Chapter 6: The Battle of the Picnics

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Bryce's POV:

The answer to Juli's disinterest in me lied in the intolerable man she'd occasionally stroll past my house with, or sit under my sycamore tree with. My very own tree! That I'd planted!

Of course, the man himself didn't seem so bad, it was just repulsive seeing them spend time together, talking, laughing, I even caught him doing a braid in Juli's hair and putting flowers in it, weirdly intimate. I hated the thought.

I couldn't hide my jealousy.

I hoped maybe this was a facade and she was simply acting this out so extravagantly in front of me to get back at me but it couldn't be. Their relationship seemed very genuine, as if they'd known each other for years.

One particular day, I spotted them sitting on Juli's front yard, sat closely together, reading the same book. I could see their mouths opening at different intervals, seemingly taking turns to read out passages.

The rage this brought me made me accept Shelly's proposal for once. She'd always hinted to go on outings together but I always made excuses.

"A lovely day for a picnic" She said solemnly.

"Very right Shelly, would you like to go picnicking with me?" I offered.

She gasped excitedly. "Bryce I'd love to! Let me get some food gathered quickly" and with that, she rushed into the kitchen.

I trudged up the stairs and dressed, attempting to look nice, admittedly, not for Shelly.

When she went upstairs to ready herself she eventually emerged, looking splendidly perfect, as she always did. She was wearing matching pearl earrings to her pearl necklace, sitting atop the neckline of her yellow dress.

"You look amazing Shelly" I said truthfully.

She beamed, and then her expression turned suddenly frantic and she picked up her skirts revealing her small white heels and ran down the stairs. "My pie! Oh dear my pie!"

After a few moments, she came out of the kitchen clutching a basket, and I, a blanket.

"Where are you both off to?" My father said smiling, coming down the stairs.

"Bryce is taking me on a picnic sir!" She beamed intensely.

"Ah, lovely. Perfect day for a picnic" He said, admiring the weather. "Well, you two have fun, don't get into too much trouble now" He winked.

As we closed the door behind us Shelly asked "So, where did you have in mind Bryce?"

"Well..." I said looking at the patch of grass that was our front lawn. "Right here actually."

"Oh." She said glumly, but perked up instantly. "Home is where the heart is I suppose!"

I very nearly said that this is not your home at all. But I didn't, and instead laid out the blanket neatly. She sat facing the house and I sat opposite, we both helped unpack everything.

"Isn't this lovely." She said smiling.

I admit, I should've been serenely content with what I had, but I couldn't help but glance scornfully at Juli and her partner.

When she pulled out the pie she said disappointedly "I'm afraid I may have burnt it a tad."

"That's okay Shelly, I'm sure it'll taste good all the same" I said smiling.

It did not taste good. At all. The crust was burnt making it very unenjoyable, and it was so jam packed with apples it made eating it very inconvenient and messy, spilling apple pie guts everywhere. In her haste, it also seemed Shelly forgot to add any spices at all- not even sugar! I craved just a bite of cinnamon, but it never came.

I watched, tackling my way through it reluctantly, as Juli got up, went into her house and emerged with containers of food and a bag of chips. Leftovers I presumed. But when she opened them up there were delicate little tarts and sandwiches. I knew Juli Baker. This was definitely out of spite.

"Oh it's horrible isn't it" She said defeated, close to tears.

"It's okay Shelly! We still have perfectly fine fruits to eat." I leaned over and hugged her, letting her sniffle onto my shirt. As I did this, I shot a look at Juli, and there she was, staring straight back at me, through gritted teeth.

Shelly pulled away, wiping her eyes. "Thank you Bryce, your endlessly kind to me. I'm feeling quite parched where's- oh no I've forgotten the lemonade!" She wailed

"Good thing we're just by the house eh?" I said.

She smiled, gasping excitedly. "Of course! This was very smart of you Bryce. Imagine we trekked all the way to the park just to eat some burnt pie and bruised fruit- with no lemonade!"

She happily got up and walked into the house.

The man was reading out loud as Juli's eyes narrowed in my direction. We kept this gaze until he paused expectantly, and nudged Juli, indicating it was her turn to read. She jumped and presumed her passage.

At the same time I looked as Shelly came out. "Lemonade!" She squealed excitedly. But then she stopped.

"Well I never." She said. "Is that Juli Baker- with a sweetheart! Oh I must say hello!"

She placed the lemonade down, taking my hand and hauling me up before I knew what was happening.

"Shelly!" I whispered in agony. "What on earth are you doing?"

"Goodness, I'm just being neighbourly Bryce. Ah look how peaceful they look, quite cute actually. Fancy that, Juli Baker getting herself a sweetheart!" She exclaimed.

"Well we hardly know that they're sweethearts" I said grumpily.

"Oh no, they definitely are." She said unhelpfully.

"Hello? Ah good afternoon! I couldn't help but spot you from our lawn over there. Juli Baker it's so good to see you!" She beamed, emphasising 'our'.

Juli released her tight arm cross to shake hands with Shelly. I stiffened in embarrassment.

"And who might this be?" She turned to the man. I wondered too.

"Shelly, it's me! Eddie Trulock!" He exclaimed

No way was the neat, tall, muscular man in front of me the Eddie Trulock. But I looked at his face and it was truly him. The boy I envied and secretly despised all those years ago, and now that jealousy had come full circle.

Shelly gasped audibly. "You're kidding? Eddie Trulock! You've grown into such a fine young man, ah it's wonderful to see you!"

Eddie stood up and gave her a firm handshake.

Shelly looked down at their picnic and gasped again. "A picnic! Why me and Bryce were having a picnic too!"

She fitted her arm around mine now, smiling crazily.

"That's perfect! Maybe you'd both care to join us? Fuse our picnics together?" Said Eddie.

I openly shook my head. "Ah- there's no need really, thank-"

"What a wonderful idea!" Shelly squealed.

I observed Juli's jaw tighten as she elbowed Eddie. He laughed.

"Great, shall we bring our things over?" He said.

"Yes yes! Do come." Now, Shelly actually took Eddie's arm in a friendly manner, chatting excitedly with him.

I was left squirming awkwardly, hanging back with Juli. I crouched down, reaching my hands out to help pack the foods.

"You need help with that?" I said as we both reached for the same container at the same time, our fingers brushing against each other and then landing on the same spot. We pulled away instantly, embarrassed.

"No I've got it all." She said finally, picking up everything in her arms, speeding off to catch up. I put my hands in my pocket, trailing after them, watching Juli's motions in her overalls as she set everything down.

I sighed wistfully. This had not gone to plan.

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