Bryce's POV: After the Attempted Kiss At the Basket Boys Lunch
Author's note: This chapter is literally moments after Bryce tried kissing Juli at the basket boys lunch and basically this chapter extends it a bit and explains what went through Bryce's mind in this dire situation, this whole chapter is Bryce's POV and explains how he got the idea to plant the sycamore tree. The prologue of juli's side will be out on like the 1st of February 2025, this took me 7 hours to write,compose and check. The prologue part of juli is gonna be when Bryce plants the tree the ending of flipped extended a bit. Anyways the rest of The chapters after the 2 prologue chapters will release in July 2025(5 months from now) as I have exams. Hope you enjoy reading!
"Juli! Juli, can we talk?" I called out desperately as Juli grabbed her bicycle and pedaled home as fast as she could, clearly upset by what I had just attempted. What was I thinking? I tried to kiss her in front of the whole school—it felt like the biggest mistake of my life.
"Great job, Bryce. You just humiliated her and yourself," I scolded myself . The feeling in the pit of my stomach resembled a truck plowing through it time and time again. One thing was certain: my public reputation at school was irrevocably damaged, and Juli was probably never ever going to forgive me ever again, its like I keep trading in my old set of problems with Juli Baker for new ones every week.
Just then, Garrett approached me, I could see the frustration in his eyes.
"What's the matter with you?!" he exclaimed, clearly furious after witnessing what I had just did.
The audacity of him to question me was astounding. Coming from the guy who always hated Juli and relentlessly mocked her for no reason, it was ironic that he would act this way. Garrett was one of the reasons I had landed in this mess and had hurt Juli. I could list countless other horrible things he had done, not only to her but to dozens of people. It surprised me how I had ever considered him my "best friend." His presence in my life had only guided me toward making grave mistakes.
"Leave me alone, Garrett," I replied, my patience wearing thin.
I was not in the mood to argue with or talk to anyone except Juli—especially not him. He had essentially ruined everything, and I wanted nothing to do with him right now.
"You get a date with the hottest girl on campus and you blow it for Juli Baker," Garrett said incredulously.
At that moment, I couldn't care less about going out with Sherry Stalls, the so-called "finest girl on campus." The only person I wanted to be with was Juli. Nothing Garrett or anybody else said would change my mind about Juli.
"You wouldn't understand!" I shouted at him.
"I completely don't understand!" he retorted.
"We're talking about Juli Baker here—the nightmare neighbor, the know-it-all nuisance, the 'coop poop babe.'" he responded.
As those words left his lips, I felt a surge of anger course through my body. I couldn't stand by and let him insult Juli—my Juli—any longer. I couldn't take it anymore. She didn't deserve this, especially after everything I had put her through all these years and the way I had treated her, how everyone treated her badly and she still chooses to be the most pure soul on the planet.
In a flash, the memory of that family dinner with the Bakers came rushing back. Juli had called me a coward for failing to defend her and stand up for what was right. She was right. Right then and there, I knew I had to do what was right in this situation with Garrett. I didn't want to be a coward anymore; I wanted to stand up for Juli—my Juli.
And just like that, something inside me snapped. I pushed Garrett with force.
"Shut up!" I screamed at him, my rage propelling my words.
"Hey, have you flipped? What's the matter with you!" he shouted back.
"If you want to act like this, then I don't need your association," he said dismissively.
"Neither do I!" I yelled as I walked away.
At that moment, I felt as though my entire world had crumbled. I walked home with a basket full of dirty dishes from lunch. I had just humiliated both myself and Juli, she definitely hates me now as if she already didn't. To make matters worse, I ended my friendship with my only friend at school.
Garrett was right—I had completely flipped, and nothing would ever be the same again.
"I'm trying so hard to be better. Why is this so damn difficult? Why is everything so hard?" I mumbled to myself, feeling more defeated and lost than I ever had.
