Disclaimer: On First Chapter.

Till' I Collapse

Part One: Discovering Leslie Burke

Chapter Ten

(Please read and review)

August 25, 2007 (Monday)

Lark Creek Elementary

English Class

1:30PM

Jesse Aarons was confused. No, he wasn't bewildered or incredibly perplexed, but he did find himself trapped in a state of slight confusion. His best friend was behaving very peculiarly, and had been for almost twenty minutes now. Jess believed it had something to do with the girl's bathroom. She had gone inside laughing with Jess waiting for her near the lockers, but when she came out—five minutes later—Leslie was acting off, almost as if she had seen a ghost or something.

Being the good friend he was; Jesse had jokingly asked her if the toilets had eaten someone, and Leslie responded with a silence that seemed far more embarrassed than angry.

As of now, Jesse watched slightly stunned as Leslie fidgeted in her seat, avoiding his eyes, and staring down at her hands. He couldn't help but wonder why she was behaving so oddly. Leslie had never been the type to be anxious, and for some reason, Jess found himself concerned about seemingly nothing.

Jesse's eyes drifted towards the clock, and absently read the time. 1:34. He mused that it had been officially twenty-four minutes since his best friend had begun to act strangely, and concluded that maybe it would be important later. Jess glanced back towards Leslie, and watched her bright green-eyes flit back and forth across the room. The action reminded him strongly of a panicked hamster in a cage, and his lips quirked slightly.

Unfortunately, or fortunately—Jess couldn't decide which—Leslie glanced at him and saw his smile. Almost instantly, her face flamed a bright red and biting her lip she hastily looked away from him. About ten seconds later, the shrill sound of the class bell rang, and Leslie bolted from the room before the bell had even ended, dragging her backpack and jacket along with her.

As Jesse stared in absolute shock after his best friend—mainly because of the speed in which Leslie had moved—he decided then and there that her glancing at him; had most certainly been a bad thing.

Frowning, Jesse grabbed his things from the floor and stood up to head to his next class. The only thing on his mind was; what was wrong with Les?

--

August 25, 2007 (Monday)

Lark Creek Elementary

The Nurse's Office

1:45PM

Leslie felt ashamed of herself, but she knew that there was nothing that could be done to change what had already happened. She was upset with herself for having treated Jess like she did, but it was just so embarrassing.

There were some days when she hated being a girl, and the surprises that came along with it. Today, Leslie seethed, just happened to be one of those days. She wrung her hands as she sat in the nurse's office. Leslie could feel her plastic bracelets twisting as she fidgeted on the uncomfortable crinkly paper.

Leslie hated examination tables, and the paper they used for sanitary purposes. She felt as though everyone outside the room could hear what you were doing inside them, and being here for what she was now; Leslie hated it even more than usual.

Unable to stand it any longer, she leapt from the table, and stared in horror at where she had been sitting only moment's before. There was a large red stain there, and Leslie freaked.

"Oh my gosh!" she gasped in horror, as she swiveled to stare at her backside in the mirror. "No, no, NO!" she hissed under her breath as she finally spotted the large darkened circle on the back of her favorite jeans.

Her lungs felt like they weren't getting enough air, and she began hyperventilating as both anguish and humiliation welled within her. "This can not be happening…" she whispered brokenly, her voice cracking as her eyes welled with tears.

She only came in here because when she had used the restroom earlier there had been some blood mixed in, and she wasn't positive of what was happening, but she'd had an idea. Now, that she was being proven correct, Leslie could feel her emotions peaking for absolutely no reason.

Terrified, Leslie brushed a hand across the back of her jeans and when she pulled it away, her palm was lightly smeared with blood. That was the end of her rope, and Leslie screamed, "Help me!"

There was a loud clatter outside the room, but Leslie paid no attention to it, she was still staring in horror at her bloody hand. The door burst open, and a nurse came running in looking frantic. "Dear, are you quite alright?"

Leslie's wide green eyes never left her hand, "I don't think so."

As the nurse came closer, Leslie heard the lady tut in consternation. "Well, I don't believe it's anything serious, young lady. It looks like you just started your period."

That was the last thing Leslie Burke heard for quite sometime as she dropped into a dead faint.

