Julia's POV

Hey, Summers coming around soon" I hear Denny shout out as he struts through our house making his way to the kitchen.

"Yeah, can't wait. We've had way too much rain" I reply.

"No kidding, so what's cooking?" He casually asks my Mother. Denny and I have been attached by the hip since we were seven. He's always over. Sometimes I feel like he lives with us. My Mom says he's like the son she never had.

"Well, I'm trying out a new recipe Pierre shared with me. It's some kind of sir fry, takes patience to perfect"

"Mmm sir fry," Denny's always seems to be over when he's hungry. He can cook, though he's very lazy.

"Knock Knock, it's Chelsea I'm coming in!" Hollers Chels another close friend. My closest friends are Natalie, Chelsea and Denny.

"Hey Jules, Miss Mable, Denny. How's everyone?" Oh Chels, she's always so cheerful after she's finished all her work on her ranch.

"Oh Chelsea dear, call me Mirabelle, how many times have I reminded you" My Mom replies just as cheery.

"Hah alrighty Mirabelle" Chelsea giggles, she's very bubbly. But I love that about her. She could make any bad day better.

Denny returns her with a smile. He doesn't seem to be as talk-a-tive when she's around. I'm guessing he feels like his spotlight gets taken away, I just don't know.

"Chels, take a seat. How's Lyre?" I worry alot about Lyre, her new calf which almost died when its mother was giving birth.

"She's doing well, I think the medicine is doing her good" A serious expression wipes away her cheerful one. She loves her animals more than anything. She's an amazing rancher, always putting her work first. She wins every crop and animal festival. All her animal products and crops are high quality. She moved here when she was 14 with her mother Valerie or as I call her Ms. Kenneth. They used to run the ranch together. But her mother passed away when she was sixteen. Ever since shes been more optimist about life. She's always saying live everyday like your last. That's what her mom used to tell us. I don't know much about her dad. She said he's still alive, but she never got to meet him. My Moms makes sure she's always healthy and not working too much. She treats her like she's apart of the family, and I know she appreciates that.

"That's great. If you need any help let me know honey" My Mothers face brightens. Were animal lovers. My Mom and I. We run an animal shop that's attached to our house. We have a backdoor in our kitchen leading to our barnyard with all our animals we take care of until Chelsea either buys them or other towns order them. I feel a little upset whenever an animal leaves. I get attached to them quite quickly. My Mom has let me keep a few. I have one cow named Moonie and a little chick named Aphrodite.

"Thanks Mirabelle. Honestly I'm worried but ecstatic when I see she doing a little better" Chelseas eyes fill with tears. She gets really emotional sometimes. I wrap my arms around her giving her a warm hug.

"Chelsea it's going to be alright, calm down. She's getting better right? You should be overjoyed" I try to comfort her. I know death is something she's afraid of. She would be absolutely heartbroken if Lyre doesn't survive. Since her Moms passed, she's always very paranoid about her animals health. My mom comes to join our hug comforting Chelsea as well.

Denny doesn't seem to want to be part of our group hug. He's just lying on my bed fidgeting with a little feather.

"Thanks guys," Chels forces a smile on her face, as she wipes her tears.

"Chelsea, everything will be fine. Suppers almost ready!" My Mom announces.

"Yes, I am starving! Anybody else?" Denny shouts, using his outside voice. It seems with Chelsea so serious Denny has got his spotlight back.

"I'm not really hungry, sorry. I'm going to head back, thank you though. Julia, you me and Natalie tomorrow right?"

"Yah, totally. See ya!"

"Bye Chelsea dear!" My mom puts a hand on her shoulder passing her a container.

"You'll be hungry if you don't"

"Thanks Mirabelle, bye guys!"

After supper I walk Denny to his house.

"So, hanging out with the girls tomorrow?" he asks.

"Yep, why?"

"I'm guessing you forgot, we were going to go fishing.." He sighs, looking at his feet as he walks.

"Oh, Denny I'm sorry!" I cannot help to feel guilty.

"It's okay I suppose, what are you guys doing anyway?"

"Oh just a sleepover, we could go fishing in the morning" I suggest.

"Yay I suppose. But we need to go when it's dark out, so we can see the moon. It won't be the same," He still looks upset. What's his problem?

"Why at night, what's so great about us seeing the moon?"

"Um," Dennys face turns red "I just like it that way. Um, the fish are better at night. How about we go the next night?"

