Flipped

by Wendelin Van Draanen

I was “the man,” the envy of every other guy in school. Buddy, I was miserable.

My heart lurched. What was she laughing about? What were they talking about? How could she sit there and look so… beautiful?

I just wanted to be with her. To talk to her. To hold her hand again. To kiss her.

“Dude, you have flipped,

I liked her.

And every time I saw her, she seemed more beautiful. She just seemed to glow.

I had flipped. Completely.

“She’s the same as she’s always been; you’re the one who’s changed.”

“And, son, from here on out, you’ll never be the same again.”

How do I show her that I’m not the guy she thinks I am? How do I erase everything I’ve done and start over?

Bryce looked so adorable holding a picnic basket with red-and-white-checked napkins peeking out from either side,