the good girl gone bad

There was this small spot on the back of the cruise ship where Harper had found her little secret hide out. Sometimes it was just nice to spend some time alone. So when she decided to visit the little spot, she expected it to be completely empty. Obviously, she’d been very wrong about that. “Oh – I’m sorry. I didn’t expect anyone to be out here.” She quickly started as she noticed the other.

Annie shrugged, chewing on the straw that was floating in her Bellini. “Well, here I am. I wanted to get away from the deck for a little bit, some assholes brought their kid and everybody is playing with it. If I hear the words ‘now swim like a mermaid!’ one more time, I might throw myself overboard.”

“You know, it’s been so long since I’ve seen the ocean. I was kind of dreading this trip but I truly am glad I came. I feel a sense of peace and forgiveness. I could stay here forever. What about you? How’re you enjoying the trip so far?”

“Why are you here? If you tell the school sent you guys to spy on us, I swear to god. I’ll set fire to Dean Woodring.”

“Are you seriously dumb enough to pick up shit when you don’t know what it is? Jesus fucking Christ.”

“As soon as I saw the sagging tits, I was out of there. I didn’t bother to look around. So I wouldn’t know if it’s cool or not. Wait, some grandma just gave you half of her birthday cake? Fuck yes, I want to split it. It’s cake, Annie. Is that a real question? Come on, where is it? I’m starving.”

“God, I do not want to get old. As soon as my boobs don’t look good anymore, my whole aesthetic is ruined. Well, take it from me - it’s pretty cool. They were playing shuffleboard, it was pretty entertaining to see them cursing the shit out of each other when they lost. Stop being so impatient, it’s in my purse. The frosting might’ve melted a little, but it’s still cake. Here.”

“Tanning lotion?” McKenzie responded with a confused look towards the girl. “It’s pretty gentle and does just enough for a healthy glow. Don’t worry, I wouldn’t buy anything that would fry me like an onion ring… which reminds me that I’m very hungry right now.”

“Just checking. My little sister once put baby oil all over herself before going out and tanning, she thought it’d give her a healthy glow. She looked hilarious, like a lobster with serious eczema. Me too, actually. After you’ve finished with your healthy glow, you wanna go and get some onion rings?”

Brandon eyed the girll from head to toe. “You know what? I think I am.” Brandon laughed. “Tonight is different Annie. Tonight, drinks are on me. My favorite type of drink is expensive and that’s what we’re having. What do you mean, girl? You drink everything they serve you?”

“They’re on you? That changes everything then. I’ll have a Jack on the Rocks. On him.” Annie grinned to the bartender. “You sound like something straight out of Gossip Girl right now, I love it. Not everything, Mustache Mark over there looks like he’s ready to slip rohypnol in the drink of whatever unlucky lady gets closest to him.”

“Can I?” Liz asked. “Honestly I can even sleep on the floor, I don’t mind at this point. It’s not just that, his whole presence bothers me. You know how much I dislike guys like him.”

“Yeah, if you don’t mind sleeping on the couch. Or the floor, but I mean - you’re probably gonna ache like fuck. I know, you hate fuckboys. Have you tried hitting him? Maybe that’ll get all your frustration out.”

“It won´t be in and out, I just got out to invite you, I might stay here for a while, you sure you don´t want to join?”

“Oh, really? Eh, I guess I could come in for a little bit. I’m already drunk enough that I won’t have to pretend to have fun, so why not?”

Jake took the alcoholic beverage as it was handed over to him, taking a hefty swig of it before he set it on the table beside him. “I thought you seemed a little lost. Benson isn’t around to take you down dark alleys hand in hand and have you both ending up in jail cells for the night. However, if you’re seeking a partner in crime this break then you might just be in luck; I’m never opposed to pushing a few people overboard metaphorically and physically, and besides I’m a lot better at hiding my tracks than Princess Gia. It wouldn’t be my first rodeo.” The raven hair male nonchalantly sank back where he was situated once again, acknowledging the few disapproving glowers in the corners of his beryl eyes, but it wasn’t as though Jake was one to care about his public image amongst others. “Balding Billy? More like Deaf Balding Billy, and so be it if he made a move — I think it’ll make this night a hell of a lot more memorable than it already is for you and I both.. not that it’ll be memorable for much longer once I get another drink or five down me but I can honestly say this is my first time playing any game with an attractive female besides Twister.”

