PS - This story is set in the movie verse but some elements may cross over from the book unconsciously. I haven't read the book but I have read a lot of the fics so I'm not sure which elements I include will be from the book or the movie. If I include something in this fic that another author has used in theirs, examples could be like nicknames or characters, I have not done this purposely and please do message me and I will change it.

Important context - This is set 7 years after the events in the movie so Jess is in his last year of high school and is 17. For me he was in 5th grade in the movie even if this might be wrong, it's just how I'm choosing to set the story. The story is also set in 2015 with the tragic event happening at around the release year of the movie - 2007/2008. I will also be using the likeness of the actors playing the characters such as Jess/Jack A/MayBelle. It's just easier to imagine the flow of the story through the existing faces of the actors, not to mention that I thought they did a fantastic job.

Chapter 1

*Tick* *Tick* *Tick* *Tick*

The minute hand continued in its incessant ticking as Jess stared hard at his clock. The dread in him built up as the hand moved an inch further clockwise, reminding him that he was getting closer to the point of no return. Eventually, he could no longer remain in the warm embrace of his soft mattress and silky, smooth sheets. It was an ordinary Wednesday morning in the warm autumn of October and the unavoidable prospect of school loomed over him.

"Oh why couldn't he just curl up in his bed and remain in a deep-sleep state till the end of existence", thought Jess.

Safe, contempt, happy in the clutches of thoughtlessness. No sacrificing your sanity over Calculus just so you can barely scrape a B-. Hoping to secure an education only to be thrown in the melting pot of the job industry. No sisters insisting you referee the world revered Aarons Olympics, the ultimate competition to determine who gets the remote for that weekend. No Hoagers or Fulchers to blast you with water balloons or plant a stink bomb in your locker. No….No thoughts of her. No thoughts of her golden, blonde hair, cut to just above her shoulders. Her emerald green eyes that could display affection and care like no other. No thoughts of her witty one liners or creative ideas that would oftentimes overwhelm him.

Jess hadn't reminisced about his late best friend in quite some time. She had come back to him like deja vu and he could sense the growing seed of pain in the very core of his heart. Over the years, Jess had tamed this once great pain. The early months after her death had been brutal on him. He had only been an 11 year old boy, unfathomably far from having the emotional maturity and self-understanding needed to handle such a traumatic event. And yet, the stars had him fated to face the horrors of a loved one's death far too early. Though, she was much closer to Jess than even he could comprehend. Jess hadn't even had a semblance of friendship before he met her, not one person who he could share his hopes or problems with. But she had been his beacon of light those very few months, he actually started to enjoy his time off school. Normally he would just do chores and draw until night crept about, signaling 8 hours of sleepful bliss until the tough school day ahead. However, she gave him a reason to enjoy and do other things, bringing out the best of his creative side and validating his talent through words of affirmation. There was also one feeling within Jess that hadn't had the time to bloom, it's growth stunted by the absence of Leslie. The seed had been sowed that rainy afternoon, the last time that they had seen each other. Jess himself was oblivious to it and hence, love had remained dormant for Jess ever since. As terrible as the ordeal was, there was one thing that he could still hold onto and rely on, the place he could go for comfort and guidance in his times of need. Terabithia had been a second home for Jess. The only place where he could relive some fond memories they had made, and reignite the long dead embers of that time in his life.

Even though, Jess himself hadn't had his emotions processed by a professional, the first year after Leslie's death had caused him to fall into depression. It was painfully clear to those around him that his personality had been sapped of all its happiness. This was even noticed by his fellow classmates who would often times than not greet him in the hallways, an impossibility prior to the event. Both Hoager and Fulcher had also avoided him for a couple of months, the welcome consequence of the punch that Jess had gifted Scott. Fearing a descent into complete isolation and possibly worse, his parents had tried to ease his responsibilities and chores, hoping to give him time to clear his mind. A therapist was out of the question for the two working class parents so they did what they could for their only son. Fortunately, after enduring a long year, Jess had begun to bring himself back and try to return to normalcy, though it was a slow process. He knew he had to cherish the limited memories he had had with Leslie and immortalize her through the upkeep of Terabithia. Through the many years he spent at their magical kingdom, Jess had maintained the look of their castle and even made a couple of upgrades. A banner hung on the tree on which the castle stood and he had strengthened its integrity by placing more beams underneath it. This was surely needed to protect their home from the wickedness of the Dark Master, especially now that Terabithia's Queen was no more. Although, Jess had noticed that the Dark Master had not shown himself for a year or two. Finding it odd, Jess did not let his guard down and persisted with the upkeep of the castle.

"If only Leslie was here to see our kingdom….", Jess thought.

Jess, having snapped back into reality, jumped at the sight of the minute hand passing the half hour mark.

"Crap I'm gonna be so late", moaned Jess.

