Hello all, I've been away from this site for some time. I won't bother anyone with excuses for my absence but I apologize to those who read and followed my stories. I apologize for leaving them unfinished. However, I never lost interest in the stories and recently watched Bridge to Terabithia for the first time in years. That combined with a couple emails I received encouraging me to continue rekindled my fervor. Now, as for "The Run". Chapters 1-4 are the same, nothing has been changed. However, beginning in chapter 5 I have made changes. I had concerns about chapter 6 when I originally published it and it is now being rewritten as well. The changes are subtle in chapter 5 and 6 but enough to steer the story in the direction originally intended. Again, thank you to all who have read my story and continue to do so.

Author's disclaimer: I own no rights to Bridge to Terabithia and will in no way profit from this fanfiction.

Chapter 5

Jess found himself frantically showering, brushing his teeth, debating whether or not to shave all the while wondering if Leslie was as nervous as he was. When he left the book on her doorstep he had no idea what Leslie's reaction would be. Yet, being back in Terabithia after such a long absence had an effect on him. Jess remembered how Leslie opened up his world by teaching him to keep his mind wide open. She taught him what true friendship was by becoming his best friend. Why then did he hold it against her for making new friends, for sharing herself with others? Was it just selfishness? Why did he get so angry when she began dating? Why did he feel such a burning hatred towards Jason Simms?

Jess knew the answers but wasn't ready to admit it. The fact that he liked Leslie was a foregone conclusion. Of course 'like' wasn't really the appropriate word. His sisters used to tease him mercilessly about how he was in love with his weird best friend. At first it bothered him but in time he actually grew to like it. Naturally he never let his sisters know this. Yet, as close as he and Leslie were he never told her how he felt. Jess just figured there would always be time. After all they spent nearly everyday together…at least they used to. It was then that the images of the six-pack flashed through his mind. He felt his anger growing again.

"Stop it Jess!" he scolded himself. "For crying out loud just drop it" he continued. He didn't want his emotions flying out of control. The last time he and Leslie were actually together as friends he made that mistake which prompted a return volley on her part. That was a day Jess couldn't forget even though he tried time and again. As he was getting dressed he began to wonder what his mom meant when she said 'nice clothes.' Did that mean 'church nice' or just 'nice'? Jess decided to stay causal. He was going to need his church clothes the next day anyway. After spending a ridiculous amount of time looking at his hair Jess grabbed his shoes and headed downstairs. He found his mom waiting for him in the kitchen. Luckily being Saturday his sisters were still asleep. The last thing Jess wanted to face right now was the never ending questions of his two youngest sisters. May Belle was starting to grow out of it but Joyce Ann was in full blown "20 questions" mode.

"Um, well…do I look okay?" he asked his mom as he fidgeted with his hair.

"You look fine" she said. "Now stop messing with your hair." Mary Aarons straightened her son's shirt and fixed his hair. Jess noticed that for the first time his mom wasn't looking upon him with that sad, worried expression he was so familiar with. Instead she was smiling and seemed genuinely excited.

"What are you smiling about?" Jess asked suspiciously.

"I can't be happy that my son is reuniting with his best friend" she replied. Jess had to admit it was nice to see his mom smiling again. It seemed more often than not she just worried. The Aarons never seemed to prosper no matter how hard they worked. Things were better now then in the past especially with his dad's promotion however the struggle still ensued. Yet, somehow amidst all the worry Mary managed to help set-up this breakfast and was almost as happy about it as Jess.

"Thanks mom" he said giving her a quick hug. With that Jess hurried out of the house and made the short trip to the Burke home.

Before he made it to the front porch Jess could hear PT barking and pawing at the door. He looked forward to seeing the prince of Terabithia. The little fur ball always made Jess happy. He seemed to gain the greatest satisfaction just by simply being with his king and queen. Jess stood still for a moment in front of the door he had been through a thousand times. He was actually nervous. A home he once felt as comfortable in as his own now caused him anxiety. He took a couple deep breaths then rang the doorbell. From within he could hear Mr. Burke trying to calm down PT with no luck. As soon as the door opened Jess was rushed by a runaway canine. He was soon swarmed in dog kisses.

