Disclaimer: On First Chapter.
Till' I Collapse
Part One: Discovering Leslie Burke
Chapter Eight
(Please read and review)
August 19, 2007(Tuesday)
1301 Cora Perry Lane
The Aarons' Residence
"Happy Birthday, Jesse!" The yell—considering it was his whole family outside his room divider—sent Jesse into slight shock as his head snapped open; possibly putting a crick in the birthday boy's neck.
He—slightly panicked by the fact that he had been drawing pictures of Terabithian creatures—was trying to cover the drawings quickly so no one could see them. Jess ended up tossing his pillow over the sketches and sitting up.
He smiled brightly as they sang him happy birthday, and he blew out his candles after thinking of his wish. I hope that my dad will want to spend time with me today.
He opened his present downstairs in the den, and was actually overjoyed with the toy, but his dad didn't appreciate the car falling off the track every time. "What is this cheap junk?"
Jesse protested, "Its not cheap junk, dad. I love it! I just haven't gotten the hang of it, yet."
His dad picked up the toy anyway, before mumbling about loving something that doesn't work. May Belle hurried inside looking upset, "Daddy, something happened in the green house!"
Jesse could tell his father was angry as he muttered under his breath about animals eating at their lively hood; just like all those bankers and lawyer people in big cities. Jesse shook his head.
"What are you going to do if you catch it?"
"I'm going to get rid of it," The man grumbled as he fixed a crate of vegetables.
"You're going to kill it?" Jesse asked half-heartedly, and his father nodded.
"I'm going to have too."
Jesse really didn't think his dad needed to go that far, but he wasn't going to start an argument. "Do you need help with anything else?" he asked hopefully, but he was disappointed with his dad's answer.
"No, you go on and do your homework. I'll finish this."
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August 20, 2007(Wednesday)
Lark Creek Elementary
School Bus
"I heard it was your birthday yesterday," Leslie said quietly, and Jesse's head snapped up, before he glanced back at her.
"Really? Who told you?" he asked suspiciously, and Leslie nodded her head in May Belle's direction. Jess frowned.
"My question is why didn't you tell me, Jesse?" Leslie asked him, her voice tinged with hurt and Jess winced.
"It's not that important," he started, "I didn't mean to hurt your feelings Leslie, but I didn't want you to make a big deal out of it."
Leslie's right hand cuffed him upside the head. "Jesse Aarons, don't you ever say anything that stupid again!" she hissed, "Of course, I'm going to make a big deal of it! You're my best friend."
Jesse froze in shock, and Leslie tensed. By the look on her face she obviously hadn't meant to say that out loud. "I-I'm your best friend, Les?" he asked dubiously feeling his heart pounding in his chest for some inexplicable reason.
Leslie blushed and she nodded softly. "Under the seat," she whispered, biting her lip anxiously, and Jesse turned around.
He picked up a wooden box, and opened it. Inside was an array of paints, and Jesse stared gob smacked. "Leslie, this is too much." he whispered, his eyes wide.
Leslie shook her head, "Why does it matter what you think is too much, Jesse? Its' a gift that I'm freely giving to you, and it's not too much for my best friend."
Jesse continued to stare at the case and Leslie sighed, "If you'd like I can take it back and get the cheaper one."
"No!" The protest came quite loud, and Jesse snapped the case shut, before he turned around to look at her. Leslie grinned at him.
"Thanks, Les," he told sincerely, "Thanks a lot."
Jesse's eyes met Leslie's and the two stared at each other for a long moment, before it was broken by May Belle singing, "Jess and Leslie sitting in a tree! K-I-S-S-I-N-G…"
That was as far as she got, before a blushing Leslie covered May Belle's mouth with her hand, and Jesse laughed awkwardly, his cheeks red.
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August 20, 2007(Wednesday)
Lark Creek Elementary
Playground
"So Jesse how old are you now?" Leslie asked as she chewed on some grapes. Jesse swallowed his bite of apple.
"I just turned twelve," he said bemusedly, and Leslie smirked.
"That means I'm older than you by four months because my birthday is April 19. I just turned twelve this year too," she told him—her tone smug—and he threw a piece of his apple at her.
"Just another thing you whoop me at," he admitted ruefully, before growling at her in mock-indignation, "You're such a cheat-o."