----

August 25, 2007 (Monday)

Cora Perry Neighborhood

The Aarons' Residence

Jess was worried, of course. Leslie had never made it onto the bus after school, and he hadn't seen her since she'd run out on him after English. He wondered what was wrong with her, but he couldn't think of anything that might have caused her to react to him in such a way.

He briefly entertained the idea of asking his mom, but he quickly nixed that idea. It was heinous and stupid. He had nothing to really go on, and therefore nothing he could really tell his mom in order to get useful advice from the woman. So, Jesse decided that a visit to the Burke's home would be prudent. Maybe Mr. Burke would have some answers.

Jesse stood from his place on the front porch and stretched his legs. He walked slowly towards the railing and squinted past the blinding sunlight, hoping to catch a glimpse of a car in the Burkes' driveway. After about a minute of searching, Jess was able to spot Mr. Burke's silver car gleaming almost blindingly behind a tall hedge.

Chewing his lip, Jesse debated for a moment, before deciding to take a chance. Leslie was more important than any apprehension he had. As he walked, Jess tried to come up with something that would make Leslie want to run away from him like she did, but he came up blank.

There was nothing he'd noticed that convinced him that Leslie was okay. He blinked in slight shock as he finally noticed that not only had he reached the Burkes' home, but he was standing on their front porch. Shaking his head, Jess knocked hesitantly on the tall oak door, and waited nervously.

"Coming!" Bill Burke's voice yelled from inside, and Jesse heard the rapid patter of the man's footsteps coming towards the door. He stepped back as the door was ripped open, and Bill said, "Judy what ha—"

That was as far as the man got, before he realized that his wife wasn't there; instead it was Jesse who was gawking at him with an awkward look plastered on his face.

"Oh, Jess, hi," Mr. Burke sounded equally uncomfortable to Jesse's ears, and it made him shift his feet anxiously.

"Hi Mr. Burke, uh, I was wondering if Leslie was home yet?" Jesse blurted, before he blushed spectacularly and Bill laughed.

"Not yet, Jess. Judy went to go pick her up about ten minutes ago," Bill replied, waving him inside. Jess did so nervously, and Mr. Burke closed the door.

"Do you know what happened? She was acting real weird in English," Jess muttered, and Bill smiled at him.

"Sorry kid; I'm just as clueless as you are," The older man told him with a grin as Jess followed him into the living room. Jesse couldn't help but notice that though the man was smiling and looked happy; something seemed off about him.

Not just Bill though, even the house looked to be somber. As though something had or was about to happen that dampened everyone's spirits, especially the normal exuberant, life-loving Burkes.

Jesse was distracted from his thoughts by the sound of the door opening, and both Mr. Burke and Jess glanced in that direction.

"Bill, we're back!" called Judy as she walked in the room. She stopped when she saw Jesse and gave him an awkward smile. Somehow, Jess got the feeling she was nervous about seeing him there, and it made Jesse cringe inwardly.

Leslie shuffled inside behind her mother, but froze as soon as she saw who was standing next to her father.

"Jess?" she asked in bewilderment, and Jess opened his mouth to respond, but Leslie's face twisted and she suddenly looked angrier than she did confused. "Why are you here?" she snarled at him, furiously.

Judy gasped, and Bill covered his face in shame. "Leslie!"

Jesse felt his heart stop in his chest. He felt like he just got sucker-punched. "Les, what?" he stammered, but Leslie glared at him.

"I don't want you here! Leave me alone!" she screamed before she ran from the room, leaving Bill and Judy to chase after her calling her name frantically. Jesse stood frozen in place; his face ashen and his chest aching. He wondered what this feeling was. He wondered what was wrong with Leslie.

Jesse ran from the room, and slammed outside. He was angry, and confused. What had he done to her? Other than be her friend? Why did she say that to him? Jesse sprinted home and threw open the front door; not caring about his mother's admonishment.

"What happened to you, pinhead? Did your girlfriend ditch you?" Brenda asked snidely, but she was unprepared for Jesse's response.

"You know what, Brenda? I hate you," he snarled at her, incensed, leaving his mother in shock and Brenda pale, before he stormed up to his room, angry tears falling from his eyes as he curled himself onto his bed.

How much Jesse Aarons hated himself in that moment no one could ever imagine.

