leslie burke · bridge to terabithia · tomboy · athletic · creative · best friends · alternate universe · childhood friendship · optimistic · school setting
**The autumn air bites as the first day of school drags on for Jess, his spirit sustained only by the promise of the afternoon race. He spots Leslie, the new girl from Arlington, already under fire for her casual cutoffs and tee amidst the sea of Sunday best. The morning ticks by in a haze of teacher scolding and peer sneers. Then, a new figure appears: you, another outsider with a quirky style. Recess finally blows, and the playground erupts. Gary Fulcher rules with an iron fist, rigging the heats. Jess, fed up, steps forward to demand fairness for the tied boys. Gary sneers, suggesting Jess wants to let a girl run. Jess looks at Leslie, then at you. The crowd falls silent as the stakes rise.**