Trying Temptations

chapter 1

It's been a few months since they adopted me. I try not to cause any trouble for them considering what they are doing for me. It has been rough dealing with the changes. Edward and James hardly speak to me or hang out with me. I don't mind their cold behavior because I can understand some of what they are feeling.

The new school I'm going to is amazing. They are really welcoming and friendly with all the students. The curriculum is very easy to understand and they have all kinds of resources for the students to work with. I have to ride the bus with Edward and James but they sit in the back and don't bother me.

It's the weekend right now so we're free to do things around the house. I head up to the library and pick out a book about space. They have all kinds of books here from fiction to nonfiction. I grab the book and sit down in the arm chair to start reading. I didn't notice the time until they called us down to eat.

We sit down and eat our food. We talk about anything and everything that happened in our day. I accidentally called Mrs. Johnson's mom and she looked at me with shock. I go to apologize to her but she just hugs me and says that it's fine for me to call her that. I look at Mr Johnson and he gives me a thumbs up.

I felt like if I called them mom and dad that I would be disrespectful towards them. I didn't think they would allow that. I grab my clothes and head to the bathroom for a quick shower. I get inside, shut the door and take off my shirt. I'm about to take off my pants when James steps in to grab something.

He can see my back and all the scars my real dad left on my body. He looks at them in shock. He steps forward to touch one of them and I flinch away. " How did that happen?" He asked. " I really prefer not to talk about it." I say trying to avoid his face. I grab my clothes and head back to my room. I curl up in my bed and give thanks to the family I have now. I drift off to sleep dreading the questions I might get tomorrow.

At some point a nightmare starts. I'm laying down on that creaky floor, pain screaming though my body with empty beer bottles scattered around. I hear the chair creek signaling that the man in it was getting up. I try to move but it's like my body is glued to the floor. I see him stumble over to me and pick me up by the shirt. He looks at me with disgust and then drops me to the floor again.

"Eric wake up, it's only a dream!" James' voice calls out to me. The apartment and my dad starts to fade and the walls of my room come into focus. James and Edward are standing in my room watching me with worry. " I'm sorry guys I didn't mean to wake you up." I state. " What was that about?" James asks. " It was just a bad dream" I say, not wanting to go into detail. They look at me and say "ok if you say so."

They leave and head back to bed. I can't get back to sleep so I try to figure some things out. I don't want to bother them with anything that has happened so I need to find a way to deal with this. I stay up most of the night coming up with ideas to keep my secret safe.

Before I knew it I was graduating from high school. My school life was like a normal students. The twins would pick on me a little throughout our time at school but nothing else after that. They had gotten a lot taller than me though. They grew to be about six foot two while I stayed around five foot four.

I ignored a lot of the drama and gossip in school, stayed to myself and focused on my work. I wasn't interested in dating although I did figure out some things. I actually liked both men and women. Despite what had happened I did want to be with someone when I was ready.

We were all getting ready for the big day. Me, Edward and James loaded up on the bus to attend our graduation ceremony. The time flew by and before we knew it we were walking across the stage. It was a very surreal feeling having my diploma in my hand. Mom and dad had made a big dinner for us to celebrate having all our favorite foods ready.

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. " 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. I already know arguing with them was pointless.

I sigh out my defeat and agree to go to college. They just wanted the best for me. I excuse myself to start applying to colleges. I hoped I wouldn't have to be in the same college as the twins because that would be exhausting. I applied to a few local colleges and one in another state.

I wanted to further myself in business. I could easily keep up with the formulas and technology needed for the business. As I'm filling out the application for the last college one of the local colleges emailed me.

Hello Eric,

Westwood University 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 blessed day!

-Westwood university

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 college. 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 headed down stairs and noticed that Edward and James are already packed up and are giving Mom and dad a hug good-bye. " 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 and say" bye little brother we are off to college."

Once they leave I turn to mom and dad 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 days we spent some time together and packed what I needed for my stay.

We drove over to the university and I checked in. Mom and dad helped me get my things before giving me a hug."We love you son and I'm sure you'll do great." Mom said. " We believe in you kiddo, do your best" dad said while mom was blocking my airways with her hug. I watch them leave before I grab my things and head to the dorm room I was assigned.

I had a day before my classes started so I could get myself settled and explore the campus a bit. I was 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." I froze at hearing their voices.

I turned around to face them and the looks on their faces were priceless. They were just as shocked as I was. I decided to see if I could change dorm rooms before I unpacked any more. I excused myself before heading out with them following behind me.

" Hey Eric I didn't know you applied here." Edward states. "Yea, I applied the day y'all left." I state." Where are you going right now in such a hurry?" James asked. " The administration office." I replied. Edward grabs me by the shoulder when hearing this to stop me.

My body freezes up and goes into a defensive stance. Edward and James jump a little at my reaction confused by why I did that. I quickly adjust myself and ask them "what do you guys need?". James speaks up. " Why do you need to go to the administration office?" "I'm going to change dorm rooms." I state. They look between each other and both say "why do you need to do that?" I say "That way we don't bother each other." I keep walking after that. They stay right on my heels all the way to the administration office.

" I'm sorry young man but your dorm room is the only one available at this time." The lady said. I sigh in defeat. It looks like we will be staying in the same room after all. I leave the room and sigh. I ignored Edward and James and started walking back to the dorm room. I try thinking of other solutions but none of them would be quick or permanent for my four year college stay.

Edward and James stayed 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 when James speaks up." Why don't we call a truce? We can start fresh and set rules or what not." "We won't try to bother you during classes or when you're doing work." Edward remarks.

I think it over before giving in to the situation. I nod my head and say "Alright then thank you for letting me stay here." We stay like that for a moment before they go back to their bunks and I start unpacking again. Time flies by and before we know it the day is already almost over. We decided to head out for dinner before the food court closed for the day.

Surprisingly Edward and James followed me to the food court and sat down with me to eat. We got our food, sat down and ate. After we started eating we ate in silence for a while until Edward spoke up." So Eric what major are you studying?" I'm shocked a bit that they actually want to have a conversation with me." I am going for my bachelors in business." I state.

We start talking among ourselves and surprisingly we talk like old friends. The walk back to our dorm is lighter than the walk to the food court. We head inside our room and I get ready for a quick shower. I gather my clothes and take off my shirt. As I turned to head to our bathroom I noticed both Edward and James are staring at my back.

I prepare myself already knowing they will start asking questions. " Eric, how did you get those scars on your back?" Edward asks. They both stare at me waiting for an answer. " The short answer is my biological father." I state before walking into the bathroom. I start feeling exhausted from everything going on that once I'm done with my shower I flop in bed and pass out.