As I continued my walk home, thoughts of Juli consumed me. I knew I had to talk to her. When I reached the Baker's house and noticed Juli's bike lying on the ground, my heart sank; I realized I was the reason for this mess.
I knocked on their door several times, but it remained unanswered, my sense of defeat deepening with each knock. Finally, I decided to go home, understanding that Juli might need time to process everything that had happened these past few weeks—the pain I had caused her.
As I walked through the front door, my mom turned to me with a bright smile. "Hey, Bryce! How was lunch? Who bid on you? What happened?" Her curiosity was almost palpable, too excited about the whole thing.
"I don't want to talk about it, Mom," I replied grumpily.
"Why? Is everything okay? You can tell me, sweetie," she reassured, her hands gently resting on my shoulders.
I hesitated. I really didn't want to share this embarrassing moment with anyone, especially since the entire school had witnessed it. But then I thought, what's the point of keeping it a secret? I once again told my self no more of being a coward. After a moment's hesitation, I took a deep breath and sighed: "I... uh... tried to... kiss Juli in front of the whole school... and she ran away."
Sorrow filled my voice as I fought back tears. For a brief moment, the silence felt overwhelming as I waited for my mom's response.
"Oh..." she said softly, I saw the concern on her face.
"I tried to go to her house, hoping we could talk and sort this out, but no one answered," I added.
"Bryce, you need to understand that she may need time to process what just happened. Give her some space, and then try reaching out again. Julianna is a wonderful young woman, and everything will turn out fine in the end," she replied calmly.
"Mom, can you please not tell Dad about this? He would flip out if he found out," I asked awkwardly.
"Of course, Bryce. We can keep this between us," she promised with a reassuring smile.
I nodded and went to the living room, torn between the urge to call the Bakers and my mom's advice to give Juli some time. Ultimately an hour of temptation got the better of me, and I dialed the Baker's number. Mrs. Baker answered, saying that Juli didn't want to talk right now. I accepted this—it was clear she needed more time, and even if she is ready I doubt she'll forgive me. But I have no other choice.
That night, as I lay in bed, thoughts of Juli spiraled through my mind for hours. I regretted how I had treated her all these years. I regretted making excuses instead of hanging out with her, treating her coldly and cruelly. I regretted throwing away her eggs and commenting on her messy yard. I regretted not climbing the sycamore tree when she called for me, laughing instead about her uncle. I had embarrassed her in front of the whole school and now felt the heavy weight of all my missed opportunities. Juli had always been kind to me, seeing a good side in me I hardly recognized. She treated me better than anyone ever had—even better than any of my supposed "friends".
Eventually, I fell asleep, only to wake groggily the next morning. It was Saturday, a relief from school. As I wandered downstairs, the aroma of breakfast greeted me.
"Bryce, come on! I made eggs and bacon!" my mom called out.
I joined my family at the table, diving into the food, especially hungry after the emotional toll of yesterday.
"Well, well, look who finally showed up! How'd you sleep, mom's little playboy? How was your basket boy lunch, who bid on you...was it you know who Brycie?" Lynetta teased playfully.
"Yeah, Bryce, I forgot to ask—how was your date?" my dad asked, curiously chewing on his eggs.
"It was... fine, I guess," I replied, feeling my nerves flutter.
"That Baker girl didn't bid on you, did she? You should stay away from her—her whole family is a bunch of weirdos and creeps,"my dad remarked dismissively.
My mom was about to argue back but she knew it would cause a whole argument like last time so she just rolled her eyes instead.
How could he say that about Juli and her family? I wanted to defend her, to tell him how amazing she truly is,to shout that he didn't know anything about them, but arguing with my dad felt pointless and was like asking for a death wish.
"I never went near her," I lied.
"Well Good, remember Bryce stay away from her at all costs." Dad responded. I felt anger surge but I had to control myself and not cause a scene. It was certain that nothing my dad said about Juli was true and he doesn't know her.