"Can't, I'm babysitting Eliza" I reply. Man Denny and I trying to schedule a time to hang out. What is happening?

"Awe, the next night?"

"Actually I'm free!" Thank goodness, Denny looked so disappointed.

"Great! Sounds like a date Julia"

"A—a what?"

"Um never mind," Denny's face turns a light crimson. "See ya then Jules!"

"Okay, later!" I say avoiding eye contact as I power walk back home.

"Julia!" I hear a squeaky voice shout behind me.

I turn around to see Lanna in her pajamas already, trying to catch up with me. Lanna and I are good friends, were not too close but we hang out quite a bit.

"Hey Lanna, getting ready for bed?" I joke.

"Hah, what? I just wanted to ask you what you thought of my new dress. I made it for Will and Lilys wedding!"

"What? Their getting m—married?!"

"Yay, I mean Lily's my best friend so I've been told first. She hasn't told everyone yet. What do you think?"

"Umm, very creative. I've got to go sorry"

Will and Lily are getting married? Wow, Natalie is going to be very very upset! Shes had the biggest crush on him since we were kids. I was positive he was going to break up with Lily and ask Natalie out. That truly sucks, theirs not many guys on our island. First off there's Pierre a queer gourmet with the face of a child, second is Elliot who's quiet but pretty cute, third is Will a charming prince with platinum blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes. But he's for sure taken, fourth is Denny my best friend he's funny and friendly but no one seems to like him that way, I don't. And last and I'm thinking least Shea, a jungle boy who lives with his dad on Mushroom Island a neighbor to Chelsea's ranch farm. I don't know him very well but he seems odd.

XXXX

Morning came quickly. As usual my Moms up and adam sitting at her desk in the shop.

I scramble out of the covers and put a housecoat on.

"Hey Mom," I yawn.

"Morning sunshine, your up early. Did ya have a good sleep?" She asks.

"Yeah very, anything I can help you with?"

"I don't think so. Other than feed the animals and collect the eggs, milk and wool. Same as everyday"

"I'm on it," I skip back to my room put on a pair of bicycle shorts and a tank top on and head to the barn.

"Hey Jules, I didn't think you'd be up this early?" I hear a voice call from the house. Then I see my pale violet haired friend walk out. Natalie. She's a close friend too. I've known her since I moved here. She lives with her mom Felicia, grandfather Taro and brother Elliot.

"Hey Natty, I'm just milking Moonie. Her milk is a—MAZING!" I always take care of my animals first. Then I get started on the ones for sale. It's a relaxing way to start the day.

"Hah, nice. What kind of cow is this?" She asks as she plops into the hay.

"Him? Oh well this is a bull. I named him Edwin. Were just taking care of him for a friend. He's quite friendly and very gentle, you want to pet him?"

"No thanks" Natalie rolls out of the hay and sits next to me as I collect Aphrodite's eggs.

"You want to go to the café when you're done? Lily has some big announcement. I couldn't care less about it but Will is definitely going to be there so I'm going" Oh no! Lilys big announcement? Must be about the engagement! I need to tell her. Oh I can't stand to see her upset. I'd prefer Lily tells her publicly.

"Um well okay, see u there"

"Bye!" Natalie smiles than skips away.

XXXX

"Quiet down everyone! I have an announce people! SHH!" Lily places herself on top of the desk where you order screaming for everyone to quiet down.

"Geez she has a temper," Natalie whispers in my ear as she rolls her eyes.

"Oh Natalie, when will you two ever get along?" Chelsea smiles, she's always trying to be the 'peace maker'.

"I would have to agree," I say returning a smile.

"You guys honestly don't understand! Ever since she moved here claiming she was some treasure hunter explorer lady shes had Will wrapped around her finger with all her lies!"

"Natalie, they're just dating. It's not like they're married. You still got a chance, calm down," Denny glares a Natalie.

"Denny shut up," I whisper to him so Natalie cannot hear.

"What?" he asks.

"You shouldn't have said that. That just makes everything so much worse" I know he's ignorant but I cannot help but to be angry with him.

"Okay! Now that everyone has finally shut their big mouths and opened their ears. I can speak" Lily seems aggravated. I don't blame her. As an audience we were being rather rude.

Will steps up on the desk too. They're both hand in hand smiling like clowns. Lily looks overjoyed. Will just keeps his eyes on Lily. You can tell he really loves her.

"Lily dear, you want to? Or shall I?"

"Ooh why don't you," She smirks at Natalie.

