EPISODE ONE
1578 Words
OLIVIA SHEPHERD'S POV
As soon as the soles of my white Gucci converse hit the wood of the deck, I knew I had made a big mistake in coming here. My best friend Amber Sterling, had invited me to spend a few days with her on her brother's yacht. It was the summer holidays before senior year in highschool. I hadn't been on a vacation in a while so I decided to go.
An enormous blue and white yacht was docked at the end of the pier. The yacht's sides were lined with three stories of windows reflecting the ocean's crystal clear water.
From where I stood, I could make out a double staircase leading to the upper deck with a circular swimming pool large enough to land a helicopter in. Men and women in matching black and white uniforms paced the decks, preparing the ship to leave the marina.
When Amber had invited me, I had no idea the vacation would be so extravagant. If I had known, I would have opted to stay at home, curled up in my bedroom watching movies.
Truthfully, I didn't think I would fit in with the crowd after being in seclusion for almost a year. I was too timid to mingle with large crowds anymore.
"Oh s**t". I said to myself as I felt panic surge within me.
"What was that, miss? Is there something I can help you with?". The driver asked me.
"Oh, sorry, no, I’m fine. Thank you, though". I answered sheepishly. I had totally forgotten he was standing behind me.
"Don't worry about your bags, miss. Someone from the ship will be down shortly to get them and take them to your room". He continued to speak with a cheerful grin.
Amber had sent a Cadillac to the airport to bring me to the private dock her brother owned. I appreciated the gesture more than she knew because even though I had accepted her vacation invitation, I was still too timid to socialize with the crowd. Splurging for a taxi from the airport would have left me panicking and distraught.
This vacation would mark the beginning of a massive change in my life after almost a year in isolation. I was taking the big step of finally socializing again after what happened to me a year ago. It was more like a new start for me.
I had been curled up in my room for a year, afraid to party like I used to or even hang out with my friends. I had lost most of them because I had shut them out and refused to see anyone during the one year I was 'healing'. My parents and Amber were the only constant in my life.
After everything I had been through this past year, I figured accepting Amber's offer to go on a vacation on her brother's yacht would be good for me but now I was regretting it. Unfortunately, I was already here, dressed in a pink sundress, my long blonde hair tired in a messy bun, palms sweating and heart racing like I was running a marathon.
Amber always knew how to have fun, and I really needed a vacation where I could relax, drink, and forget about the past year.
"Miss Shepherd?". A young brunette in a white polo and black knee-length skirt approached me and asked.
"Uh, yes, that’s me". I answered timidly.
"If you will follow me. Miss Sterling is waiting for you". She stated politely.
"Of course". I said with a small smile, wiping my sweaty palm against my dress.
As we reached the deck with the swimming pool, I heard a high-pitched squeal and I instantly knew it was Amber.
"Olivia!. You are here". She beamed.
She was lounging on a deck chair in a glamorous red bikini with a blue chiffon kimono. As she stood to hug me, I wasn't surprised she was wearing high heels. Amber would wear high heels in the bathroom if she could.
"Amber". I smiled broadly at her, my worries fading away a little. "It's so good to see you. You look amazing, by the way". I embraced her.
"Oh, thanks. Had to go shopping for a new yacht wardrobe whiles I was in Paris two days ago. Isn’t this bikini just to die for?. I bought us matching bikinis. I can't wait for you to try yours on". She beamed.
I wasn't surprised. Amber and I would buy two of everything for each other anytime one went shopping and saw something we thought the other would like.
"Thank you". I smiled with my response instead of telling her I didn't think I would be wearing any bikinis on this trip.
“You look cute in that sundress. Is that Lauren's limited edition?". She gasped, examining my dress.
"Yes. Mom had all my clothes bought for this vacation. Something about new start new clothes". I chuckled.
"Well it looks good on you. I love it. However I think you will look fabulous in a bikini". She winked
My smile almost faltered, but I caught it before Amber noticed. I didn't want to wear a bikini or anything that exposed too much skin.
"The yacht is gorgeous. Your brother really is extravagant". I laughed nervously trying to change the topic.
"Yes, he is such a show off but you have to admit this is nice. I figured this would be a big treat for you when he asked if I would like to go on vacation with him. You were the first person I thought about. I am glad you could make it".
"I am glad I could make it too". I said, trying not to let my panic show.
Amber snapped her fingers at a young man cleaning the pool. He was in a uniform that indicated he was part of the yacht’s staff. He immediately stopped what he was doing, and scurried off to the mini bar. A few minutes later he returned with a tall glass of martini and handed it to me.
"Thank you". I said to him and turned to look at Amber with a raised eyebrow. "Are you trying to get me drunk?".
"Me?. No. I just want you to have fun". She giggled.
I took a small sip and smiled at her. "Thank you Amber. I really appreciate you inviting me here".
"I just want you to be happy Olivia. She touched my face. You deserve all the happiness in the world".
I blinked back tears.
"It’s really good to be outside again". I confessed.
"Oh, you are going to enjoy this vacation Olivia". She kissed my cheek and I stiffened. However she didn't seem to notice as she continued to speak without skipping a beat. "Elliot bought this yacht last year; it is much better than dad's old one. You and I will be on the second floor, right off this deck, with the pool. Elliot is on the third floor in the main suite. He has a whole deck to himself, but each of our rooms has its own balcony. This vacation is going to be great".
"That sounds amazing, Amber. I.....". I gulped when she casually snaked her hand around my waist whiles holding on to her drink in the other hand. I looked up at her and she smiled sheepishly.
"Elliot likes to keep to himself. He says he has work to do or something like that. So most of the time, we will have the ship to ourselves". Her finger began to draw circles on my lower back.
"Amber...I....this". I tried to step out of her hold but she held me in place.
"We are going to have soo much fun. I invited a few of our old friends and some new ones, maybe you can get to make out with one of the hot guys". She teased.
"Who?". I felt dizzy suddenly and would have hit the floor if Amber wasn't holding me. "How many people did you invite Amber?". Beads of sweat formed on my face.
"You, me, my boyfriend, and a few of his friends and our friends". She pointed between the two of us. "Everyone else will be coming a bit later so don't worry. You can settle in first".
Part of me was nervous to meet our old friends again. I didn't know how I was going to face anyone after a year in seclusion but I was sure Amber meant no harm when she decided to invite them.
"I didn't know you had a boyfriend". I finally said, stepping away from her. "How long have you been seeing him?".
"We have been seeing each other for over a year now but we started dating four months ago. He is absolutely amazing. You are going to love him. Plus he is super hot and a celebrity!". She gushed.
"Well, I can’t wait to meet him". I said with a giggle.
"You will soon, he just went to our room to get his sunglasses. "Oh, here he comes now". Amber said with a huge smile lighting up her face.
I turned in the direction she had pointed. A tall man walked out onto the deck, wrapped an arm around Amber's waist, and pulled her in for a kiss. Then he turned to me and I stumbled backwards, the glass in my had falling to the floor.
"Tobby?". I muttered before I felt the ground shift beneath me.
- Writer