Leslie laughed.
----
August 20, 2007(Wednesday)
Lark Creek Elementary
Bus Lot
Leslie watched Jesse pause as he saw the music teacher, Ms. Edmunds struggling to carry her things. "You know Jesse; the boy who can stand up to a sqroager shouldn't be afraid of a Ho-ho like Hoager," Leslie told him quietly, and Jesse glanced at her.
Leslie's blonde hair sparkled in the streaming sunlight that was definitely unusual for this time of year, and her bottle green eyes were hooded by the dark shadows of her eyelashes. Jesse was certain that she looked different than normal. And he finally realized that he and Leslie were no longer the same height. Instead he was staring down at her rather than meeting her eyes with a simple glance. He didn't know why it bothered him slightly, but it also exhilarated him to no end.
It was the first time that Jesse realized he had gotten taller than Leslie, and he smiled. It felt good to beat her at something. Peering at Ms. Edmund's struggling form, and then glancing back at Leslie; Jesse felt like a pinhead for the thousandth time that month. It didn't matter that he was taller than Leslie. She was his best friend, who was rather talented at everything she did, and though he knew it to be human nature to be jealous of such fortune; Jesse didn't want to be and he knew that he had no cause too.
Surprising his blonde friend, Jesse nudged her cheek with his shoulder and gave her a smile which she returned brightly. Jess' eyes wandered in the direction of Scott Hoager, and he glared at the boy. Scott visibly faltered at the sudden confidence Jesse sported, and Jesse couldn't keep the immediate swelling of pride contained within his chest.
Of course, Leslie took care of that with a swift but hearty punch to his stomach. He glanced down at her shocked and slightly hurt, and was taken aback by the stern frown on her face. "Sorry, Les," he told her, and she smiled again.
"No problem, Jess. I just don't want my best friend to have a fathead," she said—her tone amused but honest. Jesse felt like laughing when she continued, "But just so you know that if you ever do let your head inflate to the size of Scott Hoager's, I'll be ready to jab you with safety pin."
She grinned up at him, and reached up to ruffle his hair fondly. Jess shot her an evil look to which she gave him a slight push. Jesse nodded at her, slinging his backpack firmly over one shoulder and walking towards the brown and cream-colored station wagon. And for the first time since he had been a student of Lark Creek Elementary, Jesse ignored Scott and walked to the teacher saying, "Ms. Edmunds?"
The music teacher turned around. Her soft brown eyes widened as recognized Jesse standing there behind her. Leslie wanted to giggle when the dark-haired teacher answered with a slight gasp, "He speaks?"
Her flabbergasted and mocking tone caused Leslie to grin slightly as Jess flushed a bright red in embarrassment. Leslie couldn't hold onto her giggles when he spoke so fast that his words blended together.
"CanIhelpyou?" he asked obviously still flustered, and Leslie snorted behind him. Ms. Edmund's confused face only added to the hilarity of the whole situation.
"What was that?" she asked, and Jesse nearly hyperventilated.
This was harder than he'd first thought it'd be. But seriously, this was his music teacher. She had been his music teacher since Kindergarten. He could feel his eyes widening as the dark-haired woman frowned in concern at Jesse's sudden silence, and Jess knew he should say something. Anything, but his heart was beating so fast that he almost had an aneurysm on the spot when something soft and cool touched his heated and sweaty palm.
Jesse peered over his shoulder at Leslie, who smiled in encouragement while entwining their fingers together. Jesse wasn't dumb by any means so he was quite aware that Ms. Edmunds had seen their connected hands. He was just shocked that it didn't make him uncomfortable. Leslie squeezed his hand, not caring about how sweaty it was. The cool touch sent Jesse back to reality, and his wavering confidence returned with a vengeance.
"Can I help you?" he asked, and Ms. Edmunds smiled brightly.
"You sure can," she replied and handed him two boxes. Leslie took the other. As they loaded up her car, Jess felt proud, but he was even more so when Leslie grabbed his hand again and squeezed it lightly. "Thanks Jess and Leslie. It means a lot that you offered to help," the teacher said her tone filled with gratitude. It made Jesse feel good that he'd accomplished something that helped another person.
