Torn Between Twin Brothers

Everyone was anxious for the trio to come back. Especially Pearl, who had been arguing with lady Crystal the whole time they were away. 

'What's taking them so long?' Anxious, Pearl thought to herself, she couldn't sit still, and she kept on getting up and walking towards the door to see if they were on their way back. She couldn't even ask Pisces since she also went with them. 

She was about to sit down when she heard a murmur from her classmates.

"They're back! Looks like they're okay, and nothing happened to them." Said the girl seated in front of Pearl, speaking to the other girl next to her.

Pearl heard it and her head jerked up to look at the door. When she saw Jeffrey first, followed by Ava, then Akira, Pearl jumped up and rushed towards them.

"How was it? You guys okay? Why did they call you?" She asked no one in particular; she just wanted to know.

Lady Crystal had an all-knowing, smug look on her face with a smirk plastered on her lips. She had no idea that her assumptions were wrong in every way. They were not in trouble. Instead, they were praised. She would soon find out when the homeroom teacher came to announce the results of their test.

Pearl was still holding on to Ava and then Akira back and forth, trying to get one of them to answer, "Guys, tell me! Did you get in trouble? Is that why they called you to the guidance counselor's office?" She now spoke in a low voice, almost whispering.

Ava patted her hand, "We didn't get into trouble. Don't worry, you will soon find out. We will tell you when we get back to the villa. Sit down before we really get into trouble." She ordered Pearl, and the girl listened and sat down.

Soon, the homeroom teacher came in, smiling from ear to ear, because his class had the highest scorers in the whole academy. Not just one but three of them, that's what made him so happy and proud.

As soon as he put down his lesson plan and the bottle of water he was carrying. He began his announcement.

"Children, I will not be making the announcement for this happy occasion. Our Headmistress Ms. Williams will be making the announcement very soon. But before that, I want to congratulate Ava, Jeffrey, and Akira for their achievements. Give them a round of applause!" He ordered everyone, and soon the whole class was all clapping their hands and congratulating the three named people.

Lady Crystal could be seen clapping unenthusiastically, with a scowl on her face.

===

The announcement came soon. Everyone was still clapping their hands and congratulating Ava, Akira, and Jeffrey when they heard the school bell. Then Ms. Williams's voice could be heard through the P.A. system all around the Royal Academy.

Ms. Williams was so proud as she was making her announcement. But, despite her overflowing pride, she didn't miss any crucial details, especially about Ava qualifying to take the test for the CEE once she finished her IQ test to prove her qualifications.

After Ms. Williams's announcement, all the students except Lady Crystal in their room got up and personally congratulated the trio, but mostly Ava, for being so clever.

James heard the announcement as well as Prince Edmund, seeing that they were from the same class. Both of them looked towards each other's direction, and they could tell that both of them wanted to get up and leave to congratulate the trio. But, mostly Ava.

Unfortunately, their homeroom teacher had come in, and their classes started. James and Prince Edmund had no choice but to sit patiently and wait eagerly for their lunch break.

===

While the teacher was busy with the lecture, James was in a faraway land. He couldn't wait for lunchtime, so he could go to their classroom to personally congratulate them. Also, to ask Ava what she planned to do. He was hoping that she would take the test and, if she passed, pick Imperial College.

Finally, the lunch bell sounded, he was quick to leave and go down to Ava's classroom. However, when he arrived to look for them, he found out they were already gone and had left for the dining hall. He was disappointed because he didn't really want to join them.

For the first time since his first day attending Royal Academy, James wanted to join them for lunch. The reason was that he wanted to congratulate Ava, but not be evident to the others. Furthermore, James wanted to be inconspicuous so they would not think anything of it. 

He had been avoiding her since the party after seeing her in an embrace with Ashton.

The night of the party, James went out to look for them, and at a distance, he found them in an embrace before happily walking back to the west wing to join the others. He was going to ask Ava later if Ashton had declared his feelings for her but never got the chance.

During the game, when he was asked if he liked any of the girls that were with them, he was ready to answer 'yes' but was interrupted by the tour manager arriving. So, for him, it was a sign, and from then on, he decided to stay as far away as he could.

However, he couldn't help himself being happy to hear that she could take CEE early, and if she passed, she could skip 3 grades and start college at the same time as him. However, the thought of being together with her, far away from everyone's attention, made him change his mind once again.

He was in deep thought while on the way to the dining hall and didn't realize that he had arrived. When he was about to enter, he felt unsure and changed his mind once again for some odd reason. He turned around to go back to the rooftop where he would normally eat his lunch, away from everyone.

He decided to just text Ava, Akira, and Jeffrey in a group message. That way, it would not look personal.. After texting, he proceeded to eat his lunch while enjoying the scenery surrounding the Royal Academy.