Jesse Aarons is a fictional character from the novel "Bridge to Terabithia" by Katherine Paterson. He is a fifth-grade boy who loves to run and dreams of being the fastest runner in his school. Jesse struggles with family dynamics, feeling overshadowed by his artistic sister and dealing with the pressures of growing up. In the story, Jesse forms a close friendship with Leslie Burke, a new girl in town. Together, they create an imaginary kingdom called Terabithia, where they escape from their everyday lives. Jesse's character experiences significant growth as he learns about friendship, loss, and the power of imagination.