Skip to content

Then I saw Juli. She was two tables away from me, facing…

“Then I saw Juli. She was two tables away from me, facing my direction. Only she wasn't looking at me. She was looking at Jon, her eyes all sparkly and laughing. My heart lurched. What was she laughing about? What were they talking about? How could she sit there and look so... beautiful? I felt…” quote by Wendelin Van Draanen
Download Open image
“Then I saw Juli. She was two tables away from me, facing my direction. Only she wasn't looking at me. She was looking at Jon, her eyes all sparkly and laughing. My heart lurched. What was she laughing about? What were they talking about? How could she sit there and look so... beautiful? I felt myself spinning out of control. It was weird. Like I couldn't even steer my own body. I'd always thought Jon was pretty cool, but right then I wanted to go over and throw him across the room.”

Wendelin Van Draanen

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The narrator experiences intense jealousy and loss of control when seeing a crush with someone else, highlighting emotional turbulence of adolescent attraction.

In simple terms: Jealousy makes me feel out of control.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and manage jealousy.

Themes

jealousy unrequited love adolescent emotions

Mood

anxious conflicted

Type

narrative emotional

When to use this quote

  • high school crush
  • friend group dynamics
  • self‑esteem challenges

Key Concepts

emotional volatility social comparison

Questions to Reflect On

  • What triggers my jealousy?
  • How can I regain emotional balance?
A Different Perspective

Jealousy can cloud judgment and lead to aggression.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Wendelin Van Draanen

Explore all 131 Wendelin Van Draanen quotes

More Beautiful quotes

Browse all 17,976 Beautiful quotes