Trying Temptation

I stand there in my room dressed in my graduation gown thinking back on everything. I remembered when I was brought here and how the twins reacted. The twins, Edward and James, just stared at me when they were introduced to me. After that Mr. and Mrs. Johnson took me to an upstairs room and told me that it would be my room. The room was bigger than the one I had in Michigan and bigger than the center's room. They took me and the twins out to buy things for my room. I was still processing everything as we shopped. They bought me clothes, a bed and a dresser. They bought me some personal items I needed and told me to pick out a few things that I had wanted. I didn't feel comfortable getting too much so I settled for a couple books and a few toys. The drive back to the house was fairly quiet. I sat by the window while the twins sat to themselves. I noticed their glances at me but I did dare say anything as I watched the scenery as we drove by. I didn't know what to feel about the twins. They didn't seem welcoming but they didn't seem hostile. Once back at the house we set up my room and load up the closet with my clothes along with my dresser. Once the bed and dresser was placed alongside my toys the room felt fuller and more personal, but it still seemed foreign to me. Once Mr. and Mrs. Johnson was done helping me set up, and they left giving me some space to settle in. They had told me dinner would be ready at six o'clock and to make myself at home. Before I knew it it was time to head to the stadium. We were all getting ready for the big day ahead of us. Me, Edward and James loaded up on the bus after we got to school to attend our graduation ceremony. They drive us to the stadium which is filled with cars. The halls are dark with small spot lights giving just enough light to see to walk. The stage was spotlighted, making it hard to see any of the parents watching us as we walked across the stage. It was a very surreal feeling walking across the stage and having my diploma in my hand. It felt as though a weight was lifted from my shoulders as I held my diploma. Looking at my diploma seemed to bring so many opportunities to me. The twins kept their observation quietly for the years leading up to graduation. They watched quietly as I accepted my diploma, their expressions neutral but calculated. It's as though they were watching my very soul as I walked back in line. Edward and James hardly spoke to me since we were introduced. It is unsettling how cold and distant they have been but I can understand some of what they were feeling. I did come to their house, with their parents. I had hoped in the future that we could have gotten along but I don't see that happening with the twins. I was glad to graduate from high school hoping I could avoid seeing them at a local college. If I stayed by the twins they might find out my dark past and tell our parents. I hid my past with every fiber in my being. I was afraid they would disown me if they found out and my safe place would be gone. I had planned to go to work but my life had other plans. Mom and dad had made a big dinner for us to celebrate with after the ceremony, having all our favorite foods ready. We all sit down excited about graduating and being free from the normal high school drama. As we are eating they ask us what our plans were. Edward and James said they were going to go to college. I wasn't sure what I should do so I said I was still working on it but I would probably get a job. Mom and dad looked at each other and asked Edward and James to give us a couple minutes. Once we were alone mom and dad talked to me. "Eric, why don't you want to see about college first?" Mom asked softly. " I wouldn't want to bother you with that after everything you have done for me." I state. "How about this, go to college and once you graduate we can discuss what you would like to do. We don't expect anything back from you Eric, you are our son." Dad said firmly but not unkind. I looked between them and I already knew arguing with them was pointless. I sigh and reluctantly agree to go to college. They just wanted the best for me like any true parents would. I excuse myself to start applying to colleges online. I hoped I wouldn't have to be in the same college as the twins because that would be exhausting and terrifying. I applied to a few local colleges and one in another state. I felt weird about an out of state college but their curriculum was good. I wanted to further myself in business. I could easily keep up with the formulas and technology needed for a business. I wanted to be able to give back to my parents as a thanks for everything. As I'm filling out the application for the last college one of the local colleges emailed me. Hello Eric, Rose state college would like to formally welcome you to our campus. If you are interested in attending our college please be here Monday morning at eight am. Please have the following documents ready. - social security card - birth certificate - Id card - diploma These items will be needed to fully enroll you into our campus. We will discuss everything you will need to do to get started on your next step. We hope to see you soon and have a good day! -Rose state college. I couldn't believe I had gotten in so quickly. I re-checked their curriculum. They had a wide variety of majors they covered, was a high ranked college and was a credible college. I decided to go ahead and attend their college unaware of the crazy twist fate has brought to my life. It was an hour and a half away from our house so it would be fairly easy to visit on holidays. Mom and dad would be more comfortable with this than six or seven hours away. I would have a dorm on the campus and I had my financial grants ready so everything would go smoothly. I stared at the acceptance letter in my email. This was the one thing that could help me give back to my adopted parents. I may not have been their biological child but they treated me like I was. I remember the day they came and adopted me. I had been at the adoption center for a year before they came. Though I was doing better, I was still dealing with the darkness from my past. Though I didn't feel comfortable around the others in the center but I was safe. They adopted me and welcomed me with open arms. They accepted me even when I was still healing, still learning and still growing. Their sons had been distant at the time but that didn't bother me as I grew up mainly alone. I headed down stairs and noticed that Edward and James are already packed up. I watched them as they talked to Mom and Dad. During my time here I noticed some differences between me and the rest of the family. I was short with a thin build with light brown hair and green eyes. The twins were tall with muscular builds and blond hair and blue eyes. