Alyssa McKay (as Ella Sinclair)

Savannah wants to act like we barely know each other, but that isn't true. As she walks away, I catch her smiling to herself. If I was an optimist, I'd think she's smiling because she wants me on the team, but I'm not an optimist, and neither is she. I think back to my first swim tryout, and I begin to regret my decision. What does Savannah have in store for me? Am I making a huge mistake?

Savannah wants to act like we barely know each other, but that isn't true. As she walks away, I catch her smiling to herself. If I was an optimist, I'd think she's smiling because she wants me on the team, but I'm not an optimist, and neither is she. I think back to my first swim tryout, and I begin to regret my decision. What does Savannah have in store for me? Am I making a huge mistake?

There's no skimpy bikini waiting for me in the locker room. No recordings of my cam girl days. No laughing rich girls. I put on a cove swimsuit and brace myself for whatever's waiting in the pool area. Savannah is alone by the pool. Her arms are crossed, but at least she isn't surrounded by her groupies.

There's no skimpy bikini waiting for me in the locker room. No recordings of my cam girl days. No laughing rich girls. I put on a cove swimsuit and brace myself for whatever's waiting in the pool area. Savannah is alone by the pool. Her arms are crossed, but at least she isn't surrounded by her groupies.

On the previous episode of The Royals of Malibu.

On the previous episode of The Royals of Malibu.

If I make the team, do I also have to start talking down to everyone, or do you guys just do that for fun? Get in the water, Ella.

If I make the team, do I also have to start talking down to everyone, or do you guys just do that for fun? Get in the water, Ella.

I hate to admit it, but Savannah's actually a good coach. She's the perfect combination of scolding and technique.

I hate to admit it, but Savannah's actually a good coach. She's the perfect combination of scolding and technique.

But it's been a while since I swam competitively. I'm slower than usual. I can feel my legs burning, but I keep pushing.

But it's been a while since I swam competitively. I'm slower than usual. I can feel my legs burning, but I keep pushing.

I'm just out of practice. I can do more.

I'm just out of practice. I can do more.

I know you're not used to caring about anyone other than yourself, but most of us can balance a sport with a loving relationship.

I know you're not used to caring about anyone other than yourself, but most of us can balance a sport with a loving relationship.

I know your relationship with Easton was messed up, but he did love you, Savannah. And he wasn't trying to hurt you.

I know your relationship with Easton was messed up, but he did love you, Savannah. And he wasn't trying to hurt you.

I keep my phone on do not disturb and fall asleep to a playlist of conspiracy theory YouTube videos all talking about Reid. I'm so angry at everyone in Malibu for letting Reid down. And I'm angry at Reid for letting me leave. Monday morning, I woke up still angry. Reed sent me a dozen apologies, but I told him I need space. I don't want to be around anyone when I feel like this.

I keep my phone on do not disturb and fall asleep to a playlist of conspiracy theory YouTube videos all talking about Reid. I'm so angry at everyone in Malibu for letting Reid down. And I'm angry at Reid for letting me leave. Monday morning, I woke up still angry. Reed sent me a dozen apologies, but I told him I need space. I don't want to be around anyone when I feel like this.

I was poor for most of my life, Savannah, so don't lecture me about what it's like. I had nothing.

I was poor for most of my life, Savannah, so don't lecture me about what it's like. I had nothing.

So you want me to abandon Reed so I can get into another pretentious, snobby school full of more girls like you?

So you want me to abandon Reed so I can get into another pretentious, snobby school full of more girls like you?

You're a liar, Savannah. You do care about what happens to me. You tried to protect me from David.

You're a liar, Savannah. You do care about what happens to me. You tried to protect me from David.

Yeah. And I'm not listening to you now either, huh?

Yeah. And I'm not listening to you now either, huh?

Did I make the team?

Did I make the team?

Savannah leaves without looking back. I feel my heart sink as I'm left alone in the pool. I managed to successfully win some alone time with Reed. An overnight trip. I mean, how amazing is that? But I still don't feel like celebrating. Savannah and Steve are telling me the same thing and I'm starting to wonder if they're right. Val? Are you okay?

