Untouchable

0.14

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Ivy’s POV

The scent of freshly brewed coffee and sea salt filled the air as I stepped onto the patio where everyone was gathered for breakfast. The sky was a brilliant blue, the ocean stretching endlessly beyond the deck. It was the kind of morning that felt too perfect to be real.

Nathaniel, already lounging in his chair with an easy smirk, glanced up. “Well, well, look who finally rolled out of bed.”

I grabbed a slice of pineapple from the fruit platter and popped it into my mouth before sitting down. “Not all of us wake up looking camera-ready, Van der Meer.”

He let out a low chuckle. “That’s a shame, Collins.”

Lily, sitting across from me, nudged my foot under the table. “We were just talking about snorkeling. You in?”

I nodded, grabbing a piece of toast. “Yeah, of course. Who’s most likely to freak out over a fish?”

“Kayla,” Sebastian answered without hesitation.

Kayla gasped dramatically. “Excuse me? I’ll have you know I am completely at peace with nature.”

Nathaniel raised an eyebrow. “You screamed when a butterfly landed on you last week.”

Kayla threw a piece of toast at him. “That butterfly was suspiciously large.”

The conversation flowed effortlessly, filled with teasing and laughter as we finished breakfast.

-

The boat ride to the snorkeling spot was a mix of excitement and playful chaos. The ocean stretched endlessly, the water shimmering under the morning sun. I leaned against the railing, the wind tangling through my hair as we neared the reef.

Nathaniel came up beside me, arms resting on the railing. “Ever done this before?”

“A few times,” I admitted. “You?”

He smirked. “Once or twice. Try not to get left behind, Collins.”

I rolled my eyes but didn’t bother responding.

Once we anchored, everyone scrambled to put on their gear. Kayla was already second-guessing her life choices as she clung to the boat ladder.

“What if a fish touches me?” she whined.

Sebastian sighed. “You do realize that’s kind of the point?”

“I just need a minute.”

Lily gave her a gentle push. “You’ll be fine.”

The second I submerged, the world shifted. The water was impossibly clear, revealing an entire world beneath the surface. Coral formations stretched like underwater cities, fish darting between them in flashes of color.

I swam further, taking in the view, when someone suddenly tapped my arm. Turning, I found Nathaniel gesturing for me to follow him.

Curious, I did. He led me toward a cluster of rocks, where a sea turtle glided effortlessly through the water. I barely had time to register the moment before he grabbed my hand, pulling me along to follow it.

It was surreal, the quiet hum of the ocean surrounding us. When we finally surfaced, I pushed my mask up, breathless.

“See?” Nathaniel smirked. “Told you not to get left behind.”

I splashed him, earning a laugh before he swam back toward the others.

By the time we climbed back onto the boat, I was exhausted but exhilarated.

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Once we returned, exhaustion had settled over everyone, but we weren’t done for the day. Towels draped over shoulders, we made our way to the pool, where a few of us flopped onto lounge chairs while the others waded into the water.

Sebastian and Lily were off to the side, close—closer than usual. I watched them for a second, noting how Lily was laughing softer, how Sebastian was more engaged. Interesting.

Nathaniel sat beside me, shaking his damp hair so that droplets sprayed onto my arm.

I swatted at him. “Really?”

He smirked. “What, don’t like the extra refreshment?”

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t stop the smile tugging at my lips.

-

As the sun set, I decided to take a walk along the shoreline, enjoying the quiet. The sand was cool beneath my feet, the waves lapping gently against the shore.

I wasn’t expecting to run into Adrian.

He was standing a little further down the beach, hands shoved into his pockets, his gaze fixed on the ocean. When he noticed me, he didn’t look away.

“Didn’t think you’d be out here,” I said, keeping my voice light.

He tilted his head slightly. “Didn’t think you’d be either.”

A breeze rolled through, carrying the scent of salt and something unspoken between us.

Then, after a long pause, Adrian exhaled sharply. “You don’t think, do you?”

I blinked. “Excuse me?”

His jaw tightened slightly. “You kissed Nathaniel.”

I crossed my arms. “It was a game.”

His expression remained unreadable, but there was something in his voice when he spoke next. “Right.” A beat. “You’re in a relationship.”

I stared at him, searching for something—anything—in his tone that would give him away. “Why do you care?”

His gaze flicked to mine, something unreadable swimming behind his eyes. “I don’t,” he muttered. But he looked away too quickly.

Before I could press further, someone called my name from the house. I turned toward the sound, and when I glanced back, Adrian was already walking away.

Back at the villa, the group was gathered inside, arguing over which movie to watch. Kayla waved me over. “You in?”

I hesitated, my mind still tangled with my conversation with Adrian. Then Nathaniel dropped onto the couch beside me, tossing a piece of popcorn at my head.

“Don’t overthink it, Collins. Just sit down and enjoy the movie.”

I smirked. “No promises.”

As the lights dimmed and the screen flickered to life, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this trip was only just getting interesting.

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