"Soo," Denny mutters "not much fish"

"Yep" I agree. We've been fishing for half an hour. The only light we see is the twinkling full moon in the pitch black sky.

"Julia.." Denny looks into my eyes with a serious expression "You know it's a full moon"

"I noticed," I smile "Beautiful night, eh?"

"Yeah," he blushes "Nothing is more amazing than fishing at night. The beautiful moon, the quiet waves. It's so relaxing"

I have to be honest. I felt a little weird about this. But Denny just wanted to share the beauty with me. He definitely doesn't feel anything for me. I'm absolutely positive.

"So true," I agree "But it is getting late, I should go home"

"Oh," Denny looks down at his fiddling thumbs.

"What is it?"

"Well, um" Denny looks at me nervously "I wanted to ask you something. For a long time, and now I finally have the courage. But I wanted to ask you. In private"

I hope it's not what I think it is.

He pulls out a bright sapphire feather!

"I love you Julia," Denny smiles at me "I love you so much! I fall more and more in love with you over the years. I love everything about you. I love your smile, your hair, your laugh. I love how you're so thoughtful and down to earth. I love how you are! I know we're young. But I'm positive I want to spend the rest of my life with..you. Will..will you marry me Julia?"

I'm absolutely speechless! Did Denny do what I thought I saw? Did he just ask me to marry him? I thought he was just going to ask me to be with him. But not forever! I don't feel the same way. I don't know what I want. Do I want to spend the rest of my life with him?

"…Julia?" Denny holds the diminutive feather in his hands.

"..I'm..I-I'm not sure. I'm s-sorry"

Denny lets out a long disappointed sigh.

"I'm sorry. I know it's a little soon. But I've never been so sure of myself. I understand. If you need some time?"

XXXX

It has been two days since Denny popped the question. I'm not even sure what to think. I don't have the same feelings Denny does. I love him but as a friend. I have three options.

One

I say no.

But I break his heart and ruin our friendship.

Two

I say yes.

But I'm lying to him and myself. I live a miserable life married to someone I don't love.

Three

I Run away from Sunshine Islands leaving Denny with no answer.

But where will I go? What will I do? And what about my Mother?

My Mother! I need her advice. She always knows what to do in tough situations.

XXXX

"He what?" My Mother asked calmly.

"He asked me to marry him"

"What did you say?"

"I said I wasn't sure. He told me to think about it. But to be honest, I don't want to marry him. I don't think of Denny like that, and I certainly don't want to marry him"

A shocked expression covers my Mom's face.

"I think it was sweet of him Julia. I always had a feeling you guys would get together anyway"

"Mom! What is that suppose to mean?!"

"Well you should give the poor guy a chance. He's a nice gentleman. He's cares for you, he'd make a great father and husba-"

"MOM! I can't believe your actually suggest I say yes!" I cannot believe her.

XXXX

My Mom wasn't any help so I stormed out. Even though it was almost midnight. I didn't care much. I just need to be alone. So I'll head to the beach.

I spread myself out on the sand trying to relax. As I felt the tide hit my feet I start to feel a little better.

"Hey," I hear a quiet voice from behind me whisper.

It's Mark.

What does he want? I already showed him around and let him sleep in my bedroom. Then I introduce him to my friend and he ignores me while he flirts with her in front of me! I've hardly seen him the past two days. He has been with Chelsea!

We've known each other for less than a week and I already hate him!

I liked him before. He doesn't mean anything now though..

I guess seeing him flirt with someone other than me makes me a little jealous. Maybe he flirts with every girl he meets. He flirted with Chelsea and I when we hardly know him!

"Oh hi," I say then return to my relaxation. He sits down next to me.

"Are you mad at me?" He asks.

"What makes you think that?" I say playing dumb.

"Well you seemed somewhat annoyed when Chelsea and I were talking"

"I'm not mad at you," I lie "But I was annoyed. You guys were ignoring me"

"I'm sorry," Mark apologizes.

"It's alright" Maybe I was overthinking this. Mark is a good guy.

"Your friend Chelsea is amazing. I got to know her really well. She has such a kind heart. We were having such a blast talking. I guess we forgot you were there. The next thing we knew you were gone. I figured you were upset. I feel bad"

"Mark, I said it was fine"

"I know. But you still look upset. Did I do something?"

