Torn Between Twin Brothers

During the holiday, Ava studied hard. Instead of playing games, visiting her relatives, or chatting with Pearl and Akira, she instead spent her days inside her room studying. No matter how hard Jeffrey and Arria tried to coax her to go out, Ava was adamant about staying in. So, in the long run, they just gave up and let her do what she wanted.

Jeff and Ann did not mind what she was doing, but they could not help but worry about her. It was quite unusual for a teenager like her to only study during their holiday off from school. So they also tried their best to coax her to go out, but with no success.

Ava was deep in her studying when a light knock made her turn her head to look at the door.

"It's mommy, sweetheart! I have some sliced fruit for you. May I come in?" Ann walked in with a tray of fruits and a glass of milk. A motherly smile plastered on her gorgeous face.

"Honey, why make yourself suffer like this? You don't have to skip 3 grades and start college right away. You could just enjoy your high school life with Pearl and Akira. Also, there's Jeffrey. I don't think he wants to jump 2 grades, and last I spoke with Ashley, Akira said she doesn't want to skip one grade either. So, there! You all could stay in the same grade and enjoy your life." Pleaded Ann as she placed the tray on top of the desk.

Ava just ignored her and continued with what she was doing. She couldn't let any of them distract her from what she was doing. They would not understand the reasoning behind her studying hard. If she told her mother the truth, she will tell her father, which may prevent her from taking the test. She couldn't have that. 

"Mom, I know what you're saying, and I also understand why Akira and Jeffrey wanted to do that. But, I'm not them, I like studying, and I want to start college next year instead of wasting my time getting bored in my class. I already tried mom, I just can't do it anymore. I always feel sleepy in the classroom. Please, understand." It was the only reason she could give her mother for her to stop preventing her from studying and taking the test.

Ann, who was still standing next to her chair, could only shake her head as she turned around to leave her alone.

===

The holidays went by quickly, and it was time to go back to the Royal Academy. This time, Arria was also joining them. Since many students were graduating already, and James was one of them, there were new slots in the school for new students. Arria had been in touch with Princess Rose all this time, and they both decided to attend the Royal Academy.

It was decided between parents that only Ashley would accompany the children. She volunteered because the last time they were in the resort, she didn't get to spend much time with her older brother. She was so busy with the children and their activities that she only got to say hello when they arrived; after that, she had been swamped, and so was Arman. Therefore, she wanted to make up for it this time. 

Same as the first time, they flew using Jeff's toy, 'The Bullet Jet.' It was not easy for Jeff to let go of his toy, but for his beloved wife and children, he would give them even his life. 

The couple only accompanied the children to the airport's tarmac to see them board the bullet jet. Soon, after many hugs and kisses, Ava, Jeffrey, Arria, and their bodyguards boarded the bullet, their destination was Japan, to pick up James, Akira, and Ashley.

As soon as Ava entered the Jet, she quickly scanned the whole area for a more private seat where they would not be disturbed. Once she found one with a two-seater, she promptly put her belongings so no one would take the seats. 

Ava was excited, knowing that James would be joining them this time. Finally, she would have enough time to spend time with him on the way to the Kingdom of Stonasia. She had so many things to tell him and also to apologize to him for not being in contact during the holidays.

She didn't want any distractions, and James was her biggest one. So, she made sure that all her gadgets were off, only her laptop was on, and she never logged in to the games or her email, so she had no idea if he had contacted her or not. 

Once she was seated, she turned her iPad on to see her inbox. She was scrolling down from many messages when she finally found one that James sent her. It was the very next day when she arrived back home. She clicked it and began reading...

[Hi! I tried to call you, but I kept getting a message that your phone was not available, then I thought maybe you were tired and didn't want to be bothered and turned off your phone. But then, I tried again today, and with no luck. So, I'm sending you this message hoping that you will read it and respond to me. 

If you don't respond, it means that you don't want to be bothered during your holiday and I will leave you alone.

I'm waiting to hear from you!

James]

After reading the message, she began to worry that James might be upset at her for not responding. She was anxious to arrive in Japan so she could make her apology to James while they were in the air. 

However, she was devastated when she found out that James had flown a week earlier and would not be joining them. 

"He told mom and dad that he still had a lot of things to do, and he was invited by Prince Edward to spend some time together before college starts. So he flew a week ago even though I told him that you guys would be picking us up, but he just ignored me. Sorry, girlfriend!" 

Akira was blabbering her mouth without paying attention to Ava, who suddenly felt sad hearing that James didn't care to wait for them or her for that matter.

===

Ashley, who was about to sit down, heard what Akira was saying to Ava and saw how the girl's face was suddenly saddened after hearing what her daughter said. She waited a moment to see where Akira would sit down before she would go and talk to Ava.

Akira chose to sit next to Jeffrey, which freed up the seat next to Ava. Ashley briskly got up and sat down next to her, which startled Ava.

With a kind smile showing on her face Ashley spoke, "You don't mind if I sit next to you? I just wanted to chat with you so I won't get bored the whole flight." She gave a lame excuse, knowing that Ava knew better.

"It's fine, Aunt Ashley. I could use the company right now anyway. But, as you can see, she's already occupied with Jeffrey." Her lips were puckered while pointing towards Akira and Jeffrey who were busy listening to music while sharing a pair of earbuds.

Ashley put on her seatbelt first and got comfortable before she began her motherly talk with Ava.

"I heard what Akira told you about James, don't believe every word she said. Actually, he already agreed to Prince Edward that he would come early before he found out that you guys would be picking us up. He wanted to cancel with Prince Edward, but his father told him that he had to find courage, if he made a promise, he could not break it no matter what. So unless he's incapable of fulfilling it, he must go." Ashley said as she looked at Ava's sad eyes.

"He didn't have a choice at all. Before he left, he told me to tell you to do well in your test, and he will be waiting for you at Imperial College." Ashley saw Ava's eyes widen when she heard about James waiting for her at Imperial College. She liked what she saw and it seemed that it won't be long, and they will truly become one family.

"Did he really say that, Aunt Ashley? You're not just making it up to make me feel better, are you? My mom probably told you that I have been studying hard for this test because I want to be with big brother James at Imperial College." She shyly murmured, barely audible for Ashley to hear.

"No! no-no! Ann didn't say anything to me at all. So, that's the reason that you wanted to take the test, so if you passed, you could join James at Imperial College. I like that! You don't know how much you will make your parents and us, your Uncle Tanaga and I if that happens."

Ashley couldn't believe what she was hearing. She couldn't wait to tell Ann when she got the chance. It's what they have been hoping for all this time. For the children to grow up and begin to like each other, and their dreams of becoming one family would be happening soon…

"Ava, let me ask you something. There's no right or wrong with your answer, I only want to know how you really feel. After you answer me, I'm going to tell you something else." She wasn't sure if she sounded right, but Ashley was doing her best not to alert Ava.

Ava looked up from what she was doing, "Yes, aunty go ahead!"