It's loud. And close. And it won't stop fucking beeping.

Groaning follows. Then shuffling. And finally the long reach across to shut the damn thing off. Today's chosen method? Smacking it off the night stand til it crashes to the floor.

Silence. Finally.

It's 5:00am.

Body is sore from last night or rather, early this morning. The final night of any voyage is always the craziest. It's the passengers' last opportunity to let loose before being thrusted back into the reality of their terrible lives so on this night, the last night, they give it everything they've got. And so does she.

Flashes from a few hours ago begin to flood her mind. Sweaty bodies, drinks flowing, people laughing and having the time of their lives in the club. The bass isn't just heard throughout deck 5, you can feel it. It's pumping through your veins replacing blood with 8 count after 8 count of the dopest bass line you've ever heard.

She's here for the music. She creates it.

Her face starts to fracture with a small smile at this flashback. The music is where she lives. In between the bass and the 808. That's her address. Any city. Any country. That's where she'll be.

Another voyage begins today. Every Sunday new passengers board Olympia's newest vessel, Athena*. This voyage however marks a first for this musician. It's her first 21 Day cruise and first as Musical Entertainment Director. After 4 years at sea, this promotion is well overdue. This promotion also means an upgrade in accommodations and today is moving day. From deck 0 to deck 5, where she'd be spending most of her time anyway.

Deck 5, or Promenade, is filled with areas for live music. The casino has a small stage. The multi story atrium forward of the ship was built with a landing for musicians to play for the guests, and the aft lounge is great for jazz, latin, and Caribbean tunes. But the heartbeat of this ship is Aphrodite's Palace, the nightclub on board. It's the ship's Vegas. What happens here, stays here. This is her stage. Her new position requires her to manage all music entertainment onboard, but her one condition was that she could still rock it out in AP when she wanted, specifically the first and last night of each cruise.

So her day of moving her stuff up 5 decks commences, but not before a big, strong cup of coffee to start.

2 months ago

"Jess! It's the big day man! You ready?"

Donald says as he pats Jesse on the back.

Donald has been his best friend since high school. They were in choir together before starting a small music group with their friends and classmates. The Treblemakers. Clever. It started as a group of six guys who liked to sing more current, updated covers, then blossomed into a group of 12 that competed outside of school in competitions all around the state of Michigan. That's where he met Benji and Bumper who later went to college with Jesse down south in Georgia.

"Yeah man. It's finally here. I can't believe I'll be a married man in less thank 2 hours." Jess smiles. Today is the day he marries his bride to be. Chanel. They've been together for 6 years and after 18 months of planning her perfect wedding, Jesse and Chanel are getting married today.

"Man, I can't wait to see her. I know she's stunning!" The groom can't help but beam at the thought of his bride walking down the aisle to meet him. He worked so many overtime hours to afford her this beautiful day and the surprise honeymoon he has planned for her. They both love the ocean, but wanted to travel out of the country. So...a honeymoon on the high seas was the best option. Food for days, pampering service, multiple countries, and unlimited ocean views. That was it. The ultimate vacation. After planning the wedding while she finished school, they needed all 21 days of this trip to unwind and spend some quality time together. Just him and her. He couldn't wait!

"Ok gentlemen, we got 30 mins before you're taking your places. Jesse, do you need anything before I go?"

"Whiskey." Jesse says with excited nerves.

"On step ahead of you boss." Before Jesse even realizes it, there's a tray of whiskey shots on the coffee table of the the groom's dressing room for the guys.

"Carissa, you're worth every penny!" He hugs her and she chuckles lightly. "You are literally the best wedding planner on the planet."

"Ha! I'm glad you think so. It's always easy to go above and beyond for my clients. Especially once the check has cleared!" Jesse hands her a shot and takes one for himself. "Seriously though Car, you've really made this amazing. Chanel has everything she ever wanted in a wedding and it's all thank to you. Thank you for making this day so perfect for us. Cheers!" They down the shot together and she smiles up at his glowing face.

"Jesse, you've been my favorite groom to date. I really appreciate that thank you. Now let's get you a wife huh!" She says as she sets the shot glass on the table.

"Be ready in 10!" And she's out the door.

Whispering and restlessness. That's what's filling the garden of this hotel; this little area lush with plants and flowers and trees where Jesse and Chanel are to become husband and wife. Only there's no Chanel. It's been 45 mins.

"Carissa, where the fuck is my wife? Why isn't she here?!" Jesse had pulled his wedding planner to the side of the alter. He's freaking out. Understandably.

"Jesse I don't know. She was just putting on her veil when I went to check on her shortly after I left you. She seemed nervous but excited. No one has seen her in 25 mins." Carissa's concerned too. She's paniced but trying hard not to show it. This isn't the first time this has happened on her watch. Chanel was dressed and gorgeous in her floor length gown when she talked to her 30 mins ago. Her thoughts were cut off when one of assistants taps her on the shoulder. "Carissa-", as she and Jesse both turn at the sound of the voice, their eyes land on the beautiful bundle for flowers in the assistant's hand. The bouquet. Chanel's Bouquet. Some of the flowers are wilted and some petals are missing, but it's still a pretty set of flowers except that they are currently in the hands of the wrong person.

"I found these on the other side of the courtyard by the trash can." The assistant says solemnly. Carissa steps closer to her employee and whispers "like by the parking lot?" Her answer is a simple nod.

