The Bridge to College

Chapter 11 The Last Hike

Halloween and Thanksgiving passed without incident, with Jess and Leslie remaining in Montana for the holidays. December 1 was unusually warm for a late fall day and Leslie did not want to squander the Saturday by being lazy. Jess on the other hand was content on sitting on the couch and drinking coffee and chilling the day away.

"Jess," Leslie said grabbing her hiking boots (just a brown pair of converse), "Today we will hike the trail around the University of Mount Kalerai. This could be the last hike of the year."

"Leslie," Jess said with feigned exasperation, "It's not like we're dying or graduating you know. Plus you like hikes in the snow."

"Jess-se," Leslie said, "Come on."

She grabbed his arm and began pulling with all the might she had in her body. But it was a runner against a tall baseball player with plenty of muscle. Jess remained on the couch, but due to Leslie's usage of the stare into your soul expression, he sighed and went to grab his actual pair of hiking boots. 

"Alright Leslie you ready to go," Jess asked as he tied his shoes and forced an energy bar in his mouth.

"Yeah let's go," Leslie practically ran out the door.

The woods were the typical run of the mill woods with trees and a ton of plants and wildlife. It was heavily wooded and the trees would blot out the sun, but in some patches, the sun would glow through and it would be an awe inspiring sight. Leslie loved it and wrote numerous poems for creative writing about the beauty of the woods.

"Jess can you feel it," Leslie asked.

"Feel what," Jess asked despite having the feeling that he knew exactly what Leslie would say.

"The aura of Terabithia," Leslie said with awe and wonder, "The spirit returns to us after so long. Join us, king Jess!"

"Leslie we're 19, aren't we a little old for this," Jess asked.

"We're never too old Jess," Leslie said with the familiar gentle smile, "Has my King stopped seeing? Keep your mind wide open Jess. Believe it!"

Jess smiled which gave the cue to Leslie that he was seeing. The hike sure was beautiful. Gorgeous enough to be "magical" even. The air was crisp but not frigid, and it just felt right. Jess could not even find words to describe it, the air just felt right. Everything was right in the world for Jess, and he couldn't be happier. 

Leslie seemed to be entranced as well, with the scenary around her. The leaves crunched beneath her feet and a smile larger then the ones Jess had seen all week. Leslie seemed content with everything around her. The wind blew her hair in just the alluring way. Jess turned to Leslie and kissed her deeply for a few seconds. After the kiss Leslie smiled shyly at Jess before asking,

"What was that for?" Not in a hurt way, just curious.

"Ah the situation," Jess said, "Everything is just so beautiful."

"Jess," Leslie said.

"I told you so."