Annie downed most of the drink in her hand, putting down the practically empty glass before turning her focus back to Jake, her eyes narrowing at his words. “Yeah, that’s what we did. The police get pretty mad when you walk down alleyways.” She said sarcastically. “Princess Gia? Please don’t refer to girls as princesses, it makes you sound like a fifty year old paedophile. As for the new partner in crime part... I’ll consider. If only because you lost Laura and I lost Gia, so we’re both in need of somebody as fucked up as them.” She raised an eyebrow, crossing one leg over the other and she leaned in to hear the numbers being called and blotting them off as she saw them. “Deaf or blind, maybe he heard you but he doesn’t know where the fuck you are. Poor Balding Billy. Provoke him some more, I wanna see a real fight - one that doesn’t include you and Bill over there shooting dirty glances at each other from across the room. Yeah? What, do you normally play games with unattractive females? Even so, there’s a first time for everything.”

“Oh, please tell me everyone is still alive and the house is okay.” Ella pleaded dramatically. “I’ve thought about it; believe me. But it comes to a point where you have to move on, you know?”

“Everyone’s still alive, don’t stress. As for the house being okay... well, we don’t exactly have a housekeeper like the Zetas do and there was a tiny incident with a bonfire last month... But it’s all good. We blamed it on one of the pledges. Yeah yeah, all that moivng on shit. Doesn’t mean we don’t miss you.”

“Oh, was that what we were talking about? I’ll leave that to Brandon Sayer, it’s about time he gets laid again.” Jake snickered, setting his empty shot glass down before he made a swift and subtle grab for the bingo dabber and card located on the old slumbering woman’s table. “—- Exactly, meaning you have far more experience than me in at least one department.. I honestly have yet to hear about others, though I did acknowledge you can be pretty wild on these Greek retreats from spring break.” Biting the lid of the dabber off, he set it aside and leaned back in his chair. “You know the majority of old people experience faulty hearing, I have high doubts they can hear me.. just watch –” The male swiped his tongue along his lips before speaking up into the crowd, “you’re all going to die soon and I’m going to break your granddaughter’s hearts!”

“That’s cheating, it’s not a one off for Brandon. I’d be more surprised if he was hitting on one of the old bats.” Annie rolled her eyes, reaching out for a cocktail from a waiter holding a heavily lain tray, handing it to him before grabbing another for herself. “I’m pretty sure you can guess the others. Although I’m trying not to get arrested on this particular retreat, especially because I don’t have my partner in crime anymore.” She laughed, reaching out to take a marker of her own from one of the sleeping elderly next to her, listening out for the numbers they were calling before she heard Jake’s voice overpower the announcer. “Jesus Christ...” She laughed, looking around to see a couple of scowling elderly faces and the rest blank, completely oblivious to what had just been shouted. “It’s a good job Balding Billy over there didn’t hear you, he’s ripped for an old guy.”

“Really? I was thinking shark, fitting with the theme of this retreat.”

“Oh yeah, shark definitely makes you sound more badass. What’s the story, huh? Did somebody push you? Did you fall? Impressive hot and sweaty fight with the bad guys?”

“A girl who can’t make her own decisions. Impressive. What happened Annie? When did you become like this?”

“Become like what? I think you’re mistaking me for someone else, my favourite type of alcohol is strong and my second favourite is cheap. I’ve never been picky with what I’m drinking.”

“I give anything a shot at least once, I’m happen to be quite the optimist… but speaking of shots –” The male reached for the two tequila shots from his selection of liquor, holding one out for the brunette to take from his grasp as he gulped back his own in an instinct. “— Like I said, I’m a strong believer in trying anything once.. as long as you promise to play trusty mentor and join me then I’m down for a game of bingo, and I have strong belief that I’ll win considering the old biddies will be far too distracted by my youthful good looks. How about this, I’ll give you half the prize money and a kiss at the end of the night?”

The smaller girl took the shot from him gladly, knocking back the tequila in a second before wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. “Well, Jake Harveys giving one of the male water polo instructors a shot is something I’d pay to see.” She grinned. “What makes you think I’m some kind of bingo expert? Although actually, you’re in luck. My grandpa used to make me play in the nursing home, I was pretty much the champ. Woah, keep your voice down - they may be distracted by your youthful good looks, but they can still hear you and everybody knows old people can be vicious. That’s almost kind of gentlemanly for you, Harveys.” She raised an eyebrow. “We’ll see if you win first.”

“The puking should be over. I hope, at least. I haven’t eaten in hours, so you would think there wouldn’t be anything left…”

“God, I hope so. If there’s one thing I can’t deal with, it’s vomit. Do you want some water or something? I hear ginger is good for sickness.”