Savannah leaves without looking back. I feel my heart sink as I'm left alone in the pool. I managed to successfully win some alone time with Reed. An overnight trip. I mean, how amazing is that? But I still don't feel like celebrating. Savannah and Steve are telling me the same thing and I'm starting to wonder if they're right. Val? Are you okay?

Uh, no. I... Look, I know I've been hyper-focused on the Reed stuff and I've been slacking as your best friend, but you seemed off at lunch and I just wanted to check on you. Is everything alright?

Uh, no. I... Look, I know I've been hyper-focused on the Reed stuff and I've been slacking as your best friend, but you seemed off at lunch and I just wanted to check on you. Is everything alright?

What happened?

What happened?

The Royals of Malibu is a production of Emerald Audio, an imprint of Diversion in partnership with Pod People. Starring... Armin Taylor as Callum Royal. Francesca Agramonte as Valerie Gonzalez. Hannah Montoya as Savannah Gonzalez. Daniel Lynch as Steve O'Halloran. Maura Vincent as Dinah O'Halloran. Stephanie Sherry as Lucy. Jillian Kinsey as Nova and Detective Schmidt. Directed by Ashton Carter.

The Royals of Malibu is a production of Emerald Audio, an imprint of Diversion in partnership with Pod People. Starring... Armin Taylor as Callum Royal. Francesca Agramonte as Valerie Gonzalez. Hannah Montoya as Savannah Gonzalez. Daniel Lynch as Steve O'Halloran. Maura Vincent as Dinah O'Halloran. Stephanie Sherry as Lucy. Jillian Kinsey as Nova and Detective Schmidt. Directed by Ashton Carter.

Written by Kiana Caddyblue. Produced by Emma DeMuth. Production management by Ashton Carter. Production assistants by Hannah Rae Leach and Audrey Leach. Story development by Emma DeMuth. Editorial direction by Scott Waxman. Casting by Lindsay Plussard. Sound editing, sound design, and engineering by Morgan Foose and Carter Wogan. Dialogue editing by Adam Raimonda and Carter Wogan.

Written by Kiana Caddyblue. Produced by Emma DeMuth. Production management by Ashton Carter. Production assistants by Hannah Rae Leach and Audrey Leach. Story development by Emma DeMuth. Editorial direction by Scott Waxman. Casting by Lindsay Plussard. Sound editing, sound design, and engineering by Morgan Foose and Carter Wogan. Dialogue editing by Adam Raimonda and Carter Wogan.

Theme music by Maddie Noyce. Consulting producers, Chris Cafaro and Nick Cafaro. Executive producers, Rachel King, Alyssa McKay, and Scott Waxman. For more information, visit diversionaudio.com.

Theme music by Maddie Noyce. Consulting producers, Chris Cafaro and Nick Cafaro. Executive producers, Rachel King, Alyssa McKay, and Scott Waxman. For more information, visit diversionaudio.com.

In a few days, everyone will realize it was unfair to kick me out of the royal house. And I'll be back where I belong. What is that? Steve?

In a few days, everyone will realize it was unfair to kick me out of the royal house. And I'll be back where I belong. What is that? Steve?

A trampoline?

A trampoline?

You realize these things are supposed to go outside, right?

You realize these things are supposed to go outside, right?

Can you please stop bouncing? I feel like I'm going to lose my mind.

Can you please stop bouncing? I feel like I'm going to lose my mind.

Yes, I'll be nice to Dinah as long as she's nice to me.

Yes, I'll be nice to Dinah as long as she's nice to me.

You're giving me a curfew?

You're giving me a curfew?

Callum never gave me a curfew.

Callum never gave me a curfew.

Why do I have to report to you? I don't even know you.

Why do I have to report to you? I don't even know you.

Well, I actually liked the kids at my old school. I don't want to spend any more time than I have to at the Cove.

Well, I actually liked the kids at my old school. I don't want to spend any more time than I have to at the Cove.

Yes, Reed. I would love to go to prom with you.

Yes, Reed. I would love to go to prom with you.

A little team building could be good for you. Sorry. The whole murder trial thing has been distracting me from living my best Degrassi life.

A little team building could be good for you. Sorry. The whole murder trial thing has been distracting me from living my best Degrassi life.

I thought you were like an uncle to Reed.

I thought you were like an uncle to Reed.

What's with all the boxes? Are you two moving?

What's with all the boxes? Are you two moving?