"Why is she smirking at me. Goddess that girl. Always rubbing the fact that she has Will in my face," Natalie whispers to me.

"I know right," is all I say. I keep my eyes locked on them though. I can't look Natalie in the eye.

"WE ARE GETTING MARRIED!"

Everyone is café goes wild! Lily grab Will and sucks on his face as he lifts her up and jumps off the desk.

"W-w-WHAT?!" Natalie is hollering, but no one pays any attention to her. Everyone's congratulating Will and Lily.

You can see tears beginning to fill Natalies eyes. Chelsea and I pull her into a hug. Denny goes to congratulate Lily and Will. Then returns with a confused expression.

"Julia," he whispers, "How did you know?"

I break from the hug and turn to Denny

"Oh well, Lanna told me"

"Really? Why didn't you tell Natalie?"

"I couldn't," I say "I can't stand to see her upset,"

"Huh, well ok. See you later,"

"Natalie lets just leave!" Chelsea suggests.

"I agree. You don't need to be here," I say. Lily and Natalie have been fighting over him for a few years now. But before she was here, Will and Natalie were inseparable. Everyone knew he liked her. You could see in his eyes. Anyone could understand why Natalie's so upset.

XXXX

"Natalie, lie down on my bed" Chelsea says, "I'm going to make you some cookies!"

I sit on Chelsea's bed too. Hugging Natalie as she cries on my shirt.

"Natty" I whisper, "Everything's going to be okay. Will's a jerk for not seeing how amazing you are. He's not worth your time!"

"You're right," Natalie whispers back "But you don't understand. It hurts so bad! I thought he really loved me. Where am I going to find someone better than him?"

Which basically means she's giving up.

"There'll be ready in 15 minutes," Chels announces as she hands Natalie and I each a spoon with raw cookie dough.

"Great," I say optimistly.

"It's getting dark out. You guys are going to want to borrow my pjs?" Chels offered as she tossed us two onesie.

"Thanks," Natalie and I say as Chelsea sits next to us.

"You know! Come to think of it," Chels says "I did overhear Taro and Chen talking about two new residence coming!"

"Boys?!" Natalie asks with a spark of excitement in her eyes.

"Yep," Chels answers "They're twin brothers!"

"Oooh," I say "Tell us more!"

"Well.." Chelsea smirked "Their both nineteen"

"Two years older than me," I smile.

"Yep, but one year to Natalie and I," Natalie and Chelsea are eighteen but Chelsea's the oldest.

"Tell us more!" Natalie squeals.

"One of them is living here permanently while the other is visiting twice a week"

"Why?" Natalie and I ask curiously.

"Their here doing work I dunno," She answers.

"Hm well this takes my mind off Will," Natalies face is still red.

BEEP BEEP BEEP!

"That's good," Chelsea says as she opens the oven and pulls out a pan of delicious chocolate chip cookies out.

"Speaking of boys" Chelsea says "Who do you like Julia?"

"Yah!" Natalie encourages "You never talk about your crush"

"I bet it's Denny!" Chelseas eyes widen as she plops a big plate of warm soft cookies in front of Natalie and I.

"I think of him as a friend," I answer annoyed "ONLY a friend, I once thought about us being together but I just can't see it"

"You're lying!" Natalie smirks "What girl and boy are that close but only like each other as friend?"

"I have to agree Julia" Chelsea laughs.

"Well that's just how I feel," I say frowning "You can choose to believe it or not. I don't care"

"Heh ok Jules," Chelsea laughs.

"I still think you guys would be just perfect together!" Natalie nudges my arm.

"Mmm no thanks," I say as a cross my legs.

"Maybe Denny likes you!" Chelsea says.

"I am most definitely sure he does" Natalie agrees.

"What do you think Julia? Has he told you who he likes?" Chelsea questions curiously, giving me an annoyingly happy smile.

"No idea actually," come to think of it he has never mentioned it to me ever. Maybe he does really like me, "I just hope it's not me."

"Anyway," Natalie says "Chelsea"

"Yes?"

"Who do you like, huh?" says Natalie in a cocky tone.

"Heh, um Pierre duh!" Chels laughs nervously looking at me then Natalie.

Natalie and I both laugh as Chelsea frowns.

"What?" I laugh.

"Guys!" She crosses her arms and stuffs a big cookie in her mouth.

"Why do you like him?" Natalie laughs as well.

