I was awakened by giggles. Lots of them.

"Julia..." I mumble and cover my head with a pillow in attempt to block out her laughing and the daylight that was streaming into my room.

"But Vaughn? Don't you know what today is?" Julia sang.

"It's gonna be the day you get put in the hospital if you don't go away," I growl.

"For the Goddess's sake, Vaughn!" She threw her hands in the air. "I'm just trying to ask what you want for your birthday breakfast!"

"Fine. Porridge."

"Now, was that so hard?" Julia giggled as she snatched the pillow off my face and plopped it next to me. She headed for the door. "Oh, and don't think I forgot about last night," she teased. "I'm not going to rest 'til I get the whole story!"

Good luck I think as I grabbed the pillow and hurled it at her. Unfortunately for me, it hit the wall only a couple inches from her face.

"Missed me!" she taunted as she skipped out the door.

I roll my eyes. Julia was too much of a morning person for me, a non-morning person, to handle.

Reluctantly, I roll out of bed and retrieve my hat from the hook on the wall. I place it on my head, not bothering to comb my silver locks. S'not like anyone's gonna see it, I think. Even if they do, I'll just say it's hat-hair. Believable enough.

I put on the rest of my "get-up," as Denny calls it, brush my teeth, and head out the door, my boots clicking on the wooden floors with every step I take. It occurred to me that Mirabelle might get upset if she sees the pillow I threw at Julia on the floor, but really, I couldn't care less.

"Sit," Julia commanded dramatically, pointing a spoon at me as I entered the kitchen.

I do as she said without complaining. I didn't want to get on Julia's bad side when she was making me porridge.

I shudder at the memory of shredded carrots mixed in with my porridge. "Julia!" I had whined. Of course she had not heard me through her own laughs, snorts, and hiccups. I had gotten her back later by hiding a fish under her pillow, courtesy of Denny.

"Here you go!" Julia sang as she placed a steaming bowl of porridge in front me.

I rolled my eyes when I saw the candle sticking out. "Thanks," I say blowing it out. I dip the tip of my spoon in the bowl as I eye her suspiciously. "There aren't any carrots in here, are there?" I question.

"Nope!" She giggled.

I raise an eyebrow. No carrots, my ass.

"There's nothing in there!" She smiled.

"Hmph," I grumble.

"Now, eat! It's good for you!" She grinned, but her smile quickly faded.

"What?" I ask shoving a spoonful in my mouth.

"I sounded like my mother..."

I snorted. She did. And it was funny.

"What are you laughing at?!" Julia demanded.

"You," I shrug.

"Whatever, Vaughn," Julia sighed, sounding irritated. She turned around and headed for her room. "Oh, and Vaughn?" She called over her shoulder. "Could you actually do you job today instead of me? Great!" She slammed the door behind her.

I groan. Julia had been experiencing lots of mood swings lately. It was hard to tell if she was serious or just kidding around. I wonder if it's her "lady time."

I scrape the bottom of the bowl with my spoon, scavenging for the last spoonful of porridge. I was impressed. Julia isn't exactly known for her cooking, but she managed to make this meal edible. Tasty, even. Wonder what she put in it.

While doing my daily chores, I tried devising a plan to avoid coming within ten feet of each available bachelorette on the islands. Even after an hour or so of scheming, I had nothing. Guess I was going to have to face the day head-on. I take a deep breath and step out of the animal shop.

It was nice today. The air was pleasantly warm, the sky was a brilliant cerulean, and if you looked closely, you could see a faint rainbow. The scent of flowers filled the air as the birds sang their beautiful songs. It was all so relaxing. At least, it was, until Lanna came out of nowhere and tackled me from behind.

I yelp as I hit the ground, slightly dazed. Lanna appeared to be fine, seeing that I cushioned her fall.

She giggled. "Oops! Sorry, Vaughn," she apologized. She quickly stood up and twirled around singing, "Happy birthday, Vaughnie!"

"Thanks," I mumble. "Now go away." I got to my feet and started in the other direction.

"But don't you want your present?" Lanna pouted.

"No."

"But it's PERFECT!" she protested as she followed me.

I sigh and stop in my tracks. "Lanna, the perfect present would be if you just left me alone…"

"Aww, Vaughnie, you're so adorable…. You're shy about us being a couple now!"

I nearly choked on my own saliva. "W-what," I sputtered.

"Don't be embarrassed; it's okay."

"Lanna, we're-."

"Ok! Now here's your present!" she said as she shoved something in my hand. "It's fresh. You shouldn't have any problems with it. I have to go now! See you later, Vaughnie," she smiled sweetly as she turned around and left me standing there like an idiot.

I shake my head. That girl gives me migraines, I swear. I start walking again when I realize I'm still holding Lanna gift. I lift my open my hands only to reveal that she had given me a… FISH?!

"Cheeya," I scream as I throw the fish on the ground. Lanna was nuts. Completely crazy. That psycho little…. I gingerly wipe my hands on my vest as I kick the fish away. Yuck. Not exactly how I wanted to start my day.

As the day progressed, I got gifts from Sabrina and Natalie as well. To be completely honest, they were pretty stupid. I'm not sure if I'm talking about the girls or the gifts; they're both awful. Sabrina gave me flowers. FLOWERS! What's a guy like me supposed to do with a bouquet of daisies?

Natalie presented me with something called a fruit sandwich, something she said Pierre helped her come up with to express her love for both sandwiches and, you guessed it, fruit. I thought it was just about the dumbest thing I had ever heard of, but Natalie kept insisting it was her masterpiece.

Whatever. Maybe I'll feed it to a horse.

It's not that I'm not grateful, I am, it's just… if you're gonna go out of your way to not only talk to me, but give me gifts, make it something I'd like, or at least find useful.

Some people are just weird.

YAS! its done. But... I don't really like it. I promise on my life the next chappie with be a LOT better. Thanks to all those who review!