I need you.

I need you.

I recognize Reed's car waiting outside the building.

I recognize Reed's car waiting outside the building.

What are you doing here?

What are you doing here?

Why did you bring all my stuff over to Steve's place?

Why did you bring all my stuff over to Steve's place?

Why?

Why?

I support your decisions all the time, Reed.

I support your decisions all the time, Reed.

You're not usually wrong, like, ever, but in this case... You really think it's safer to move out of your house and live with Brooke's real killer, Dinah?

You're not usually wrong, like, ever, but in this case... You really think it's safer to move out of your house and live with Brooke's real killer, Dinah?

Does anyone seem like more of a murderous person than Dinah?

Does anyone seem like more of a murderous person than Dinah?

Can you please be serious, Easton?

Can you please be serious, Easton?

Your lawyer told you to break up with me?

Your lawyer told you to break up with me?

Well, is that going to help your case?

Well, is that going to help your case?

What DNA evidence thing?

What DNA evidence thing?

I'm sorry. You allowed me?

I'm sorry. You allowed me?

What DNA evidence?

What DNA evidence?

Shit. Well, she scratched my face in the bathroom. Are people really going to think we teamed up to off-broke or something?

Shit. Well, she scratched my face in the bathroom. Are people really going to think we teamed up to off-broke or something?

Well, if we break up, our relationship looks like a silly fling, not murder fuel.

Well, if we break up, our relationship looks like a silly fling, not murder fuel.

Isn't anyone going to ask me for my side of the story? I'll tell them the truth. Brooke blackmailed us, but we never hurt her. If me living with Steve will help look like less of a motive, then I'll do it. But I mean, we could still, like, hang out during the day, right?

Isn't anyone going to ask me for my side of the story? I'll tell them the truth. Brooke blackmailed us, but we never hurt her. If me living with Steve will help look like less of a motive, then I'll do it. But I mean, we could still, like, hang out during the day, right?

Really?

Really?

I don't know.

I don't know.

I just... I need to think. Reed looks more serious than I've ever seen him. From the backseat, I reach out a hand to touch his neck. He covers my hand in his. I think Easton's going to make another joke about us, but he stays quiet. Steve is determined to keep us apart, and his plan looks like it's going to work.

I just... I need to think. Reed looks more serious than I've ever seen him. From the backseat, I reach out a hand to touch his neck. He covers my hand in his. I think Easton's going to make another joke about us, but he stays quiet. Steve is determined to keep us apart, and his plan looks like it's going to work.

Then again, for the first time, Reed doesn't seem confident the charges against him will be dropped. My plan to catch the real killer hasn't worked. The trial is getting closer every day. I mean, maybe the best thing I can do for Reed is leave him alone.

Then again, for the first time, Reed doesn't seem confident the charges against him will be dropped. My plan to catch the real killer hasn't worked. The trial is getting closer every day. I mean, maybe the best thing I can do for Reed is leave him alone.

If you all want me to go, then I guess I'll go. On Saturday night, I packed a bag and moved in with Steve. All day Sunday, I locked myself in my all-white, pristine bedroom. Then, I know it's a bad idea, but I couldn't help myself. I typed Reed Royal into the search bar of every social media app in existence.

If you all want me to go, then I guess I'll go. On Saturday night, I packed a bag and moved in with Steve. All day Sunday, I locked myself in my all-white, pristine bedroom. Then, I know it's a bad idea, but I couldn't help myself. I typed Reed Royal into the search bar of every social media app in existence.

What if one moment you were just trying to survive high school? The next, you're the key to saving an empire in a parallel universe. I'm Ella Jane, EJ to most. I thought I had it all figured out. But one night at a pool party, everything changed. I wake up in a world called Estanasia, an empire on the brink of collapse. Turns out, I look exactly like a missing military general.

What if one moment you were just trying to survive high school? The next, you're the key to saving an empire in a parallel universe. I'm Ella Jane, EJ to most. I thought I had it all figured out. But one night at a pool party, everything changed. I wake up in a world called Estanasia, an empire on the brink of collapse. Turns out, I look exactly like a missing military general.