Fuck.

Carissa turns to Jesse as his face turns to stone. She doesn't say a word. How can she. Her favorite client's bride just ran. Jesse slowly takes the bouquet from the assistant's hands and he caresses the satin ribbon wrapped around the stems. He's quiet. This is not good. This very bad.

"Ok." Are the first words out of Jesse's mouth in what feels like 10 mins. He turns and heads back to the alter to address his anxious guests but before he opens his mouth to speak, he notices that Chanel's parents, brother and sister are gone. They left him too. They knew. They had to.

"Umm..." he starts still looking at the flowers in his hand. When his eyes meet the crowd they land on his parents, Joe and Margret. Their silent communication is understood and it breaks Margret's heart. His mother gets up to meet him and takes the flowers out of his hands and gently leads him off the alter's stand. His father is a military man. Probably the source of Jesse's love for travel. As his son is escorted to the side by his wife, Joe addresses the crowd on behalf of his son.

"Family and friends, unfortunately there's been a change in plans. There will no longer be wedding ceremony, however we do invite you to stay and enjoy the meals that have been prepared. Please uh-" trying desperately to not let his voice crack, "please keep Jess in your thoughts. It's turned into a pretty shitty day for him." Then he exits to be with his family. The groomsmen leave back to the hotel. As much as they want to be there for Jesse right now, overcrowding him with sympathy will only make matters worse. Instead, the head to the hotel bar in silence with their good friend on their minds.

"You want another beer man?" Benji says as he gets up to head over to the cooler. "Yeah man thanks", was the reply he received from a still grieving Jesse. It's been 5 weeks since the wedding that wasn't a wedding and he hasn't heard anything from his bride since. No call or text. No email. No contact whatsoever not even from her family or friends. It's like they're avoiding him like the plague and he's been left with zero answers. His friends are great though. They've been there for him in ways that only work for Jesse. No sad "I'm sorrys" or "it'll be oks". Just food and beer and talking about anything other than the obvious. When Jess is ready to talk about it, he will. They know that much. So, there's no other reason for an impromptu cookout in late September to being the boys together.

Currently nestled in Bumper's backyard with the fire pit blazing and steaks sizzling, are Jesse and Donald. Benji heads back with another beer for Jess and Bumpers finishing up the meat.

"Here ya go man". Jess gives a silent thank you as downs half the bottle within seconds.

"Alright losers! Steaks are ready!" Bumpers yells excitedly bringing over the platter of steaks and side to the table adjacent to the home they've made around the fire pit. As the guys settle around their feast, Jesse's phone buzzes indicating he's receive a new email. He pulls it out to check it and his face that was previously laced with a smile from laughing at Bumper's ridiculous story about his threesome with these chicks from a party back in college, is now dressed with sadness and maybe even a bit of regret sprinkled with a tinge of anger. He's feeling a lot of things right now.

"Swanson, what's with the face bro?" Donald asks as he notices Jesse's absence from the conversation. He just hands over his phone.

Mr. Swanson,

Thank you for choose Olympia Cruise Line for your honeymoon. We look forward to serving you and your bride on our Oct 15th sailing on our newest ship, Athena. This 21-Day voyage throughout the Caribbean will be nothing short of memorable. Please have your boarding passes and legal documents ready for your priority boarding. Happy Honeymoon!

Olympia Cruise Lines

Donald doesn't saying anything but passes the phones around for the boys to read quietly. Last to read is Benji who decides to take matter into his own hands. He gets up and heads in the house with Jesse's phone and returns about 20 mins later.

"Here." He says handing Jesse back his phone. Jess looks up at his friend with a questioning glance, but says nothing expect "thanks".

"So-" Bumper starts, but is cu short.

"No, I'm not going." Jesse chugs the rest of his beer. "It's cool Jess. Just cancel it and get your money back."

"It's non refundable. Besides, I'm think I'm ready to get back to work anyway. I'm sick of sitting around here with you assholes." He cracks a sad smile. He's trying to be funny. Masking his disappointment and frustration with humor. It's one of his best features. "Ok so when are you goin back to work?" Donald asks.

"Tomorrow. The sooner I get back on my feet the better. I'm think I'm gonna calling it night fellas. I'll see ya later." He says bye to the boys and heads home.

"That fucking sucks man. I know we spent thousands on the trip for that girl. That's like all he talked about for months!" Donald was getting pissed all over again.

"She was too bitchy for taste anyway." Bumper was never really her biggest fan and Jesse knew that. But she made him happy and that's all he sees about.

"Guys. He's going on the trip. We do are we." Benji says mischievously. "I knew he couldn't cancel that trip 2 weeks before he's supposed to go so I got us on. I cancelled all the sappy honeymoon crap and set us up of a 3 week guys trip!"

"You did what?! Benj, I can't just take off work last minute and be gone for 3 weeks!" Donald says with a air of concern.

"Man Jess, needs this Don. Figure your shot out cuz we're going on this trip! I need to eat laid anyway!" Bumper was too ready for this. He's clearly a supporter of this plan.

Donald sighs and downs the last of him beer. "I'm too old for shit." He's in.

AN: Got a little inspired on my vacation last week. I've had this very vague plot floating around in my brain for a while. Please tell me what you think.