JULIANNA
Looking at the sycamore tree that Bryce planted for me makes me calm and happy. It's been a year since he planted it. I don't know why but I'm glad he did. This was the least he could do to me after all the things he did and said to me when we were kids.
I know it's stupid, thinking about what he did to me when we were kids. I've had a crush on him back then. I don't know if I still have the same feelings for him. I mean, he was mean to me. Unfortunately, things change... People change. I changed.
My feelings for Bryce Loski is history. Or at least I thought so. When we were seven, I've had a crush on him when the Loski family first moved here. I was just so happy. Back then, I said to myself that Bryce Loski has my kiss. The kiss I've been waiting to happen. It never did. Except when we grew up.
Yeah, he tried to kiss me infront of a whole lot of people. I don't know what's got into him. He flipped. I flipped.
When we were kids, I was crazy for Bryce. He had those beautiful blue eyes. When you stare at them, you feel paralyzed. It's crazy, I know. But I'm telling the truth. The thing is, if ever I get close to him, he runs away or hide. What? I'm not going to eat him or anything. And he also avoided me.
For the past years of my life, starting at age 7, I've been crazy about him. Not until I caught him throwing my eggs. I thought it was cracked at first. Then I thought that it couldn't be my eggs. They're eating it. Still, I feel suspicious so I asked "Bryce? What are those?"
My mind froze for awhile when he told me that it was eggs. My eggs! I got confused so I asked "Why? What's wrong with them?"
"They all fell and... it cracked."
"All of them?"
"Yes Juli. I'm sorry."
Just when I was about to ask him more questions, I glanced at the carton. And I felt dizzy. The eggs weren't cracked! It's perfectly fine! How could he throw them away? Before I could even stop myself, I took the carton and stared at it trying to search for my words.
Bryce stared at me for awhile and I stared back looking stupid. How could he?
"They all look fine to me. Why were you going to throw them away?"
"Well... Do you know salmonella poisoning? My mom is scared of having it."
What? Salmonella poisoning? Mrs. Stueby has been eating my eggs for the past three years. She didn't have salmonella poisoning, did she? Then a thought occurred.
"Mrs. Stueby have been eating these eggs for the past three years and she didn't have salmonella poisoning, did she? You know I've lost a hundred dollars just giving these eggs to you?"
After that, I ran crying my eyes out.
I couldn't forget those memories. They were unforgettable and annoying indeed. And the sycamore tree. It was the most beautiful tree I have ever seen. I've started to climb up to the top when I saw a kite stuck on the top. I climbed and successfully got it. Before I came down, I saw the most beautiful view I have ever seen. I can see the whole neighbourhood!
Ever since I've seen the view, I climbed the tree everyday. Even at night. I love it so much.
Then the three men with the chainsaws happened. I'm not going to get the tree cut down! What I did is I stayed there until the whole neighborhood went outside to see what's going on. Then I saw Bryce. And my other classmates.
I had this idea. If there are too many of us up here, then it wouldn't get cut down. I shouted at Bryce and all my other classmates to climb up. At first, they all stared at me like I was some lunatic. The bus came and they walked towards the bus leaving me and the tree behind.
I love this tree. That tree. I never wanted it to be cut down.
Finally, here I am, staring at the sycamore tree outside our house. The best part is, it's mine. I wouldn't and I couldn't tell anyone to cut it down. Ever.
My Dad gave me a painting of the sycamore tree after it got cut down. It's inside my room. I still look at it. My Dad is amazing and I'm glad he's my dad. He's awesome.
I never really climb up on this sycamore tree Bryce planted. I don't know why. It didn't feel the same, I guess. Maybe one day, I'm going up there and look at the whole neighbourhood again. Wondering if the view will ever be the same like the other one.
In the morning, I got ready for school. Since the bus hasn't arrived yet, I ran to where the tree was. I stared at it. I touched it even. When I touched it, my mind thought of going up there and see how the view looks like. I grabbed the branch and start climbing. When I reached the top, I can still see the whole neighbourhood! A huge smile spread over my face. I could stay here forever.
I heard the bus so I got down. Maybe later, I'll go up there again. It's amazing.
The smile on my face didn't last when I noticed Shelly Stalls sitting next to Bryce. I'm not jealous but I frowned. I met Bryce's eyes and for awhile, we stared at each other. Not until Shelly Stalls nudged Bryce just to show her picture to him.
Darla raised her hand from the backseat and said "Juli! Come here and sit next to us!"
I avoided Bryce's eyes as I walked to where Darla was. I can feel him staring. Before I even had the chance to sit down, Darla pulled me down already.
"Darla, that hurt."
"Sorry! I've news to tell you!"
"What is it?"
"Shelly Stalls."
We eyed each other before looking over at Shelly Stalls. All we can see is her back head.
"What did she do?" I asked still eyeing Shelly.
"She did nothing. But she will do something."
"What?"
"I overheard... well, not really overheard since her voice was too loud for everyone to hear the big news."
"What is it? Tell me!"
"Her birthday is coming and she's going to have this huge party at her house and everyone is invited."
"So?"
"Guess what she said to Bryce."
I gulped and said, "What?"
"She said, 'Bryce will be my important guest AND my date!'"
That is ridiculous! This isn't prom. It's her birthday but what do I care.
"What did he say?"
"He got shocked. And this is the romantic part."
"What?"
"It isn't really romantic. It's just sweet of him to -"
Before she could finish her sentence, I cut her off.
"Cut to the chase!"
"Okay. He asked Shelly if you will be there. Well, if you're invited."
I stared at her for a moment. How is that sweet? Or romantic? I don't care if Bryce Loski asked Shelly that. Wait. Well, if you're invited. I thought everyone's invited to her party? Didn't she say we're all invited? How come Bryce asked her that? Or isn't he just paying attention to what she's saying?
"What did Shelly say?"
"She said 'Of course, Bryce. I did say everyone is invited, didn't I?' I think he wasn't listening or paying any attention to her. He just nodded and looked out of the window."
Shelly Stalls and Bryce were 3 rows from where we're sitting. How can Darla see him? I did not dismiss this question so I asked.
"They're 3 rows from where we're sitting. How can you see if he's looking out of the window?"
"Oh no. I wasn't really sitting here awhile ago. Not until you came in. I was sitting on the front seat of Bryce and Shelly's chair."
"Why did you move here?"
"Because I don't want Shelly to see us gossiping about her."
Gossiping? We're not gossiping. I just let this pass.
Should I go to her party or not?