“We are absolutely on top of the social pyramid, yes.” Gabriella Ritze reached for her glass of champagne as she spoke. The newly twenty one year old woman was draped lazily over a sun chair, her dark glasses protecting her eyes from the blazing Carribean sun. Now, though, she turned her head to her friend and lowered the sunglasses just enough to make eye contact with her. “Why the sudden insecurity?”

“No insecurity.” Replied Alexandria Vaughn tersely, disappearing behind a newspaper as she spoke. Gabriella clucked her tongue before setting down her drink and pushing her glasses up her long, freckled nose. Alexandria continued vaguely. “I just thought, you know, being so influential... We could, you know, like, help the world a bit?”

Gabriella laughed.

“I'm serious, Gabby. You snap your fingers and half the male population would do anything you asked. I snap my fingers and the entire population would do anything I asked.” Alexandria replied, folding her newspaper back and turning it around. “People love us.” She added, showing her the headline, which was shortly followed by a picture of the two women.

“And you call me vane.” Gabriella responded with a scoff. Alexandria threw a grape at her.

“You are. You're big headed and inane and a slave to society, just like ever other girl our age.”

“But I'm not every other girl our age, am I?” She asked with a smirk, picking up the grape and examining it.

“No. You're worse.” Alexandria replied, flopping back in her seat and discarding the newspaper.

“I'm probably the only one who has a chance with Lucas Barron.” She said with a soulful sigh, discarding the grape on her plate. Next to the olive she'd fished out of her drink, it looked very appropriate.

“Lucas Barron,” Alexandria mimicked with an exaggerated sigh. She knew the movie star was a current favorite of her best friend's, but still didn't see the appeal in the man. After a glare from Gabriella, she continued. “But, I don't know. I bet Corrie could give you a run for your money on that one.” At that, Gabriella gasped.

“Never, that little blonde skank.” She squealed, cupping her hands to her mouth.

“Oh, any day, babe. Let's keep talking about what a total skank I am.” Corinne Bryant commented from the poolside, where she happened to be lounging.

“Let's.” Alexandria and Gabriella agreed in unison.

“Don't make me come over there.” The blonde woman threatened, craning her neck to look at them. The chatter that rose from Alexandria and Gabriella was enough to pique her curiosity, so she picked up her towel and strode over to her two friends. “Really, what are we talking about?” She asked after spreading her towel out on the ceader deck.

“Lucas Barron,” Alexandria informed her in her 'I'm Gabriella Ritze and so in love with men' tone. “Gabby wants to marry him.”

“Ooh, the cutie from that new movie?” Corinne asked, rolling over onto her stomach. “How to Escape An Uninhabited Island in 30 Days?”

“Oh god, is that what it's called?” Alexandria asked sarcastically, having the same reaction to the title of the movie every time she heard it. She pantomimed a gagging motion while Gabriella and Corinne chattered. “Hey, girls, hey. I have a bit of celebrity news for you.” She interrupted, effectively gaining their attention. “Lucas Barron happens to be on this very trans Americas cruise at the moment.”

“Shut up.” Corinne replied, lifting her head to look at her.

“No way!” Gabriella squealed, abandoning her sunglasses. “No way no way no way! Ohmygod, Lexi, get your dad to turn this boat around right now, I left my autograph book at the last hotel.” She recalled, pouting at her friend.

“Sorry,” Alexandria replied plainly as her friends squealed. “Not even I have the authority to do that.” She added, mimicking her father's accent. Corinne laughed, but Gabriella was too busy fretting to catch the joke.

“Lexi, is that your name on this boat, or is it not?” Gabriella asked earnestly, pointing to the huge 'Vaughn Enterprises' motif on the side of the rock wall that was on the far side of the pool.

“Okay, first of all, it's a not a boat, it's a Ocean Liner.” Alexandria stated frankly, apparently slightly offended. “Secondly-”

“Ohmygod, Corinne Bryant? Ohmygod! Gabriella Ritze? Alexandria VAUGHN?” A girl who appeared to be about nineteen chimed, bouncing up and down and clapping her hands.

“Scuz me, do you have clearance to be on this deck? VIP's only.” Gabriella informed the girl, who she had immediately taken as an over zealous fan.

“Mmm-hmm, Press clearance.” The girl said, waving her passkey in Gabriella's face. “I'm Beth Wright, here with Five Star Cruise... or Not? It's a celebrity news site that also covers the nuances of the luxury cruise. Widely renown, really.”

“Oh yeah, I've heard of that.” Corinne commented, her voice laden with sarcasm.

“Really?” Beth squealed, obviously touched. Corinne threw Gabriella a 'my god this chick is crazy' look. “Well, I'd be honored for an interview...” She continued coyly.

“Oh, that's no problem, dear...” Gabriella began, but the girl cut her off again.

“Uh, I was talking to Miss Vaughn, Miss Ritze.” She said with a sugar sweet smile. Gabriella looked offended, but just replaced her sunglasses on her face and turned her head away from the scene.

“I'm too busy admiring myself. Go on, write that down. Alexandria Vaughn is a concieted brat.” Alexandria prompted, waving a hand at Beth, who exhaled indignantly.

“Can I at least get a picture with you three?” She asked in a candy-coated tone.

“Lucas Barron is on the next deck up, if you have clearance.” Corinne commented without even opening her eyes. Beth took the bait, though warily, and padded off.

“I'm coming back if I don't find him.” She informed them, hoofing it off to the Ninth deck.

“Wanna move?” Alexandria offered, standing up. “We can go up to the top deck, you need family clearance to get up there.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Gabriella agreed, picking her champagne up as she stood.