b r i g h t b u r n —

━━ “Not sure if this is a funny story, but,” Julian began, looking up from the book he was reading to look at the other. “After coming back from Fire Island, my operations lead FaceTimed me just to tell me that I look a lot like Beck Oliver of Victorious. I did grow up watching that series, by the way, so that made me laugh. He said something about me leaning against surfaces and my hair.” Chuckling for a moment, he continued, “Has anyone ever told you that you look like someone else or a character?”

“you forgot?? it’s kind of what i do for a living,” cole teased in return, but his eyes lit up as julian complimented his work, feeling a burst of pride in himself and his art. “it is a turtle! poor guy was just out here vibin, i felt kind of bad taking his picture. he was a good model, though,” he said, laughing as they scrolled through the photos together. “in his honor, i think. she said they would come here every year, and it was her first year without him, so she knew it wouldn’t be right to just sit home.” smiling fondly at the photo, cole looked up in surprise when julian asked to take his picture instead. “god, seriously? i look terrible right now,” cole said, chuckling and shaking his head.

scout surveyed the sheer amount of alcohol in front of them. was it a bad idea? absolutely. were they still going to do it? one hundred percent. “ i mean, it would be downright immoral to waste all of this, right? ” she clinks her shot with his, feeling the effects of the drinking they’d been doing all day. “ carpe the day and all that. ”

“   exactly  !  now  who  would  want  that  ?  ”  she  teased  in  response  ,  smiling  in  his  direction  before  scrunching  up  her  nose  at  him  .  “  that’s  great  .  yeah  ,  he  totally  did  .  how  will  we  ever  thank  him  ?  ”  the  brunette  says  as  the  elevator  door  opens  &  she  enters  .  “  i  didn’t  ,  i  have  some  ideas  though  .  like  i  definitely  wanna  go  parasailing  while  we’re  here  ,  ”  she  responds  ,  smiling  softly  before  exiting  the  elevator  .  “  how  about  you  ?  ”

━━ Julian looked at Paycie, grinning. “I think a simple ‘thank you’ is enough for Ash, really,” he revealed. “Sure, he’s a little lavish, but the guy does value gratitude.” A little insight about Asher? It just might be. “Paddleboarding—there’s this nice area on the other side and the water’s real nice. We should do that. Tomorrow or this afternoon?” He suggested, shrugging a shoulder.

The petite dancer walked along a more secluded area of the beach holding her shoes in one hand by the laces. She planned on getting some sun and swimming until she couldn’t move. Her brown eyes widened and a gasp left her lips as she saw two lovers fucking in the sand. It was like witnessing a car crash, now matter how much she tried she couldn’t tear her eyes away. “Well the cards did tell me I was going to find love on this vacation.” Juliette uttered.

@ten23starters​

“mostly just weed and edibles, honestly,” cole laughed, finally relenting with a shrug of his shoulders. he had been doing his best to stay away from any other drug since his fight with mia, but it didn’t mean he wasn’t still tempted. especially on vacation. he scooted a bit to make room for julian, laughing as he did a double take at the photo he had just taken. “see, i told you!” grinning, he started scrolling through the various photos he’d been taking around the island over the last few days, varying between landscapes, candids of their apartment mates, random people he’d seen on the street, etc. “this one’s my favorite. had like, a two minute conversation with this lady in the elevator. she was on her first vacation since her husband passed away, and when i asked to take her picture, i swear i’ve never seen someone smile that much,” cole laughed softly, showing julian the photo of the older woman.

“it isn’t cheating, it’s smart,” the femme explained with a laugh. “i honestly can’t think of anything more essential right now. we’re also going to need it for taking photos with the pics. are we allowed to do that? because i’m probably going to anyway. i cant pass up that opportunity.”

scout’s head snaps up from the tequila shots she’s preparing diligently for them, eyes widening. “ uh, quick question. why aren’t we there right now? ”

Wren faked a sad face, though a smile remained under the surface as Julian teased her. She laughed slightly afterwards before leading the way to the desk. Julian’s sudden finding of the brochures was relief to Wren, glad they would be able to figure this out on their own. “Shit, nice work,” she promoted, flipping through the pictures and smiling happily to herself. Wren looked up to Julian at his question and cocked a brow. “I’m sorry, are you asking me if I would rather drive a gas-powered, fast, sick ass, ATV or manually push a bike?” She asked, a smile present. “Definitely the bike,” she teased. 

