Bryce's POV

The weekend went by fairly slow. Bryce didn't see much of Juli. He spent most of the weekend helping his dad move out the rest of his belongings into a nearby apartment he had found to stay in. He wondered if everyone in the neighborhood realized his dad was moving out. The last thing his mom needed was gossip being spread about her marriage falling apart.

By the time it was Monday again, Bryce was anxious to see Juli. All weekend long, he replayed in his mind the single kiss she left on his cheek. It was agony. That one kiss left him hungry and eager for more. He just wanted to hold her in his arms and kiss her. He wanted to kiss her a lot. In theory, he probably had wanted to do that, years ago. Now that he finally had the nerve to admit his feelings for her, the need to hold her and kiss her was multiplied times a thousand. But he couldn't really act on this because technically, they were still "friends". Damn. Just friends? I don't think I can take being just friends with her much longer. I want Juli to be more than that. But what if she doesn't want the same thing?

Suddenly, he heard a whisper in his ear. "Bryce, can we talk?"

It was Sherry, but still, no sign of Juli. He sighed. "Yeah, I guess. What is it, Sherry?"

"Bryce, last Friday at the party was just one of our silly arguments, right? Everything is back to normal?"

Shit. She thinks it was just another fight. She thinks things are still the same.

"Baby?" Sherry waited in anticipation for his answer.

"Sherry…" Bryce couldn't say it, he felt bad. He knew it would hurt her feelings to say the words. Instead he shook his head.

"No? What do you mean, NO? Bryce, I've been your girlfriend since… well, pretty much ever since I can remember. I can't believe you. You're unbelievable. How can you just throw all of that away? You are going to forget all those years we had together. And for what? You're going to give it all up for her?" Sherry directed the 'her' right to Juli as she walked into the main hallway at school. "She's nobody Bryce. She's some girl who practically was obsessed with you throughout all of junior high and just so happened to live across the street from you. For all you know she could have been stalking you, she used to smell your hair! She' s nothing like us Bryce. Look, you were right, she is different. But that's why you don't belong with her. Because she is different, it's not going to work. Just look at her, Bryce. She's Juli Baker. Can you honestly look at her and tell me you think that will work?"

Bryce looked down the hallway and watched as everyone seemed to stare right at Juli as Sherry made a scene and said mean things about her. Some people were really quiet and seemed to feel bad, while others snickered and seemed to be cheering on Sherry. The look on Juli's face was heartbreaking. She looked terrified. It must be terrible to arrive at school and have someone publicly humiliating you to the whole school. Bryce felt like everyone in the hallway was waiting for his answer, including Juli and Sherry. He hated that feeling…the feeling of pressure. It was a feeling he knew all too well being one of the popular people at school. You were constantly being pressured to maintain your popularity.

Then, Bryce saw Juli push her way towards the door of the main entrance and run out the door. He didn't blame her. Why didn't he speak up sooner? Waiting for him to answer Sherry must have been torture for her. Damn it. I'm so stupid. He looked at Sherry, still waiting for a response. "Sherry, look. I told you last Friday, and I am telling you again. It's OVER." He tried to say it as loud as possible. "Everyone else heard it, maybe you'll finally understand. Yes, Juli is different, SO WHAT? That is what I love that about her. And the funny thing is, I've probably wanted to be close to her just as long as she wanted to be close to me… since junior high. Please, Sherry. Try to understand. If you care about me as much as you say, then you'd want me to happy, right?" Sherry nodded. "Well, making Juli happy will make me happy. It's that simple. For once, can you please stay out of the way?" With that, Bryce walked towards the main entrance, hoping to find Juli outside. She was nowhere in sight. He had an idea of where to find her though.

Juli's POV

After the horrible morning at school, Juli could only think of one place to go: the sycamore tree.

Why was Sherry so mean to me? She completely called me out in front of all our classmates. I was so embarrassed… I didn't even stay and hear Bryce's answer. He didn't agree with Sherry, but he didn't exactly take my hand in front of everyone and declare undying love for me either. Love for me? What am I even saying? The events of the previous week convinced her that Bryce Loski had to feel something for her, but now she wasn't so sure. They hadn't spoken all weekend. Maybe Bryce decided it was all a mistake and had gone back to his old ways. He had looked so busy moving things with his dad outside. Maybe the Loski's were getting new furniture or something. Or maybe it was an excuse to avoid seeing or talking to me. Juli didn't know what to think, she was so confused.