---

August 26, 2007(Tuesday)

Cora Perry Neighborhood

The Aarons' Residence

Jesse stared down the length of the vegetable garden. His knees were bent and he was leaning half-heartedly against a tall tree with his elbows on his knees. Jesse's blue eyes were darkened with sadness, and loneliness that permeated his whole being. He had never felt so alone in his life.

Whoever said that it's better to have loved and lost than never loved at all, Jesse thought bitterly, was a fool.

Nothing felt worse than having a friendship with someone and then having it end abruptly. What made it worse was that he didn't even know what he did to make her not want to be around him. All day at school she refused to even look in his direction and Jesse's hopes of getting a sincere apology from the girl were dashed.

His fists clenched in anger and he blinked back tears. No one had ever made him cry this way. Not his father, or any bully; but it was his best friend that brought him to tears.

The thought was electrifyingly horrific, and it turned Jesse's stomach inside out. Feeling sick, he wrapped his arms around his legs, and tucked them into his body as nausea boiled within him. Leslie had given him everything he'd wanted and more, but then she had snatched the happiness of it all away from him within five minutes.

He stared at the once-colorful vegetable garden, and was only able to see the deep shadows falling across each bloom. The darkness swirled about the garden, and Jesse blinked. He could've sworn that he'd seen a small flicker of light, before it abruptly died out.

Jesse wished in that second that he'd never met Leslie Burke.

----

August 27, 2007(Wednesday)

Cora Perry Neighborhood

The Aarons' Residence

Jesse was pissed. He was beyond angry at Leslie. She'd given him some half-thought up apology and expected him to forgive her for what she had said to him. Jesse wasn't one to hold grudges, but seriously; what did she expect when all she told him was 'Sorry for being mean, Jess. Wanna play?'

Jesse kicked the wall of his bedroom, and winced at the throbbing pain in his toe. What was wrong with Leslie?

---

August 31, 2007(Sunday)

Cora Perry Neighborhood

The Aarons' Residence

4:07PM

The last week of August had taken its toll on Jesse Aarons. He was awake at odd hours of the night, and had trouble sleeping for more than an hour or two. His week-long exhaustion explained his need for a mid-afternoon nap.

"Jess, wake up," Bleary-minded and halfway asleep Jess sat up and blinked tiredly causing someone to chuckle slightly. "Come on, Jess, get up sleepy-head."

Jesse heard them of course, but he was still trying to tie two thoughts together inside his mind; so it took his brain awhile to register the fact that Leslie was sitting at the end of his bed, staring at him.

Though when it did register, Jess was certain he was dreaming—either that or he was awfully delirious from his sleep. Leslie had been a rollercoaster since Monday when their friendship had taken a plunge into the realm of near non-existence. She was fine one moment, then angry the next. She'd snapped at him, and ticked him off to the limits of his patience. The two had gotten into more fights in one week than in the month they'd known each other.

Jesse couldn't figure out what was wrong with her, and Leslie wouldn't tell him. He'd known that their friendship would be forever affected by this week, and he despised the fact that they may never get back the light-hearted friendship they'd shared. In reality, the two had done a fair amount of growing up in the past six days, and he didn't know what was coming next. Frankly, it scared the be-Jesus out of him, because Jesse only knew one thing. He didn't want to lose his best friend.

"Leslie?" he asked in disbelief, his mouth agape in astonishment as he stared at the blonde. Jesse could've sworn that he was losing his mind, especially when she smiled at him. "What are you doing in my room?"

"Your mom let me in," Leslie replied as she toed off her shoes and crossed her legs beneath her. She glanced at Jesse before her eyes explored his bedroom; obviously taking in the sights of the various pictures stuck to the walls.

Jesse gaped at her, "What if I had been changing or something?"

Leslie shrugged and said, "I knocked multiple times, and you never answered; so I figured you were either sleeping or not inside. I checked and it turned out to be the former of the two."

Jesse frowned slightly at the 'blah' tone in Leslie's voice as he sat up completely, and freed his legs from his blankets. "What's wrong, Les?" he asked, and Leslie avoided his eyes as she stared at his wall.

He observed her and took notice as she trembled slightly. Jesse glanced back at her face and was taken aback by the sight of a crystalline tear falling down her cheek. Instantly, she bent her head forward, so that her face was hidden behind a wall of silky blonde hair.

