Hey everyone! This chapter is a little different from the others because you get to see things from a far more personal perspective. Well, some of the time, anyway. Again, thanks for all the reviews! Keep them coming. :)

***

Tristan

The first thing I thought when I woke up this morning was 'God, why is Sophia in my room?' closely followed by 'Oh, that's right'. Looking out the window, I was momentarily distracted by the sight of Rory walking down to the beach, before being interrupted by Sophia's shrill cry of 'Triiiiiiixie!' I hate that name.

Paris

I woke up feeling an uncontrollable urge to lash out at someone. Anyone. Of course, that's not unusual, but I also had in my possession a migraine the size of Mount Rushmore. Apparently, water is good for this kind of thing, but I can't…quite…get to the bathroom.

Whups. Fell down. Took a few deep breaths and tried to motivate myself. Okay, Paris, you can do this, just crawl to the shower without throwing up.

Urgh. I am going to kill Jess.

Jess

Dreamt weird dreams. First, there was one where all these girls I've dated came back, like some beauty pageant, but without the swimsuit contest. Strutting down the catwalk, and then they all mobbed me. Except for Rory, who just stood there, and shouted the name 'Mira'. Then, switch to Blondie calling me 'Jessica' in a fight by some dumpsters, in response to which I punched him on the nose. Satisfying. Yet tiring. Have headache. Possibly still a little hung over.

Damn. Just remembered what happened last night. Recall not great, but feel distinctly like an idiot.

Rory

I walked down to the beach this morning, to sit by the waves, and just think. I never used to do that. Guess I picked it up off that yoga instructor that mom went out with for a while. I just sat there, with the waves sliding onto the sand in front of me, arms wrapped around myself for warmth, wondering about last night. I'm feeling so confused, now that I'm actually here, with so many thoughts going through my head. I feel conflicted. Cornered. Hungry.

Hmm…maybe I'll go back up to the house for a muffin. And coffee.

***

"What's the plan for today?" Tristan asked, drizzling honey over his pancakes.

"I'm gonna take the boat out," said Mira. "Jess, you're coming."

Jess looked at her, lazily.

"Nope. But thanks for asking."

Mira opened her mouth to argue, then shut it, her mouth pinched.

"We'll talk about it later, okay Jess?"

"I'm counting on it," he answered.

She turned to Rory, who, without any good reason, felt a shadow of a menace.

"Wanna come, Rory? This'll be our chance to bond as semi-sisters, hey?"

"I'd like that," Rory said, shaking off the feeling. "Can Paris come along too?"

Mira's green-eyeshadowed eyes blinked.

"I think that maybe Paris would like to stay at the house today," she said, looking at a distinctly grey-looking Paris. "Let's meet in about a half-hour, then I'll show you the ropes, and we can get going."

"Can I tag along?" Everyone's heads turned to look at Tristan.

"Sure," Mira said, somewhat reluctantly. "Sophia?"

"You know I'd love to, Mimi, but I'm having my nails done today." Sophia was looking at her cuticles through a magnifying glass. "I want to look fab tonight."

"Right. So, at eleven, Tristan, Rory."

Rory nodded. Mira had one very strong personality. It was a bit like a mudslide that took you with it.

***

Jess

What is it with women? Age old question, I suppose. As soon as you get comfortable, they go and up the ante. They get clingy. And controlling. And really whiny when they don't get their way.

Looked her in the eye. Firmly said "No", but somehow that got mistaken for a "Sure thing". It's really very irritating.

"Jess," she whispered into my ear, "let me show you how much I appreciate this."

Ended up making out. Huh. Maybe it's not that irritating. And the company on the boat could be worse.

***

Rory

Mira was wearing a green mesh top with a black micro mini when we met up. Not exactly suitable clothing for boating, but she is the expert. I guess. I hope. I wonder if she'll take it as an insult to her boating ability if I tell her I have a morbid fear of falling overboard and being eaten by sharks.

"I know about it," she murmured, back turned. At least, I think that's what she said.

"Pardon?"

"I said, I know." Her head whipped around like the girl's in 'The Exorcist'. Freaky.

"About what?"

"That little almost-kiss by the car last night? I saw." Maybe my thudding heart gave me away.

"Listen, Mira," I started cautiously. "I think you've got the wrong idea. I wasn't…we weren't going to kiss. Nothing was-"

"No, you listen, Rory," she hissed, coming up so close to me that I could see the whites of her eyes, and smell the 'Obsession' perfume she was wearing. How very ironic, though somehow I don't think a remark on that would go down well. "Listen up good." I thought she was going to stab me in the jugular for emphasis. "I work on a three strikes basis. Consider this your first warning. Stay away from my boyfriend. Stick to what you've got."

Then, fixing me with one last threatening look, she turned away and started the engine back up.

"Right, then," she said cheerily, grinning at Tristan and Jess. "Let's really get going!"

I feel scared. Even Paris was never this terrifying.

***

Paris

My throat feels very parched. Also the throbbing in my head has gotten worse. I'm finding it very hard to keep things in focus, and I keep getting dizzy and fall down. I also noticed that I'm out of tissues. Will this hellish punishment never stop?

***

Tristan

It's weird. As soon as Sophia's not around, my earache goes away. I wonder if there's any connection? Nah. Can't be. I wonder why Rory's looking so white.

"Rory?" I asked. She turned around very quickly. "Are you seasick?"

"Oh no, I'm fine. Really." I was getting a strange vibe from her. Definitely very tense. I sat down next to her.

"Are you sure?"

Rory bit her lip, turning to look at Mira, who was by now sitting on Jess' lap. Mira glared at her.

Whoa. That was some tension that just passed between them. Why does Mira hate Rory- Oh. I get it.

"Do you wanna talk about it?"

She shook her head, and I felt so angry with myself, that I couldn't help her. In the end, I just patted her on the back, feeling her silky hair underneath my fingers.

"I bet you've never wished that Paris was around before."

That actually made her smile, and for a moment, I felt ridiculously happy.

If I'm right, Jess has a lot to answer for.

***

Jess

As fun as this might seem to an uneducated observer, Mira's weight is actually quite substantial.

Huh. What was that speculative look that Mira just gave Tristan? I see trouble.

***

Do you guys like this style of writing? I'd really love to hear your feedback on it, so please review. Hopefully, the next chapter will be coming soon. That's right, the first big party of the summer. No promises about when, though. I'm lacking in inspiration. Can't decide whether this fic should be a Trory or a Lit. :(