"No. It's not you. I'm just stressed about other stuff. Sorry if I came off that way"

"Oh, sorry. I tend to think everything is about me" Mark looks at the waves lightly approaching his feet "Well that's what some people tell me"

"It's ok. I just want to be alone right now"

"I would give you space. But what's going on? Why are you upset? Something happen? I might be able to help"

He's getting on my nerves.

"Mark! Please leave me be. I don't want to talk about it. It's none of your business!"

"Ok" he sighs "I'll leave then"

XXXX

I head home an hour after he leaves. I've hardly done anything the past two days. Natalie and Chelsea came over but I said I was sick and couldn't hang out. Talking to my Mom wasn't any help. I need a friend to talk to. So I head to Natalie's. Even though it's really late. I'm kind of upset with Chelsea. She likes Pierre! Why would she go after Mark? Not that I like him that way. But I did before.

"Hello Julia!" Taro greets me "Are you feeling better?"

"Hi," I reply. "I do, thanks for asking. Is Natalie here?"

"That's good. She's with Chelsea, probably at her ranch"

"Thanks"

I guess I'm going to have to just get over it. I need to talk to someone. Who will give me advice! The last thing I care about right now is Chelsea and Mark ignoring me. I just need to forgive and forget.

When I get to Chelseas ranch I spot them sitting in the middle of her field.

They see me coming and start waving with excitement.

"Julia!" Natalie yells "Over here!"

"Glad to see your better Jules!" Chelsea hollers.

"Hey guys," I say taking a seat next to them.

"You feel better?" Natalie asks.

"I'm good yeah," I assured them "I was never sick"

"What?" They both ask confused.

"I just wanted to be alone. So I made an excuse. But I don't know what to do!"

"What's going on?" Chelsea questiosn.

"Well.." I hesitate. I might as well just let it out "..um Denny asked me to marry him.."

I expected them to say something but they both just stared at me in shock for several awkward minutes.

Then finally Natalie speaks up.

"What did you say?"

"I said I didn't know"

They both exchange looks.

"I don't understand why he'd asked me before we were even together" I say as I glance at the blue sky.

"Well, do you want to be with him?" Chelsea asks.

"Yeah, could you see yourself with-"

"No!" I interrupt "I don't feel the same way"

"What do you feel then?" Natalie questions me.

I let out a long sigh.

"When I think of Denny.. it's never romantically. I love him as a friend or a brother even, someone who's always there for me. What was I suppose to do? Say yes and be miserable for the rest of my life trying to please the idea just to keep from hurting his feelings."

Tears fill my eyes.

"I'm sorry guys, I think I'm going to head home"

As I head out of the field I hear Chelsea and Natalie whispering.

Yet I can't really make out what their saying.

~ADDING MORE TO THIS CHAPTER~ April 28 2013

When I get to Venture Island it instantly starts to rain. So I race home as fast as I can, trying to stay as dry as possible. But to my misfortune, Lanna approaches me making my mission impossible.

"Julia!" She squeals " How are you?"

"Uhm, I'm alright." I lie.

"Julia you can be honest with me," She hugs me "We both know you aren't."

"What are you talking about?" I interrogate "Did someone say something to you?"

"Well," Lanna looks down at her feet "Denny told me what happened"

"Wait a moment," I frown "He didn't tell anyone else, did he?"

"No, of course not! Why don't we go to my house and talk." She suggests.

"Hah, yay good thinking," I agree "I'm soaked."

XXXX

"So what exactly" I ask "..did he say?"

"Well it was the day after," She looks out her window at the pouring rain "He was sitting on the beach crying"

"He was crying?" I question with a expression "He never cries"

"I was surprised too. He was sitting with his head in his knees," She describes "I wanted to know what was going on so I joined him. He told me everything. He..really loves you Julia. He said he had that blue feather for a few years now but never had the courage to propose to you. He knew all along that you never felt the same way. But even though he still had some hope left. Last week he finally decided it's now or never"

She pauses and stares at me for a good minute.

"He isn't mad at you Julia. Like I said he knows you don't love him. He wanted an answer that's all. I think you at least owe him one."

"Like, a yes or no?" I ask.

"Yes, isn't that obvious?"

"But he already knows I don't want to marry him. That's why I didn't say anything. If I really wanted to marry him I would say yes. He should know that."

"Who knows," She shrugs "Maybe he wants to hear you say it. That might be the only way for him to get over you. Just do it ok. For him?"

"Fine," I say "But where and when? You just want me to show up at his house. Say no I don't want to marry you. Then leave?"

"Exactly," She smirks "Now go"

"W-what wait Lanna n-" She pushes me straight out of her house.

