.

"Are you sure about that, Mr. I-can't-stop-staring-at-my-music-teacher Aarons?" Leslie joked, but not quite sure she was so happy about the fact that her best friend's favorite pastime aside from drawing and running was probably staring at Julia Edmunds whenever she held class at Lark Creek elementary Friday afternoons. She often observes the boy follow the pretty teacher's slim fingers deftly strum and pluck at her Gibson acoustic or gracefully tap on the ebony and ivory keys of the classroom's run-down walnut-colored Schaefer & Sons upright.

"Come on, it will be fun, I promise," was Jess' response. Leslie could hear the mix of excitement and apprehension in Jess' voice. She knew Jess was comfortable telling her anything, but she supposed there were still some things he wasn't exactly straightforward about. But the way he stares at their music teacher, he may as well be lasering holes into her forehead!

"Okay, if you insist. Let me ask Judy. I'll call you back."

"Will be waiting. Bye."

"Bye," Leslie answered as she pressed the END button on the wireless. She then ran downstairs to ask Judy if it was all right to go on an impromptu field trip with the music teacher.

"Sure, honey. I suppose it's all right. From what I hear about your music teacher from you and Jess, she seems like a very interesting person," Judy replied as she expertly flipped a pancake through the air, one side golden brown, and the other still dripping moist, yellow batter.

"Why don't you grab a quick breakfast before you get ready?" Offered Bill Burke, who was sipping tea on the kitchen table, reading the morning paper.

"Sure," Leslie replied, as she hugged her mother and kissed her father on the cheek. Leslie then took a pancake from a plate on the counter, folded it in half, and started to run back up to her room. "Thanks, Judy, Bill!"

"Leslie, honey, I don't think your father meant to grab breakfast literally!" Judy exclaimed as Leslie disappeared into the stairway, in wonder at her daughter's strange behavior. She's not normally this perky in the mornings, the flabbergasted mother thought.

The drive to Washington was uneventful for Leslie, and the downpour that started just a few minutes into the trip doured her mood a bit. But she could sense the wonder in Jess' eyes as they drove along the highway. She wasn't sure if it was the sights, the sounds, or the people he was with that gave him a natural high. Then she realized Jess was probably excited with the idea of visiting a museum for the first time, as he related to her earlier at the Aarons' porch while waiting for Ms. Edmunds to arrive.

"Excited, Jess?" Leslie asked as she turned her head to the back seat and her eyes met her friend's. Jess offered for Leslie to ride shotgun, as he felt the two ladies would be more comfortable with each other up front during the ride.

"Um, yeah," Jess smiled. "It is my first time, after all."

"Really? Then I'm happy to have this honor of being with you for your first museum visit," Ms. Edmunds exclaimed. "How about you, Leslie?"

"Bill and Judy have taken me on a few museum visits back when we lived in Arlington," she answered, "but this is my first time without them, really."

"Then, I'm honored, too!" replied Ms. Edmunds.

The museum was a place of wonder, Leslie thought. Even though she had been to places like this before, she always found something beautiful even in the most ordinary of things. From the wide columns at the facade of the building, to the intricate carvings on the wooden revolving door, and the great indoor fountain at the lobby, it was amazing. But it was Jess' eyes that caught her attention. Jess seemed to ponder with even greater awe at every minute detail.

"I've never realized paintings could look so rough and bumpy," Jess exclaimed as he inspected a painting of a woman and her dog.

"That's because the artist used oil paints on canvas. You can see that the brush strokes and the varying of the texture add a lot to the character of a painting," Ms. Edmunds explained. "Each artist has a distinctive style, and experts can usually identify the creators of the works from these telling bumps, swirls and strokes."

Jess beamed with wonder at this new knowledge. "You seem to know everything, Ms. Edmunds!"

"Far from it. But I'm sure a lot of these famous folks started out with sketches and notebooks, just like you!" Ms. Edmunds added. "Just keep on nurturing your talent, keep an open mind, and you'll go a long way."

Jess and Leslie exchanged a knowing look.

The trio found the other exhibits just as fascinating, from the dioramas depicting Native Americans hunting buffalo, to the bronze sculptures, to the kinetics area, where Jess hit his forehead when he miscalculated the approach of swinging wooden balls. Leslie would often grab her friend's hand, and the two would run towards yet another exciting exhibit, with Ms. Edmunds at their heel.

