The Bridge to College

Chapter 16 The Coming of the Duke of Terabithia

Leslie was homesick.  She misses everything about her home: Bill and Judy, PT, the perpetual warmth, and Terabithia. Leslie is more expressive about her homesickness. As far as she knows, Jess doesn't even care that he left behind all his friends and family as well as the life back home. Leslie's mood is not helped by the fact that she is actually sick at the moment, and is at the apartment doing work on the computer. She misses Jess and her house back in Virginia. Leslie had moved all her life: first from Washington DC to Arlington then from there to Lark Creek. She rarely had a stable home for a long period of time. Lark Creek became permanent for the Burkes and none of them would have it any other way. For some time Bill and Judy considered leaving for North Carolina but Leslie pleaded with them not to, so she could still hang out with Jess'.

Leslie pulls the blankets back over her cold arms. Jess knows she's homesick and tries to help even in his funk. But Jess helping with problems like this usually was, "that's rough, I'm sorry." or something about going through this. Which while kind-hearted didn't help on matters like these. Leslie scans around the room, it would be another few hours before Jess would get back. Nothing but empty golden walls. She wonders when she will see her parents again, wonder when Jess will get back. She briefly has the discomforting thoughts over what if Jesse wouldn't come back, she passed that thought to the back of her mind. Jess would never do so, he loved her and Leslie knew that.

Rather, she got up from the couch and reach for her notepad where her latest story was being written. Leslie decided to put all her emotions and negative emotions into the story. Maybe an angst arc. And this method worked as it took up the rest of the day, to the point that she actually forgot to eat lunch or any snacks. Leslie was so in the zone her mind to the world she was crafting, that when Jess opened the door and said his casual, "Hey guys (even though it was just Leslie)," it took Leslie by surprise and she jumped.

"Sorry didn't mean to startle you, Les," Jess said placing his messenger style bag by the door and sitting down by Leslie, "I know you get really into your stories. So, are you feeling better?"

"I think so," Leslie said before asking, "Do you ever feel homesick?"

"Homesick," Jess asked and is visibly thinking, "Sometimes, I think about Terabithia and my family. But I am happy where I am, with you."

"I'm not saying I'm not happy," Leslie said, "But I'm homesick. I miss my parents and PT as well as Terabithia."

"Oh," Jess said quietly, "Well uhm they call every night so uhm."

"I know," Leslie said, "I just miss being there."

"I get that," Jess said awkwardly cuddling into Leslie, "I'm here to help."

Leslie smiled and cuddled into Jess half asleep. Jess was just happy and falls asleep eventually as well, even forgetting to eat dinner which was rare for Jess at least.

The next morning was Saturday, and Jess sets out on a mission. He can't bring home to their apartment, but he could bring something that was similar. Right?  So Jess had the brilliant plan of buying a dog that looked like PT, so that Leslie would have something similar in the long run. Jess had found a pet store, recommended by some of his friends who grew up in this town called Pet Town. 

Jess parked his car and stepped out and the title was correct. It didn't seem to be a store, rather it looked like a town. It was huge, one of the biggest stores Jess had seen in his life. As he entered he was greeted with the smell of dog food and catnip. Jess approaches an employee a young woman around his age.

"Hey uhm where do you have dogs," Jess asked awkwardly. He never was good at talking to strangers. Miracle he met Leslie.

"We don't sell dogs anymore due to the unethical treatment of dogs from puppy mills," The Employee said, "But in the back we have a bunch of furry, scaly friends that are ethically sourced."

Jess nodded and said politely, "Thank you." And walked back. Plan A is now a washed, but other animals could work.

A hamster? Leslie didn't like rodents too well.

Birds? Due to noise they were against apartment policy.

Fish? Not interactive enough, at least to Leslie's taste. Jess remembers taking to Leslie to Scott's house and her tormenting his moon eye goldfish. Leslie was trying to touch it's eyes. So a no for that.

How about a turtle? They are kind of interactive, hardy, cute, and would fit into a fantasy world.

Jess had reached the back of the store and fortunately for him, the store sold turtles, more specifically tortoise. Jess purchased one of the smaller more active males and drove back home. Leslie was still a little sick, so she was still at home doing homework from the computer and attending the classes virtually. So it was hard to surprise Leslie. So, it was obvious from the massive enclosure and turtle supplies that a creature was in order.

"Hey Jess what's that," Leslie asked pointing to the container carrying the tortoise and the supplies, even before Jess could say, "Hey guys."

"Well you've been homesick," Jess said, "So I..."

"Jess get to the point," Leslie teased.

"Ok, I'll get there," Jess said smiling, "While I couldn't bring home here, I brought a mystical creature from Terabithia, a magic turtle." 

Leslie gave the biggest smile he had seen in a while before giggling, "A magic turtle?"

"You come up with the names," Jess said laughing awkwardly, "I just come up with the art."

"Good point," Leslie said gently taking the container and gently kissing Jesse, "Thanks so much Jess. By the looks of him, the turtle's name is DT. Short for Duke of Terabithia."

Jess smiled, "Good name my Queen."

The rest of the day was spent setting up DT's enclosure and hanging out with the new Aaron-Burkes.

"Hey Jess," Leslie said.

"Yes Les," Jess replied.

"We're parents," Leslie teased Jess, to which the latter blushed.

And so they were, parents to a little turtle.

(Sorry I am not dead, it was just writer's block, actually being in college and wasn't in a very Terabithia-y mood.. I am alive now and am back with the Terabithia spirit and am glad to be back to continue Jess' and Leslie's story. I had been waiting to write in a pet for the happy couple. As for why a turtle well a few reasons. One is they're college kids and are too busy to have a dog. As for the second reason, well I just saw Big Bang theory where Sheldon and Amy were going to get a turtle. Third it fits Jess and Leslie)