Page 1 of Barefoot Dreams
Prologue
Julie – Age 8
Dear Diary,
Today something very big happened. At recess, Owen was being a bully like always. He was chasing me, calling me those names he made up for me. Then his friends started running after me too and I was running so fast, I tripped and fell on myknees, scraping them raw. Owen was laughing, saying that I’m red everywhere now and I started crying even harder.
Everyone was laughing at me. They always do but then Griffin came out of his class and saw Owen being mean to me and he punched him!
HE REALLY DID!!! And he said Owen can’t touch me anymore. Like, ever! Or he will punch him again!
Griffin has never done that before. He, Luke, and my brother, Callum, never play with me. They say I’m too small and don’t care about me, but today Griffin cared! He took me to see the nurse and he even gave me his favorite Pokémon card afterward because I was still crying.
I think he’s my hero! Like the one I saw on TV when we watched that movie with Mom and Dad. The hero saved that pretty girl and then they got married like mommy and daddy are. I am not that pretty but Griffin saved me.
Does that mean we are going to get married too?
I guess that’s okay. But do we have to get married now or after school? I don’t think Callum will like that. He always says Griffin is his friend, not mine.
Why are all the boys so mean? Well, Griffin is not mean.
Yeah, I think I will marry him!
XOV,
Julie Birdy Lovinski
Julie – Age 8
Dear Diary,
I think you should know that last night I asked my mom about getting married to Griffin. But maybe I should’ve done it after the dinner because when Cal heard it, he made a weirdface like he was throwing up, then he laughed and sing-songed that I have a crush on Griffin. I think he was making fun of me.
Mom smiled and I think that means she liked that idea, but she said I’m too little and I need to grow up first.
Callum said Griffin would never marry me because I have too many cooties. I DON’T! Why does everyone say that???
And Cal doesn’t know anything. I will marry Griffin because he’s my hero!
XOV,
Julie Birdy Lovinski
Julie – Age 9
Dear Diary,
Why are people so mean? I really don’t understand it.
I haven’t done anything bad to any of my classmates and I thought things would change this year. I thought they would forget Owen’s nicknames and taunts, but 4thgrade started no different.
Maxine tripped me when I got to class, making me stumble and as usual my pale cheeks turned very bright red, and everyone roared in laughter. Later, Owen stole my lunchbox, took all the pretty heart-shaped sandwiches I had made and filled it with grass and a note that said: Food for cows like you.
He also added a new nickname for me today. A red nerd. Why is it so bad that I get good grades and can read and write really good?
What have I ever done to him?
I wish Griffin was there to see it. Maybe he’d punch him again?
