Torn Between Twin Brothers

Ava suddenly jerked her head to face him. She couldn't understand why he was telling her all that.

She was wondering if it was because he really only cared for her as a younger sister and nothing more. If that was the case, it was fine by her. The truth of the matter was, she was still young and wanted to concentrate on her studies. She had no plans on dating or being in any relationship until she graduated college.

It was also one of the reasons why she liked that she was already betrothed to him, so she could use it in the future if ever someone would approach her. But for now, after hearing him say not to cling to him, was he trying to tell her to stay away from him when they start college? Again, she was at a loss.

"Big brother, please don't worry about me. I promise that I will not cling to you or bother you when we start college. As a matter of fact, we can ignore each other if we ever run into each other. How's that? Better yet, if it will make you feel at ease, I could go to a different college." Her face was serious and void of any emotion. 

Although, she never planned on clinging to him from the beginning. Her young heart was hurt that he had voiced it out. She felt like she got slapped in the face with just his words. But then, James spoke just as she was about to tell him that she wanted to go back inside.

"I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings. All I'm trying to say is…." However, Ava interrupted him and didn't let him finish what he was going to say.

"James, it's alright! You don't need to apologize. It didn't bother me one bit. Anyway, it's getting late. I think you and Prince Edward should head back to the island before it gets too late." The tone of her voice was earnest and mature. She also called him James instead of big brother. She's done playing childish games. She didn't wait for his response. Instead, she turned around and walked off.

James knew that he had made a mistake once again. However, he had no plans on trying to correct it this time. For him, it was better that way. Let the future decide what will happen. For now, they both needed to concentrate on their education. He liked that she was not like other girls who cry all the time or throw tantrums whenever they don't get what they want. Ava was different in every way. He would wait until she was old enough, then he would pursue her, he promised to himself.

Just like that, Ava and James went their separate ways...

===

The next day, Ava was called into her father's study. When she arrived, her mother and father were sitting on the sofa reading her school reports and test results. Although the door was open already, she still knocked lightly.

Jeff and Ann both looked up to see who it was and when they saw it was Ava, both were grinning from ear to ear while Jeff was waving the folder in his hand.

"Sweetheart! Come! Give Daddy a hug." He then stood up and spread his arms, waiting for Ava to come.

Ava then rushed into her father's embrace.

"Hmmm, I knew one of you got my brain." He bantered while kissing his daughter's hair.

Ann heard what Jeff said, which earned him a scowl, "What are you talking about, your brain? For your information, she got it from me. Jeffrey got your brain, that's why he's like that…." Ann didn't finish what she was going to say and started laughing.

Both father and daughter looked at Ann with curious eyes. Both of them were wondering what she meant by that. Jeff was speechless, while Ava just kept quiet. Both of them were not sure what Ann was talking about and why she was laughing out loud.

Seeing her husband and daughter missing her joke, Ann stopped laughing; she put on a solemn face and shut her mouth.

Jeff took a folder from the coffee table and started flipping through the sheets. Once he found what he was looking for, he stopped and took it out.

"I'm not sure if the headmistress of Royal Academy had informed you already about your grades. However, we received copies of your records, and we are so proud of you," Jeff was beaming with pride as he spoke to his oldest daughter.

"However, you don't have to jump grades if you don't want to. You can continue with your current grade and move accordingly so you can enjoy your high school life like other normal teenagers. It's your choice." Jeff's face was serious while he was speaking and looking straight at his daughter's lovely face. 

She didn't even blink an eye when she replied. Ava knew what she wanted and told her parents what she planned on doing.

"Dad, Mom... don't worry about me. I don't mind skipping a few grades. I'm happy about that. I can't wait to learn in advance ahead of children my age. I just hope that Jeffrey, too, will be attending with me. It's too bad that he could only advance two grades." She then heaved a heavy sigh.

Ann reached out and took her daughter's hands and held them with hers. While caressing it, she looked her in the eyes seriously.

"Don't feel sad for your brother. I have a feeling that he had done it on purpose so he could stay in the same class with Akira, but it didn't work because Akira could only advance one year, while he could skip two years. So when the school year starts, he will probably say that he only wants to jump one year and not two." She then laughed slightly at the thought of her son falling for a girl at such a young age. Unlike her twin, Ava didn't seem to care about boys at all. She was just like her when she was her age. Back then, she only cared about school and music, nothing else. Ann was still reminiscing about her youth when she heard Jeff asking Ava what her plan was.

"So, have you decided which college you will be attending? I see here that you have many options. Are you set on attending Imperial college?" Asked Jeff, who was sitting comfortably on the sofa while watching the mother and daughter looking so beautiful together, having a solemn conversation.

Ava jerked her head and turned her attention to her father while her mother was still holding her hands.

"No, Daddy. But I do know what college I will be attending. I decided to attend MIT in America. I want to study computer engineering and programming." Her eyes were shining brightly as she spoke.

Ann and Jeff looked at each other and were shocked. They thought that she was going to say she would attend Imperial college, but they were wrong.

Ann smiled sweetly, "If that's what you want, then we'll fully support you. We will make all the arrangements as soon as possible." She then turned to Jeff for confirmation. "Right, honey?"

Jeff, who was still stunned to hear that Ava was interested in studying computer engineering, could only bob his head up and down.

He couldn't believe that instead of Jeffrey, it seems Ava would be the one to take over his hidden identity... But, of course, Jeff was grinning from ear to ear....