Chapter 3: Planning

Luke had been up all night planning the party and making sloppy invitations for the whole town. In the morning, he was completely out of it. He walked downstairs drearily. "Chashe, Gill", he managed to say once he entered the kitchen. Chase and Gill were shocked. Luke's hair was untamed and looked like a birds nest… that had fallen down... twice, his shirt was inside out, and he could barely keep his eyes open. "Please…" he began, having to take a break to yawn, "Will you deliver theshe fer me." He placed a bunch of envelopes on the table before slowly walking into the living room and collapsing on the couch.

"How long did that boy stay up last night?" asked Chase.

"I don't think he ever went to sleep…" replied Gill. "I have something to tend to today, so do you mind delivering these?"

"You're joking, right? Just mail them…"

Gill carefully unfolded one envelope and held up the invitation. "If we mail them, they'll arrive too late… look at the date of the party."

"Damn! Tomorrow?!"

"You know him and his parties…"

"Yea, but…"

"Just deliver them, please."

"Fine", Chase muttered as he picked up the stack of envelopes. "I'd better get this done and over with."

"Good boy." Chase looked back and shot Gill the evil eye before leaving. As he walked out the door he smirked.

"Wait a minute… He didn't make breakfast today! He did that on purpose…" Gill sat at the table and sighed in defeat.

Chase walked around Waffle Island handing out the invitations. When he got to Meg's house he frowned. "Might as well get this over with…" he pouted as he knocked.

A few moments later, Meg opened the door. "What do you want?" she said.

"Here…" said Chase holding out the invitation. "Luke wanted to have a party." He rolled his eyes.

She looked up at him with a smirk, "What makes you think I'll go?"

"You'll have nothing better to do… the whole town is going to be there."

She sighed, "Fine, orange top. I'll be there, but do me a favor and keep your distance, 'kay?" Meg then slammed the door in his face.

"Brat!" he shouted before he left.

Back at home, Gill sat still upset about missing his morning meal and Luke snoozed lifeless on the couch. There was a knock at the door and Gill walked over and opened it to find the two twins. Rina darted in a hugged Gill. "Hello, neighbor!" she shouted.

"Uh… hi?" said Gill, surprised by the hug.

"You're scaring him, Rina", said Ali.

Rina simply ignored it and walked in to make herself at home. "Come… in?" Gill said.

"I'm sorry about this…" stated Ali.

"No problem… I guess."

"Wow! This is so cool!" said Rina. "You actually live in a lighthouse!"

"Yea…" said Gill.

"This is awesome! Can we go to the top!? Oh, please!"

"That's… fine." Gill walked over to Luke and tapped him on the shoulder. "Get up, sleeping beauty. We have guests."

Luke rubbed his eyes and yawned. "Guests?" He looked up to see the twins and immediately hopped up to greet them.

They walked up to the fourth floor, then outside to walk up the spiral stairs. They reached the top of the lighthouse and Rina shouted, "You can see the whole island from here!"

"It is nice, isn't it?" said Gill as he admired the view.

"M-maybe we should go back down now", suggested Ali.

"Oh, sorry, I forgot your fear of heights", said Rina.

"Don't worry about it", said Luke placing a hand on her shoulder. "You won't fall while I'm around!"

"Luke…" Gill could tell Ali felt very uncomfortable. Her whole face was flushed. "Why don't we go back down now?"

"Can't we stay just a little more?" asked Rina.

"Yea, I'll take Ali downstairs and you two can stay up here for a little bit", said Luke.

"No!" shouted Gill a little louder than he intended… "Um… I mean… no, Luke." He turned to Rina, "Just for a little bit and then we'll all go down together." He looked back at Luke who mouthed "What?" to him. Gill shook his head and rolled his eyes.

Gill thought a bit about the two twins. They looked so alike, but had completely different personalities. Rina was enthusiastic and very, very friendly. "A little too kind", Gill thought. Ali, however, was shy and mostly quiet.

A few minutes later, they returned downstairs. "Are you two coming to the party tomorrow?" asked Luke.

"Sure we are!" said Rina.

"That's great", said Gill. "We'll see you tomorrow then."

"See ya!" said the twins as they left.

"Yea, I'll take Ali downstairs and you two can stay up here for a little bit", Gill mimicked.

"What?" asked Luke.

"You know what!"

Chase walked into the house. "Next time, pass out your own invitations!" he yelled as he angrily stomped upstairs to his room.

"What's his problem?" asked Luke. Gill shrugged. "Well, we better go shopping for party supplies."

"You'll have to do it yourself, I have a meeting to attend to", Gill said, grabbing a few things and heading out.

"But… shopping by myself is no fun!" Luke pouted. "CHASE!" he yelled.

"Leave me the hell alone! Do whatever it is on your own!" replied Chase.

"Touchy…"

Author's Note: Hmm… not much to say, other than thanks for reviewing! :) The next chapter will be up soon.