Page 105 of HER SISTER

"Welcome to fucking Ibiza!"

Giggles fell from my lips as Mya tackled me down into the biggest hug of my life.

"Talk about greeting of the year," I joked as I hugged her back.

Mya laughed, "Just wait until you see all the Pina Coladas I had made for you—oh, and how big the fruit bowls are," she said as we pulled back from the hug.

I raised a brow, "How much fruit are we talking?"

Mya wiggled her brows, "At least seven different kinds," she said as she grabbed my suitcase by my side.

I let out a content sigh, "I can't wait," I admitted, knowing I was completely obsessed with fruit.

Mya smiled, "Yes we need to be poolside right now," she said as we walked through the busy airport.

I laughed, "More like a week ago," I joked as we exited the airport into the warm air.

And my god was the sky so blue and clear.

"I swear I've never missed you more—you're seriously my other half," Mya said as we approached the Uber parked right by the curb.

I smiled at my best friend as the Uber driver loaded the car up, "You're my other half too Mya bear," I jokingly nudged her as we slid into the back seat together.

Mya's smile grew, "Just wait until you see the villa we're staying at," she said, and I couldn't help but feel entirely on edge with excitement.

Aside from the circumstances, I was actually really excited to get settled in and spend quality time with all my friends.

I just know that these next couple of weeks are going to be so fun.

The ride to the villa was silent and peaceful, especially with the energetic music playing on the radio and the breeze blowing around us while the windows remained down.

I almost didn't want the car ride to end.

Well, until I saw our beautiful villa.

The outside of it was made of white stone and lined with historic bamboo.

Even the littlest things like the white tile painted with blue elegant art that lined the tall double doors seemed to catch my attention.

I could only imagine what the rest of the beachfront villa looked like inside or even the pool area.

As soon as we had entered the villa, laughter, and chatter could be heard—easily making my stomach tie in nervous knots.

However, as soon as I noticed Arielle and Damon standing in the empty large kitchen, I unconsciously felt myself relax.

An excited gasp fell from Arielle's lips, "Ana-conda made it!" she cheered as she ran over to us both.

I laughed as she pulled me into a hug, "I thought we agreed that we weren't going to make that nickname happen?" I joked as I hugged her back.

Both Mya and Arielle hummed before both saying, "Did we?"

Damon laughed, "Yeah, they're never giving up that nickname now," he added as he sipped on his mixed drink.

I only rolled my eyes jokingly as we pulled away from the hug, glancing around the bright living area.

The kitchen was themed with white marble and the reoccurring bamboo—while the couch and long dining room table sat across from it.

What tied the space together were the glass doors folded away to open the outdoor area up to the indoor area.

And even from inside, I could pinpoint the gazebo, the infinity pool overlooking the ocean, and the bar that the property provided a bartender for.

Apparently, we had a chef too.

Which saved me from the awkwardness of eating someone's famous blueberry pancakes.

Since the break happened, I haven't touched a single blueberry pancake.

It wasn't purposeful, I just...

I don't know I couldn't eat them without her.

I furrowed my brows as soon as laughter and yelling echoed into the house.

"Here we go," Damon laughed to himself as footsteps echoed from the patio into the house.

"You have to do a cannonball this time," Ryder's voice echoed as he ran through the house in his wet swimming trunks.

And upon looking past him, I seemed to feel my entire world stop.

Even the sight of her beautiful face seemed to make me spiral.

But combine that with her in a two-piece with her wet curls cascading down her back and I'm done for.

"Oh hey Ana," Ryder greeted me as he continued on his path to the stairs.

"Hey Ana," Mili called over her shoulder as they climbed the set of stairs.

And the greeting alone sent me for a loop.

Specifically, Mili's and the name that she had just called me.

At least she wasn't ignoring my presence.

Mya shook her head, "Apparently jumping off the roof into the pool is a thing now," she sighed.

Damon shrugged, "The owners said that plenty of people do it," he pointed out.

Arielle gave her boyfriend a narrowed look, "Don't get any ideas now," she said, easily causing Damon to hold his hands up in defense.

"How about we get you settled in?" Mya quickly suggested as she grabbed one of my suitcases.

Arielle nodded as she grabbed my other, "Yeah, us girls need to catch up," she added.

And I couldn't help but smile slightly as they rolled my suitcases toward the steps.

Even if my first encounter with Mili threw me off, I still felt grateful to even be here surrounded by all my friends.

"Wow this is insane," I breathed out as we finished climbing the bamboo staircase.

There were a couple of different hallways you could go down upon reaching the top of the stairs.

All the doors were tall and arched beautifully while the walls remained of the same white stone.

"I still haven't seen half of this place," Arielle joked as our sandals pattered down the bamboo floors.

Mya laughed, "Yeah it's so big—maybe we could go explore after you get unpacked," she said as we stopped at one of the tall doors.

I nodded as Arielle opened the door for us, "As long as it involves Pina Coladas of some sort then I'm down," I joked as we walked into the room.

"Oh you know it will—we should probably go ahead and start on shots. Everyone has already been doing rounds," Mya added.

And while they started discussing what we were drinking on tonight—I was completely immersed in the room that I would be staying in for the next couple of weeks.

There was a picturesque view of the back patio that overlooked the ocean and white sand.

And the fact that the bed faced the floor-to-ceiling windows ensured that my mornings would be spent beautifully.

"Ana, does that work?"

I glanced over to Arielle and Mya who were clearly waiting for my answer.

Knowing there was no point in lying, I finally said, "I lowkey zoned out guys—what were you talking about?"

Mya laughed, "We were thinking of just going out instead of drinking here. Are you down?" she asked as she slid her phone from her pocket.

"We would be inviting everyone," Arielle added, clearly referring to a particular person.

And as I weighed the options, it seemed like a better idea to drink in a more public place rather than it being an intimate gathering with my group of friends.

At least it would be less awkward with Mili.

Ultimately, I knew we'd have to talk, but this trip just didn't feel like the right timing for me.

I still want to be with her without a doubt.

There isn't anyone else for me.

I just don't know where her feelings stand, or if we can pick up where we left off.

"Going out sounds like a perfect idea," I suddenly said.

And almost immediately, Mya was clapping happily and Arielle was texting excitedly on her phone.

"Let's be ready to pre-game at nine," Mya told Arielle as she started texting everyone as well.

And before I knew it, my phone was buzzing with messages from our Ibiza group chat.

Yes, Mya made a separate group chat.

Mostly because Mili wasn't in our other one.

"We should all get ready together," Arielle suggested.

I nodded, "I'm so down," I said.

Mya smiled, "Bet I'll text Willow and Frankie now," she said, easily earning nods from both Arielle and me.

For some reason, I no longer felt standoffish with Frankie—maybe it was therapy or the fact that I was healing.

More or so, I just had to come to terms with the fact that I don't have any control over outside circumstances except myself.

Even if Mili was with someone right now or managed to get hit on by an ex—I can only express my boundaries, but what she does after is up to her.

And while I know she wouldn't cheat on me, the other part of my insecure subconscious managed to determine that even if she did—I'm still an amazing catch, and all I can do is find someone who wouldn't do that to me.

That's it.

Nothing else is in my control.

And knowing that feels like a huge weight off my shoulders.

"Let's drink while we get ready too," I added as I unzipped my large suitcase.

I felt more than ready to take the night on, especially with my friends.

This genuinely felt like a core memory in the making, and I'm going to make the best of it.