"THAT DOESN'T SOUND very wise," Madi Tahiri murmured as the two girls walked down the street, each with an ice cream cone in hand. "Spending time with your ex, Liv? Let me tell you, not the best idea."

As the member of a pop girls' group, it wasn't surprising that Madi was gorgeous. Long, straight, dark silky hair, wide hazelled eyes, full lips and bushy brows, Madi's mother was a renowned supermodel, so it was hardly surprising. Her father, a famous director, wasn't all that bad looking either. Madi's Moroccan heritage on her father's side also meant skin that was a light shade of bronze.

"He's not my ex," Livia said with a roll of her eyes. The reason she was telling Madi this when she hadn't even told Lila or Brie was because Madi wasn't a part of that group. She knew about it, she'd met all of them, but they weren't actually friends. Which meant Livia could probably expect the content of this conversation to remain a secret.

"He might as well be," Madi said with a shrug. "You might have dated... but let's be real, you're in the exact same situation you'd be in if you had dated. Same awkwardness, same tension."

"There is no awkwardness or tension. Just dislike and irritation."

"If that was it, they wouldn't have gone to swim with you." Madi raised one brow. "Tell me, does he have a six pack?"

"Which one?"

"Let's not play coy here, Livia." Madi smirked, stroking her hair to the side.

"They both do," Livia said blandly. "But I fail to see how this is relevant to me."

"Just nice to know, that's all," Madi murmured. "Nothing special. But what are you planning to do about it?"

"Everyone keeps asking me that, and you know what? I actually have no idea. I have no idea what I'm going to do about it. Just deal with it, I guess."

"That's never a good choice."

"Well, then, do suggest a good choice for me." Livia rolled her eyes. "This is just a pain."

"Two very attractive boys are trying desperately to reclaim your affection and friendship right now, Livia. You're telling me you're not slightly interested."

"No, not really, and you're making this sound very weird. How's London?"

"Turns out his personality is the same as the city he's named after."

"Broken up?"

"Yeah," Madi said, sounding wholly unaffected. "I don't regret it. If I spent any more time around him I'd have ripped my hair out."

"And how's New York?"

"Better than expected," Madi admitted. "My dad's penthouse in New York is actually really nice. Nicer than the house we have in Surrey. But I don't really live there, since our management got this house for the five of us to live in. It's fun."

"Is it? Living with four other girls, it sounds exhausting."

Madi sighed. "I chose this life. My dad told me it would be easier to go solo... but you know? A girl band just sounds so much more exciting."

Livia let out a snort. "It's just because you're addicted to Kpop. But your dad won't let you become a trainee, and you're not precisely East Asian so I doubt that would work out for you anyways."

Madi gave a casual shrug. "I don't really care. Being a trainee is far too stressful anyways. This is fine for me. Our album drops in three months, Liv."

"Debut album," Livia turned to glance at her, "any teasers for this work of art by All That is Gold?"

"I mean, I helped write most of the songs," Madi pointed out. "They're all really good is what I can tell you. Just you wait, Livia, just you wait."

"I shall, since being your friend apparently does not mean I get a sneak peak." Livia let out a dramatic sigh. "Some kind of friendship this is. I thought I'd get all the insider's information, Madi. Genuinely."

"My dad doesn't let me know anything about his movies and shows either," Madi huffed. "It's just how things work. Some things are meant to be kept private."

"Fine." Livia took a bite of her ice cream. "So. Anything else you've been getting up to?"

"Not much," Madi said. "Just training and writing. Filming music videos. That kind of stuff."

"Sounds pretty cool."

"It is," Madi beamed. "I've been dreaming about this since I was a little kid, so this is actually really nice for me. How's your writing?"

"Going decently," Livia admitted. "I'm going to try for publishing soon. Just need to finish editing what I already have."

"That sounds very exciting." Madi's shoulders slumped. "I won't be here long. Just two weeks before I have to fly back to New York. A little break in between all of the chaos, you know. To relax. To enjoy ourselves."