"Go!"

XXXX

Doing Lanna's wishes I force myself to Denny's house. Plus it's still raining which is perfect. It's also really windy, could it get any better? I glance back at Lanna's little mint green house. If you look really closely you can see Lanna peeping out the window waving.

When I get to his little shack I almost open the door. Like usual but then I remember what I'm here for. So I knock quietly. I can hear him walking toward the door. I feel sweat pouring down my back faster than the rain. For a moment I feel like I should run and hide before he answers but I don't. This is for his own good! I tell myself. I need to stay put.

"Julia?" Denny gradually opens his door.

"Hey.." I look at my feet wrapping my hands around my shoulders.

"You must be cold," He observes my body language "Come in"

XXXX

We both sit on floor by his fishing gear. Where we usually sit when hanging out. Except this time it feels different. Like were not as close. Like there's a wall in between us. I've never felt so awkward in my entire life.

"So," Denny breaks the silence "How have you been?"

"Not good" I give him complete honestly.

"Same here," He looks me in the eyes "Listen Julia, this was all my fault. You didn't ask me to propose. I get it. I've been holding this in for a long time. I just wanted you to answer me so I could move on"

"I know," I say "Lanna told me everything"

"So," I smile "Here's your answer"

Denny's face brightens.

"I love you," I look at his beautiful brown eyes "As a brother. I know you will always be there for me. I don't want to ruin that. I don't want to marry you. But one day someone will. They will show up one day and you won't even remember this"

My eyes fill up with cold tears. I try to wipe them but that doesn't work. I lose control and soon I'm balling my eyes out. My Denny pulls me close into a long hug.

"It's ok" he laughs "I don't hate you. Thank you Julia. You amaze me"

XXXX

"How did it go?" Lanna asks eagerly.

"It went pretty good," I smile "I feel much better now"

"That's great," Lanna squeals and she hugs me unexpectly "Wanna sleepover?"

"Sure" I smile hugging her back.

"Yay!" she squeals pushing into her little house.

XXXX

Knock Knock*

A loud knock woke me up as I fell off Lanna's bed.

"What?" I yell rushing to answer.

"Oh hey Julia," I open her door to see Denny there holding a fishing rod "Lanna and I are going fishing. I didn't know you were sleeping over"

"Oh," I say awkwardly.

Denny's going fishing with Lanna? I didn't know they were even that close. I guess it makes sense. They neighbors and they both love to fish, why not?

"I'll wake her up"

"Lanna," I say shaking her

"I'm having a good dream" she growls "Leave me alone!"

"Denny's here" I say

As soon as those words leave my mouth she instantly gets up and rushes to her bathroom.

"She's coming" I inform Denny "Well I better leave"

I pass Denny and begin to power walk home. I just need to go. For some reason I feel uncomfortable. I don't know why. Seeing Denny spending time with another girl. Has he gotten over me already? I admit I'm a little jealous.

"Wait," Denny grabs my arm "Why don't you join us?"
"Uhm," I look at his beautiful brown eyes "I should really go home. Bye!"

"Okay? I guess I'll see you later"

XXXX

"Julia," I hear a gentle voice greet me as I enter my house "I've was looking for you everywhere"

"Sorry Mark," I apologize "I've been really busy lately. What's up?"

"Not much," he shrugs "I'm liking it here. A lot, I was just heading to Chelsea's"

"Oh fun," I smile passing him "What's this?"

"This?" his face turns light red "It's for Chelsea. What do you think?"

He asks holding up a new large watering can.

"Awe, that's so sweet of you Mark," I say patting his head "She'll love it, I just know"

"You think so?" he giggles "I know this sounds kind of soon"

"Huh?" I question "What's soon?"

"I think I kinda like her," he blushes "Do you think she likes me? I mean you know her better than I do"

"I don't know," I shrug "But I can ask if you'd like"

"You would" he smiles like a clown "Awesome! Thanks Julia" he hugs me than skips outside.

So Mark has a thing for Chelsea? Is that so surprising? Not really. I mean I sensed it the moment they met. Am I jealous? Nah! I mean I was before. A week or so can really change your mind. Mark is such a sweet guy and Chelsea is such a sweet girl. They're perfect for each other. Anyone could agree. Mark is just another good friend. Actually hearing this new made my day. I can't wait to hear what Chels has to say. I'm positive she feels the same way.

Authors note : Thanks so much for reading. Next chapter should be coming soon. It should be in more characters POVs than just Julia's.