Chapter 6 - Now Or Never

To all my readers, I hope you're still out there. I'm genuinely sorry for having not post for a couple of months I just got way too busy! But here it is, the next chapter! Hope you like it!

Every review is and will be appreciated. Please let me know what you think.

Disclaimer: English is not my first language so I'm really, really sorry for the false grammar I failed to notice.

JULI'S POV

The two weeks passed by like a breeze, but I still didn't get to talk to Bryce, finding time to do so is impossible in my schedule. I got school, tons of assignments, and I still got to spend time with Arthur. No matter how much I want to talk with Bryce, I just couldn't.

It's the day of the prom and we're so busy, I got to get dressed, my make up's a mess and I'm feeling stressed out, thinking if Bryce will be there, if he'll have a date there, what will I feel if see them. I'm afraid.

Mom entered my room as I was busy brushing my hair in front of the mirror. "Hi honey, you ready?" mom said as sat beside me.

"Not yet mom, I don't even know how to do my make up right." I said as I get frustrated with how I look.

"You don't need a ton of makeup honey, you look beautiful enough, you just need a little touch up." she said as she grabbed the brush from me. "Here, let me help you." she added.

For a couple of minutes, I didn't even took a glance at myself, I let mom handle everything, my hair, my makeup, everything. "Julianna, open your eyes. Look." she said as I felt her hands lifted from my face.

"See honey? You look gorgeous! You're already beautiful, we just need a little makeup to bring it out." mom said as I took a look of myself, my eyes widen, being not able to recognize the girl who's standing before me.

I couldn't help but smile at myself, I can't believe that the gorgeous girl in the mirrror is me. "He's one lucky guy." mom said as she caressed my face.

As the sky turned orange, I felt chills at the bottom of my spine. I had mixed feelings for the night, a part of me was really excited, and another part was confused, confused to what will happen tonight, and scared when I see Bryce with someone else.

I was deep in my thoughts when I heard the doorbell rang. As the door creaked open, I heard Arthur's voice. "Julianna! Arthur's hear!" my dad's voice echoed all through the house as he called out to me.

"In a minute!" I shouted back. I looked back at the mirror to look for any imperfections, desperate to look my best. "Don't worry so much honey, you're gonna be fine." mom said as she rubbed my shoulders.

As I came down the stairs, I saw Arthur waiting for me while chatting with my dad by the door. "Juli.. You look.. Wonderful!" Arthur said.

"Thanks." the only word I could say as I felt a blush coming on. "You look good, too." I added.

"Thank you." Arthur replied. "Oh yeah! I got this for you." he said as he pulled out a corsage. "I know you love the color pink so I got you this" Arthur said while tying the corsage to my wrist.

"Thank you. I think we should go." I said as I tugged on his arm.

"Take care of my little princess, young man." dad said as waved us off from door.

"Will do, sir." Arthur said in reply. "Bye dad! Bye mom!" I waved at them as I rode in Arthur's car.

"You really look beautiful, Juli." Arthur said as we drove to the event.

"You've said that already." I said as I was trying to keep myself from smiling.

"I know, I just want to say it again." he said as he smiled at me, his teeth glistening to the head lights of opposing cars.

From then on till we arrived at school, we just listened to the songs played on the radio. It was too awkward to say anything anymore! I might have died right here and there if not for the distraction of public radio!

"We're here, Juli." Arthur said as he parked around the back, "You ready?" he said as he reached out and grabbed my hand.

I just nodded in reply, If I tried to say anything with my mouth, I bet all I would have said is complete and utter gibberish.

BRYCE'S POV

"You're quite decent when you're trying to look good, huh." Lynetta snickered as she leaned against my open door.

"Shut up! Unless you could help me tie my tie, I suggest you go away." I said.

"You look wonderful, Bryce!" mom said as she popped out of nowhere behind Lynetta "You look all grown up now! Seems like it's just yesterday when I was carrying you in my arms."

"Yeah mom, thanks." I replied.

"So, who're you taking to the prom? You're taking the Baker girl, right?" Lynetta said, half-heartedly joking.

"Lynetta!" mom shrieked.

"What?" Lynetta cried, oblivious to the events prior.

"It's fine, mom." I said. "I'm going by myself, I'm just gonna enjoy my time with a couple of friends."

"Oh, alright then. Oh! Before I forgot, here's the key to the car, I thought you might wanna drive it for tonight." mom said as she handed me the keys to the car.

"Thanks, mom."

After trying to style my hair the way I wanted to, I failed misserably by the way, I came down the stairs to see dad and grandpa chatting by the staircase.

"Look at you!" dad exclaimed "As handsome as your old man once!"

"Definitely! A chip of the old block, you know, if the block was me!"grandpa winked.

"Oh! That's where I have to disagree!" my dad said as he widely grinned

"Dad! Grandpa! Please stop!" I yelled. "You really have to argue about everything?"

"Bryce's right dear." my mom said, joining the conversation from the living room.

"Alright, alright. Sorry 'bout that, Chet" dad murmured.

"Its fine, anyway, we both know who Bryce got his looks from." grandpa replied.

"Yeah, Bryce looks like his mother." mom interrupted the pissing contest.