"Juli?" Bryce said softly as he climbed up to the tree to sit with her.

"Bryce, why are you here? You're supposed to be in school."

"I think you mean we're supposed to be in school," Bryce attempted to say somewhat playfully.

Is he really trying to joke right now? It's a horrible time to try that tactic. Juli looked at him, seriously and firmly, waiting to know why he had gone to find her up in the tree.

"Ok, ok. I'm sorry. I couldn't take it knowing that you left before your heard me answer Sherry. I told her it's over, Juli. I told her that you are everything I want and that she needed to stand out of the way of that. I made it very clear that I want to be with you. And everything she said… that was terrible. She should have never humiliated you like that. You don't deserve it at all, and all I can think to do is apologize for her behavior. I really am sorry, Juli."

"It's not your fault. Sherry Stalls was just being Sherry Stalls," Juli shrugged, trying to act tough.

"No, Juli. It was completely uncalled for and I feel terrible she did that."

Juli hesitated, but she had to ask him."Bryce, did you mean what you just said… about wanting to be with me?"

"Yes, Juli." He paused for a second, he seemed to be hesitating a little himself. "Juli, I…I can't stop thinking about you." Bryce gently grabbed her hand. "All weekend, you've been on my mind. I just saw you Saturday morning and this morning I was going crazy because I hadn't seen you the rest of the weekend. I was so excited to finally see you again."

"Oh… really?" Juli was a little surprised by the information.

Bryce ran two fingers lightly down her cheek, staring directly into her eyes… those dazzling eyes of his. "Really." It made her get butterflies in her stomach. "Look Juli, I know I made mistakes and I'm working on making that up to you. I really am. And I can't promise that I won't ever make one again. I'm not perfect. But if you could give me a chance to…" He seemed extremely nervous at this point. "If you would give me the chance to try to make you happy and be your boyfriend…" He seemed to be waiting anxiously for a response.

Juli let what he said process for a moment. Did Bryce Loski just ask me to be his girlfriend? I'm pretty sure he did. I've probably dreamt this would happen multiple times, since I was like five. And now it finally is. It was a bit surreal to Juli. She was somewhat stunned, but also wanted to throw her arms around him and scream 'yes' in response to his question.

"Juli? Now would be the time to say something," Bryce asked nervously.

"Oh! Right! Sorry, Bryce. Umm… yes, I think I'd like that. Yes! Yes is my answer," she grinned from ear to ear.

Bryce got close enough to where his face was inches away from Juli's. Her heart was racing at a thousand miles per hour. She could feel his breath lightly on her face. He leaned in and gently pressed his lips against her lips. Juli let herself surrender completely to the kiss. He ran his fingers softly through her hair as the kiss deepened. It had been years that they had waited for this. All that was being let out in this kiss, this wonderful and passionate kiss.

But alas, the moment could not last forever. The kiss was broken by a voice yelling down below. "Julianna! What are you doing up there? They called from school and told me you weren't in class. What is going on? Is that Bryce Loski in the tree with you?" It was Juli's dad.

"Great, I haven't seen your dad in years and the first impression he gets of me as your new boyfriend is you and I cutting school together. That's just perfect." Bryce seemed worried about climbing down.

Juli smiled and gave him one last peck on the cheek. "It's ok, Bryce. We'll talk to him. He's always thought you were great, I promise. But we have to climb down and talk to him, ok?"

Bryce sighed. "Ok, let's go."

As they climbed down, Juli could not help but smile from ear to ear. She was Bryce's girlfriend. The one thing she had wished for since she was a little girl finally came true. Funny how life grants you wishes you ask for when you least expect them. Hopefully her parents would take the news well and be happy about it. She wondered what people at school would say. Hopefully Sherry would finally leave her alone. She couldn't wait to tell Dana! There were so many thoughts running through her head, but she was sure of one thing: how incredibly happy she was. Life was good.

A/N: This was kind of a short chapter, but I was trying to update soon! Hope you liked it. Since I've never written a fanfic before, I guess I'm wondering how you know when a story is meant to be over. I guess I will just have to keep writing and wait and see! lol