They watched in silence and waved as the car drove away into the muggy afternoon, and Jess felt Leslie move closer. Her head rested briefly on his shoulder and he almost shuddered when her baby soft hair swept against his neck. It made his stomach gurgle, and he felt really really comfortable and uncomfortable at the same time. She lifted her head and their eyes connected for the second time that day.
Jesse felt his reaction almost immediately as his cheeks got warmer than the intense sun was flushing them already. Leslie's color was deepening as well, and Jesse coughed before ripping his eyes away. There was no way his stomach roiling from looking at his best friend was normal.
It was silent for a moment as Leslie continued to hold Jesse's hand. They wouldn't meet each other's eyes, but that didn't take away from the strangely awkward situation they found themselves in at the moment. It was only when he heard Leslie's gasp that he broke out of his flustered trance. In fact it had him glancing at her in panic. "What is it, Les? What's wrong?"
"Oh Snapple biscuits Jesse, the bus!" she cried, before dragging him forward towards the now-moving vehicle. Being the fastest kids in the sixth grade gave them an advantage as they caught the bus just as they were about to drive away. And for the moment, their awkwardness was forgotten.
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August 20, 2007(Wednesday)
Cora Perry Neighborhood
Terabithia
Leslie on a whim decided that she needed to build another frame for Jesse, and as she hammered away, Jess told her, "You're really good at that for a girl."
"Good at what?" she asked confused, and she stopped hammering to look at him.
"I said that you're really good at that for a girl," Jesse repeated, still painting their shield, "You know like building and stuff."
Leslie raised an eyebrow and shook her head at Jesse, "I guess that this is the same way I'm fast for a girl?"
Jess gave his friend a withering look, "You know what I mean Leslie."
Leslie moved closer and peered in through the opening made for the door, and said, "You're really good at art for a boy."
"Okay truce," Jesse sighed, muttering under his breath about feminism, causing Leslie to laugh at the put-out look on his face as she stepped inside to steal a cookie from the cookie jar. Jesse stopped for one as well. "Don't your parents notice this stuff missing?"
"Not when they're in the middle of writing a book," Leslie answered, before both heard a rumbling groan and Leslie looked up concerned. "What was that?"
There was a loud crack, and both of them ducked as a whoosh of air made their hair fly crazily just before a large branch fell against the side of the tree house. Jess was knocked off balance, but steadied himself. Leslie was not as lucky as she was closer to the point of collision.
She stumbled backwards into Jesse, who caught her around the waist. "It's a giant troll!" Leslie cried astonished, not minding Jesse's arms holding her.
"No it's a giant tree that almost killed us!" Jesse objected, staring at the fallen tree in horror.
"You think that tree fell on its own, Jess?" Leslie asked staring at him over her shoulder.
"How big do you think it is?" Jesse asked finally letting go of Leslie's waist. He had never held a girl like that before. It felt odd, but good.
Leslie took his hand, and walked outside of the tree house to stare down at the ground. Her eyes widened, "Well judging by that footprint I'd say pretty darn huge. The Dark Master must be getting desperate."
"What do we do now?"
"I say we get a troll hunter, and hunt it down," Leslie said fiercely, before climbing to the highest level of their fortress and yelling, "We rule Terabithia, and nothing crushes us!"
Jesse grinned, "Race you back home."
"You're on!"
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August 21, 2007(Thursday)
Cora Perry Neighborhood
Terabithia
4:07PM
"Jess! Jess, I got your message from my mom!" Leslie cried as she ran towards him. She skidded to a halt right in front of him as she spotted something white and fluffy looking gyrating and barking in Jesse's arms.
"Oh wow, Jess, is that a dog?" she asked excitedly, and Jesse nodded.
"That is your very own certified, pure bred, troll hunter extraordinaire," Jesse told her, handing the dog off to Leslie, "One which just took a giant pee all over my sweatshirt."
Jesse frowned as he stripped out of the jacket and then his sweatshirt; tossing it on a log nearby as Leslie cooed at the puppy. "He's for me?!" Leslie asked and she stared at her friend.
"Yeah, I can't take a dog," Jesse said absently, and Leslie bit her lip.