Leslie would conjure up stories about each painting, each sculpture, and each display. Jess could almost hear the sound of buffalo hooves and the battle cries of pursuing hunters when they passed the Native American exhibit.

"The Indians are hunting to prepare for a feast. It is a time of celebration," she would say. Jess couldn't help but smile, recalling the same line--It is a time of celebration--that Leslie used back in Terabithia just a few days ago. He stroked the strand of enchanted rope looped around his ring finger. Our wedding bands, he recalled Leslie exclaiming with delight. Jess glanced at Leslie's hand and noted she wore hers, too.

After an afternoon snack, with coffee for Jess and tea for the ladies, the three started to head back to Lark Creek. Jess was sitting up front this time. The sun had already been shining, seemingly smiling at the trio, congratulating them for a perfect day.

"Kids, there's something I have to tell you two. You'll find out soon enough, but since you're among my favorite students, I think you deserve to know first," Ms. Edmunds told the pair. Leslie noticed how Jess seemed to relishthe thought of him being considered one of the music teacher's favorite.

"Is something wrong, Ms. Edmunds?" Leslie questioned.

"No, not really," was the reply, the teacher seemingly trying to figure out how to properly word her explanation without shocking her two companions. "You see, I'm going on sabbatical. I'll be pursuing further studies in music."

"Sabbatical?" Jess asked, perplexed. "Is that something like 'Sabbath' or a weekend of some sorts?"

"Well, in a way, yes. But longer than that. Much longer," was Ms. Edmunds' reply. "I'll be away for at least a couple of years. I've been accepted at Yale School of Music. I know it's a bit late in the semester, but the professor who invited me said I could catch up with coursework still. Don't worry, you'll probably still be around at Lark Creek Elementary by the time I return."

"We'll surely miss you, Ms. Edmunds," remarked Leslie, from the back. "But we'll still see you around during school these next few weeks, right?"

"Actually, I'm leaving this Monday, so I won't be seeing you anymore Friday afternoon. I'll have to start as soon as I can," Ms. Edmunds replied, with sadness in her voice. "Hey, since I'm no longer technically your teacher anymore--at least not for the next two years--why don't you guys just call me 'Julia?'" She added, with a slight grin.

The remainder of the trip was quiet and still as ever. And to Jess Aarons, it seemed as if it were the longest ride of his life. He knew he delighted at every moment Ms. Edmunds spent at class with them. But that was no longer to be, he realized. It was as if a big part of his school life were cut away from him. Fridays would no longer be the same. He wondered who would replace Ms. Edmunds--Julia--as their music teacher. Jess certainly couldn't imagine Monster Mouth Myers singing in class, much less play the piano and guitar.

Then as the car turned into the dirt road that connected the Burke and Aarons residences, Jess realized he may never have a chance anymore, and suddenly blurted out, "I'll really miss you, Ms. Edmunds, uh, Julia. You know, I've always held you in high regard. I really do admire you. You're a great teacher, and an even greater musician. If I were probably older, I'd uh ... Uh ..."

Jess felt that his face was probably as maroon as Ms. Edmunds' station wagon by the time the car rolled to a stop.

"I think, Ms. Edmunds," Leslie interjected, "What Jess is trying to say is that he's madly in love with you. Don't you notice him staring every time we have music class!?"

Shock filled each of the Volvo's three passengers.

It was at this time when Leslie unbuckled her seat belt, and suddenly ran off the car, leaving her two companions befuddled.

Ms. Edmunds' eyes were wide with surprise and wonder.

Jess was almost hyperventilating. But then he suddenly got the strength to unbuckle himself, twice fumbling. "I-I'm sorry. I-I have to go," he stuttered. "T-Thanks for the trip!" He exclaimed as he ran off after his best friend.

Leslie was still the faster runner among the pair, and being emotionally charged as she was at the time, she ran as if the wind was lifting her feet up in the air, giving an extra boost. Leslie was nearing the crab apple tree that held their enchanted rope and the new bridge they built with its archway and blue-and-gold coat of arms, when Jess finally caught up.

Jess took a hold of Leslie's shoulder, and asked, "What's wrong, Leslie?"

Leslie spun around, tears flowing from the corners of her eyes. "Why her, Jess?" She questioned. "Why her? Don't you think she's too old for you? Can't you see you're way out of her league?"

