Torn Between Twin Brothers

After lunch, Ava slowly got up and excused herself, saying she needed to study. James, upon hearing this, was disappointed. He wanted to spend a little more time with her, and he wanted to offer to help her with her studying but couldn't find the words to voice it out.

Although she never really participated much while they were on the beach and was always busy listening to something, at least he could see and be around her. He was satisfied with that. He continued to hesitate until she passed by his side without looking at him; his hand quickly moved to stop her.

"Ava!" He then got up. "I could help you study if you need any help?" His voice was so low, almost a whisper that only she could hear.

Ava smiled timidly before responding, "It's alright, big brother, I can do it on my own. I'm just brushing up on some of the important things that I think might be in the test. You enjoy your time with everyone. I don't think it's appropriate to leave Prince Edward by himself." 

After hearing her excuse, there was nothing he could do but let go of her arm so she could leave. He could only follow her with his eyes, gazing at her as her silhouette disappeared through the door.

Since Ava would not be around, he decided to ask Prince Edward and Prince Edmund to play video games with him, to which they readily agreed. 

Pearl, Arria, and Princess Rose planned on doing a live stream around the hotel. They also excused themselves and happily left to do their own things.

Jeffrey decided to hang around with Akira, who planned to catch up with her drawings. Her webtoon had been on hiatus during the holiday, and she didn't have any chance to do any drawing at all. So she figured that it was time for her to start updating. 

When Prince Philip and Lady Crystal came back ready to apologize, everyone was already gone doing their own things. So he called Prince Edmund to find out where they were. When he heard that they were playing video games, he decided to just take Lady Crystal home.

He needed to speak to his father, the King, about his engagement with her; he could no longer tolerate her attitude, which worsened as each day passed. Unknown to him that it was precisely what Lady Crystal wanted since she wanted Prince Edmund instead of him as her husband.

===

As much as the children wanted to stay at the resort, they had no choice when the time came for them to return to Royal Academy. Arman bid them goodbye as Ashley accompanied them. After dropping them off, Ashely would be heading straight to the airport. So, Arman gave his baby sister a tight embrace.

"You must bring mom and dad next time so that I can see them. I miss them so much." Arman requested. He requested the transfer so he could see his niece and nephew, but James never came to visit, and Akira never left the Royal Academy. So he had just been keeping himself busy all this time.

"Yes, big brother... I promise to bring the whole family here for a vacation in the next year or so. So you take care of yourself and visit the children sometimes when you have time." She then hugged him one more time before letting go.

All the children were already inside the limousine that would be taking them to the Royal Academy.

===

School started the next day, all the students in their class were excitedly conversing about everything they had done during the holiday. The whole classroom was buzzing, filled with all the students' sounds while speaking simultaneously.

When Ava, Akira, Pearl, and Jeffrey arrived, all the students except for Lady Crystal clapped their hands while shouting their congratulations once more.

Playful Jeffrey waived his right hand like someone running for Presidency. Pearl only showed some white teeth as she passed them, while Akira, who had her arms around Ava's shoulder, was grinning from ear to ear.

"Gosh, I envy you, my friend! I know you're smart, but I never knew to what extent. Now, it's clear as day that you're pure genius. I'm so proud to be your future sister-in-law!" Akira whispered to Ava so no one could hear the last part.

Ava's head jerked after hearing what she said. With eyes shooting daggers at Akira, "What do you mean, future sister-in-law? Are you and Jeffrey now an item?" Shocked, Ava asked without hesitation.

Now it was Akira's turn to be stunned. She couldn't believe what Ava just said. She and Jeffrey? No way! Yes, he liked Jeffrey, but only as a good friend and nothing more. It never even came across her young mind about liking boys. She was merely enjoying his company. So what made her ask if she and Jeffrey were an item? That was absurd.

"No way, Jose! What are you talking about? I meant you and one of my older brothers. I don't care who, as long as you become my sister-in-law. You understand what I mean?" So now it was Akira who was shooting daggers at Ava.

Ava was about to retort, but their homeroom teacher walked in with a bright smile plastered on his face. He put down his drink on the top of his desk, then his lesson plan, before writing something on the board.

===

After finishing writing on the board, he faced all the students with making an announcement.

"Children! Listen up! You all heard what the headmistress announced before the holidays. I'm just going to recap some of the highlights." He then looked around to ensure that the person he would be talking about was in the classroom.

"Ava! Please stand up!" He asked kindly, while proud as he can be.

Once Ava was standing, he continued, "class, look at this young lady clearly. Because after my announcement, she will leave to start all the testing required for her to skip 3-grades." He then looked in Ava's direction.

"I want you to know that you've made me proud to be your homeroom teacher. Although you've only been with me for a year, I'm so proud to have been a part of your journey. Go and make us more proud!" Shouted the homeroom teacher while clapping his hands.

All the students followed the homeroom teacher, and Lady Crystal was no exception. She was clapping vigorously. After hearing that Ava would be leaving the Royal Academy, she was delighted; it was a dream coming true.

Finally, she now had one less person to worry about; with Ava gone from the Royal Academy, she put her plan to sabotage the remaining girls.

===

After the homeroom teacher's announcement and many more congratulations, Ava set off to meet with Ms. Shannon, who would be overseeing her test. The guidance counselor had made a sound plan for her already about how she would take the test.

The first one was the Stanford-Binet IQ test. The test duration will be around one to two hours, depending on how fast she answers each question.

After she finishes, it will be around lunchtime. She would be allowed to have lunch with her friends and rest before taking the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). This time the duration would be about 3 hours. Once she finished the test, it would be the end of the day, and she could return to their villa and relax.

The next day, her first test would be the SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test). The duration of the test was also 3 hours long. It is divided into three sections. So after breakfast, she will go straight to the testing room for the first part. Then a break before the second part. The last part will be taken after lunch. Therefore, it would take her entire day with just these tests alone.

The third day will be the AP Test (Advanced Placement Test), which will be another 2~3 hour session; there will be one break only, which is lunchtime. So after lunch, she would continue the test, and after the test, it would be the end of the day.

The last test she will take is the ACT (American College Test). This will be the longest one, taking about 3~4 hours, with an essay at the end of the test. Once she finishes all the tests, she will be given time off while waiting for the results. 

After explaining to her the planned-out schedule, Ms. Shannon handed her a sheet of paper with her schedule so she could plan to study the night before the rigorous tests began.

"Make sure that you get enough rest and eat properly. Your body and mind must be in the best condition. If there's anything we can do for you, don't hesitate to let me know." Ms. Shannon then guided her to the testing room, where the representative for 'Stanford-Binet' was waiting for her. She followed quietly while her mind was running 1000 miles per hour. 

===

During the following days, Ava was very busy with all the tests she had to take. Her roommates left her alone when she was inside her room studying. During the days that she was taking tests, the only thing she did was eat, sleep, study, and take tests. By the end of the week, it was finally over... 

Everyone was happy once Ava announced that she finished all the tests and would find out the results the following week. To celebrate her completing all the tests, Ms. Shannon took it upon herself to let them leave the Royal Academy for the weekend.

Upon learning that, Akira suggested that they hang out at James's apartment. Everyone readily agreed, except for James, who had no idea that he would have company for the weekend....