GREENE | CS55

09 - A Date?

JANUARY 2020 | IBIZA, SPAIN

Pierce padded slowly down to the dock, the crunch of the saltine dryness rubbing between the soles of her feet and the rubber slides strewn on them, lazily drifting into what she deeply wished could be her routine forever. She had spent her morning, up before the rest of the villa, down at the private beach. Dipping her feet in the cold morning water. Feeling the grit of the sand sticking between her toes.

It was her intention to squeeze in a quick workout, but three reps into the first exercise she realized what she needed was to enjoy this moment of solitude. Relish in it.

The initial idea was for the girls to spend their time in Ibiza on the yacht, only going into town for food and the parties that Sydney had lined up with celebrities from all walks of life. Almost like it was a job for her. Like she was a politician pining for votes, votes that she would have to gain with her presence and noses ability to keep up with her selection of habits for the night.

But, Tatianna Scott's fear of large bodies of water brought that train to a derailment.

"You're joking! Tat— grow up. Its a yacht. One that is practically the size of your whole home. We're a short swim away from shore as well, mind you." Sydney had scoffed, the image of her face illuminated with a humming ring around it at her tone. The four girls were discussing their trip over FaceTime, unable to convince Pierce to fly to Los Angeles for Christmas. "You can swim, can't you?" Sydney's eyes strangled Tatianna through the lens.

"We could find a villa," Pierce laid on her side, supporting her weight with a bent arm. "It's on me."

Don't say I never did anything for you, Tat.

"At this date? There won't be any villas left to rent. Unless you're cool with some, like, shack on the beach." Sydney lowered her voice, scoffing at the thought. "You should have said something sooner. Tat. We've had this planned in the group-chat for a hot minute."

"I know a guy." Pierce retorted simply, playing with a strand of her hair idly. The rollercoaster of emotions displayed on Tatianna's face was comical as she watched the two butt heads. Sometimes Tatianna wondered if Pierce found pleasure in throwing a wrench in Sydney's plans. Though, this instance seemed the opposite. Like Pierce was genuinely trying to help find a quick and easy solution.

"Don't sweat it Syd. You got the yacht, I'll find us room and board."

There was no way Greene would last this week and a half trip to paradise without Scott.

White wasn't having it.

Maybe it was the idea of having to share the glory with Pierce that sent her into a spiral of revolt. Those words that Pierce knew would test her strength if they didn't completely send her off the rails, first.

"It's got to have at least six bedrooms. Each one needs it's own bathroom, I am not sharing with you guys."

"Easy."

"And a fully staffed pool, a hot tub. Private chef service?"

"Your wish is my command, Syd."

Pierce would never admit how her family owned the villa. One of Jim's forgotten vacation homes, complaining that Ibiza was too young for him. She'd never admit to White how, despite her relentless protests, Pierce had already sent Jim a text letting him know she'd be there after Christmas had come to a close. The house checked every box off Sydney's near-impossible list in a blink of an eye. A house on the water, a pool, fully staffed at the snap of a finger, with a private dock for the lavish moorage of the White Rider.