I went for a stroll around Portorosso with Alberto one day, making deliveries for my uncle. We also might've went out for gelato. But today was different than any other day. Today was the day Alberto was turning 15. Knowing that he was abandoned by his own father at a young age, I figured that he probably hasn't celebrated his birthday for a long time.

As I was helping Daniela with the Goatfish, I was humming to some of Elvis Presley's greatest hits. "So, my uncle and I have been saving up some money to buy a Vespa for Alberto, ever since The Portorosso Cup." I said. "What's a Vespa again?" Daniela asked. "Oh, it's something from the human world, it's a way of transportation, faster than both walking and swimming combined." I explained. "He bought one after the race, but he decided to sell it so Luca could go to school." "Oh, right." Daniela frowned as I mentioned her only son. "I miss him, and Giulia too, we all do." I sighed. "Yeah, I know." She said. "Well, you probably want to head back to the birthday boy." Daniela swam back to her home. "Are you guys coming too?" I asked. "We're coming, yes." She replied. "Alberto has done so much for us, and for Luca, we wouldn't miss it for the world."

I swam towards Portorosso to head back home. "Alberto is going to be ecstatic once he sees his Vespa!" I said to myself. "That's cool he's finally getting a Vespa." A familiar voice said to me. "Right?" I asked, turning around to see someone I haven't seen in months. Luca Paguro has returned. "Luca!" I hugged my friend as he did the same. "Ciao, Chiara." Luca greeted. "It's good to see you." "You too!" I cheered. "I have so many questions. What are you doing here? Is Giulia with you? Does my uncle or Alberto know you're here? Nevermind, I guess I only had three questions." "It's fine, Giulia is on a train on the way here, we're here to surprise Alberto." Luca explains. "Well, one thing's for sure, you definitely surprised me." I laughed. "Do you think we should go see Alberto now, or wait until Giulia arrives?" "Maybe we should wait." Luca replied. "You could keep him distracted and out of the sea, and I'll wait for Giulia." "What am I supposed to do with him?" I asked. "Maybe something humans do on their birthday." Luca suggested. That's not a bad idea.

I saw Alberto reading a book in the treehouse. "Ciao, Alberto." I greeted. "Buon compleanno!" "Thanks, Conchiglia." Alberto replied with a kiss on the cheek. "It's your special day. What should we do to celebrate?" I asked. "Not sure." Alberto responded. "I was thinking about collecting more human stuff in the sea. That's what I did for my last few birthdays." "Whoa, hold on." I said. "This is your first birthday on land. And I'm gonna help you make this the best birthday in the history of birthdays, by showing you how us humans celebrate." "But, you're a hybrid." Alberto recalled. "You know what I mean." I chuckled. "I spent the last 13 years celebrating among humans." "Sounds great." Alberto said. "What do you have in mind?" "Alberto Scorfano, I'm glad you asked." I replied. "Hop on Giulia's bike and I'll show you."

Once I took Alberto on Giulia's bike, I pulled up to a local cinema. "Here we are." I said. "It's so beautiful, and big." Alberto gasped. "But, what is it exactly?" "It's a cinema. This is a place where humans go to watch movies." I replied. "But, instead of a tiny television like at home, it's shown on a huge screen by a machine called a projector." "So, what are we watching?" Alberto asked. "Let's see, what's a movie you might like? Il Sorpasso, kinda reminds me of you and Luca." I explained. "Looks like these characters are going on a road trip. Maybe they're runaways."

After the movie, Alberto was in shock. "I can't hear anything, Chiara." Alberto complained. "How do you live like this?" "I'm not sure how to describe it." I replied. "What?!" Alberto shouted. "Speak up! I can't hear you!" "Heads up, compagno!" I stuck his face in the fountain water and laughed. "Oh, you think that's funny?" Alberto asked, pushing me into the fountain, laughing along. "Wow, the sun is setting already." I said, shaking off the water and turning back to normal. "We should head back home."

At sunset, Alberto and I got back home. It was time for his birthday celebration to continue. "Let's go inside." I said. "Wait! Cover your eyes!" Alberto covers his eyes and let's me lead him into the house. "Open your eyes, Alberto." Massimo said. Alberto uncovered his eyes to reveal party, just for him. "Buon Compleanno, Alberto!" Massimo and I shouted. "Whoa! This is crazy!" Alberto gasped, looking at his party, specifically the table. "Wait. What's with the extra plates?" Alberto asked. "Happy Birthday, Alberto!" Luca and Giulia exclaimed. "Guys, you're here!" Alberto shouted. "We wouldn't miss it for the world." Luca replied. "Chiara came up with the plan." Giulia explains. "We have one last surprise for you."

We took Alberto outside below the hideout. And covered his eyes. "This again?" Alberto asked. "Ready?" I asked. We revealed his present. A beautiful bright blue Vespa. "No way!" Alberto gasped, hugging all of us. "Thanks guys, for making this the best birthday ever!"