Jumping out of bed and racing towards the bathroom, he ignored the piercing jabs from the Legos that dug into his feet. He had bigger fish to fry now. He knew he only had an hour to wash up and start his morning chores as well as hope to get a breakfast in him as fast as possible. If he didn't manage his time properly he would be left with only two options. Go to school hungry, having to endure Monster Mouth Myers' droning, whilst possessing the energy of a sloth or, face the wrath of his father upon noticing that his chores aren't done.

"Yeah I think I'll just skip the morning shower today….", thought Jess.

Jess slowly knocked on the bathroom door, praying that just this once he would be the first one in. Maybelle would take all the time in the world when she was in the bathroom. Jess always wondered what could be so special about her hair that it needed an hour's worth of attention. Unluckily for him Joyce Ann was not much better so he was relieved to find the bathroom empty. Ellie and Brenda had long left the household to start their own journey of life, much to the approval of Jess. Both sisters had decided to pursue a college degree but had to settle for community college due to the weak financial state of the Aarons Family. Jess peered into the mirror and the reflection of a 17 year old teenager peered back. Jess had become a fine young man, though having not grown much in height, standing at 5"6. Though, his facial features had matured gracefully, displaying an ethereal beauty. His defined jawline matched well with his piercing eyes, soaked with a deep blue color, like if the very ocean flowed around his pupils. The shaggy, brunette hair remained as always, almost becoming a signature look for him. Over time Jess himself had noticed the drastic changes in his facial features, but the word handsome would never cross his mind; hubris was one of the least prominent qualities of the teenager. Jess hurried to brush his teeth and wash his face, trying his best to look fresh for the long school day ahead.

*KNOCK* *KNOCK* *KNOCK*

"Jess hurry up, I'm gonna be late for school!", shouted May Belle.

"UURGHH!", grunted Jess. He quickly finished up in the bathroom and swished by May Belle, moving as quickly as he could through the backdoor to reach their cow, Miss Bessie. The ancient animal had long passed her active, healthy years but still stood strong to this day, delivering fresh milk to the Aarons family. Frantically grabbing a metal bucket from the shed, Jess began to work on Bessie's teats. The milk spurted out into the bucket in quick, short motions due to the sheer experience that Jess had built up with this chore. Eventually, with the bucket filled to the brim, he headed back inside hoping that he would not run into his Mom, who would surely reprimand him for not having done his chore sooner. Relieved to find nobody in the kitchen he started on pouring the freshly squeezed milk into 3 empty glass bottles. Once the bottles were safely inside the fridge he took a glance at the clock hanging high on the kitchen wall. It read 10 to 7, he still had 2 more chores left and a breakfast to pack in his empty stomach.

"Godammit", cried Jess.

"What was that Jess?", enquired his mother, popping her head 'round the kitchen entrance. Jess whipped around, clearly taken aback from the sudden intervention.

"Ughh, nothing Mom…", Jess nervously said.

"None of that language in this household please"

"Yeah, sorry Mom, won't happen again"

"You better hurry up and finish the rest of your tasks. The front yard isn't gonna mow itself", replied his mother.

Jess, with his shoulders slumped down, headed to their garden shed to retrieve the lawnmower. As he brought it around to the entrance he was surprised to find his Dad's truck still parked in their driveway. His Dad usually left around the time when he would wake up so this was a strange sight to see. Thoughts raced inside Jess's mind and due to the hardships that the boy had faced, pessimism was smeread across every one of them.

"Did I miss a chore yesterday? Oh God he's gonna chew me out for that, probably a week's grounding"

"Oh no, what if he got fired?"

Jess could feel his heart thumping loudly against his chest as the former thought left its mark. The family didn't have much financial security to fall back on in a time of no steady income. Plus they would have to cut back on allowance and individual expenditure a lot. Jess couldn't bear to imagine the psychological implications on the family dynamic if this became the reality. Seeing as he was already short on time, he turned on his lawnmower and started the arduous task. The monotone task had become a welcome, therapeutic out for Jess. By focusing on the circular movement of the blades as they sliced through the long blades of grass, he could shut out his surroundings and remain at peace for a time being. Unfortunately, he was soon broken out of his zen state when he noticed the entire yard had been trimmed down to a light green hue, the smell of freshly mown grass enveloping his nostrils. Lazily bringing the lawnmower back to the shed he headed inside to finish his last chore of taking all the trash outside. As he entered the house, the heavenly aroma of bacon, eggs and pancakes hit him hard, surprising him.

"What? Mom never makes these regularly, only on special occasions", thought Jess. Heading to the kitchen to collect the garbage from the communal bin when suddenly….*THUD*

"JESS! Just the person the I was looking for", boomed his father. Palms sweaty with his heart racing, Jess couldn't quite make out the expression on his father's face. Was it showing malice or did he sense a tinge of excitement in there?

"Don't worry about the bin, I'll do it later for you, come and have breakfast with all of us"

Bringing his attention away from his father, Jess noticed that the rest of the family was situated around the kitchen table, puzzled expressions plastered all across their faces. Taking his seat next to May Belle he turned to meet his father's gaze.

"Alright everyone, I have some important news about the future of my job. Brace yourselves…"