Chapter 1- Getting Julia's Birthday Present

~~~Elliot 1st Person Narration~~~

Okay, I'm rushing around my house looking for the twelve dollars I promised Pierre if he would make a big tub of yogurt for me to give to Julia for her birthday. My whole family and I share a room so anybody could have taken it. I checked under each bed. It was getting harder to bend down, because I slightly injured my knee when I was wrestling with Natalie.

I banged on the bathroom door. "Natalie get out here now!" Finally I was taking control of her. I felt like I was the boss. I am the older sibling and she was about to understand that for sure. Then suddenly, my mom walked out. I was mortified, and defiantly worried about being punished.

"Elliot Trenton Greene. What do you need with your sister so badly?" Every time some kind of disagreement happened between her and I she always took her side. I took a deep breath and just sighed it out very slowly.

"Well I can't find the money that I earned, and I think that Natalie might have taken it."

"Now why do you think she took it, and why do you need the money anyway?" This is just like my mom to want to know everything about everybody. She believes being open and emotional makes you a better person.

"Well, she is kind of mean to me whether you see it or not, and I need it because...because." I was afraid to tell her because I knew she was just going to tell me that I should make her something that comes from the heart. "Because I need to pay Pierre for making yogurt that I'm going to give to Julia."

My mom just sighed. "Elliot, you know I would like you to give her something deeper than yogurt, but your nineteen now and you should be able to figure this out for yourself. Well, good luck with your money, and with Natalie, and with Julia." She walked away and I knew that this was hard for her, but this was my life and you always have to take care of yourself in the real world.

I went back to our room, I didn't really expect to find my sister now, and all that I really need to think about now is where my money is. I have to remember. Then it just came to me! I had left it in my pocket, which is now in the laundry basket.

I went to the basket and dug through it for a few seconds pulled out my apron searched through the pockets and nothing was there. I looked down, and part of it was at the top of the basket. I grabbed the money and ran out the door with a determined plan to find Natalie.

I went walking down the dirt path that is set all around the island. I really had no idea where to go to look for her first. She could be at Pierre's. I know they have a little thing going on even if she does deny it to our mother, but Pierre is an honest guy, and I know he is hard at work with making the yogurt. So where on this island could she be? I decided to check the cafe. I was worried because Natalie and Julia hang out there sometimes, but i was worth a shot.

I was walking across the bridge that connects West Town and East Town, and saw my reflection in the water. I looked down at it, and thought I saw Julia's reflection. I jumped back and looked all around me, but I couldn't find her. I sighed in relief. I was already worried enough about running in to her at the cafe.

I passed The Island Inn, and noticed it was still empty. We really needed more attractions for this place. Then I passed Regis mansion just as Sabrina was walking inside. Probably on her way back from the beach. I know she likes to hang out there for a few hours a day if the weather is good.

I got to the cafe and opened the doors. I took a quick look around the place and didn't see Natalie. I walked over to the chef and said, "Hey, how has business been today?"

"Oh it's been normal. Denny came in for maybe half an hour. Now I think he's on the beach fishing for his food. Poor guy all alone with no family and having to take care of his self."

I knew for a fact that Denny was just fine with that. He actually liked living alone and fishing is a passion for him, but I didn't have time to argue with him right now. "Do you happen to know where Natalie is?"

"She left a little bit ago. She did say something about going to see Alyssa if your looking for her."

"Oh okay thanks. I'll talk to you later. Bye."

"Good luck Elliot."

It was weird. I always felt like that guy knew more than what he was telling everybody.

I walked all the way back across the bridge. This time I crossed it with Eliza and Charlie. They are such cute little kids, but very annoying when they aren't together. Eliza talked about how her dad bought her a new set of earrings. Charlie just listened to whatever she said and laughed when ever she giggled. I got across the bridge, and went past Luke's Diner, then I made it to the boat that would take me to The Mystical Islands where Alyssa lived.

I got off the boat. Walked over to the Harvest Goddess pond, and looked around, but I didn't see anybody. I walked into the church and there they were.

"Natalie Lynn Greene." I guess it was a thing for a family to call each other by their full names. "I need to talk to you now." I saw her whisper something to Alyssa and they both giggled. Natalie got up and walked over to me.

"What do you need Elliot?"

"Just be honest with me, Natalie I just need to know. Did you take any of my money?"

"No."

"Really, Because I see money sticking out of your apron."

"I got this out of the laundry basket. Mom said if it wasn't anybody else's then I could keep it."

"Okay, but it was mine."

"Well, you didn't claim it."

"You never asked." She was starting to get smart with me, and I tried to keep calm so that she wouldn't get what she wanted.

"When did you get it?"

"Around ten this morning." That was when I was getting the morning shipping.

"Natalie you know I wasn't home then. Just please give it back. I'll...I'll...I'll make you a fruit sandwich everyday for lunch for the rest of the week."

"Hmm. With strawberry milk?"

"Yes, Natalie, with strawberry milk."

"Okay fine." She handed me the money, and I picked her up and spun her around. She yelled, "Put me down!" So I did. Then nodded good bye to Alyssa and ran out the doors.

I got back on the boat this time a bit more jittery than I was on my way here. I got off the boat, and took off running to Pierre's.

I got to Pierre's door and knocked right away. He answered the door right away looking...kind of...in a way...I don't want to say angry or upset so maybe flustered.

"Finnally your here. Where have you been?"

"I was getting the money, but I'm here now just give me the yogurt and take your money." He handed me the yogurt with a slight grunt. I know I was being kind of mean, but I need to get this to Julia before her birthday was over. I was basically speed walking all the way down to the animal store. I got to the last few yards and slowed down. I caught my breath and fixed my hair a bit. I walked in and saw Mirabelle and asked her, "Hi, do you know where Julia is?"

"Yes, she is in the other room go ahead and see her."

"Thanks!" I walked to the other room, and saw Vaughn. I know he hangs around here sometimes because he works here a couple days a week. He was in a very unusual position in the corner, and I couldnt find Julia. I called her name, and she looked up. She was in the corner. She was in the corner with Vaughn. The back of her hair was slightly pressed and strung out. Vaughn had his hands on her. One on her waist the other was holding and slightly caressing her face. I dropped the yogurt and ran out the door.

"Elliot wait." Julia yelled shoving Vaughn off of her, but it was too late I was gonna keep running.