"I'm glad to see you too PT" Jess said as he laughed. If nothing else he was reassured that PT missed him.

"It's good to see you Jess" Bill Burke said warmly. "Come on in, breakfast is ready." Jess looked around as he entered the house and was comforted to see most was as he remembered. Of course the presence of a baby was different but Jess was more than familiar with having a baby around. Mr. Burke guided Jess to the kitchen with PT close at his heels. The aroma of scrambled eggs and coffee filled the air. Jess was certain he could smell bacon as well. As he entered the kitchen he saw Mrs. Burke tending to her son.

"Oh, hi Jess" she said as she cleaned off Matthew's face. "Go ahead and have a seat Leslie will be here in a second." Jess sat down in the chair that looked as though it had been added specifically for him. With the exception of little Matthew everything was the same. Mr. Burke was patiently waiting for the coffee maker to finish a new pot while PT hovered around the table hoping for a scrap or two. Jess felt his stomach grumble as he eyed the wonderful setup sitting in front of him. Before he could begin drooling however he heard Leslie coming down the stairs. He immediately stood up and felt his heart begin to beat faster. His face began to feel hot and Jess was sure his palms were starting to sweat. He couldn't believe how nervous he was. It wasn't as if Leslie was a stranger. Then again given their recent history it was understandable.

Leslie walked into the kitchen and immediately saw Jess. She seemed a bit nervous as well but gave him that beautiful smile which probably made his face turn an even darker shade of red. She was dressed casually which put Jess at ease as to his choice of clothing. Among her jeans and sweatshirt he noticed Leslie was still wearing her fuzzy slippers. Her hair was shoulder length and worn straight. Jess loved it when she wore it that way. He also loved it when she put it into a ponytail. Then again Leslie could shave her head and Jess would love it all the same.

"Hi Jess" she said walking over to him.

"Hi Leslie" he replied pulling out a chair for her.

"Thank you" she said smiling. Jess sat down in the seat next to her noticing that he had the full attention of Mr. and Mrs. Burke. Even Matthew seemed captivated with the boy sitting next to his sister. Judy and Bill both took their seats while Matthew continued to stare at Jess.

"Don't mind him Jess, he's just curious" Bill said as he began to eat.

"Oh, it's no problem Mr. Burke" Jess replied. "Joyce Ann used to stare at me during every meal at that age." Jess smiled at the newest addition to the Burke family. It was the first real time he had seen the child. He could only imagine what the boy would be like when he grew older. Would he take after his sister? Would he have the same adventurous spirit and vivid imagination? Only time would tell. "Thanks for inviting me over" Jess said as he began to eat.

"Well, we're glad to have you Jess" Judy said. The meal went rather fast as Bill and Judy both made a point to finish quickly and leave the two teens alone. Jess helped Leslie clean up the dishes before they retreated to the gold room. Jess was immediately taken with a sense a déjà vu. It was similar to the feeling he got during his visit to Terabithia the day before. He walked over to the wall where he and Leslie sat eating popcorn together all those years before.

"I was sitting right there when I was looking at your drawing" Leslie said as she walked up behind him. "It's always kind of been a special place for me" she said.

"It is a special place" he replied. "I'll never forget that day. It's one of my best memories." He turned to Leslie and looked into her eyes. She was so beautiful. He wanted to tell her but the words wouldn't come. Leslie took Jess by the hand and led him over to the couch. They sat down and for a moment just enjoyed being so near one another. They were both surprised at how natural it felt. The last time they were sitting so close was the day they had a fight. A fight in what seemed a series of fights at that time. It was by no accounts something either cared to remember but something they couldn't forget.

"Jess" Leslie said breaking the silence. "Why did you draw that picture for me?" As soon as she asked it Leslie thought it must have sounded stupid. "I mean, I know why you did it but…what made you do it?" Jess looked down at his hands for a moment before turning back to her.

"I miss you Les" he answered. "I…I really miss you." He said it with such forthright honesty Leslie felt a tear form in her eye. "I hate not being able to talk to you and tell you about how I'm feeling. I miss our runs together, going to the movies, giving Kyle a hard time about the Marines" they both laughed at that. Kyle often didn't know when to stop talking about his life long obsession of being a Marine. Once Jess and Leslie had their fill of Marine Corps history they usually counterattacked with tales of how much superior the Army was to the Marines. It generally kept him quiet for about half an hour.

