Hey everyone, thanks for reading! In this chapter the guys and girls will meet for the first time. I kind of feel like Claire, Massie, Derrick, and Cam are equally main characters in this story, and hopefully you'll get to know them a bit better in this chapter. Happy reading!

**Cam**

We had stepped off the plane in Morocco after at least a six hour flight, wanting to stretch and run around. But no, we got a bumpy, two hour back road drive to the port, just past the Strait of Gibraltar. I actually didn't mind it at all, it was pretty and I watched Derrick snapping away with his camera, so I knew that I'd be able to look back on it. I had spent the drive lost in mindless thought as I watched the scenery and tried to ignore the complaints of my classmates, who really couldn't stand another second of travel. But that held nothing to the sight before us as we scrambled out of the jeeps and stared across the expanse of deep blue. Derrick was snapping away, and I smiled knowing there was someone besides me on this trip that was looking forward to more than just girls. He'd broken up with his longtime girlfriend Kristen Gregory about a month ago, and since then he'd just been hooking up with tons of rebound girls. As much as he acted like they were all he cared about, at home and otherwise, I knew he was deeper than that. I mean, I'd known him since we were two. I could hear Kemp, another one of our friends, discussing what his cousin, who had graduated from OCD the year before, said about the girls there. I wasn't quite listening because that's all they'd talked about the whole way save for complaining about the travel. And I didn't really care. To me they sounded like the shallow, rich girls we had back home at Hotchkiss' sister school, Allymore Prep. According to Derrick, Kemp, Plovert, and everyone else, they were all in love with me, but I wanted something deeper.

The luggage truck pulled up, and we grabbed our bags with Ginnah trying to communicate with our drivers and thank them. Then she hurried us towards the docks.

"You ok?" Derrick asked, coming up beside me.

"Like always," I replied truthfully. Derrick knew me better than anyone, but he still liked to check in when I was being quiet, which was nice. "Just thinking. It's so beautiful here," I added, staring at the beautiful water. He nodded, tapping his camera with one hand and readjusting his grip on his suitcase handle with the other.

There were some wolf whistles from Kemp and a few of the other guys as we saw The Dreamer, the boat we would be riding on. It wasn't necessarily as modern-looking as most of the cruise boats at the port, but it was still pretty big, and looked very comfortable. On the top deck there were a bunch of girls in designer bikinis and a few of them came to lean over the edge and look at us when they heard the whistles. I sighed and shook my head, letting all the horny guys rush on board ahead of me to deposit their bags and meet the girls we'd be spending the next two weeks with. Derrick hung back with me, though I knew he was hoping for some kind of romance on this trip.

"Don't feel like you have to wait for me," I said, meaning it.

"Don't even worry about it, C, there are plenty of girls here. Plus, we both know that isn't the most important part of this trip," we both took a minute to laugh as we put down our bags to be taken to our rooms, noticing most of the guys were already up socializing with the girls. "Besides, I know I'm hott enough to get one of them no matter how late we get there," he joked, even though it was pretty true. He got most of the girls back home, and all the ones who weren't going for one night stands. Kemp and this other guy, Dempsey, took care of them nicely.

By the time we'd climbed the stairs to the top deck, everyone was busy chatting. Some of the girls were more forward, standing and flirting by the railings, but others were still in their lounge chairs while the guys were clustered around them. I heard Derrick inhale sharply and followed his gaze to a model-gorgeous brunette that was surrounded by the likes of Danny Robbins and Josh Hotz. You could just see her flirting with everyone and she definitely had the most guys around her. Her bathing suit was very flattering, and there was no denying that she was quite attractive. By now Derrick was practically drooling, and I reluctantly followed him over to the cluster of guys surrounding her. Suddenly I was happy I had because in the chair next to her was a very cute blonde girl who was humming to herself and writing in a worn out notebook, and completely ignoring all the guys. I tried to think of the best way to approach her; she seemed so wrapped up in what she was writing. But I had a feeling that if I was going to get into any type of relationship in the next two weeks, it would be with her.

**CLAIRE**

I had been working on my latest song, trying to find the right words for the tune I'd fallen in love with, when I heard a bunch of wolf whistles and cat calls from somewhere nearby. I rolled my eyes behind my oversized Gucci shades, and went back to working on my song. Massie jabbed my side a few moments later, though, and casually nodded at the big group of guys that had started filling the top deck. The first, most eager of them made the perfect choice by heading to chat it up with Libby and Alexandra, who were known for being easy. And, as expected, most of the guys came and flocked around Massie.

"H-hey," a cute red-head stuttered slightly, causing Massie to sit up a little and slowly remove her oversized Chanel shades.

"And who have we here?" Massie asked, eying the group of guys, even though I knew she had been waiting for this since we heard the Hotchkiss boys would be on the cruise with us. I mean, she'd only asked me about a billion times if I thought they'd be cute, if I'd finally let her set me up with a guy, and once again, if they would be cute. Judging by the smirk on her face, I think she was more than satisfied with the selection.

"I'm Danny," the red head said, and the rest, maybe there were about nine, each introduced themselves.

"Well, I'm Massie, and this is Claire," she said, and I could feel her glare urging me to say something.

"Hey guys," I offered a smile and a little wave, but I could tell that they were all into Massie, like always. And like always, by the look of the group, I wouldn't mind. Massie always tried to set me up with her sloppy seconds, but the truth was I wouldn't even go for the guys she wanted. None of the guys in Westchester were deeper than a kiddie pool. I know I'm high shooter, but in guys I'm looking for close to perfection.