"Are you enjoying yourself, Ms Tahiri?" Livia asked, glancing at her friend.

"Quite so, yes. It's very hot, though," Madi winced. "I could hit the beach."

"Do you want to?" Livia asked, raising a brow. "Like, we could head to my house if you want to go grab your swimsuit. You know that patch of beach before my house."

"Oh, that would be awesome," Madi grinned. "Yeah, let's finish this ice cream and head to mine so I can grab what I need."

And so they did. Madi's house was not far away from the Bazdars', a cosy little two-storey house where the Tahiris liked to spend occasional periods of time. Their main residence was in London, but they sometimes drove down to spend a weekend or two.

But still, it meant Madi wasn't a fixed member of any particular group. Everyone knew her or knew of her, but few people were actually friends with her. She was quite selective with company too, and Livia was happy to have made it through. Madi was fun to talk with. She had a kindred, golden spirit and a very unique perspective on the world that Livia thought was because of her family life. Unlike Lila, who was of a similar background but a broken family, Madi's parents were divorced, but on rather excellent terms. There couldn't be two weeks without people speculating whether or not they were getting back together.

Once Livia had asked, and Madi's reply had been simple: the attraction still existed, but it wasn't strong enough to bind them to each other. Besides, because of their busy work, they rarely saw each other anyways. Madi spent most of her time with her father, who travelled much less and had the time and energy to take care of her. Not that that was necessary anymore, since Madi now lived with her band.

Madi grabbed her swimsuit and plastered on a bit of sunscreen. Livia wrinkled her nose at the tiny amount. "That's not going to protect you from anything."

"I want to get a tan anyways," Madi grinned.

"It's not healthy or safe."

"It's fine," Madi laughed. "The sun's not too bright today. It's acceptable."

"You do you," Livia replied. She'd learnt a while ago that most of the people from here had a slightly different view than she did regarding a majority of things. She'd stopped letting herself be surprised a while ago.

Madi drove the two of them to the house. After stopping the car in the garage, Livia led Madi upstairs so that the two of them could get dressed. Both girls wore bikinis. Livia's was simple and black, while Madi's was of some velvety, gossamer-silk like material, in gold. That was her colour. It always made Livia wonder how much of an input she had in the name of her band. It wouldn't be surprising at all to know that Madi was given any special advantage over her fellow bandmates because of her parentage.

It was something Madi freely admitted—she most likely would have never been chosen if not for her parents. It wasn't something she was proud of, but it was something she was most definitely aware of. And it seemed to weigh her every step regarding the band.

Madi wanted to prove herself. She wanted to show everyone who might doubt that she had the talent to hold up what she'd been given.

Livia understood that.

Livia understood that very well.

Ten minutes later they were off, the two girls made their way to the private beach.

"Umm, Livia?"

Livia turned to the direction Madi was glancing at. And then, Livia let out a loud curse.

When she glanced at her friend, she saw that Madi was spluttering with laughter. "You just can't escape it, can you? It's fate, Livia, this is fate. You should just accept this."

"Oh my god," Livia moaned. All the Calvert-Egerton siblings were present. And a girl with red hair that absolutely had to be Sarah Hepburn, along with another boy she didn't recognise from a distance.

"Do you still want to go?" Madi asked, tilting her head. "We can play in your pool if you want."

"They've already seen us," Livia let out a huff. "And I'm not a coward. It's fine, I get along with the two younglings."

"The two younglings?" Madi asked, half-amused.

"Victoire and Aurelius Calvert-Egerton. You've never met them, have you? You know the twins. Sarah too. Don't know who the other guy is."

"That, I know," Madi said, raising a brow. "It's Cade Nilstrong. He lives near me."

"Nilstrong... oh, the son of that tech guru?"

"I think he goes to the same school as Amphion and Zeth," Madi said, wrinkling her nose. "Makes sense that they know each other."