"I miss you too Jess" Leslie said taking his hand in hers. "You're the best friend I've ever had. I don't want to lose you." Leslie hesitated for a moment not knowing if she should tell him about Megan's story. She didn't want to violate Megan's trust and really didn't want to bring up any member of the six-pack. Then again maybe that's exactly what she needed to do. After all the problems between her and Jess started with her growing popularity. Leslie decided that if there was to be any future for them they had to deal with the past.

"Jess, I know I did some things that…hurt you" she began. "I never intended to. I certainly never wanted to. It's just…"

"You got popular" Jess added. "You made a lot of new friends."

"Yeah" Leslie answered softly. "I…I kind of pushed you aside sometimes without even realizing it. I'm sorry Jess but…"

"You had every right to make new friends Leslie" he said interrupting her. "I was jealous it's as simple as that. Even my dad told me so" Jess added reluctantly. "I just hated having to share you with other people. I felt like you were leaving me behind ya' know…like I was going back to being the same lost, lonely kid I was in fifth grade." Leslie could identify with Jess's feelings. When they first met Kyle she often felt jealousy if they went out together without her. Every afternoon or weekend she spent with the six-pack was the same sensation for Jess. "I was just so used to it always being you and me that I…I couldn't handle it when everything changed."

Things did in fact change for Leslie and Jess as they got older. Leslie shot up the social ladder while Jess simply maintained a status quo. Leslie branched out and took part in everything from drama and music to cross-country and kickboxing. Friends seemed to be everywhere as did potential boyfriends. Other guys were starting to figure out what Jess had known all along, just how beautiful Leslie Burke was. Of course they didn't love her like he did but since when did love factor in to anything in high school.

Jess meanwhile occupied a much lower rung in the social hierarchy of Lark Creek High School. There were people he talked to on a regular basis but outside of Kyle none of them were friends. He took part in cross-country and track and grew to love it. It was as much an outlet for him as drawing. In the beginning when he was training with Leslie it was the single happiest experience Jess ever had with anything connected to school. Yet, in time even that vanished.

"Jess" Leslie asked tentatively. "Why did you get so upset when I started dating?" Jess knew this question was bound to come up sooner or later but that didn't make it any easier to answer. He had already admitted to being jealous of Leslie's friends but the matter of boyfriends was different. He wasn't sure how to answer. He couldn't just come out and say, "Because I love you Leslie that's why." As much as he wanted to say it Jess could not bring himself to say it.

"I guess once you started dating I…uh…well, I felt like it was all over."

"All over?" Leslie asked perplexed. "What do you mean?"

Jess couldn't bring himself to look her in the eyes. He felt ashamed for things he said in the past and even more so for what he didn't say. He did not want to make those same mistakes again. He looked up into her eyes and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "Maybe it was just jealously but…I really felt like you having a…boyfriend would put the nail in the coffin…so to speak." It was a morbid analogy but one Jess felt was honest. "I…I really care about you Leslie. You're very important to me. You're not just a friend." Leslie felt her stomach fill with butterflies. Jess's sincerity was evident and though he didn't exactly say it she was fairly sure he was telling her that his feelings extended beyond friendship.

"You're not just a friend to me either Jess" she said. "You've never been just a friend." It was true that in spite of a whole pack of friends nobody ever replaced Jess Aarons. Her father often said that in a lifetime a person would be lucky to have one true friend. By true Bill Burke meant a friendship formed in childhood that lasted a lifetime. Anybody that knew the pair figured Jess and Leslie would still be friends when they graduated high school. Yet, their friendship nearly imploded. Leslie knew it couldn't be repaired overnight but she was thankful that the opportunity to fix it at all was now occurring. Acting on impulse she reached out for her friend and embraced him. Leslie wasn't exactly sure how Jess would respond but a hug was as good a place to begin the healing process as any. Judging by the way Jess held her she knew he agreed.

"Hi Mary, you won't believe it! They're hugging!"

"Hey Jude, oh that's wonderful. I'm so happy they worked it out"

"I know, I don't know who was more nervous them or me. But when I peeked in they seemed as happy as could be"