I heard Massie giggle extra loud at something one of the guys, Plovert, had said. I looked up wondering why she wanted the extra attention and instantly regretted my earlier thoughts. Because there, just reaching the top of the ramp that led to the deck was one of the most gorgeous guys I had ever seen. He looked super laid back, and he slightly rolled his eyes when he saw his classmates falling all over girls like they'd never seen them before. The problem was that an elbow and a very subtle head nod disguised as more laughter from Massie alerted me to the fact that she'd just laid her claim. I mentally kicked myself, hating myself for thinking too soon.

I went back to working on my song, forcing myself not to look at him; knowing if I did I would fall harder. I was going to stay a good friend to Massie; why blow our superclose friendship on a guy? Not to mention the fact that he would never in a million years pick me over her. Why would he? She was the gorgeous, charming, popular one of us. I was just lucky enough to be along for the ride.

**MASSIE**

All the guys around me were super cute, but the second I saw the guy in the polo and khakis climbing the stairs, I knew he was the one. I'd always had a thing for well dressed guys, and this was a HOTT well dressed guy. I managed to call dibs while still acting like I was interested in Plovert's story, even though my focus had totally shifted. I was thrilled when I saw him and his cute friend make their way in my direction. Yea, it was pretty clear he was coming because his friend was, but I figured it wouldn't be too hard to win him over. Since when did I have trouble with guys?

"And who's this darling boy?" I asked flirtatiously when Polo Hottie's Golden Retriever-like friend approached.

"Hey, I'm Derrick," He offered with a winning smile, in a way that seemed confident to the untrained eye. However I could tell that he was a little nervous at least and I couldn't help feeling a bit sorry for him. With such a gorgeous best friend, he probably always ended up with the sad fate of second best. If he was lucky, I could convince Claire to let me set her up with him. I said something witty to make the guys think I was still interested before allowing myself to subtly check out my new love interest. He looked as if he was trying to figure out a way to strike up conversation with Claire, which I thought was sweet. However there would be plenty of time for making sure my best friend didn't feel left out once Polo boy knew he was mine.

"And what's wrong with you, Ralph Lauren? Cat got your tongue?" I asked at a break in the conversation, causing him to blush.

"That's just Cam," a guy named Josh said, as Cam looked back at Claire once more before coming to join our little circle.

"I can introduce myself, thanks," he said, punching Josh's shoulder. Good sign. "Hey. I'm Cam. What's goin on." He only sounded semi interested, so I sent him a flirtatious smile.

"Just chatting with these fine gentlemen, care to join?" I asked, and he shrugged. Derrick stepped in and saved me from an awkward moment by asking about our school, so I turned to answer. He seemed like a sweet guy, I would have to be sure to let him get Claire, and put more effort into securing Cam later.

**DERRICK**

She was gorgeous. She wasn't just "hott", "fine" or any other adjective a horny guy would use to describe an attractive girl; she was truly beautiful. Not to say her barely there bathing suit didn't help. Pulling Cam along, I headed over to where Josh, Plovert, Danny, and some other guys had already started chatting with her. When I finally reached their circle, she gave me a winning smile and called me a "darling boy", which made me smile. She was a charmer. I gave her what I hoped seemed like a confident and relaxed introduction, because I sure as hell was nervous. She said something cute to Plovert, and then giggled at something Josh said. Then she dragged Cam into the conversation. It all happened so fast that I didn't know if it was all flirty or all friendly. But when I asked her about school when Cam gave me the chance to step in and be an "awkward moment saver", she gave me another smile that just made me reallyreallyreally hope that meant she liked me. I thought back to what I had said earlier. I was definitely attractive enough to land one of the girls on this trip. But suddenly, that didn't seem like enough. Maybe I wanted more than just another hookup. There was one girl I had my sights on, and she was sitting right in front of me.

**CLAIRE**

Cam, I thought, liking the sound of his name as I heard him being introduced. I heard Massie laugh at something he said and did everything in my power to tune him and their conversation out. Why, WHY did you have to be on this trip?

**MASSIE**

"So, Claire, Derrick was cute, don't you think?" I asked as we got ready for orientation in the room we shared. He was super sweet and definitely easy on the eyes. I figured that he deserved to be set up with someone as great as Claire.

"Sorry, which one was he?" she asked, zipping up the white jean shorts she'd paired with a subtly sequined silk top. I rolled my eyes, making sure she didn't see, before answering.

"The one that looks like a golden retriever, complete with brown puppy-dog eyes and all," I reminded her, "total HART."

"Oh, I thought you liked polo boy," she replied, something in her voice I couldn't quite place. Apprehension? Hope?

"Yea, that's Cam. He's definitely still my target for this trip. I'm talking about for you," I explained. "Derrick is Cam's best friend, and I have the feeling he's always left with second best because Cam is so gorgeous," I paused, sighing a little, "I know you don't like it when I try to set you up, but he's a sweetheart and I think you'll really like him!"

Claire was now brushing her long, perfectly shiny hair, but stopped long enough to shrug. "I'll look out for him," she said noncommittally before continuing to brush.

I swiped on lip-gloss and smoothed the wrinkles out of the new BCBG dress I'd gotten as a comp from my latest modeling job, before grabbing my key to our room.

"Ready?" I asked, and Claire put down her brush, took a quick look in the mirror, and grabbed her own key.

"Ready. Rate me?" she replied with a smile, evaporating the slightly awkward feel the room had had during our conversation just moments before.

"9.6. A swipe of gloss and you're 9.8" I grinned back. "And me?"

"9.8, as always," she replied with a flip of her hair, and we headed out the door.

So, hopefully you guys enjoyed this! Quick remeinder: neither the plot or characters belong to me. Have a very smile-y day!

Hugs, Skye