diamonds and pearls

jude’s gaze followed the movement of serena’s hand, smile growing as the girl lifted her shirt up to show her swimsuit, although jude had a feeling the gratuitous baring of skin was hardly innocent. “ if only someone had told me about this rule earlier. i guess now i’ll just have to go naked, ” she remarked coolly, as if she’d spoken about something no more mundane than the weather. she wasn’t completely serious about swimming naked of course, but thank the heavens she’d put on a cute, matching pair of bra and panties that day that could pass as a bikini. “ where’s the fun in that? and besides, if i give you all these kisses now, you might not have any reason to keep me around any longer, and i certainly don’t want that. ” even as she said that though, jude leaned closer, her lips hovering next to serena’s ear. “ c’mon, let’s get out of here. ” she pressed her lips softly against the girl’s temple with a faintly murmured ‘that’s kiss number two’ before stepping back, her gaze not leaving serena’s as she pulled her t-shirt over her head and dropped it on the couch they’d just been sitting on.

“well now you know for future adventures to the beach,” serena teased and quickly followed suit, ditching her clothes on the couch next to jude’s. “nude beaches are becoming more and more normal. i’m sure no one would object to seeing that body of yours on full display.” the flirtatious vibe between the two was unmistakable and serena was loving it. “if they’re good kisses then why wouldn’t i keep you around?” she countered. the playful banter and witty remarks was something that serena was a fan of and was glad to see jude playing along. once the two were undressed, she took jude’s hand and lead her out towards the beach. the sun was bright and the breeze was crisp, a perfect beach day by any regard. “i hope you’re a fan of swimming and not just lounging in the sand. otherwise we’re going to have problems.”

the drink was already sweating by the time the bartender set it down in front of him, his lips spreading into a large grin as he picked it up to bring to his lips. this didn’t burn as much as the shot previously had and nixon was pleased. his smile only grew more when someone took the seat next to him. eyes roaming over her, he turned to the side slightly. “ i DEFINITELY do not mind the company. it’s much better to have someone else to drink with rather than trying to get the bartenders to drink with me. nixon, pleased to meet you. ”

“drinking alone is one of my favorite past times. it’s how i get over the fact that i’ll probably die alone one day,” serena joked before taking a sip of her own drink. “serena. and the pleasure is all mine.” a manicured hand stuck out to shake his before returning to rest on the bar. “so, nixon. what has you drinking alone on this fine evening? or better yet. what has brought you to this wonderful resort?” of course the girl was curious. an attractive face alone at a bar always piqued her interest.

“ CHEERS MATE. ” nixon grinned as he clinked his glass to the bartender’s, it took quite a bit of convincing to get the bartender to actually agree to take a shot with him but he eventually wore him down. maybe it was nix’s cheery demeanor or maybe the man just needed the release himself. who knew, nixon certainly didn’t care. the lime-green liquid burned as he drank the shot as quickly as he could, letting out a small laugh with a shake of his head. “ that was absolutely brilliant. could i get a whiskey and ginger now? ” the hotel bar was empty except nix, he assumed most of the other cast was off to their own adventures while his consisted of alcohol. for that night at least.

the resort was lonely after a majority of the cast had left to go on their dates and serena was left in the dust. the girl wandered her way around the area, trying to find anyone that was still there and keep her company. hoots and hollers could be heard from the bar so naturally she made her way towards the noise and took a seat next to the only other person there. “party for one?” she questioned, an eyebrow quirked with content. “hope you don’t mind if i crash it. vodka tonic please,” she spoke and picked up her drink with a devious smirk. 

