1. First Encounter: Juli Baker sees Bryce Loski for the first time and is instantly smitten. She finds him attractive, charming, and fascinating. This sets the stage for her one-sided crush.
2. The Tree: Bryce's family moves into the neighborhood, and Juli's family plants a sycamore tree near their property line. The tree becomes a symbol of Juli's affection for Bryce, and she watches him from its branches.
3. Bryce's Disdain: Bryce finds Juli's intense feelings awkward and embarrassing. He views her as weird and tries to avoid her. He even actively tries to discourage her, leading to their first big conflict.
4. The Egg Incident: Juli's father accidentally spills eggs all over Bryce while he's walking home from school. This event makes Bryce angry, but Juli sees it as a chance to show him kindness and help him clean up.
5. The Kiss: After being challenged by his friend, Garrett, Bryce finally kisses Juli. However, the kiss feels more like a duty than a genuine gesture. It's a turning point for Juli, making her realize that Bryce doesn't truly understand or appreciate her.
6. The Letter: Bryce's family decides to move again. Juli writes a letter to Bryce, revealing her true feelings for him and expressing her hurt and disappointment.
7. Bryce's Realization: Bryce finally reads the letter and realizes the depth of Juli's emotions and his own misjudgment of her. He starts to see her in a new light, appreciating her kindness, courage, and intelligence.
8. The Change in Perspective: Bryce begins to see the world through Juli's eyes, particularly the beauty of the sycamore tree that he once found mundane. This shift in perspective leads him to a genuine appreciation of Juli, and a deeper understanding of himself.
These eight events represent the central conflict of "Flipped," highlighting the journey of both Bryce and Juli as they learn about themselves, each other, and the nature of love, respect, and true connection.