Bryce's POV

Monday morning. Bryce's least favorite day. It meant an entire week of tests, boring teachers, and hours of homework were to follow. This Monday would be different though. Bryce had asked Juli to be friends again and she had accepted. Only, this time would be his last chance. There was no room to screw up this time.

When Bryce got to school, he headed to his locker to get a few books for class that morning. No sign of Juli yet. He would make it a point to actually speak to her today at school.

"Hey loser," Garret joked as he walked up to his locker, located conveniently next to Bryce's.

"Good morning to you to Garret." Bryce was not in the mood for Garret's name-calling, even if he was only joking.

"Why so tense? We're going to dominate that football game this Friday, you're dating the hottest girl in school, and you've got THE best friend in the world." Garret grinned.

Bryce laughed a little. His best friend might be kind of a jerk to a lot of people, but to Bryce he was funny and cool, in his own way.

"Garret, we need to talk. I know you're not going to like this... but it's happening. Look, yesterday I talked to Juli Baker, and I asked her if..." but Bryce could not finish.

"WHAT? Juli Baker? This can't be good, man. I thought we agreed she was out of your system like four years ago. Now you're into her again?"

"Would you just listen to me? It's not even me, it's my grandpa. He asked me to fix things up with her, ok? I am doing it for him. That is all." Bryce knew part of this was a lie. Even if his grandpa had asked him to do this, Bryce wanted Juli back in his life. But he would not tell Garret that, at least not anytime soon.

Garret tried to calm down. He had never been a fan of Juli Baker. "Well, I guess if it's for your grandpa. But don't expect for her to sit with us at lunch or anything. Strictly friends… more like acquaintances?" Bryce could see Garret was trying to negotiate as little involvement with Juli Baker as possible.

"NO Garret, friends," Bryce said firmly.

"Who's your new friend, Bryce baby?" Bryce saw Sherry Stalls walking towards him. He had dated her on and off for most of junior high and all through high school, the hottest girl in school. Sure, she was a good kisser. But there was nothing really interesting about her. There was no substance.

"What? Oh hi, babe," Bryce said nervously. But he had to stand up to everyone about being friends again with Juli, even to his girlfriend. "We were talking about Juli. Juli Baker."

Sherry did not look happy either. Great how many more people do I need to upset because I am friends again with Juli?

"Oh, Juli," Sherry faked a smile. "Well sure, she's smart I guess. Maybe she can tutor you or do your homework for you Bryce," she joked and Garret of course went along with it, laughing like it was the funniest thing in the world. This was for two reasons; one: he disliked Juli Baker and two: he was secretly still in love with Sherry Stalls, even if he said he wasn't.

Bryce felt so angry. How could they laugh at Juli? Like she was not a human being or something. He had to stand up for her. "Can you both just stop? I meant what I said. Juli Baker is my friend now. She doesn't have to be your friend, but you have to at least be nice to her. Ok? Please for me."

Garret and Sherry could see Bryce was not kidding. They nodded, reluctantly, in agreement.

"Good. I am bringing Juli to your party on Friday night after the football game, ok Sherry?" Good I have a plan… sort of.

With that Bryce headed towards his first class. Hopefully he would run into Juli so he could invite her to the party.

Juli's POV

The sound of Juli's alarm clock managed to startle Juli awake for school Monday morning. She had not managed to sleep very well the night before. After her conversation with Bryce, she couldn't sleep! Unfortunately, Bryce Loski had that affect on her. She scrambled through her wardrobe, trying to find something nice to wear. Nothing seemed good enough. Who am I trying to impress? I am never this picky about what I wear to school. What is going on? Get ahold of yourself, Baker.

She definitely was not trying to impress her boyfriend. Yes, Juli had a boyfriend. In fact, she was currently dating Eddie Trulock. He was the smartest guy in school, she was the smartest girl. It was the most logical thing to do, right? Their relationship was awkward, they had not kissed and Eddie's hands were always really sweaty whenever he held her hand. They sort of just dated to fit in with everyone else who had a boyfriend or girlfriend. Really it was nothing serious at all.

Nobody knew this, but Bryce Loski was actually Juli's first kiss. Back in junior high, after planting the sycamore tree, that same night Bryce had planned a picnic and a night of star-gazing. While lying on a blanket in the grass, staring up at the night sky filled with stars, it happened. They turned and met each other's gaze, intent on one another as if they were the only two people who existed in the world. And then Bryce's soft lips met hers. Bliss. It was the perfect first kiss.

Juli had kissed a few boys since then, but none ever seemed to live up to that first kiss. By now she had convinced herself that it had nothing to do with Bryce. It was just that magic of the first kiss that was difficult to top. That was all.

Finally she decided on an outfit and made her way to school. The first person she ran into was her dear friend, Dana.

"Juli! Where have you been? Cute dress, what are you all dressed up for?" Dana asked smiling at her friend.

Juli blushed a little bit. Was it that obvious that she had paid extra attention to what she wore today? "It's not even time for class yet," Juli smiled. "What is it?"

"Well, a little birdy told me that Bryce Loski is asking you to Sherry Stalls' party this Friday."

"What? Well, I mean, I wouldn't want to go. It's Sherry. Sherry Stalls."

"Juli, maybe by asking you to go, he means he wants you to go with him. Like, as in be his date." Dana grinned.

"No, Dana. Bryce is dating Sherry. He likes her. The only reason he is asking is because his grandpa asked us to be friends and Bryce probably thinks this is a way of showing we are friends now. It's no big deal. Besides, I don't even like parties."

Dana started waving her arms and motioning to Juli like she needed to stop talking.

"What Dana?" Then, Juli felt a tap on her shoulder. Of course it's Bryce. I hope he didn't hear all of that.

"Hi Dana. Hi Juli." He seemed kind of nervous. "Well, I was hoping to surprise you with an invitation to the party on Friday, but from the little bit I overheard, I guess you already knew I was going to ask." Juli could not help but giggle a little as Dana was entirely responsible for blabbing and she was standing right there. Her friend did that a lot, but it was all out of good intention. "So, Juli… would you like to come with me to the party? Dana, you're invited too if want to come."

"Well I know I would love to come. And Juli… come on Juli, say yes! Just once. Go to a party. Do it for me," Dana pleaded.

"And me?" Bryce asked with the most charming smile Juli had ever seen in her life.

"Ok! Ok! I'll go." She gave in. She was going. But Bryce had asked her to go with him. But he hadn't been specific enough. Did that mean I'll see you Friday and we'll go as friends? Or did it mean I am picking you up, and taking you as my date? What mess did I just get myself into?