"They've never invited him out before."

"From what I got from Cade, they're not very close. But like, they're aware of each other's presence. Probably just bumped into each other or something. Okay, we should actually start walking over now or it'll just seem very creepy."

And so they did. Immediately, Victoire ran over to greet them. "Livia!"

Livia gestured besides her. "This is Madi. The friend I've told you about before. You know, All That is Gold?"

But Victoire's attention already wasn't on her. Her wide eyes were pinned to Madi's face, unblinking and unmoving. "Oh my god, I follow you and your band on Instagram. You're so cool. I cannot wait for the album, I literally cannot wait. It's going to be so awesome. I already love your EP, Artemisia is literally my favourite song."

Right. Victoire had gone one step ahead since Livia had mentioned Madi's name to her last year, then. She'd gone ahead and become a massive fan.

That was nice. Her little contribution to Madi's music career. It wasn't much, but it was still something.

Madi stared for a moment, then bursted into laughter. "You must be Victoire Calvert-Egerton," she said indulgently. "I'm glad you loved it, Artemisia is one of my favourites too. How long have you been a fan?"

"A year now," Victoire replied honestly. "Livia mentioned you guys last summer and I decided to check you out, I'm like, your biggest fan."

"All right, Toire," Livia laughed, "let's not hog Madi. You guys had the same idea as we did, eh? To hit the beach?"

Amphion had walked over some time during that conversation. He offered Madi a polite, firm nod. "Nice to see you back in town, Tahiri."

"Aww, Amphion," Madi grinned, "you missed me?"

Amphion tilted his head. "You want the truth? Not really."

Madi pulled a face. "I hate you. I hate him, Livia, get me away from him."

Mockingly, Livia replied, "Your wish is my command." But she also didn't hesitate as she dragged Madi away from the main bit of the group and towards where Aurelius was sitting. The boy was laid out on the beach, soaking up the sun, a bit further away from where everyone else was.

It wasn't what she wanted, but it was enough.

Just a little bit of privacy.

"Look at you escaping," Madi mocked. "Never took you for a coward."

Those were the exact words Livia had thrown at Amphion during their first reunion this summer. But it didn't anger it like it had with the boy. Livia was wholly calm as she said, "It's called self-preservation. You're the one who said it was a bad idea to stay around them."

"That was before I remembered how hot he was," Madi said, slowly sitting down on the rocky beach. "He's gotten a glow up. And he's taller than he was last year, somehow."

"Apparently he's been doing a lot of hockey and rugby this year."

"An athlete," Madi swooned. "How nice. And his slightly younger counterpart?"

"Slightly less athletic, but still pretty damned good at it," Livia said truthfully. "Now don't you dare get any ideas."

"Jealous?"

Livia pulled a face. "You're a heartbreaker, Madi Tahiri. I know what you are."

"You wound me, truly. You wound me."

"It's the truth."

"That too."

"What are you two talking about?" Aurelius suddenly asked. Livia snapped upwards, glancing at the boy, eyes narrowed.

"Random stuff," she replied. "Why are you just laying here sunbathing?"

"Because I want a tan," he said, rolling his eyes. "Like. I'm so pale compared to Amphion and Zeth it's not even funny." He glanced at Madi. "Oh, I'm Aurelius, by the way. Victoire mentions you a lot."

"Does she," Madi said, amused.

"Yeah, a bit too much. No offence. But like, your music isn't my thing."

"Do you consider yourself a connoisseur with music?"

"I formed a band with a couple of my friends a while back," Aurelius admitted. "But we're just amateurs. We just mess around sometimes, that's all."

Livia blinked. "I didn't know that."

Aurelius grinned. "You don't know everything about me, Livia. I'm full of surprises!"

Madi had already scooted over. "Do you guys have any songs, then?"

And then a conversation started about music that Livia really was just not interested in, so instead she started to move towards the sea. The ocean's surface was peaceful today, a deep, dark blue. Livia could faintly make out the wind farm off-coast, though it was more visible nearer the town centre rather than here.

