BRYCE

Sitting in the library alone is not fun. Here I am, being a good boy and reading books. I tried focusing on the book but I can't. I don't know why I can't. Something just feels... wrong. Really wrong.

I have a hunch that something bad is going to happen to me. I don't know when but I know for sure that something will happen to me.

I tried to read the book but I really can't concentrate so I just closed it and searched for someone to talk in the library. I know it's the library and I also know that you can only whisper to your seatmates here.

I scanned the library looking for a familiar face. I didn't find anyone. Except Garrett. On the other hand, Garrett was also looking for someone since he's alone. And I know him. He can't go 3 seconds not talking to anyone.

I don't expect him to come talk to me. I'll just go over to him. And before I know it, I was standing in front of him.

"Bryce." He says. He doesn't look angry or mad. His face just seems expressionless.

"Look dude. About the phone call -" I started but he cut me off with a hand.

"You don't need to apologize. I'm sorry for hanging up on you."

"It's okay. And I do need to apologize."

Garrett grins. "Dude, you don't. Really. It's my fault."

"Why were you avoiding me then?"

"Are you a girl or something? Bryce... avoiding you is for a reason."

"Here's to you, my friend. The reason for avoiding me sucks." I smile.

He put his hand up on the air and said, "Give me five, dude. I missed talking to my old buddy."

I gave him five and laughed quietly. Garrett told me to tell him everything about Juli. What do I say? There's a million to say.

"Why do you like her?" We were already walking out of the library.

"There's a million answers to that, Garrett."

"Oh yeah? Give me a hundred reasons then."

"Not joking. I don't know why I like her. Everytime I see her..." I couldn't continue because the moment I saw Juli walking, my heart pounded. Fast. It's like I'm going to have a heart attack any second if this doesn't stop. This isn't because my insides were getting all jumpy but it's because something tells me there's something going to happen.

I guess I paused for awhile because Garrett was looking at me. "Dude. You alright?"

"I'm fine... I just –" I stopped again waiting for that 'something' to happen. My heart was pounding really hard and very fast. What's going on? I was sweating already and my palms itch! I don't like this feeling. If something is going to happen, make it quick.

Just then Juli saw me and she glared at me. Why isn't she wearing the necklace? Didn't she see it? Where did Mrs. Baker put it? Why do I feel dizzy and scared all of a sudden?

"Bryce? You okay? You're – sweaty..."

"Huh? What?"

Juli came to me looking angry. Very angry at me. This is the 'something' that's going to happen? Juli's the reason why 'something' is going to happen? Why? What did I do now?

"Bryce! What is this?"

The box. The necklace. She saw it. She has it. She's holding it. But why is she not wearing it?

"Bryce! Did you hear me? What. Is. This?" she repeated in a serious and cold voice.

I froze. Even Garrett did. We were both looking at her and at the box.

"Am I even talking to you?" she exclaims angrily.

I managed to say something to her. But in a silent tone. "I—I hear you..."

"Then could you tell me what this is?"

"It's a box."

"And? Keep going."

"How did you know I was the one who –"

"Sent it? Sneak it? What? What word fits along with the rest of your words?"

"Juli... I was trying to say sorry. And I bought that necklace for you..."

"As a sorry gift?"

"No. I mean... yes."

"Let me guess. You went to our house without even telling me?"

"What? Why should I tell you?" I can feel my voice rising with anger. But I managed to stop it. I don't want to argue with Juli. She's like my Dad. And if I do argue with her, then I can't have the chance to be friends with her... Or I can't have the chance to ask her out one day.

"You always tell me, Bryce!"

You always tell me, Bryce. That wasn't true! And how come she's mad without even yelling at me?

"Juli, didn't you like it? That is a sorry gift if you know what it means."

"A simple "Hey Juli. I'm sorry" in person is enough."

"I just said that when I was at your house! But you didn't do anything!"

I didn't mean to shout at her. Everyone stopped walking and was looking at us. Lucky, Garrett told everyone to ignore us because it was nothing.

"Look Bryce. About that one... I was supposed to tell you that I'm sorry in person."

"Yeah? When was that going to happen?"

"Tuesday! Before Shelly Stalls blocked my way!"

"You could have said 'Move it, will you' right?"

"Right? I saw you look at me! I was expecting you to come over to us and tell them that! You don't expect them to listen to me, do you Bryce?" Her face suddenly turned sad. Oh no. What did I do?

"I'm sorry, Juli."

"I loved the necklace you sent to me but I am angry at you for not having the strength to go over to me and say sorry. Why buy this? Why try to hide it from me?"

"It was supposed to be a surprise..."