The table fell quiet again as we finished breakfast in silence. I excused myself, retreating to my room. I glanced across the street at the Baker's home, I should go knock again and see if Juli was ready to talk. Gathering my courage, I stepped outside and knocked. Mrs. Baker answered with a gentle smile.
"Hey, can I talk to Juli?" I asked hopefully.
"Sorry, Bryce, but she's locked herself in her room and hasn't talked to anyone, maybe try later" Mrs. Baker replied and you can clearly notice the sorrow in her voice. I was lucky that Mrs. Baker wasn't angry at me as I was the reason her daughter isn't talking to anyone.
Maybe try again later, okay?" Mrs. Baker replied with a hint of sympathy in her voice.
The weight of disappointment heavy on my shoulders. I thought Perhaps Juli and I were just not meant to be. I understood why she would pull away; if she tried to kiss me in front of the whole school, when I despised her, I would have run away too. My mind spiraled with thoughts of all the ways I had hurt her—how I had been the reason behind so many of her tears. All she ever wanted was to be friends, and yet I had pushed her away time and time again, choosing to be cold instead.
Hours slipped by, and my heart grew heavier with regret for every moment I had squandered. I wished I could turn back time and change my choices. It was nearly 9:30 PM when dinner was over, but instead of feeling satisfied, I felt only emptiness. I retired back to my room, my gaze drawn to the newspaper article featuring Juli.
Just then, there was a knock on my door, and it was Grandpa Duncan, his familiar warmth evident.
"Want to take a walk with me, Bryce?" he asked, his eyes twinkling with understanding. I always found solace in our evening walks, so I nodded, grateful for the distraction.
As we strolled, we talked about everything and nothing, and I listened attentively to his stories about the past, about how he had once thought Grandma was simply annoying before high school, and he wanted nothing to do with Grandma Rennee. It felt oddly familiar, a reflection of my own situation with Juli.
"How's Juli Baker?" Grandpa asked with a smile, his curiosity genuine. "I haven't talked to her since the family dinner."
I hesitated, the weight of my feelings pressing down on me. I didn't want to tell him but I knew that not telling anyone would hurt me even more and this saga would never end so I said :
Honestly, Grandpa, things are worse than ever. I tried kissing her at school, and she ran away. I feel so dumb. I don't know what to do," I confessed, my voice trembling.
Grandpa Duncan placed a comforting hand on my back. "Bryce, Bryce, slow down. Take a breath."
"How can I slow down after everything I've done? I've treated her like garbage all these years, and now she won't even talk to me," I said, as tears began to spill.
He turned to me, wiping away a tear with his thumb. "Sometimes, all it takes is twenty seconds of insane courage, and I promise something great will come from it."
His words struck a chord within me, and for the first time in what felt like ages, I felt hope for my future with Juli.
"You have to be honest, son. You need to show Juli the real you and admit how much she means to you. It's going to be scary, yes, but those moments of vulnerability can create something truly beautiful. Your heart knows exactly what I mean and it knows what you have to do. Go to Julianna with all your heart and show her how you really feel and how much she means for you. Julianna is an amazing young woman and she will accept you for who you really are" he encouraged.
In that moment, I felt a weight lift from my heart, the knot in my stomach easing as his words sank in. I felt like I had awoken and knew what to do.
"Thank you, Grandpa," I said, gratitude flooding through me. I stepped in and gave him a firm hug.
Juli was right, I was very lucky to have such a wise and caring Grandpa...this man always seems to have excellent advice to give to me.
We walked home in comfortable silence, a newfound peace settled in my heart. As I reached my room, my mind raced, now filled with determination. I thought of what I could do to show Juli how I felt, two minutes later something come to my mind and suddenly I knew exactly what to do, lets just say it has something to do with a tree. As I walked towards my bed I thought to myself why I liked Juli, well let me tell you my friend it's about her bright personality, how she sees everything in a positive light and is kind to everybody. Plus she is easily the most beautiful girl I have seen.