Ava found herself once again reading Plato's Symposium. A book that quite frankly even turned away the bookworm known as Ruby Bell for it was deemed too dry. It was also a book that Ava wouldn't be caught dead reading.

Sure, her friends knew that she was interested in classics and English. They understood the interest in heroic epics with great battles, cyclops, satyrs and gods. It was mythical and carried that magical quality which seemed to attract all curious children. Ava's friends had assumed she enjoyed literature, not a lie but not the full truth. But she was content to let them continue believing her only to be interested in literature, appreciating the meanings without studying the deeper facets.

Truthfully it was nice to have something solely for herself. A secret appreciation that only resonated with her. She had no interest in debating with Ruby over whether Achilles reactions in grief were justified. Or explaining to Lin why Plato's exploration on Love's meaning in the Symposium brought her understanding and peace.

It was entirely her father's fault, she had decided it. His most recent... interaction with her had left her wondering again. That same childish weakness wondering why daddy had left her.

The symposium discussed romantic love though Ava saw it as an explanation for many kinds of love. One perspective was that Love was constantly desiring what it did not have. Beauty. Wealth. Companionship. That same perspective argued that they wanted what they did not have. The ugly craved the beautiful; The poor the wealthy; The lonely craved company.

It certainly explained why her father had desired her mother. He was infatuated with her beauty, her elegance even despite her lower class to his. He had grown lonely in his ivory tower and sought the company of someone beyond the walls of his society.

Her mother had loved him for similar reasons. For the escape and alternate life he had offered. The same reasons why she loved Albert Fogles.

And this is where Ava usually loses her way. Even now, once again on that same path to school. Walking hand in hand with her sister under the autumn leaves of the forest surrounding the veritable castle that Martin Hall was. Even then, she still had no clue what it was that she loved. That she desired.

It would be easy to say stability. A good job that payed well enough, so that she would never live in that cold again. But she couldn't bear to leave Lillian for so long at a time. So maybe Oxford wasn't what she desired despite it fulfilling what she wanted.

She was neither lonely nor in search of the beautiful.

Though that may have been a gift. A freedom from the constraints of love. From its burdens and torture.

Her friends would agree. Ruby would understand her practical thoughts and Lin knew first hand what it was like for love to go wrong.

But as the trio of friends walked through Maxton Hall's arch way entrance Ava knew that both of her friends did desire love and to be loved.

"Ava!"

It seemed her friends had grown tired of her silence. But when Ava looked over to Ruby and Lin, apology on her lips, they weren't looking at her.

"Ava!"

She turned the other way, watching with wide eyes as Lydia Beaufort casually strolled across the slowly quieting courtyard. Behind her, still exiting the car, was her brother James. He was facing them but Ava couldn't decide whether he was watching Lydia or her.

Not that it mattered because Lydia had reached her side, a casual smile adorned the girl's face as she looped arms with Ava. Ava who didn't even bother to question Lydia's actions. Not when she could read the subtle apprehension lining the girl's posture. Hiding in the straightness of her back and the white of her knuckles where she gripped her bag.

"Lydia." Ava greeted the girl, turning the name into a question even as she was tugged into motion.

"You have maths next?"

It wasn't a question.

"Unfortunately."

Lydia nodded, "I have a class past there as well."

It seemed she was going to be walked to class by a Beaufort today. One who didn't acknowledge the silent courtyard around them. The one full of pupils who did nothing but stare. Pupils which included both Lydia and Ava's friends. Though it seemed they were both walking away from their companions today.

"Lydia." Ava pushed again, using the same stern voice that she uses with Lily.

Like Lilly, Lydia sighed in defeat. "Later?"

"I'd prefer an answer now actually." Ava couldn't help the sarcastic drawl that carried the words, a tone she makes sure not to use at such a posh school where one perceived slight could result in a lifelong grudge.

"I want you to sit with me for lunch."

Again. Not a question.

"No."

"I'll buy your food."

"I'm not that poor, Lydia."

"Well you play the woe is me card often enough for me to believe it."

Ava flights the urge to glare at the Beaufort, instead choosing to keep her head held up high as they walk past the crowds. It was easy to match Lydia's presence. Mimicking that nonchalance and steady stride as they walked through the hallways.