"Leslie?" he asked in concern, and Leslie swiped her hair back away from her face in aggravation as Jess heard a quiet sniffle. She still wouldn't look at him, but she bit her lip anxiously and her hands knotted together.

"I'm so sorry, Jess," she whispered quietly; so quietly in fact that Jess had to strain to hear her words. "I'm sorry that I yelled at you on Monday. I'm sorry that I ignored you Tuesday. I'm sorry for giving you a mediocre apology on Wednesday, and I'm sorry for hurting you again on Thursday. I'm sorry for being so stupid on Friday, and I'm sorry for running away from you on Saturday. I'm sorry for everything that I've done this week Jesse, and I accept that I'm responsible for all the grief I've caused you."

Leslie was shaking at this point, and Jesse knew what it cost her to sit in front of him and admit all that she'd done wrong.

"I am so sorry for being an out-of-control brat, and I hate the fact that I've treated someone I think of as my best friend like a piece of crap. I'm sorry for taking out my problems on you, and I'm sorry for not being the friend you deserve."

Another tear fell down her cheek, "God, Jess. I have been horrible to everyone this week, even my parents, and I pray that someday you'll forgive me. I don't deserve it, but I—"Jesse cut her off.

"I forgive you, Leslie. Even though you've acted more like my enemy than my friend this past week," Here Leslie cringed and Jesse kindly ignored it as he went on, "but I also know for a fact that best friends do fight, and while some may not be as explosive as ours was; I know that there has to be a good reason for acting like you did. No matter what Les; you will remain my best friend until you tell me to my face otherwise," he told her, and Leslie's eyes swam with tears as she glanced at him, but he noticed something else in her eyes.

Something that had his hackles rising, and he stared at her, "What else is wrong, Les?"

Leslie stared at him for a moment, before she choked out, "How'd you know?"

"Your eyes," he replied, "the look in your eyes told me." She looked away from him momentarily, and stared at the wall as if it were the most fascinating thing in the world.

"He's gone, Jesse," Leslie stated, and Jesse's brow furrowed.

"Who's gone, Leslie?" he asked, and he was surprised when Leslie let out a cry of anguish. "Les…" he began, but he was furiously cut off as Leslie stood up.

"I-I have to go Jess," she sobbed, before she bolted from his room leaving Jesse frozen in shock as he stared after her. He was snapped out of his shock when his bedroom door slammed closed, and he leapt out of bed instantly.

"Leslie!" he yelled, before thundering out of his bedroom, and down the stairs after the head of blonde hair. He saw her crash into May Belle as soon as he hit the landing of the stairs. Jesse grabbed her arm before she could escape, and he pulled her back.

"No!" she screamed, "Let me go, Jesse!" Leslie fought Jess tooth and nail. She clawed at his arms as he finally grasped her tight enough to hold her squirming body close to his own.

She cried and elbowed him; leaving scratches along his arms as he held her in his grip. Jesse was in a full-blown panic. He didn't know what was wrong with her; nor did he know why she was acting so volatile.

Leslie was sobbing so hard that Jess could feel each one, and he shivered. He hated to see her in such pain. His eyes filled with tears as she finally went lax in his hold, and her body slumped into his own. The weight took him by surprise and he almost fell, but he gripped himself on the wall and managed to slowly lower them to the ground.

Leslie was still crying profusely in his arms, and Jesse turned her slack form to him. It was like she had no control over her motor functions anymore, but she was completely conscious.

Hesitantly, Jesse brushed the damp strands of blonde hair off of Leslie's forehead and the girl whimpered. "Leslie?" he asked her, and the girl simply cried harder.

"He's gone, Jess," she murmured in despair, and Jesse clutched her to him.

"Who's gone Leslie?" he asked her, but Leslie only sobbed and buried her face into his chest. "Leslie, who's gone?"

When he heard her answer, Jesse paled dramatically. His eyes widened, and he could feel his head spinning. Jesse felt Leslie go completely limp in his arms and he knew that she had fainted. When Jess looked up, he saw his family standing there in horror. Ellie and Brenda both looked shaken and pale; his mom was ashen-faced and May Belle was crying. Jess stared up at his dad, and the man's eyes asked the inevitable question.

Jesse didn't answer him. He only stared down at the young girl in his arms. This girl had become so much to him that he hated to see her in this kind of pain. Jesse closed his eyes, and thought, Oh Leslie, why him? Why Bill?