Chapter 3
Kadence
Agreeing to this vacation wasn’t difficult. I’ve worked my ass off to graduate next month with honors and a scholarship to NYU to finish up law school. I’ve sacrificed a social life in order to stay on top of my studies. For years I’ve done nothing but keep my head in books. My strict parents expected only the best out of me, and for all they’ve invested in my future, I need to make them proud.
That being said, I need this break. For the first time I can spend Spring Break relaxing at a beach location I’ve never actually been. It was one of my friend’s ideas. Her grandparents has a house on Chincoteague Island that they live in during the summer months. The four-bedroom bungalow is right on the bay, looking across to Assateague where the wild ponies live.
Growing up on Long Island, I never really had the opportunity to have a horse. We lived in the suburbs in a private community that wouldn’t allow farm animals of any kind.
When I was fourteen my parents moved us to the Hamptons after a high profile court case took their law firm from affordable to the best of the best. It’s why I have such big shoes to fill. It’s expected of me.
With that being said, I wasn’t the type of kid to want for anything, but I was taught to cherish and appreciate everything we had. If I asked for something, I got it without argument. My parents were often busy, so they showered me with lavish gifts to make up for their lack of being around. I’m spoiled, and for the most part I’m not complaining about it. I’ve seen how much others have to work for way less than we have. I understand why some people assume I’m just another rich kid with a silver spoon in my pocket. What they don’t know is that I’m the type of person to only need minimal belongings. I’ve outgrown the gifts and money. Life is more than that.
The group of friends I'm vacationing with have been a part of my life since we attended secondary school. Though we've drifted apart at times, especially in the past several years, I know they'll always be there for me. The problem is, all of our lives have gone in different directions, and the bond we once shared has been torn apart for various reasons.
We haven't all been taught to respect people less fortunate. In fact, the group of girls I'm vacationing with find it difficult to be kind to anyone they've come across on this sweet little island. They’re living up to the stereotype of rich bitches. It’s pathetic and sad.
My parents didn't come from money. Maybe that's the difference between them and myself. Even though I'm spoiled, I value what we have, because I grew up hearing how hard my father worked to give it to us.
Even though I'm in law school, my heart is set on working for a non-profit organization. I want to help people fight large corporations that do them wrong. It's a cutthroat career I know I'll be able to handle.
Because of my upbringing, I suppose I'm critical about certain situations. Take our tour guide for instance. He's probably met all types of people in his line of work, but for some reason believes we’re the worst of the worst. I'm not defending my friends, especially Davina. She's ruthless and cold when she wants to be. She reminds me of what a bug feels like when it's squished to death. She'll never think about that bug again or how she ended its life.
In some ways I admire her perseverance, but in other ways I loathe her method of thinking. She's aware she's being a bitch, but when called out on it she's offended. It's hypocritical, not that you'll ever hear me saying it to her face.
Davina is self-centered. She thinks people below her are her servants. Her parents made her the way she is. Her dad bought property all over the country and contracts out solar electricity to co-ops. They're millionaires. The fact that she left the Hamptons to come to this island is shocking. She's blatantly said she wouldn't travel to places without five star spa accommodations.
This quaint little town bleeds history. It's a family town. There's literally two bars that close around midnight. It’s peaceful and stress free. It’s the kind of place where people come after busting their asses for thirty years at a shit job, to finally be able to relax and smile. I’ve visited plenty of beaches, but none feel like I could actually live there.
I could see myself buying a home on the water when I’m older, married, and maybe even have children one day. For now my future is already laid out. Three more years of college, and then an internship at my parent’s firm. After that I’ll join the practice until I can gain enough experience to branch out on my own. It’s a good plan; one that’s going to take a little more time to reach.
Dreams of coming to a place like this are farfetched. It was hard enough for my friends to convince me to join them on this trip. My parents had invited me to Aruba for a month. They rented a big house for just the three of us. If they didn’t encourage me to come here instead, I would have declined. These girls like to drink their fancy champagne and gossip about anything and everything. I’m the quiet one. I’m the one who holds their hair while they’re puking. I’m the one who makes sure everyone is tucked into bed before being able to sleep myself. I’ve always been the responsible one, because I see what stupid mistakes can do to someone’s life. I’ve been around enough court cases to know right from wrong, and I don’t take chances. It’s not worth a lifetime of regret.
Even this kayak excursion was something I didn’t feel safe doing. I’m not familiar with the area. Accidents can happen. Now I’m forced to be the mediator for our guide and my hard-to-deal-with friends. I’m not having a good time at all.
It’s too bad he’s playing into Davina’s hand. If she’d take him seriously she’d acknowledge his valid accusations. Instead she’s put up a wall. The only thing she knows is that she will get the last word in, and she doesn’t give a damn who she hurts to make it happen.
This poor guy didn’t wake up this morning and ask for us to ruin his life. I feel sorry for him. At first he seemed nice. He’s obviously lived here on the island for a long time. He’s very informative and conscious of his surroundings. It doesn’t hurt that underneath his life vest, he’s shirtless and looks pretty fit from what I can tell. His wavy brown hair blows in the cool breeze, and his tan skin tells me he’s been outdoors even with the weather still being chilly. I’m not close enough to see his eyes, but they appear to be either light brown or hazel. I’m sure of that much. Either way, his long lashes make it appear like he’s wearing eyeliner, when I know he’s not. At least I hope he isn’t. It would be a shame if it weren’t natural. What really catches me is his smile. It’s bright and perfect. Working a job with the public, I can only assume he’s normally good with people, just not my group, because we’re awful, at least some of us.
I’m sure he’s hit on so much he’s used to it by now. Our group may actually be the worst he’s ever hosted.
Davina is relentless. She keeps calling our guide’s boss until he answers. We listen to her complaining about the poor guy, going into detail about how she’s been treated unfairly, while never once admitting her faults. I’m forced to sit here and pretend it doesn’t bother me, because I know if I call her out, we’ll all have a terrible vacation. I’m not sure if she’s gotten worse, or I’ve just been oblivious for far too long. All I know is that this is the last time I ever go anywhere with her again. It makes me regret coming.
On the other hand, this is the kind of place I can let loose in and not worry about who might judge me. Right now I can pretend my stressful life doesn’t exist. I’m not the perfect law student, or the daughter my parents pride themselves on. Right now I’m whomever the hell I feel like being and for the first time in forever it feels amazing.