“ careful, serena. someone might overhear and think that you care for corrine, ” jude teased, laughter coming more easily now that she was certain that the other girl hadn’t been mortally offended by the rejection. and then she received spoken confirmation that they were good, maybe even better than good. jude kind of wished that she’d approached serena sooner, because she was getting the feeling that they’d get along wonderfully. then again, that would’ve made her date card dilemma even harder to deal with, so she supposed maybe there was a reason they’d never gotten around to speaking properly until then. when the other girl suggested going to the beach, jude perked right up, having always been enthusiastic about anything to do with the outdoors. that, along with the fact that she was certain she would enjoy seeing serena in a bikini. she’d just sat down but already she was on her feet once more, reaching for serena’s hand and placing a light kiss along the back of her fingers before tugging her up lightly. “ that’s kiss number one, ” she grinned, “ and there’s more where that came from. but first, i think we’re both a little too covered up for my liking. what do you say we go get changed and then meet back here in five? ”

“someone has to watch out for the poor girl. and it’s not like anyone else is going to do it,” serena defended with a smirk. the dynamic between her and jude was already something that serena could get used to. they obviously had similar views on life and even though they had just met they seemed rather compatible. her appearance was alluring and her personality sealed the deal without question. excited to see jude reciprocate her feelings for spending time together, serena cracked a smile and sat up on the couch. this opportunity was equal or better to a date since there was no pressure for it to go well. after receiving jude’s kiss on her hand she smirked and stood up to be next to her. “rule number one of vacationing at a beach: always wear your swimsuit.” the girl lifted up her shirt to reveal a deep purple bikini along with a decent amount of bare skin. “or you can just forego the swimsuit and get right to the rest of those kisses you promised.”

nicolas bit his bottom lip when serena mentioned him and mason. it made his heart flutter, and yet his heart dropped. it wasn’t all good. “well… mason and i just met a few weeks ago, and, well… i guess we kinda put everything into each other and hoped for the best…? corrine and jt, though. i mean, they pretty much gamed the show. they’re so gonna win.” he considered serena’s point, nodding in agreement. “that’s true. infatuation has it’s charms, i can’t blame people for searching for it. i’d say the most beautiful love stories could start off with infatuation and grow into love and the relationship progresses.”

“trouble in paradise?” the girl questioned, seeing his odd reaction when bringing up the blonde. “not trying to pry, i just need the low down on everything going on so i can report my gossip accurately. also that’s so not fair. who’s idea was it to have exes on a show together?” serena twirled a strand of hair between her manicured fingers and groaned. “love stories are for schmucks. are you a schmuck? please don’t be a schmuck, nicolas.”

hearing a familiar voice from the room she was just about to walk past, jude spun on her feet, changing course and heading towards the dark-haired girl instead. “ i’m mostly just bitter that there’s a limit to the number of dates we can go on, ” she said in lieu of announcing her presence, dropping on the couch next to serena. “ to be fair, jt and corrine seem to be doing a pretty good job at the whole ‘true love’ thing, but i’m pretty sure they’re the exception, not the rule. ” there was a slight pause, and suddenly jude wondered if she was being an asshole for coming up to the girl like nothing had happened between them when she’d pretty much just rejected her. but she hadn’t simply been trying to placate the other girl when she’d said that she would’ve said yes in a heartbeat if she’d been allowed to, and suddenly it felt important that serena was aware that she had been sincere, even if it was a little presumptuous of her to assume that her rejection had affected the girl at all. “ i meant it, you know. i’ve never had to say no to a pretty girl before, and i wish i didn’t have to. but hey, just because we’re not allowed to go on a ‘date’–– ” she lifted her hands to indicate the air quotes, if the tone of her voice hadn’t been enough, “ ––doesn’t mean we can’t hang out. and if there’s a little platonic kissing involved… well, who’s going to stop us? ”

by just hearing her voice and before seeing a face serena knew it was jude that entered the room by her words. after the girl had taken a place next to her on the couch she turned her attention to the other and smirked. “they shouldn’t even be doing what they’re doing considering their history. but if the girl wants her heart broken again then she can do whatever the hell she wants to.” though she wants jealous of the couple, it was a thought that crossed her mind once or twice before. if she had decided to truly settle down and be happy with someone. and truth be told she wasn’t mad at jude for rejecting her. they had hardly spoken before date cards so she didn’t blame her. “i’m not mad at you. and i don’t blame you for rejecting my offer. it just means we’ll have to make our own date here. go to the beach or something.” going out felt like too much pressure to actually get to know the person. now the pair could just enjoy themselves at their leisure. “i think there has to be some kind of platonic kissing involved for it to even be fun.”