"Wow, thanks Jess," she whispered, before placing the dog on the ground and throwing her arms around her surprised friend. Jesse stiffened slightly, before he fell into the embrace; wrapping his arms around Leslie's surprisingly warm waist.
Leslie pulled back a little from Jesse, and she smiled up into his eyes shyly. Jesse's cheeks got progressively warmer until he felt like a hot pan being removed from the oven. Paying no heed to the dog nipping at their heels, Leslie stood on her tip toes, and quickly but softly pressed her lips against his cheek.
Jesse's eyes widened to their largest circumference, before felt Leslie's lips pull away from his cheek. He couldn't believe that his best friend had kissed him. The fact that the kiss lasted less than three seconds didn't register in Jesse's mind. He was far too flabbergasted by the fact that Les had kissed him for any amount of time.
Leslie pulled away blushing so red that her face almost looked purple.
"You look kinda like an oompa-loompa," Jesse remarked honestly, and Leslie gasped indignantly as she pulled away from his hug to glare at him.
"Nice thing to say Aarons," she huffed before picking up her dog and staring at it. "I think I'll name him Prince Terrian; PT for short."
Jesse smiled at her, "Well then, let's go find us a troll!"
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August 21, 2007(Thursday)
Cora Perry Neighborhood
The Aarons' Residence
At Terabithia, Jesse had taken a spill that led to him toppling out of the tree house castle and getting hit in the head by a sqroager. Leslie was still giggling as they walked home in the pouring rain.
"It wasn't that funny, Les," Jesse protested with a glare at her. The effect he was hoping for was ruined by the fact that he was huddling beneath his hoodie to stay as dry as possible. Leslie started giggling again.
She shook her head and let the subject go, "Do you want to come back this weekend?"
"I can't; on Saturday my dad wants me to work with him on some maintenance problems at the house," Jesse replied.
"Okay, then what about Sunday?"
"Sunday we have church," he answered, and Leslie looked at him.
"Can I come?"
"Girls can't wear pants," he told her, and Leslie glared.
"I do have dresses, Jess."
"You? In a dress? That'd be a sight."
Leslie rolled her eyes, and said, "See ya."
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August 22, 2007(Friday)
Cora Perry Neighborhood
The Burkes' Driveway
"Leslie!" The sound of her father's voice drew Jesse and Leslie away from their Terabithian conversation. Leslie looked surprised as she noticed her parents carrying lumber back and forth to a utility horse.
"We need your help!" cried her dad and Leslie smiled, before grabbing Jesse's hand and dragging him over.
"Come on!" she yelled and pulled him inside her house. She took his backpack and dropped it onto the patio table right next to her own. Leslie grabbed his hand and walked towards the last unfinished house in their home.
"Hi mom," she greeted, "This is my friend Jesse. Can he help?"
"Sure can. Hello Jess, I'm Judy and this is my husband Bill. Why don't you grab a brush and get started?" Judy Burke asked as she climbed the ladder, "I want this room finished before sundown, so we can watch it set fire."
Bill Burke laughed heartily, and Leslie tossed Jesse a clean brush. "The best reward in life is working hard at work worth doing," he quoted, "Teddy Roosevelt said that."
Leslie rolled her eyes, "Yes dad; we all know how much you love TR." The four of them got to work on painting the gold room, and Jesse watched as the family interacted. Bill and Leslie dancing most of the time while painting crazy patterns on the wall before filling them in.
Judy and Leslie sung with their paintbrushes and Leslie even got Jess to laugh a few times at a funky move she performed. In the end, Bill and Judy left the room to get cleaned up from the long day, and Leslie got a snack for the two of them.
As he sat next to Leslie admiring the shimmering walls as they dried, he felt as though a job had been well done. Leslie smiled at him as she handed over a bowl of caramel corn. The gold coloring of the walls made Leslie's baby fine blonde hair sparkle and Jesse grinned.
"So what do you think, Jess?" Leslie asked, her bottle-green eyes sparkling as she studied the room.
"I'm thinking that your mom is going to have quite the time putting furniture in such a flashy room," Jesse teased, before Leslie nudged him with her elbow, shushing him.
"I think it's pretty," she whispered, and Jesse nodded, still staring at the way the bright blonde contrasted with the gold.
"I agree."
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-TellNoOne