"What brings you here today?"

It was Zeth. Livia glanced at the shore. Amphion was talking to Sarah, brows creased. She couldn't see Sarah's expression since the girl's back was to her. Livia's eyes darted back to Zeth before he could notice. "It's hot. Madi suggested it."

"Madi hasn't been here for a while."

"She doesn't spend too much time here anyways."

"That's true," Zeth murmured. "Does the fact that you're peacefully talking to me mean anything?"

"No."

"I expected that answer. You really like saying that word to us these days."

"Honestly, I have nothing against you. But if you're just going to keep trying to make me and Amphion make up, you're on my black list as well."

"Oh, I'm terrified."

Zeth didn't seem to be in his usual mood. He seemed a bit upset today, plagued by his thoughts. His eyes lacked their usual twinkle. It was on days like these that Amphion and Zeth truly seemed identical. Amphion was a more serious Zeth, and Zeth a happier Amphion. That was how it worked. Two sides of the same coin.

Livia ignored him, continuing to splash water on herself to get used to the slight chill. It was comforting, however, and immediately cooled her down.

"Tell me," Zeth continued, "what does it feel like to be on your black list? Worse than it is now?"

"If you were on my black list, I wouldn't be talking to you at all."

"I'm rather certain that was your original intention. Unfortunately, ignoring a person's presence completely is far more difficult than it sounds on paper, isn't it?"

"I'm beginning to realise that," Livia murmured. It was the kind of thing Pamela was good at, what her sister called a must-have skill for anyone from her school. The drama at a single sex girls school could be endless, and you were bound to make a plethora of enemies, many of whom were in your very class.

"So, what's your plan, then? To just continue trying to ignore me like this?"

Livia turned to him and gave him a long and hard, piercing look. "You're very annoyed today, aren't you?"

"I'm glad you've noticed."

"What, did Victoire destroy your favourite hoodie?"

Zeth rolled his eyes. "She isn't eight anymore. I know it's fun to treat her as if she's a little child, but she's not. She's actually sometimes even smarter than me or Amphion."

"That's not difficult, you know."

"Shut it, Livia. For once in your life, shut it."

Livia cut him a glare. He was unaffected. Oh, he was really annoyed today. But she didn't ask, because that would make it seem like she cared, and she really just didn't. She couldn't care less, actually, about how he was feeling.

Didn't mean she wasn't dying of curiosity. The things that could put Zethus Calvert-Egerton in a mood like this were far and few. She did not think she could make a list of ten things off the top of her head. What happened?

"I know you want to ask," Zeth said. "Ask."

Livia pointed out with politeness, "You told me to shut up."

Zeth let out a bark of laughter. "Since when did you start listening to me, Livia Wong?"

"You seem to be in an extremely bad mood today, and I'm not that much of a dick."

"You can be, sometimes."

"When I choose to be. I'm choosing to be nice today. Don't blow it."

Zeth hesitated for a long moment before asking, voice quiet, "Is Brie dating Mark Arron?"

Livia let out a startled laugh. "God no. They almost got back together during Taliyah's party, but Lila and I destroyed it before it could become anything. Arron is bad news. What, still not over your crush for her?"

That was a secret few people knew. Zeth hid it well. Extremely well. Livia had stumbled upon it when she was fourteen. One day, while she and the twins were gathered in Zeth's dorm, Livia had stumbled upon a letter. Unnamed. The recipient was never directly mentioned anyways. But one glance at its content and Livia had immediately recognised who it was aimed for. She'd confronted Zeth about it, and with a blush, he'd demanded she keep his secret.

So she had, all these years later.

"You don't get over this kind of thing that quickly."

"Actually, you can. It's been four years, Zeth," Livia let out a startled snort, glancing sideways at her former friend. "It's quite clear by now she just doesn't see you that way."