"He's um…" Chelsea ponders for a moment "Cute"

"Hahhhahah! cute?" Natalie laughs, "You've got to be kidding me. He looks like a child!"

"Whatever, you asked and I replied" Chelsea goes to her kitchen and pours a large glass of milk.

That was that with the boy talk. The rest of the night we pigged out on cookies and played a few board games.

XXXX

"Jules!" I felt someone hit my head "Wake up will ya!"

"Chelsea?" I rubbed my eyes to see a pink haired girl.

"No idiot," Natalie hits me "It's Natalie, now get out of bed"

"Where's Chelsea?" I yawn as I slowly lift myself out of bed.

"She's outside watering her crops"

"Right," I say as I open the fridge and help myself to some cooked eggs.

"It's the first day of summer so I'm guessing Chelsea will be working all day" Natalie sounds disappointed.

"Yah no kidding, we should give her a hand poor girl"

"Uhm, I'm not up to it. Taro's been really tough on Elliot and I lately with the shipping business. I'm quite sore you know," In other words she's too lazy. Typical Natalie.

"You wanna just relax and hang out?" Natalie smiles. I notice she's already dressed and she must have had breakfast. What time is it? I check my watch.

"8 am, huh?" I say to myself.

"Julia?!" Natalie frowns at me.

"Sorry," I apologize "I'm still half asleep, what were you saying?"

"Ugh!" She scowls.

"Natalie calm down," I say, "It's the morning. We all need time to wake up"

Natalie gets up around the same time as Chelsea (six or five am) around there. Chelsea is a morning person. She's always cheerful at any time of the day really. Where as Natalie she is wide awake yet very crabby, demanding and bratty but I deal.

"Whatever," She seems to have chilled "What's the plan today?"

"Uhm," I ponder "No idea, I have work to do and tonight I'm babysitting"

"Ugh! Work, work and work!" She grunts "Ever since I turned sixteen I've been pressured to take on the family business!"

"I know what you mean," I agree. "Same story with my Mom, but I guess I don't mind it as much as you. Isn't all you do is carry stuff onto a boat?"

"Heavy stuff!" Natalie whines, "My arms are always killing me! Just killing me"

"Well maybe Elliot will take on the business and you'll do something else," I suggest.

"Like what?" She inquired.

"Well," I had to consider some options. I have no idea. "Um well. What do you like to do?"

"Paint, sketch, read, swim, cook," She responses "You've been my best friend since I was eight. You should know these things"

"I just don't know," I mumble.

"I'll think about it," She responds "I really will. Anyway I'm going to go read or paint or sketch or swim or cook or whatever"

"Hah," I laugh "Nice"

"See ya later then," She waves as she exits.

XXXX

I hear the sweet sound of a cowbell as I walk into my house. To see my Mom and a couple handsome strangers at the counter.

"Hi dearie!" My mom waves with a big positive smile "How was the sleepover?"

"Good," I say keeping my eyes on these mysteriously gorgeous men. These must be the twins! They don't look very alike. The tallest one has silky Sliver hair, a cowboy hat and boots. The other has beautiful blonde hair and what looks like overalls and black rubber boots.

"Um," I mumble feeling a little awkward.

"Oh right," my mother laughs stepping from the counter "I forgot to tell you they were coming"

I smile at them politely. The blonde one smiles back, yet the other one just keeps a straight face and crossed arms.

"This is Vaughn," She points to the Silver haired guy "He's an animal trader, so instead of us transporting animals he's on the job. Also he will be helping us take care of our animals"

"Cool," I reach my arm out expecting a hand shake "Nice to meet you, I'm Julia"

He keeps his straight face and shakes my hand briefly.

"You too," he mumbles.

"And this is Mark," Mirabelle smiles "His mother is a real good friend of mine. But unfortunately she's battling cancer so he sent Markie here to live with us" My eyes widen. Hold up! I'm guessing they're not twins? Since she said his mom. Not their mom. And second of all he is just soo cute! His beautiful green eyes, tan skin, nice muscles and blonde hair. He's perfect! And now he's living with us! Wow, now all I need to do is make friends with him and in no time he'll realize I'm his soul mate and.. whoa I'm getting a little carried away.

"Nice to meet you Mark," he puts his hand out right away to shake my own "I'm sorry to hear that about your mother. Hopefully you'll feel at home here"

"Thank you, it's nice to meet you too. I'm sure we'll make great friends" he smiles looking into my eyes.

"Heh, yah I'm sure" I respond "Well I better get to work, nice meeting you guys"