"What do you mean?" Jess wondered, perplexed. "I-I just told her I felt different about her, as a teacher, I meant. I don't think there's anything wrong with that."

Leslie ran over to the log that they used as a launching point when swinging across on their enchanted rope. She sat and hunched over, her back now spasming with each breath as she wept. She wiped her eyes with the back of her right hand.

"Why do you have to look so far?" She asked.

"What do you mean?" questioned Jess, still not knowing what the matter with his best friend was. "Why are you taking this so seriously?"

"Beause it is serious, Jess." Leslie retorted. "Don't be so blind, Jesse Aarons, Jr."

"What?" Jess mouthed silently, his forehead creased with that rare Angry Jess look as he tried to figure out the puzzle that was Leslie Burke.

"Can't you see?" Leslie cried out. "Why do you have to look elsewhere when there are other people who love you with all their heart."

Still a more perplexed look.

"Other people?" Asked Jess. "You mean, my family? May Belle? Not my dad, I think."

And then it hit him. How could I be so dense? Jesse thought as he slapped his forehead. The ring, he thought. The vows at the grove. The embrace. The sleepover. It then dawned upon him that all this was no game. Not at all. Terabithia was his and Leslie's make believe world, but the friendship--the relationship--they shared was not make believe, but rather, it was as real as real could be.

Maybe he was too young to truly comprehend it, or at least put a name to his feelings. Maybe Leslie understood things more clearly because she was far more intelligent and mature than he is, or at least being in the more emotionally advanced side of the sex divide was an advantage.

What he had for Ms. Edmunds was simply infatuation, perhaps foolish, perhaps unreasonable. While he does probably love Ms. Edmunds in a way, it was a love that one would grow out of, sooner or later. But his best friend, who was right here with him, right now, was not the girl you would grow out of. But rather, she was the kind that you know you would grow into. It was the kind of love that starts from a small seed, and grows steadily and never falters. It was the kind that transcends infatuation, kissy-huggy romance, dating and whatever other grown-up stuff that Jess has only a vague idea of at his early age. It suddenly dawned upon Jess that he does love Leslie, not just as his friend, not just as his best friend, but even more.

He had to let Leslie know.

But much to Jess' surprise, Leslie was now standing up on the log, apparently about to swing across the creek.

"Leslie!" He cried out in warning. "I don't think it's safe to swing across. Why don't we just use the bridge?"

But he was too late. Leslie had already lunged forward in an arc, swinging in perfect form.

The world seemed to crawl in slow motion as Jess heard a snapping sound. The rope broke at the middle, the now frayed edges of the hanging half seemingly mocking him in silence. Leslie was hurtled across to the other bank of the creek.

"Leslie!" Jess screamed in horror as he crossed the bridge, running toward the other side of the creek. "Are you okay?"

No answer.

"Leslie!" Jess shouted again, now across the bridge, running toward the spot hidden under the trees, where they usually landed.

After what seemed an eternity, a faint voice groaned, almost in a whisper. "Jess ... I'm okay."

Jess rushed toward the source of the voice, and found Leslie on the ground beneath the underbrush.

"I think I just got the shock of my life!" Leslie weakly related. On her right arm, some scratches took the place of her sock warmers, which Jess noticed were scrunched up on her wrist. Her pink capri pants were muddied. But she was all right. Leslie was lucky that she was already in full momentum toward the Terabithia bank when the rope snapped. She was launched across, but the jarring motion of the rope breaking put her off balance. But still, she fell on safe ground, with some shrubs breaking her fall, but not without a few scratches and bruises that will probably hurt in the morning.

Still, she was all right.

Jess knelt by his best friend and pulled her in to a tight hug. "I'm sorry, Leslie," he whispered into her ear. "I'm sorry for being so blind, foolish and unreasonable."

"No, Jess," Leslie answered, herself whispering into her king's ear. "I was the one who acted unreasonably. I don't know what got into me. Raging adolescent hormones, perhaps?"

Jess pulled apart and Leslie now smiled sheepishly at her friend.

"Huh?" Jess questioned, looking quizzically at Leslie.

"It is that time of the month, after all."

"What do you mean?"

"Actually the first ever, in what Judy tells me would last until forever. Or at least I'm fifty or something. And she said something about me feeling or acting strange a few days or so every month," Leslie sighed, somewhat dejectedly.

