Summer kills

She was the definition of striking-fiery, auburn hair, eyelashes so thick celebrities would pay to have them replicated, and an infectious smile that could light up any room.

People gravitated to Ruby because she was Ruby. If you weren't drawn to her coy smirk before she peeped, you'd want to learn more about her after she told you the crazy story about how she almost got stranded at a research bunker in the Antarctic. She oozed with flair-and, knew how to amp her energy down just the right amount to bring out the quirks in others. It still irked Olivia that Ruby knew about Liam's ticklish spot-a childish thing to envy, Olivia realized, but something Ruby found out after entering this friend group only a year ago.

Olivia chewed on her bottom lip. Stop making a big deal out of this, she chided herself, and

forced a grin at her friends. She wasn't going to villainize Ruby for insecurities she was at fault for.

Slightly disoriented from Liam's cannonball earlier, Evelyn joined in on Olivia's halfinterrogation half-round-of-flattery. "Imagine scoring Phillips Exeter's golden boy right before you go home for a three-course dinner. I bet that brunch was the highlight of your week."

Olivia gulped loudly. "It was fun," she mumbled. Somehow, Evelyn's icy blue eyes always sent a

chill down her spine. On the odd day, her words could be warm and uplifting, but most times they were laced with some inexplicable coldness. She didn't pass on a sense of envy, but she sure did know how to exasperate.

...If it weren't already obvious, Olivia did not enjoy being the centre of a group conversation.

A twinkle sharpened Evelyn's gaze. "Hmmm? And do you think he could be the next heir to the Sterling Dynasty?"

Liam burst into strained laughter. "Haha, Evelyn, what the heck are you saying? This is the president's son we're talking about-not some spoiled brat she met at a fashion show opening." He stared tensely at Evelyn's end of the pool. Together, the two made up the famous Hartford siblings- pictured on magazines like Elle since they were in bibs, and sent down runways as soon as they were old enough to walk. They bonded over a childhood that few could ever be able to relate to. Their isolation taught them to form secret languages, and just predict how the other sibling was feeling through facial expressions.

But Liam couldn't always read what was on Evelyn's mind. He couldn't recall when their 'connection' thinned, but something had changed with her as they grew older. It was like she delighted in stirring discomfort amongst others. He found it confusing, and oftentimes, frustrating. "Are you saying the best our friend can do is some trashy trust fund kid who snorts powder

behind the runway?" Evelyn shot back. She spoke severely, but tilted her head gently. If magic governed the universe, Olivia imagined that this was what a tornado brewing in a teapot would look like.

Liam spluttered, "N-No, of course not! I just never saw her pursue any guys before, so it'd be kinda random to assume that this was anything romantic, 'ya know..." He dropped his gaze to the pool, scratching the back of his head as if it offered any better solace for his tongue-tangled ramblings.

Evelyn smirked. "So, you're saying she's too boring to make a move on a guy she's interested in?" ...Oh.

Up to now, Olivia didn't care that much about Evelyn and Liam's exchange her brunch with the president's son was overwhelmingly forgettable, just like every social event she blurted "yes" to at the behest of her parents. The brunch was more of a business engagement than an actual hangout- they were watched by a 7-feet-tall guard (beneath his shades, Olivia thought to have gleaned the eyes of a former NBA player-but she couldn't be too sure), and James' (the president's son) mother, who

zipped in and out of the blue room because she was "in the middle of errands."

And that was fine with Olivia. She liked observing relationships between others, sipping a cup

of tea with her pinky stuck out as she clung to subjects drier than her pool-pruned soles. Comfort, to her, was quiet. And she did well with her routine of blending in, seeing how others went about their lives. There were dozens of others achieving goals more fascinating than herself.

So, why did Evelyn's innocent question bother her at all? It wasn't like Liam had even gotten the chance to properly explain himself. Evelyn was kidding around, and the entire gag was how flustered he became over her crude spin of his words.

Liam didn't find Olivia boring and passive. That was what came from Evelyn's mouth, and as playful as her tone sounded, a nasty sensation had knifed into Olivia's chest.

She rose abruptly from the pool side. "Hey, I'm going to go fetch some drinks from inside.

Where can I find the wine cellar again?" She asked. Her eyes glazed over Liam's as she plastered on a

smile.

Ruby beamed. "We just built a new one! Follow me!" Hopping onto the tiled surface aboveground, Ruby ushered her friend into the triple-acre mansion that was her home.