Torn Between Twin Brothers

After resting for a moment, Ann opened her eyes and slowly got up. Seeing her mother get up, Ava did the same thing and walked towards her. Ashley followed after a moment.

"Gizelle, thank you very much for the tour. I will leave my darling daughter here to you." She put her arms around Ava, "Don't hesitate to contact us no matter what time it is if anything happens." She added as she turned her daughter around and gave Ava a tight embrace.

"I'm missing you already, and I haven't even left yet." Said Ann while tears were fighting to fall from her eyes.

Ava, on the other hand, had tears falling down her face like a waterfall. Her brave facade now falling, and reality started to dawn on her little by little that she would be alone pretty soon. Well, not exactly alone, just very far away from her loving family and friends and everything familiar to her.

It finally hit her that she had never felt it before because Akira and Pearl were with her, then soon Jeffrey too joined them. But now, once her mother leaves, she will be at Gizelle's mercy. So, tears started to fall when Ann gave her a tight embrace. 

Hearing Ava's sobs, Ann's heart started to break to pieces. She couldn't bear to let go of her oldest daughter. She was afraid that if she let go, there would be no turning back.

Ashley, who was just watching the mother and daughter, was in tears. She was thinking of her only daughter living in the Royal Academy. But, at least she had friends over there, and her uncle was close by, so she was not too far from a family member. 

But then Ava wouldn't be alone, James would be with her, and he will be her family member someday. Also, there was Prince Edward, who seemed to be a friend to her as well. So, Ashley felt a little better with her thoughts.

"Ann, I think it's time for us to leave. Don't they have some kind of curfew when you live in a dorm?" Ashley reminded Ann and Ava, who was still in a tight embrace now, both crying their hearts out.

Ava had to push her mother to let her go. If not, they would be in that position forever if it were up to her mother.

"Mommy, I'm alright! Don't worry, I will call every night before I go to bed to let you know how I'm doing." Ava promised. Unknown to her that it will be tough for her to keep that promise when the time comes.

Ann finally said goodbye. After carefully checking her appearance from the full-length mirror hanging by the door, she happily walked out the door while her hand in the air waving her daughter goodbye.

===

On the first day of school, the weather was not cooperating. It was snowing like cats and dogs outside. Ava, who grew up in the Philippines, was not used to cold weather. Luckily she had complete winter gear, although it was already the middle of January.

They checked the weather forecast for the whole year to know what kinds of outfits Ava would need. Although Sophia had made sure she had nothing but new trendy styles, she also ensured that her granddaughter had the latest fashion in winter articles of clothing.

With the help of Gizelle, who woke up early and had breakfast ready for Ava from the kitchen down the dining area, Ava started her first day of school. She also picked out what Ava would need to wear to keep warm. She prepared a pair of winter gloves, boots, hats, scarps, and a jacket. 

She picked a warm wool sweater, a turtleneck shirt, blue jeans, and a pair of woolen socks for the inside clothes. When Ava saw all the clothes she had left out for her to wear, her eyes widened in shock.

"Gizelle! Are you serious? I'm supposed to wear all that? How am I supposed to walk after wearing all of that?" She was pointing to all the clothes that were laid out lying on the top of the sofa.

"I know, I know! But you should be warm than to be walking. I will have someone carry you if need be." Bantered Gizelle. She knew that it wasn't a big deal. Ava would still be able to walk after wearing all those layers she had prepared for her to wear.

"I assume you can dress yourself? If not, I can help you too!" She jokingly asked, knowing Ava was capable of dressing herself. 

"I'm going to my room to change while you do the same. I will meet you in about fifteen minutes." She then walked out of the room and didn't wait for Ava to reply.

===

True to her words, Gizelle was back fifteen minutes later, all bundled up just like Ava. She was ready to pick up Ava's backpack when Ava beat her to it, "It's alright, I can handle this. You don't need to go that far." Said Ava kindly and apologetically. 

While Gizelle left her to get changed, Ava had thought to herself what the girl had to do on a daily basis, and she felt terrible for some reason. When she was in the Philippines, she was used to being around household help. However, now that she was in America, she needed to try to live the American way.

"Let's go! I'm excited to begin my life as a college student." Ava said as they headed out the door to the cold, snowy days of Cambridge, Massachusetts. 

It was not a surprise to see that when Ava and Gizelle walked out of the room, everyone they came across was also wearing winter gear. Of course, they weren't as bundled as Ava, but they all wore at least a thick winter jacket, a scarf, hoodie, and thick winter boots.

The snow outside was already two inches thick and still heavily pouring down. The wind chill factor was freezing, and just as they stepped out the door, a wind gust flew by and hit Ava's uncovered face. The chill hit her all the way down to her toes...

"Brrrr, gosh it's cold. How will I survive with this weather?" She said under her cold breath as she started walking towards the building where her first class would be.

Walking right behind her was Gizelle.