Juli
I didn't see Bryce for the rest of the weekend. The way he ran off the other night after noticing his dads car in the driveway was unusual, not even a goodbye. I was worried for him, the way his face was pale and his breathing had fastened, I shouted to him as he darted towards his house, but he was determined to get home. As expected, Dana called the next morning asking me all sorts of questions about my night before. I filled her in on our seemingly perfect date, not mentioning the last part until the very end of the conversation.
"It sounds like it went great Juli, I'm so happy for you two." she had gushed into the phone after I told her about the details.
"Yeah, there was one odd moment at the end though." I said, turning the phone cord through my fingers.
"What do you mean?"
"Well we walked home and he saw his dads car in the driveway and ran off without even saying goodbye, I'm a bit worried that-"
"His dad's home?" I could tell that something was up, Dana who was always so talkative had now gone quiet. Dana made some excuse to hang up, leaving me with all sorts of unanswered questions. I knew Bryce's dad had moved out a few months earlier but I didn't really pry and ask Bryce all about it. My mum had told me that Mr and Mrs Loski were having some problems once but I didn't really think anything about it. It was a marriage and marriages, like anything else, had problems.
I had tried to call Bryce on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. Chet answered both times and told me Bryce wasn't there each time but it sounded like a lie, he also didn't stay and chat with me like he usually would. I thought about going over there instead of calling but his dad was back so I just wanted to give him some time. But something was wrong and I just hoped Bryce was okay.

Monday morning I lay in bed, protected by my blanket, staring up at the ceiling. I leaned over and checked my clock and saw I had to get up for school soon. I was nervous to go to school, I don't know why but I had an off feeling in my gut. I had to see Bryce though; I had to ask what was going on and why he'd been dodging my calls.
My feet hit the cold floor as I dragged myself out of bed, grabbed my hair brush and worked it through my hair. I neatly separated my hair into two sections and plaited both sides, securing the ends with bands. I grabbed a red turtle neck top and jeans and hastily threw them on, slipped on some flat shoes before making my way downstairs.
"Hey honey, you look nice" mum smiled at me from the stove as I sat down at the table grabbing a piece of toast "Trying to impress a certain someone?"
"If by someone you mean Bryce, then no. He hasn't spoken to me since Friday night." I bit into my toast. "I think it's because Mr Loski is back." Mum turned from the stove and made a 'hmm' sound.
"Yeah, I saw Steven yesterday afternoon as I was coming back from the store."
"You and Mrs Loski have become quite the buddies now, do you know why he left in the first place?" I sounded too intrigued, and I was. The notorious dad who left was suddenly back, it was hard not to be.
"I didn't pry dear, but she did mention the two fighting quite a bit and how different they were. It's sad but some people don't stay together forever." she looked down and I couldn't help but think how lucky she and my dad were lucky to have found each other and be madly in love to this day. Some people don't stay together forever, but some do and those are the truly lucky people on this earth.
When it was time to leave, I grabbed some books, pulled on my coat and headed out the door. I had thought maybe Bryce would be waiting by my front gate like he had been for the past week, but he wasn't. I got to the bus stop, expecting Bryce to be there and nothing. Disappointment settled in my stomach as I figured he wasn't coming to school today. When I got to school, I spotted Ben and Dana on the steps near the front entrance.
"Hey guys" I smiled, they smiled back but it didn't reach their eyes "Bryce wasn't on the bus, have either of you talked to him?"
"His dad is back" Ben replied but he didn't answer my question "When Bryce's dad comes back, he checks out for a few days"
"What are you talking about?"
"You haven't talked to Bryce about his dad?" Dana queried
"He told me that he moved out a couple of months ago" my face had taken a quizzical expression as I was guessing there was a bigger story.
"Well his dad moved out the first time about two years after you moved away" Dana started
"The first time?" I asked, she nodded and continued
"He usually leaves and for a few months and everything is fine. But then he comes back. And every time he comes back, Bryce doesn't come to school for some time. The first few times we would call and go over there but he would insist that everything is fine, that he just wanted to catch up with his dad. We bought that the first few times he came back, but after a while Bryce would check out for even longer periods of time. We knew something was up, but every time his dad left again he was back to the old Bryce. So after a while we left it" Dana looked sad like she knew she couldn't do anything to help and even they didn't know the true meaning of his dad returning.
The bell rung out and we made our way separately to our classes, all affected by Bryce's absence. In science, I couldn't help but go over what Dana had said, that Bryce's dad had moved out the first time two years after I had moved away, and then it hit me. When Bryce and I cleared the air about losing contact for two years, he said 'it was just hard because you we're away and things got crazy at home' I didn't even think of it until now and when I did, it made my chest hurt.
At lunch, Dana had brought Lucy Thompson to sit with us. Lucy was in our year and had just moved here with her mother who had moved here for work.
"How do you like Mayfield?" I asked her before biting into an apple.
"It's smaller than where I'm from, but lovely." Lucy smiled sweetly. Lucy had strawberry blonde hair and blue eyes; she was by definition, perfect. And she even had the personality to match.
"Do you know anyone here?" Ben questioned, smiling at her.
"Yes actually, my uncle lives here so were just living with him until we get a house. I've started working after school for him at his store."
"What store?" I asked
"Hal's General Store"
"Oh yeah, my mum shops there all the time. So can you get us discounts?" Dana nudged her playfully, I laughed.
"Dana, she's only been here two weeks. Let her breathe before you start demanding perks for your friendship." I looked at her with fake disgust.
"Yes Lucy, do not be my friend because I'll only want something from you" Dana winked at her "I mean, I'm only friends with Juli because she lets me copy her notes in English, and Ben… Well I don't even know why I'm friends with him" Ben threw a piece of bread at Dana, we all laughed.
"Hey where's your friend?" Lucy asked. We all stopped laughing and looked at each other.
"He's sick." Ben responded quickly, not wanting to let Lucy on all the drama yet.