Posing as the general is my only shot at surviving. And there's a seriously complicated interdimensional crush involved, too. I never wanted to be a hero, but now I'm stuck in a fight to save the empire, solve family secrets, survive assassins, and face terrifying beasts. Listen to The Infinite Worlds of Ella Jane on Spotify, Apple, Amazon Music, or any major streaming platform.

Posing as the general is my only shot at surviving. And there's a seriously complicated interdimensional crush involved, too. I never wanted to be a hero, but now I'm stuck in a fight to save the empire, solve family secrets, survive assassins, and face terrifying beasts. Listen to The Infinite Worlds of Ella Jane on Spotify, Apple, Amazon Music, or any major streaming platform.

Things are still tense between Reed and I at lunch, and everyone at the cove is still staring at us, though our group has gotten better at ignoring them. I sit with Reed, Val, and Nova on the grassy knoll.

Things are still tense between Reed and I at lunch, and everyone at the cove is still staring at us, though our group has gotten better at ignoring them. I sit with Reed, Val, and Nova on the grassy knoll.

I can Uber. Why, are you busy or something?

I can Uber. Why, are you busy or something?

I thought you already won state. Or am I confused about how water polo works again?

I thought you already won state. Or am I confused about how water polo works again?

Wait, is it an away game or a home game?

Wait, is it an away game or a home game?

You two just got back from a weekend trip to Santa Barbara, right? How was that? Fine. Sounds ambiguous.

You two just got back from a weekend trip to Santa Barbara, right? How was that? Fine. Sounds ambiguous.

I'm sorry, Val, but did something happen this weekend? I mean, you seem off.

I'm sorry, Val, but did something happen this weekend? I mean, you seem off.

Is that Easton holding a million pink roses and balloons?

Is that Easton holding a million pink roses and balloons?

Is he? Oh, no. Oh, he's coming right for you, Nova.

Is he? Oh, no. Oh, he's coming right for you, Nova.

You know what? The rest of us can stand over here. Give you a little breathing room. Move, you guys.

You know what? The rest of us can stand over here. Give you a little breathing room. Move, you guys.

Why does he sound like he's reading from a teleprompter?

Why does he sound like he's reading from a teleprompter?

Oh, she's frozen. Nova? Uh... Do you want to go to prom with Easton? I... I feel really sweaty.

Oh, she's frozen. Nova? Uh... Do you want to go to prom with Easton? I... I feel really sweaty.

Hey, she didn't say no.

Hey, she didn't say no.

Easton, do you actually know anything about this girl? Like, what do you even talk about together?

Easton, do you actually know anything about this girl? Like, what do you even talk about together?

You don't know her at all. You're hung up on the idea of Nova, not the real Nova.

You don't know her at all. You're hung up on the idea of Nova, not the real Nova.

Because you have an addictive personality and you're addicted to female validation. Huh? You're addicted to the dopamine rush you get when a pretty girl gives you attention. You don't need a date to prom. You need to look inward and build up your self-esteem. That's what I've been trying to tell you.

Because you have an addictive personality and you're addicted to female validation. Huh? You're addicted to the dopamine rush you get when a pretty girl gives you attention. You don't need a date to prom. You need to look inward and build up your self-esteem. That's what I've been trying to tell you.

Over Easton's shoulder, I watch Nova reach out and hold Valerie's hand, trying to pull her in. Then Val sees me watching and quickly pulls her hand away from Nova. The look on her face is guilty. Is she hiding something from me? That mean laugh. Savannah. I have to ask Savannah something, so I'll see you guys later. Hi, Savannah. Hi, Savannah's mean friends.

Over Easton's shoulder, I watch Nova reach out and hold Valerie's hand, trying to pull her in. Then Val sees me watching and quickly pulls her hand away from Nova. The look on her face is guilty. Is she hiding something from me? That mean laugh. Savannah. I have to ask Savannah something, so I'll see you guys later. Hi, Savannah. Hi, Savannah's mean friends.

I want to try out for the swim team again. Hmm. No. Sav, you're down a swimmer, I'm mono-free, I have experience, and I know you're dying to beat that school in San Francisco.

I want to try out for the swim team again. Hmm. No. Sav, you're down a swimmer, I'm mono-free, I have experience, and I know you're dying to beat that school in San Francisco.

I'm just dying to get involved in some extracurricular activities.

I'm just dying to get involved in some extracurricular activities.