Jess blinked his eyes, wondering what Leslie could have meant. Then he realized it was something he had a vague recollection of when he was about nine years old, and Brenda was screaming out aloud for their Momma when she woke up one morning. It had something to do about blood. Then he recalled something the studied in family life education earlier that school year. And then, of course, the craziness that sometimes accompanies it.

"Oh," he said, nodding his head. "I think I understand."

Then, looking into Lesile's eyes, Jess added, "Did you mean that? About people and loving, and you know ..."

"Yeah, Jess," Leslie answered. "I guess it took forever for me to say something. I know I'm pretty much okay with words, but in this matter I seem to have been tongue-tied. I could have died swinging across the rope, like I did today, and I never would've been able to tell you anything."

"I've been telling you I didn't trust the rope no more, Leslie!" Jess exclaimed.

"Yes, Jess. And that's how I knew you felt the same way. I knew that even if it didn't come out in words, what matters more is in how you showed it, how you cared."

"Uh Leslie," Jess mumbled. "About Ms. Edmunds ..."

"I understand, Jess," Leslie quickly replied. "I wasn't in the position to assume anything."

"No, it's okay," Jess told his friend as he waved his hand off, seemingly to let the matter just float away. "You know what? I heard somewhere that there are two kinds of girls. One is those you grow out of, and the other kind is those you grow into. And I think you're the latter."

"You want to grow up as Leslie Burke someday?" Leslie teased her friend.

They both laughed, but somehow, Leslie understood what Jess really meant, and Jess knew it.

"Does this mean my best friend is growing up fast?" Jess asked, beaming at Leslie with delight as he shook his best friend by the shoulder.

"We both are!" Leslie quipped. "Pretty soon you'll be asking me to marry you!" She added.

"Haven't I already?" Jess remarked, lifting his hand and pointing at the piece of string looped around his ring finger.

"But I asked first!" Leslie countered, poking her king at the shoulder. Both broke into a hearty laugh.

The king and queen of Terabithia, now more sure of themselves, started marching toward their castle stronghold, hand-in-hand. There were other kingdoms to be discovered, conquered, or built, outside of their magical realm. Knowing they would be doing these together left both with happy thoughts. And knowing that they have found what most people in the world never ever do, they relished the moment.

Perhaps those other kingdoms can wait, for now.

More Author's Notes:

I finally broke the rope! Fanfic authors have handled this topic differently. And I think I would rather that the rope still breaks, but with no one getting seriously hurt. To me, the rope has always symbolized both a challenge and a risk. In the book and (2007) film, Jess didn't trust it. But it had served as their gateway to their magical kingdom, where they reigned. And it became a symbol of their bond and togetherness. But to me, the rope breaking should not signify that this bond between Jess and Leslie had been broken. Rather, it was just the rope that had to be broken, because Jess and Leslie's bond is one that cannot be encapsulated in anything physical. It is a spiritual bond that can never be broken, perhaps even by death.

But of course, in my aim to make my stories light and fluffy, no one dies. So that's it, at least in the first three installments of my ficlets, LDD. Leslie Does not Die. Of course, all of us die at one point in our, well, lives. But Lesle does not die from falling from a broken rope into the creek, hitting her head and drowning.

I kind of like taking the "micro" approach to things, sort of like spending one day at a time with Leslie and Jess. I could go on like this forever and just keep Jess and Leslie forever young in my--and hopefully your--mind. But perhaps like all of us, they need to grow, too. But that's for some other future fic. Don't worry. I'm just at the third installment. I still have energy for more. If you have ideas, do send them over.

Some lines I borrowed from Smallville, particuarly the ones about "two kinds of girls," which is from a letter Chloe Sullivan wrote a sick--yes sick!--Clark Kent in the episoed entitled Fever, where she expressed her unrequieted love to a sleeping Clark. And some lines of dialogue here I somewhat adapted, twisted and turned around, to fit the story. I particularly like the "It's your boyfriend!" line by Judy, which was a twist on May Belle's "It's your girlfriend" line in the book and film (which goes to say, she probably did say that in this very fanfic when Ms. Edmunds first called).

Thanks, also to the kind folks at A Place For Us, for inviting me to the community and for reviewing my fics.

I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Grace