Disclaimer: I guess this is where I'm supposed to write how I don't own This Lullaby and then insert something funny, but I can't think of anything, so please just think of your own punch line.

Chapter One: Trouble Broiling

I DON'T KNOW WHAT GOT INTO HER, BUT AS SOON AS WE'D ENTERED THE GAS station's mini mart Chloe's eyes turned ravenous. It was the beginning of November and Chloe and I just gotten off for Thanksgiving break earlier than Jess and Lissa. We both of us returned to our hometown, Lakeview, and stuck close waiting until Lissa's and Jess's vacation started too. I tried to ignore her, buying my zip coke, but her glare never faltered and all her anger seemed centered at whatever she was looking at.

"What is it?" I asked her.

She clenched her teeth and her nostrils flared. "The pig," she spit the words out spitefully. I looked where she was staring and saw what she saw. Next to the soda fountain was a young couple. It was Jonathan and a girl I couldn't recognize, but not the girl he'd cheated on me for. This girl was barely fifteen and had red curly hair and a skirt that was more similar to a belt.

I pursed my lips at the sight. Not that I was jealous, I was more than happy in a faithful relationship with Dexter. Jonathan just made me sick.

Chloe looked away and smashed her candy bar on the counter. The overweight bushy browed cashier was startled by our hostility. "Last week I saw him at Bendo with a different girl." She growled and picked a handful of change from her pocket slamming the fist full of coins next to her candy bar not bothering to count. I forced myself to look away and laid out my five-dollar bill on the counter. I could hear the two laughing from the front.

We left, to the relief of the cashier, and didn't mention Jonathan for the rest of the night. Chloe remained obviously spiteful from the scene of the two, but half way during our drive I saw the most fearful grin creep onto her face. I didn't even want to know what she was thinking then.

I woke up earlier than everyone else from the Truth Squad that morning. Monkey was the only companion of mine while I popped in two slices of bread into the toaster. After several trials, my only outcome was a pile of inedible charcoal toast. It was too late when I checked the dial learning I'd set the dial incorrectly. I settled on a couple of tangerines instead.

John Miller woke up next still a bit queasy from Dexter's last bet trying to get him to down a tub of mayo in less time than he had (20 minutes). John Miller won, but at a price. "Feeling better?" I looked up from my tangerine and it was obvious he wasn't, more so stupid, really, for even asking.

"No." He stared at the stack of burnt toast and it looked like he was going to ask about them, but gave up on the idea. He stole a tangerine from me and nimbly peeled the skins off. "Any plans?"

I pushed my hair back. I hadn't brushed my hair this morning yet and strands kept creeping to the sides of my lips to my great annoyance. "Not really, you?"

"I saw Scarlett at the mall yesterday," I wasn't the only one spotting exes, "and thought about giving her a second chance, but she totally dissed me when I came up to her."

"Mmm…" I threw the peels away and left the kitchen to brush my hair.

The whole morning Dexter and I did nothing. I was only staying here for a few weeks and he had today off from the same photo place he still worked at from when we'd first met. We went out to The World of Waffles for lunch.

A lanky waiter came and took our order. Dexter stood up and left for the restroom leaving me alone in the bacon scented building. He soon came back with a huge grin on his face as his fingers fumbled to get his phone into his pocket smoothly. "I'm the lucky winner today." He announced sitting down across from me.

The waiter returned with a water and zip coke. "What'd you win?" I rested my chin on my palm curious for Dexter's tale.

Dexter pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and opened a text message. He displayed the screen easily in front of my so I could read the message myself. "What—'Congrats lucky winner! You've won a month of free horoscope readings. All you need to do is send in your birthday and relationship status and your first reading will arrive tomorrow.'" Dexter's huge grin hadn't faltered at all. "They spelled tomorrow wrong." I pointed out.

He flipped the phone shut. "Does it matter?"

My eyes were dull not believing what he was doing. "You're not serious about this are you?"

"By the end of this month I'll be the most successful man without a worry because I've got my future already written out all for free."

"Did you send your—

"Yup, we won't have to worry about a thing this month. All we've got to do is to listen to the stars."

"Oh God."

Click the pretty blue button because I love you and you know you love me.

Suggestions and ideas are always appreciated.