She said, "A surprise? That didn't happen, did it? I want to keep this, really. But that's impossible," and she handed me the necklace before continuing, "one more thing... since we're facing each other I wanted to say I'm sorry. I really am. About what I did... I did my part." She walks away. I didn't see her cry but I can feel it. She wanted to cry.

My heart pounded normally after that. And Garrett stared at me not moving.

"Are – you okay?" He pointed out. I ignored this. I was thinking that Juli would love it. That she would keep it.

"Bryce?" Another voice came and this time, it was the voice of Shelly Stalls. Her face was filled with concern. I don't need her to be concerned. I don't want her here. Juli was right. Lynetta was right. Mrs. Baker and Granddad. They were all right about my stupid plan not going to be a success.

I should have just said sorry. I should have just walked over to her and said sorry. I don't need to buy a necklace. I wish you could turn back time...

"Bryce? Are you okay?" Shelly Stalls was standing so close to me, it looks like she was about to kiss me. I moved away.

"I'm fine."

"I saw Juli yell at you... Are you sure? What did Juli do to you?"

"She didn't yell at me! Will you just leave me alone?" I was getting mad. At me. At Shelly. At Juli... although I don't know why I'm mad at her.

"Look Stalls. Maybe now's not the time to cheer him up. As you can see, he's in a bad mood."

I glanced at Garrett and gave him a 'thank you' nod. Shelly wouldn't just give up!

"Listen here. Bryce is in a bad mood because of Julianna Baker! Didn't you see what just happened?"

Why can't she just leave me alone? If I get angrier, I'm cancelling my plan to go to her party. The party! That's it.

"If you don't leave... I swear I'll never come to your party. Any of your parties."

Her face got shocked with the news. I knew this would work. When is her party anyway?

"Please come! I need you to be there! It's going to be a big day!"

"When's the party?" Garrett asks.

"You're not invited, are you?" Shelly answers.

"Juli's invited. Why can't he be invited? I mean, you two talk more than Juli, right?" I say.

"He'll ruin it, Bryce. You're not to ruin my party and you're invited. Got it?"

"I'm not a crasher. When's the party?"

"Sunday Afternoon."

Today is Thursday. Sunday is the party.

"Please go Bryce." She begged.

"Leave me alone. Now." I warned her. I don't need her here. She looked at me and I can tell that she was still begging. I just avoided her eyes. Then she walked away.

"I don't know if you want to talk, man. So I'll just go."

"Don't. Let's talk."

I said that we'll go to my house and talk there. That way no one would hear our conversation. Even Juli.

ooo

When we were at our house, we went straight to my room ignoring Mom.

"Bryce? Is that you?"

"Hi Mrs. Loski! Hi Mr. Loski!" Garrett greeted them. I wasn't in the mood to see Dad when I heard him talk.

"What's wrong with him?"

"Nothing."

Lynetta, as usual, was with Matt or Mike or both. Everyday, they were going out. Or at least I thought so.

"What happened to you?"

Lynetta didn't go anywhere today. Don't care. And Granddad, I don't know if he went to Juli or not. Granddad! I want to talk to him later.

I pushed Garrett into my room and I closed the door.

"What were we going to talk about?"

"Juli. And the necklace."

"Oh yeah. Go on."

So I told him everything about me being left alone in her backyard, about yesterday when I had no idea she was trying to say sorry to me, about the plan I made... Everything.

"Let me get this straight... You went over to Juli's house to see what she was going to do with the tree you planted for her and your Granddad left you both alone with Mr. Baker. And then you told her that you're sorry and she also told you she's sorry and she left you alone. Then on Tuesday, Juli was trying to say sorry to you in person but Shelly and Miranda blocked her way. You just stared at them because you didn't know what's going on. Then last night, you came up with this plan about the necklace and went to their house and told Mrs. Baker to bring it to her room. And thought it was going to be perfect... Right?"

"Yeah."

"Wow. I'm sorry it didn't end up well."

"Thanks. Now I don't know what to do."

"Maybe you should just say sorry in person?"

"Right."

"I'm not good with advices. You should ask Lynetta or your mom. They're girls. They know everything."

"Right..." I wasn't in the mood to talk now. I asked Garrett if he could go home and just leave me.

"Sure, dude. Talk to me if everything's fine."

"Right."

He was holding the door knob when he turned around and added, "And stop saying 'Right'. It's irritating."

"Right..." I wasn't listening.

"I'm out of here. See you." Then he was gone.

"Right."

What could I do to make things better? I needed to talk to Granddad about everything. I needed his advice. I don't need advices from Mom or Lynetta...

I need Granddad's.