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson also had blond hair and blue eyes. The twins had gotten a lot taller than me during the years. They grew to be about 6ft,2in while I stayed around 5ft, 4in. Their build was muscle and toned. I had filled out some more due to proper meals and exercise but I was still slim. " You boys be safe on your way there and call us when you get there ok." Mom said with tears in her eyes. "We will mom, we love you." James says. They turn to me. Edward nods towards me but his gaze lingers on me as though he doesn't know what to say. James looks at me and says with a sarcastic tone“ bye little brother”. Neither of them ever called me that before but it's clear they don't feel the same as mom and dad. Once they leave I turn to my parents and tell them about my acceptance form for Westwood University. Their eyes light up and they start asking me questions about what I applied for and when I needed to go. For the next couple weeks we spent some time together and packed what I needed for my stay. It was a bit nerve racking to think I would be going to stay in a place I never knew. We drove over to the university and I checked into the front office. They checked me in while mom and dad helped me get my things to my room. "We love you son and I'm sure you'll do great." Mom said softly. Before giving me a hug so tight I swear I couldn't breathe. " We believe in you kiddo, do your best" dad said with a tender smile. Once mom was done blocking my airways with her hug they left and let me settle in. I watch them leave for a moment before I grab my things and head into the dorm room I was assigned. I'm so caught up in unpacking my things that I didn't hear the door open behind me. " Hello, you must be our roommate. I'm Edward Johnson and this is James Johnson. It's nice to meet you." A deep voice I knew easily said. I froze at hearing their voices. My fear hits me…I'm in college..with my brothers….I slowly turned around to face them and the looks on their faces were priceless. They were just as shocked as I was. My fear over drove my instincts and I left to see if I could change dorm rooms before I unpacked any more. I excused myself before heading out unaware they started following behind me. “Hey Eric I didn't know you applied here." Edward states watching my retreating back closely. "Yea, I applied the day y'all left." I state quickly trying not to give too much away. " Where are you going right now in such a hurry?" James asked, watching me closely like a predator. " The administration office." I replied quickly. Edward grabs me by the shoulder when hearing this to stop me. My body freezes up and goes into a defensive stance automatically. Edward and James jump a little at my reaction confused by why I did that. "what do you guys need?" I ask calmly. " Why do you need to go to the administration office?" James ask "I'm going to change dorm rooms.“ I state avoiding their intense stares. "why do you need to do that?“ They both ask me. They watch me closely making me feel like prey. "That way we don't bother each other." I state as I keep walking after that trying to get away from them. They stay right on my heels all the way to the administration office. They talk amongst themselves as we walk. " I'm sorry young man but your dorm room is the only one available at this time." The administration office lady said. I sigh in defeat feeling lost and helpless. It looks like we will be staying in the same room after all. I leave the room and start to think of a different solution but none of them would be quick or permanent for my four year college stay. I ignored Edward and James and started walking back to the dorm room. Edward and James walk behind me, talking among themselves. Once we get back to the dorm room I sit on the bed trying to think of anything I could do. My mind is racing with solutions. " Why don't we call a truce? We can start fresh and set rules or what not." James states looking intrigued by my behavior "We won't try to bother you during classes or when you're doing work." Edward remarks watching me closely. I think it over before giving in to the situation. I nod my head. I don't feel comfortable with this set up but I don't have many choices to choose from. I look up at the twins and see something flash through their eyes. "Alright then thank you for letting me stay here." I say, still nervous about the situation. We stay like that for a moment before they go back to their bunks and I start unpacking again. I stay in the corner where my bunk is. I try not to make noise or draw attention to myself. I realize it's dinner time and head out. I notice the twins follow behind me keeping a few feet behind. The walk feels long and heavy as we head to the food court. When we all arrive at the food court, I grab my tray and find a seat at a table in a far corner. As I sit down at a table I'm shocked to see the twins sit down with me to eat. I don't say anything and begin to eat. We started eating in silence for a while, the tension seemed to be thick. " So Eric, what major are you studying?" Edward asks. " I am going for my bachelors in business." I state quietly shocked by their question. “ What about you guys?” I ask, glancing at the twins quickly. James mentioned studying to be a policy analyst while Edward mentioned studying to be a project manager. We start talking among ourselves and surprisingly we talk like old friends. After eating our food we head back to the dorms, the walk back seems lighter than the past few years. We head inside our room and I get ready for a quick shower. I gather my clothes out of my dresser and head to the bathroom. I feel their eyes on me as I shut the bathroom door. I felt like a prey under their eyes and I wasn't sure how I felt. I take a hot shower trying to ease the tension in my muscles. Their intense gaze on me as I entered the bathroom flashes in my mind. How will I survive college with them watching me?