Bridge to Terabithia 2: A Second Chance

2. Settling In

The next day at school, Alexandra informed him during math that she was going to be a little late for lunch but that he should still expect her before the period ended. Jess appreciated her letting him know ahead of time because it almost made him feel like they were friends but he knew not to get too attached to his next door neighbor until they got to know each other a little better.

If he became too invested, he ran the risk of ending up alone if Alexandra found more interesting people to hang out with. The school wasn't that big but for a new kid like Alexandra, her options for companionship were practically endless.

Even if that happened, he still had the guys on his track team to hang out with but he liked spending time with Alexandra at lunchtime, seeing as he already spent every day after school training with his team.

Still, it was a nagging fear in the back of his mind but if that happened, Jess would learn to endure the school year sitting with the track team.

His doubts were quickly put to rest when Alexandra came by his table fifteen minutes before fifth period lunch was supposed to end with a giant grin on her face that was capable of easily lighting up the entire room.

"You look happy."

"I am very happy," Alexandra laughed triumphantly. "The counselor agreed to transfer me into Web Development!"

"So you're no longer in Art Studio?"

"Nope! I managed to convince her and Mr. Roberts that I belonged in that class by showing them my skills and he agreed to add me to the class even though it was full!"

"Congratulations," Jess grinned.

It was a good thing that she had made it into Web Development, because the second week of school was upon them starting Monday and Jess didn't want Alexandra to fall behind in her studies; he was quite relieved that she had joined a class she genuinely liked just in time to settle in. He was confident that she was going to be one of the best students in the class, so any catching up on her part wouldn't be too much of a hassle.

That, and the allure of being back in school was quickly fading and would be entirely gone after Homecoming Week passed.

Jess would miss her in Art Studio but couldn't bring himself to ask her to be miserable for him, not when her talents lay elsewhere and it was better for Alexandra to flourish, even if it was just for one class period a day. He comforted himself by remembering that they would still get to see each other in math, English IV, and at lunch.

They were next door neighbors, too, which was an added bonus that not everyone got to enjoy, no matter how close they were to their friends.

Even though he was still getting to know her, Jess already considered Alexandra his friend.

"As you saw in the syllabus, our first unit of the school year is poetry!" Ms. Steinberg chirped when class started. "Please turn your attention to the sheet I handed out,"

"You are allowed to choose a contemporary poet who published something recently or a poet who has been dead for a very long time but whatever you decide to do a presentation on, you must send me a link or show me your example of your poem before you use it."

Great, Jess thought. It sounded like a lot of extra work for a subject he wasn't even all that interested in.

"If you don't get my approval, you'll fail that portion of the assignment because I need to assess for quality, understand? Oh, and the sooner you show me the poem you've chosen, the sooner I can approve you because everyone is expected to bring something new and interesting to share."