"You don't know that." Zeth let out a sigh. "It's like how you still have feelings for Amphion. You can deny it all you want, say that you don't, but we both know you do. You just don't get over that kind of feeling that quickly. Was he your first crush? Brie was mine. First loves are always difficult to get over."

"He's not my first crush." That was the truth, though he was the first to have made her hurt. He was not her first love, but he was her first heartache. In a way, that was even more memorable.

"Boys at home, then?"

"One or two," Livia said, raising her chin. "I'm not a child. I've had boyfriends before."

"Boyfriends?"

"Fine, just one." She'd been sixteen. He hadn't gone to her school, but they'd met through friends. It had lasted three months. Livia hadn't taken it seriously. She knew it wouldn't last. They were too different. There had been attraction, but nowhere enough for either of them to linger upon it. They kept in touch once in a while. He had a new girlfriend now, and they were happy from what Livia had seen. She wished him the best.

There were no hard feelings there.

"Never heard you mention it."

"I never thought it was relevant. But no. Amphion isn't my first. Maybe that's why I walked out of it so easily. But then again, my first one never burdened me either."

"Maybe it's because you're so cold-hearted."

"I keep being told that. You, Sarah. I fail to see any evidence."

"It's not an insult. You're a rational creature. I don't think I've ever seen anyone more composed. The only time I've seen you truly lose it was last year. And I can't really blame you for that. I am sorry for what happened, by the way. Not just because you heard it, but because we'd said any of that stuff. It was really rude and hurtful of us. Amphion would never say it, but he regrets it too."

"He told me he was sorry for not believing me about Veronica."

Zeth let out a scoff. "That's as far as you'll get from him. I've tried to talk some sense into him... but you two, you two are far too stubborn for your own good. But. I've realised that I don't need him to cooperate with me to do things."

He turned towards her, earnestness in his eyes like Livia had never seen before. "I want to apologise for the shit that happened last year. I should have believed you about Veronica as well, for starters, and I never should have tolerated that conversation or participated in it. It was really rude of me, and I'll never do it again. I do treasure you as a friend, Livia. Will you be able to forgive me? I know it won't be that fast, but I'm willing to wait. I don't want to lose you."

That... that came far faster than Livia had ever expected. But then again, this was Zeth. Sweet Zeth, who wouldn't stand for anyone to be hurt. Sweet Zeth, who'd been hopelessly in love with Brie Carmen for four years yet had never uttered a single word of it to the object of his affection.

Livia shut her eyes, letting the mild wind blow against her face. She knew what she should do. What was right. To right a wrong she'd made that wasn't just at all. That had roped an innocent boy, one of her best friends, into this war he had no part in. She opened her eyes and said, "I want to apologise too. For having brought you into this. My problem had always been with Amphion and Amphion alone. I guess sometimes, it's difficult to separate the two of you. My anger towards him carried over to you. I'm sorry for the harsh words I've said, the way I've insulted you. It was unnecessary and rude."

Zeth shook his head, expression softened, completely unguarded. Zeth in his natural state. He did not have the prickly armour of Livia and Amphion. He'd never seen the need. He'd always had them, his two knights, protecting him. Doting on him. "Sometimes you have a point. I do rely too much on him. But I'm not going to have Amphion by my side forever. I'm an adult now, I need to start branching out on my own."

"I still am sorry, though."

She'd promised herself she'd apologise if they did. And Zeth always had been innocent in this matter. It wasn't his fault. She'd lashed out at him simply because he'd unfortunately been present then. And she knew what he was like, he'd never be able to hurt a soul. It just wasn't him. And he meant the apology.

She might as well take it.

"Friends?" he asked hopefully, reaching out with one hand.

Livia glanced at him, and then slowly let a smile appear on her face. "Friends." And then she took his hand and shook it. "Just you, though. I'm not ready to forgive your brother yet."

"Will you, someday?"

"I'll see. I don't know, Zeth."

"That's okay. That's perfectly okay."