Eventually, curiosity's sharp claws had sunk into Ava and she found herself asking why Lydia wanted to be with her so desperately today.

"You're causing quite the stir Lydia." Ava comments airily, keeping her voice light rather than accusatory. "A lot of drama to find a lunch date."

"Maybe I got bored of my other companions."

"And when will you get bored of me?" Ava smiled, but when she turned to Lydia the girl had a pensive look on her face. Her smile faltered, only for a second but Ava chose to drop the expression, all too conscious of the prying eyes stalking them.

"I'm not entirely sure I could get bored of you." Lydia seemed rather surprised by the notion.

Ava was surprised by the girl's words as well.

"And what have I done to garner such praise?" She mock asked, trying to play off the emotional moment with dramatised eloquence.

Lydia rolled her eyes, breaking the moment. "I merely mean that you are entertaining."

"Am I to be your new Jester, Oh beloved Queen?" She couldn't help but tease, "Or are you looking for a new strumpet?"

Lydia smirked, and some part of Ava was relieved to see the amusement on her face.

"I thought you weren't pimping yourself out to rich clientele."

Ava huffs, "I said I wouldn't be pimping myself out to your brother." she squeezed Lydia's hand, bumping her shoulder against hers playfully. "For you I'd make an exception."

｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･

Of course Lydia was late for lunch. Not that Ava should have been surprised considering she had Philosophy class before lunch. The Beaufort was no doubt sneaking in some quality time with her beau. Which left Ava waiting alone in the hallway for her.

"Ava!"

She turned, recognising Lin's voice. Ava forced a light demure smile, pressing back into the wall of the corridor to allow the other students past while she and Lin spoke.

"Waiting for someone?" The girl teased and Ava rolled her eyes. "I heard you had a lunch date with Lydia Beaufort."

"Of course you did."

"I didn't know you both swung that way." Lin wiggled her eyebrows, ignoring Ava swatting at her arm. "C'mon, c'mon you can't let me have any juicy gossip."

"It's just a lunch between new friends, Lin."

Lin faltered, expression becoming serious. "And what about old friends?"

Ava frowned, "You and Ruby are busy this week."

"And what about next week?" Lin demanded and Ava did her best to trample down her surprise at the girl's harsh tone. "When the Reception ball is over with?"

"Then I will divide my time." Ava stated like it was obvious. "Assuming that Lydia and I become friends."

Lin clearly didn't believe her, not with that scowl plastered on her face.

"Where is Ruby anyway?" Ava demanded, desperate to change the subject.

Lin shrugged, "She's gone back Mr Sutton, needs him to sign a paper or something."

Ava felt the colour drain from her face.

"What? Ava is something wrong."

"Nothing," Ava answered breathlessly. "I'm just really hungry."

Lin nodded hesitantly.

"I'm going to see what's taking Lydia so long."

She turned away before Lin could answer. A dull buzzing sounded in her ears, blocking out everything but the sound of her footfalls as Ava took measured and calm steps. It was an effort not to run. To calm that raging panic while Lin was still nearby. The second she was around the corner Ava prepared to run but it was too late.

Ruby was already racing down the hallway.

Ava opened her mouth to call out to her but– But there was nothing to say. Not when she could see Ruby clutching her books so tightly, the way her bag was nearly dropping off her shoulder.

"Ruby." Ava croaked but the girl didn't hear her.

Ruby shoved past her, stumbling, barely even registering Ava's presence. She let her. There was nothing to be done. Not something that wouldn't reveal what Ava's involvement had been. Ruby would never forgive what she did.

A noise sounded further down the hall. A choked breath.

Lydia.

She stared after Ruby, a hand pressed to her mouth and there was nothing Ava could do as she watched her friend's life begin to crumble.

Lydia barely spared her a glance before turning on her heel and running. Not that Ava could blame her. Not when her own throat was closing up with worry and fear. An inexplicable reaction considering she wasn't the one caught fucking her teacher.

Ava turned back down the hallway, keeping her head held high once more as she walked through the stone archways of Maxton Hall. This is why she didn't get involved, why she knew love never ended well.

Even when it was true, when it was an all consuming emotion of passion and desire, it was still blinding and only ever ended in grief.

And it would seem that Lydia has learnt that the hard way.

A/N: We have finally started the plot line for Maxton Hall