School went by quickly and before I knew it I was on the bus home. It felt weird riding the bus home alone so I just sat and stared out the window until my stop came up. When I got to my house, I walked into the front room and slumped down into the sofa.
"Rough day at school?" Mum walked over and sat next to me.
"No it was fine, just over worked" I tried to smile at her, I didn't want to let my mum into my problems, even though she did sometimes give the best advice.
"You study too much, honey. Want to come with me into town? I'm going to mail some letters to the boys." I smiled at her. My mum was always writing to Mat and Mark about everything, it wasn't just one letter she sent, it was multiple each month. It was nice really; I know she misses them dearly.

Just after five o'clock and one long line at the post office, we started to head home. As we walked down the lane full of little shops, mum stopped to look at the flower arrangements outside of the florists. As I was waiting for her, I looked up and saw Bryce come out of the general store, holding a bag accompanied by Lucy. They were talking closely and just before he went to walk away, Lucy stepped out and hugged him. It was a nice exchange but something inside me twinged. I couldn't help but wonder what they were talking about and why Bryce hadn't chosen to talk to me. As Bryce walked in the opposite direction to where I was standing, I told mum I'd be back in a second and walked over to the general store.
"Juli!" Lucy smiled as she saw me walk in "Looking for something in particular?"
"Oh not really, just looking" I walked around the stalls near the counter "I just saw you talking to Bryce."
"Yeah, he picked up some medical stuff and we talked a little, he's nice" she smiled to herself and I couldn't help but wonder if there was something behind that smile, some hidden feelings.
"Yeah he is" I smiled to myself " What did you guys talk about?" I was looking at some stuff on the front of the counter trying to be nonchalant.
"Just some family stuff, about his dad mostly. He kind of babbled on for a while, seemed like just needed to get it off his chest." Lucy shrugged slightly.
"Ah okay. Well I have to go, see you at school!" I smiled and walked out quickly. It was nice Bryce had someone to talk too, but I would've thought he'd come to me. It unnerved me as I walked back over to my mother.
"You okay, honey?" she asked as a caught up to her.
"Yeah I'm fine, just tired" I forced a smile as we started walking home.

When we reached our house, we started walking up the drive way when I saw a car pull into the Loski's driveway and Bryce hop out with a bag of groceries.
"Mum I'm going to see Bryce, I'll meet you inside."
"Okay, don't be too long" she smiled and walked inside. I wasn't going to lie I was mad, the not calling, not telling me what's wrong, we were supposed to be friends and he goes to Lucy Thomas to tell his problems too? I walked across the road and stopped at the end of the Loski's driveway.
"Hey Loski" Bryce turned around a little stunned; he walked to meet me at the end of his driveway. He was about to open his mouth to speak but my words started tumbling out.
"What's going on? What is it that you can tell someone you barley know, but you can't tell me?" I didn't mean to sound hurt but I couldn't help it coming out that way. He looked dumbfounded but I didn't wait for an explanation; I just turned on my heel and walked over to my house, not looking back.

That night I went to bed guilty, I didn't mean to snap but it just came out. I wanted to apologise but I didn't think Bryce would take my call, especially now. I heard the house lights turn off and my parents go to bed, I tried to sleep but kept tossing and turning. At around twelve thirty I was staring up at my ceiling when I heard a small knock at my window. Scared, I sat up quickly and turned towards the window and saw two blue eyes staring at me, I threw my blankets off and walked towards the window, kneeled and lifted up the pane. Bryce and I looked at each other, not knowing what to say, before I could begin to apologise Bryce spoke.
"Let's go for a walk."

Sorry I haven't updated in a looong time, stuffs been rough but i'm hoping to get back into writing. I wrote this in just Juli's perspective just to emphasise Bryce's absence. Hope you like it x