Everyone chuckled lightly, it's nice to see my family having fun like this, as if all the troubles are kept with lock and key, away from everyone's memory.

"Hey guys, I need to go! I'll see you guys later, alright?" I said as I reached for the keys in my pocket.

"Wait. Bryce." grandpa's voice echoed behind me.

"What is it?" I said, standing by the car door.

"Oh, uhh.. I just want to be clear on what you have to do tonight, you know what it is, right?" Grandpa asked, smiling a bit.

"Yeah, grandpa. I know."

"That's my boy, I like the look in your eyes. Full of determination."

"Thanks, I should get going. Bye, grandpa!" I said as I rode the car.

"Good luck" grandpa mouthed as I started to drive away from the house.

"This is it, huh. It's now or never" I said to myself as I was driving down the road. I don't know what I'd do without Juli, ever since I could remember, she's always been there, just watching. All my life, there's always been a Juli Baker. I'm afraid to know what life would be like it she's not in it..

"No! Now's not the time to think of things like that!" I thought. "I got to focus! If I want Juli back, I'd have to do this! For Juli..".

"Hey there, Bryce! Thought you'd never come!" Garett exclaimed. "You really need to see Dana and Sherry, man! They're smoking hot!"

"Yeah.. Maybe later. Tell me, have you seen Juli?" I asked.

"Yeah, she just arrived with Arthur.." Garret aswered, completely puzzled by my question. "Dude! Whatever you're gonna do! Don't do it! He's with Arthur! Don't make a scene here!"

"I don't care. I need to see Juli.." I whispered, but still quite audible to Garret who's a mere meter away.

With that, I was in sea of people, classmates of ours who are dancing, partying as if there's no tomorrow. They don't have anything to think about, not at the moment. They're just here to have fun and enjoy..

What made them be so happy? Maybe because graduation is within arm's reach? No.. That's not it.. Maybe because they're having the time of their life, right here, right now? Maybe, but still missing something..

Maybe because they're having the time of their lives with the people they like or love.. That's it..

What made them deserve such happiness? What made me not deserve it? What?

Idle thoughts filled my head as I was searching for Juli in the crowd. I can't help it.. It won't stop pouring into my head.. Voices.. Many voices trying to pull me down.. Saying I am nothing.. I am not!

I finally found Juli, she's chatting with Dana Tressler, giggling. What are they talking about? I hope its about me.. I really do.

"Juli!" I said loudly, the music is blasting through my ears. I'm not sure she can hear me.

"Oh! Hey Bryce, you look good in your suit." Juli said.

"Yeah, thanks. Juli, I need to talk to you." I said. I tried look into her eyes, but she's just staring at something else.. Don't she want to talk to me?

"I uhh.. I can't, I'm here with Arthur. I don't want him to come and look for me later." she murmured.

"Come on, Juli. I just need to talk to you!" I shouted.

"Let go of her, Bryce!" Dana cried. As I turned to look at my hand, I see it grabbing Juli by the arm.

"Bryce, you're hurting me! Please! Let go!" Juli said, her eye started to water. Is Juli gonna cry? Please don't, I didn't mean to hurt you.. Please don't cry Juli..

I let go of Juli, I still can't believe I hurt her. I see the red mark my hand left on Juli's arm..

"Hey!" a voice echoed from behind as a hand landed on my shoulder. "Bryce! What the hell are you doing?!" Arthur yelled.

"Don't butt in!" I shouted as I swatted his hand away from my shoulder.

Out of nowhere, a punch landed on my face. I was stunned, the power of that punch.. I tried to regain my focus and lunged at Athur and thrown a punch myself right into his face.

He shook it off in a moment's notice and takled me into one of the tables. To both our size and weight, the table was quickly pulverized. He put his weight on my arms so I couldn't punch back, I recieved multiple jabs on my face.

Fuck this.. I mustered all my stregnth to push Arthur off of me and punched back with all my might. He was barely shaken this time.

As we both stood up and gathered both ourselves. I was finally aware of the sorroundings again. Not a word was to be heard from anyone, or anything. Just empty faces, full of shock and terror. It was deafening..

I turned my head towards Juli.. Oh god.. The look on her face.. It was terrible! I can't describe it.. It was a mix of disgust, anger, and pain.. I think. I couldn't bear to see her like this, so I did the only thing I was ever good at.. I ran.. I ran as fast as I can out of the building. I can see all the pairs of eyes gazing right at me as I pass through them.

All I could hear now is their laughter, maniacal laughter. Laughter for what I did.. I can't take it anymore!

I slammed my keys in, and I drove off out of there. It's raining, heavily. As if the heavens feel sorry for me.. No, those tears were for Juli, not for me. The heavens are crying for Juli and her tattered life that is filled with hardships and torture..

I was driving down the road, I could feel my tears flowing, I can't stop it. I just can't. I wipe them off at least but to no avail did they stop falling. I can't believe I let Juli go through that, after promising that I won't hurt her anymore.

I was deep in my thoughts, the seconds seemed to last a lifetime, a lifetime of suffering.. But time still passed. After another second passed. Time stood still, for a split-second, a very bright light flashes..

What's happening.. Please! I just want to be with the girl I love.. I just want to be with Juli.

My last thoughts before being consumed by the light.