“three dates, too.” he chuckled. “still not sure, i’d definitely say ask me a couple years from now when i’m older and wiser. but even then i still don’t think i’d know. keep saying that and i might actually start telling people that i am.” he joked. “i might try that next week, ask for something really rare or stupid and see if production delivers.”

“teach me your ways, magic one. i’m not trying to land a soulmate or anything i just want to land somebody if not just for the fun of it. oh you bet your ass i am telling everyone in this place that you are a leprechaun. it’s like that old disney movie luck of the irish or something,” serena teased playfully. “ooh ask for a boat or something. that would be fun.”

“i’ll try my best not to.” he nodded, “i mean, if you’d still like to i don’t see why we can’t hang out regardless of it being a date. i just, i figured i’d try to get her know better.” graham did like jude, she accepted his fears off the bat and made him feel very comfortable he just felt like in a game and house like this, saying the word ‘like,’ had more weight then normal. “some people are just very much romanticists at heart. i’d rather believe that even without anyone by my side, i’ll always have a great life if i’m doing the things i enjoy. because well love doesn’t only have to be applied to another person, it could also be applied to a hobby or a passion, and i feel like some people maybe tie themselves down to one concept of love, you know?”

“you are right about that. dates are just an excuse to hog the other person from everyone else without judgement anyway. i hope you guys have fun with whatever you do,” she told him, meaning every word she said. “i guess i should actually get to know her first before asking her on a date. lesson for next time i guess.” serena was always one to jump the gun on certain things and she couldn’t deny that she was attracted to a lot of people in this resort so why not make her thoughts known? “are you a romantic at heart? that’s how i view love because that’s always learned it to be. i never had a passion for something and my parents love was some distorted partnership that i didn’t know wasn’t real until i was like fifteen. maybe one day i’ll find a passion but for right now that’s just what i know to be true.”

❝ as though half of you aren’t fucking on the down low anyways? ❞ having recently arrived, camila had not partaken in any of the on-going festivities. taking significantly more pleasure in simply watching the events from afar and attempting to get a grasp on the wide range of identities encompassing her. ❝ the naive ones. i’ll sit back watching when they inevitably crash and burn. genuine love makes you weak. DISPOSABLE. ❞

“i haven’t fucked anyone here yet and i am highkey disappointed by it,” she replied, a fierce tone on her words. “well there’s the opposite end of the spectrum. i just think love makes you stupid. it makes you blind to common sense and you’ll do anything for someone you love most of the time. case in point; my mother. she’s defending a criminal despite overwhelming evidence that he’s guilty.”

graham felt a bit torn, especially since the reason serena had gotten rejected was because he’d asked the same girl as her, and he couldn’t help but feel a bit guilty, especially since he quite liked serena as well. “i’d hope no one does, but it seems some people take it a bit hard, not that you are or anything, i’m just stating an observation about some one i’d seen earlier. but i am sorry, had i known, i probably wouldn’t have asked her. if i’m honest i wasn’t even sure on whether i should’ve sent one out anyway. but as for what people expect i’m not sure, some are optimistic, like myself, but true love just sounds like a bit of a fairytale concept, not something tangible.”

“don’t worry your adorable little head about it,” serena reassured him, knowing he was referring to the date card fiasco they shared. “i just wanted to do something, but if you like her then good luck.” it was true, she wasn’t mad at graham for sending his card to jude, just a tad annoyed that she was without plans now. “there are clearly some people here who think that finding love is the meaning of life. it makes me sick. love is something that adds to a great life, it doesn’t make it great.”

“well, luckily enough i’m actually not connected to that mess, this time.” he chuckled. “i think my date card situation went pretty great not gonna lie. but i wouldn’t exactly use the words true love, but i didn’t expect to find anything close to a relationship here, but i’m not gonna runway from it either.”

