How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
Later, as I was brushing my teeth, I considered bribing Juli. Getting her on board so that nobody brought up the subject of eggs. Or maybe I could sabotage the dinner somehow. Make it not happen. Yeah, I could—I stopped myself and looked in the mirror. What kind of wimp was I, anyway? I spit and headed back to find my mom. (9.39)
Not long ago, Bryce finally got up the guts to apologize to Juli about the eggs and the yard—but then the second the Loski-Baker joint family dinner comes up, he wants to try to weasel his way out. Not cool, Bryce. But here's what saves Bryce in our book: he doesn't go through with his sabotage. Instead he takes a good hard look at himself and decides to have a little more courage.
Quote #8
"Juli, you don't understand. I wanted to punch him! Really, I did! But we were in the library…."
"So instead you laughed."
He shrugged and looked miserable and sheepish. "Yeah."
I left him. Just walked into the living room and left him. If he was making it up, he was quite an actor. If he was telling the truth, then Chet was right—he was a coward. Either way, I didn't want to be anywhere near him. (12.14-17)
There's that word "coward" again—it's been going around a lot. And often in reference to Bryce. Juli thinks Bryce is a coward if he doesn't stand up for how he truly feels. Soon Bryce will realize that being courageous sometimes means going against your friends.
Quote #9
And how am I going to make her listen to me? I'd scale that monster sycamore if I could. Right to the top. And I'd yell her name across the rooftops for the whole world to hear. And since you know what a tree-climbing weenie I am, I think it's pretty clear that I'm willing to do anything to get her to talk to me. Man, I'll dive after her into a chicken coop full of poop if that's what it takes. I'll ride my bike all the stinkin' way to school for the rest of eternity if it means being with her. (13.192)
Bryce has had a serious surge of courage—now that he likes Juli, he's willing to do anything to get her. After seeing Bryce scared so many times, it's cool to see a new side of him: the super courageous side. He's even willing to climb a sycamore tree, which is pretty cool. So Bryce can talk a good game, but do you think he can follow through? Does his courage run deep enough to translate into action? We certainly hope so.