The Bridge to College

Chapter 7 Arrival

After another fabulous breakfast, the duo of Jess and Leslie Burke pack up their stuff and drive away from the Best Western. Leslie was well-rested and Jess was a little tired. But not too tired to drive down the road safely. Jess carefully enters the highway and begins to drive.

"Should take around 5 hours to get to Indiana," Jess said taking a glance at the GPS. 

"S'okay," Leslie said as she reads "The Hobbit." Jess smiles to himself, he is very obviously pleased that Leslie is enjoying her birthday gift. She hums quietly to herself, humming along to the seventies music blasting from the radio. Leslie was always good with reading or concentrating with noise, not that it was an alien concept for Jess. He was used to completing schoolwork or attempting to draw in a family full of loud troublesome sisters. Jess drives a bit faster than normal, he enjoys the fast speeds he can go on, on the highway. Jess makes a turn and looks at Leslie. She's still enjoying the book he got her, with a relaxed smile on her serene face. Jess smiles at Leslie.

"How do you like The Hobbit," Jess asked.

"It's great," Leslie said, "I am enjoying the vibrant story telling."

Jess nods pleased giving himself an internal pat on the back for a gift well given. Jess drives listening to music, wondering how his family is back at home. The Aarons were not one to ask for phone calls detailing progress. Jess yawns as he drives. Not much for the eye to see, rolling country, houses with horses, blah blah blah. Jess considers Ohio to be incredibly similar to Virginia especially Lark Creek. He drives through country roads. On the radio plays "Someday" by Steve Earle. Jess could hear Leslie faintly singing along, "There's not a whole lot to do in this town..." she quietly sings.

He smiles back remembering the fifth grade. Jess remembers his silly crush on Miss Edmunds. He remembers Monster Mouth Meyers who passed in his Junior Year of High School. Jess remembers the creation of Terabithia. Briefly the painful memories of the accident, how tender his Father Jack and MM Meyers could be. He must be doing something visible as Leslie rubs his arm. Jess smiled a small thanks to Leslie. Despite the pain he felt, Jess wouldn't have his life any other way. The one thing Jess regrets is his smoking habit. Every now and then if Jess was under too much stress, Jess would occasionally smoke. He did this since junior high school when he stole some from his Father's pack. Probably the amount of trauma he faced in his life at such a young age is what started this habit. Jess always made sure to not smoke with Leslie around. He knows it will only upset her, especially if she finds out why he does it.

"Jess," Leslie said snapping Jess out of his thoughts, "You're going to miss the exit dummy."

"Oh sorry," Jess said turning to the exit on the interstate. He continues driving as he enters Indiana. It's probably going to be like Ohio, a lot of corn and country. Jess seems a little impatient to get to his destination. It's only a long ride ahead. Eventually, the duo decide to hit up another Best Western for a night. It's 7:30 and they hit a town called Portage, Indiana. They find one off of 20 and stay for another night, before heading out again. The drive lasts for another 20 hours this time without a stop before the duo arrive at Mount Kalerai in Armenton, Montana near Great Falls. The duo were sent a key in the mail to their apartment, the Red Lodge. 

Leslie steps out of the car and makes a loud exclamation, "THE KING AND QUEEN OF TERABITHIA ARE HERE ON THEIR BRAND NEW JOURNEY!!"

"Leslie keep it down," Jess said in a hushed voice, "It's close to 2 AM and people may be trying to sleep."

"I'm sorry Jess I'm just excited," Leslie said returning to her regal tone of voice. Man she kept that.

Jess fumbles with the card instructing them, "Alright it says we have Room 17B on the 5th floor."

"Alright let's go," Leslie said beginning to jog inside the building. Jess could only follow. The duo signs themselves into the apartment and walk inside. The room is not that large but for Jess it was a mansion. He never had much room back at home. There was a a bedroom with a Queen sized bed (which they would share), a guest room, a small kitchen, with a small maple dining room table. The floor was some sort of tile, and it smelled of cleaning supplies. There was a television in the living room as well as a love seat and recliner. It was just the basic apartment. Just like a normal student's.

"Jess," Leslie said excitedly, "We're here. We made it."

"I know Les," Jess said with the same broad smile, "We did."

(Sorry about the rushed chapter, I'm just eager to get to the actual college part of the story rather then a road trip story)