*Sips Tea* (indirect shade/sneak dissing): Virgo, Gemini, Capricorn, Aries

*Sips Vodka* (blunt shade/talking shit): Scorpio, Leo, Sagittarius, Libra

Leo cocked an eyebrow. “See, this is exactly why we’re friends, Julian.” Playfully snapping his fingers at other as he took a few steps back towards the bar, ordering another 2 of exactly what they were drinking now. “It’s so great to leave the city for a bit huh?” He replied once he reached Julian again, handing him his second pineapple. “With City. I wonder if she’ll make me sleep on the couch,” he joked. “But I’m hoping I won’t be going back to my own room tonight. So she can have the bed to herself,’ he continued with a chuckle. “What about you? Who will be in your bed tonight?”

━━ “Oh, okay—more for us,” Julian said, trying to contain his laughter when Leo went back to get them more drinks. “You’re a bad man, Leo,” and took the pineapple because why the hell not? They’ll arrive at the Pig Beach tipsy, and that’s fine. It’ll be fine. “You can move the couch close to the balcony. That’s a sight to fall asleep and wake up to,” he suggested with a grin. “Oh, it’s Brooks—you’ve met him, yeah?” He took a sip of his drink and looked at Leo. “Wait, have you? I should have introduced you to everyone—we need to do something about that, man.”  

cole found amusement in the fact that he had startled his best friend – of course. but in all honesty, he was just glad to see him. he rolled his eyes as he waved julian over, inviting him to sit down with him. “i’m just high on life, man,” he said with a teasing grin. “and maybe a few other things, but we don’t need to discuss that. seriously, how are you? i feel like i haven’t seen you since this trip started. oh my god, look at your hair in this picture. i’m a fucking genius, that angle is so good,” cole mumbled as he scrolled through the few photos he just took, holding the camera out so the other male could take a look.

“i haven’t,” zar confided, thinking about that for a second. “fuck, coconut matcha, that must be so fucking good…” he shook his head, though, focusing back on the task at hand. there were pigs to meet. “yeah, and it looks… pretty fucking sick, honestly.” zar scrolled through the site, and gave julian an incredulous look at his suggestion. “uh, sure. but were you sure about the pig beach? because if there is a pig beach we definitely need to find it.” 

she sighs, looking up at julian through lowered lashes as he kisses her cheek. unable to keep from smiling at his affection. ❛  it’s a very pretty island and i’m happy to be here with you. ❜  natalina agrees, moving her sunglasses to atop her head. ❛  i can’t think of anything better than that. it’s settled. now we have to. i miss sammy, i feel like i barely see him. ❜   she admits, idly flipping through the pages of his magazine. ❛  i know, it’s a shame really. you stole the words right out of my mouth. i swear, jules, i don’t know how i survived so long without you.❜  nat closes her eyes for a moment, taking in the beaming sun as he searches up the pig beach. she cracks an eye open when he gets a hit. ❛  look who you’re talking to, of course i do,❜  she grins, sitting up to reach for her bag. ❛  let’s go  !  lead the way, captain. ❜

━━ “Sammy’s working on some new material,” Julian tells Natalina, assuring her, “band can’t really practice since Joaquin’s sprained his hand.” He almost made a dirty joke but decided against it. “Solo stuff for the meantime, Sammy, I mean. I want to take him to the Pig Beach, too, but I feel like he’d want to take all of them back to New York, and that’s—anyway.” He waved his hand, smiling at Nat once more. “Two ATVs, then?” Julian said, beaming as he stands up. Reaching the ATV rentals, Julian pointed at a green one, “Mine—that one.” He turns to Nat and, “Red, blue, yellow, white? It’s like the Power Rangers’ ATV. Which one are you going for?”

“I… wasn’t even aware there was a Pig Island here, what?! That’s fuckin’ awesome! Wait… that changes everything. I need a photo of that, Jules,” he said, his gaze narrowing and fixing on Julian. “If you find it, you bet your ass I’m coming with you. Maybe some of the locals know. I bet we could ask around if you can’t find anything in the internet,” he said, glancing towards Julian’s phone when the other fished it out.