“three cheers for the happy couple?” serena replied with a hint of sarcasm. “i still don’t know how you managed to get her to forgive you that fast. are you a wizard or something? i bet it’s the red hair. you’re a leprechaun for sure.” the girl smiled at her own jokes and waved off his excuses. “you could get anything on this island that you asked for. even true love.”

“eh… depending on your point of view, date cards can be something worth getting your panties in a twist for. you’re locked up in a resort with the pressure to find love, constantly reminded you’re single every day, not allowed to even have your phone with you… suddenly a piece of hard paper is a lifeline.” nicolas shrugged. “well, you never know, right…? are the chances of finding love in the workplace really higher than that in a resort? statistically, you kinda even have a better chance here because the rate of single people is 100%.”

“okay. i see it if you’re really into someone, like you and mason. or corrine and jt. but people who just met? like it’s so ridiculous to put everything you have into one or two people and hoping you get a yes.” the girl saw his points but also felt hers were just as valid. “the chances of find true love anymore are almost zero. why do you think there are so many damn dating shows? or tinder or bumble or whatever. no one wants love. they just want infatuation.”

“probably because they wanna go on a date with someone or something, alysia shrugged. she had sent a date card to jeremiah before but, she had yet to hear back. “i mean, some do. i dont know if we’ll all find love but, some could. you never know.” alysia was here to find love or find someone that could turn into something so. also, she wanted to have the experience as well so.

“dates are overrated if we’re being honest,” serena grumbled and rolled her eyes. “and it’s not like i’m bitter or anything it’s just so annoying watching people whine about it.” serena wasn’t one to keep her thoughts to herself. if she had something to say then anyone in ear shot would hear it. 

“i mean i don’t really try to make a fuss about it. but for people who don’t get them i can see why it upsets them.” she said quietly. “honestly? i thought it was possible. now i’m not so sure.”

“they know what they signed up for. it’s not the end of the world if they don’t get a piece of paper from someone asking them on a cheesy date,” serena spoke, annoyed at the entire idea. “it’s like the bachelor/bachelorette. they play nice for cameras then break up a month later.”

cerulean orbs take in the other with a appreciate grin, blonde eyebrow quirking. ❛ now that’s what i like to hear. and please, you’re the one who’s bod needs commented on. ❜ shifting the beach bag on her shoulder, she extends her arm out for the other to take if she wished. ❛ ready to go give all these pre-pubsecent cuban boys heart failure? ❜

“let’s just agree to disagree on the compliments?” serena laughed and took kennedy’s arm. she shifted her bad to rest in the nook of her arm before they started to walk. “let’s make out on the beach and watch their heads explode.”

as she opened the door to great him, graham’s face immediately lit up, “he is very much still here, i can promise you that. though since this is a dating show i couldn’t exactly get in contact with your parent to ask for permission,” he teased, had it been a couple years ago graham was that very type, though he’s definitely evolved throughout the years. “but really, you look beautiful, that is very much your color. and purple, you’d look good in purple.” he nodded, partially speaking to himself as he looked at her dress. lifting his eyes back up to hers, he stuttered, “i, uh, sorry, would you like to get going?” he extended his arm towards her, with a smile, excited to see where this date would take them. despite his reservations about drinking, he found wine to be he exception, he’d read a few sommelier books before and he immediately fell in love with the concept of wine.

“you have got to be kidding me. that is the most adorable thing anyone has ever said to me. also my mom would probably say yes anyway because she thinks i need to find a man to settle down with and you are perfect,” the girl spoke without thinking her words though and thought that she might have come off a bit strong but didn’t care. “purple? you think? maybe like...an eggplant purple but definitely not like lilac purple.” she made a face of disgust at the thought but laughed all the same. serena had initiated this date to just get out of the resort in the first place, but now that she was actually leaving with graham she thought she’d actually make an effort to get to know him more. “yes of course,” she replied and took his arm.