Third times the charm

2

     Seven years ago, Crestview School.

     Julia's eyes widened and her head quickly went up. She felt the change in temperature as Four boys, the four golden boys she thought, walked into the library. All the eyes in the room turned to them. You could practically see them walking in slo-mo. Two of them the famous twins Cornelius and Alexander, who were coincidentally her brothers, waved at her. This made the eyes of the remaining boys go to her. She inhaled deeply. Her eyes already burning as she hadn't blinked since they walked in.

     Liam who she spoke to daily winked at her. He was very handsome and nice. The few times he had spoken to her proved her it. His amber eyes that matched his blond hair, swept gingerly through the library dropping random winks. Julia was happy that she wasn't the only one getting a wink for rumours wink high school spreads faster than fire.

     Her wide eyes moved to the black-haired boy who had just smiled at her. At that moment, Julia couldn't breathe. She could feel the butterflies in her stomach and hear her heart pounding. Her face was dreamy as she stared at him.

     She had been crushing on Jace Anderson for who knows her long. He had not spoken to her for a very long time but his personality drew her closer to him every day. Julia closed her eyes listening to him laugh whilst tuning out her brother's. To anyone else, she knew her actions wouldn't seem normal. But she knew what that quiet laughter did to her heart.

     As Julia watched him, she could swear he was in slow motion. She stared in wonder as he sat with his friends at the table in front of theirs. Even his back was beautiful, she said to herself dreamily.

     "Who are you looking at Julia?" Nora screamed into her ears. Julia quickly turned away, embarrassed that she had been caught staring. Nora's eyes followed her to her brother's table when her eyes strayed back there again.

     "Got ya," she grinned, " Liam, Cornelius, Alexander and Jace."

     Nora's smile was victorious as she called out their names. Nora has been Julia's friend since the beginning of the year. They had done an English project together and they had naturally clicked. Nora had introduced her to the rest of her 'clique' as she put it. That clique comprised of Catherine the head cheerleader and Penelope, Jasmine and Abigail. Though she moved with them most times, she was closest to Nora.

     Nora had brown hair that was almost like hers and her grey eyes were always happy. She was blissful, confused and self-sufficient and that was what Julia loved most about her.

    "Who are you staring at? Is it Liam? Don't think I didn't see the wink he sent you," she nudged her with her should, hinting at something that did not exist.

     "He winked at almost everybody here, " Julia stated the already known fact, trying to act bored of the conversation.

    "Okay. Maybe it's Corn and Alex, " she reasoned, tapping her Index finger to her jaw in thought.

    "Corn and Alex are my brothers, dummy."

   "Alex and Corn are your brothers, " she nodded in agreement before adding, "But who knows, you people may be into Game of Thrones sort of thing you know."

    Julia had to laugh at how serious Nora's face was, "Even if I was, it wouldn't be with those two idiots, " she gestured to them.

   "Not even Cornelius?" Nora asked raising one brow.

   Julia faked a gag, "I'm not you, it is obvious that you have a thing for him."

    "Hum..." Nora said not commenting on what Julia had just said.

"Then it has to be Ja-

    Julia caught her off before she could complete the sentence. She knew that if Nora said his name, her dilated eyes and blush would betray her.

    "I wasn't staring, Nora," Julia said balancing her big brown glasses over her nose.

    Nora closed her books and turned to her. Julia knew that she was in for it this time.

    "I don't know what is with you, Jules. Is there anyone you like?"

     Julia turned back to her book staying quiet and letting her friend talk.

    "Many have asked the cute beautiful nerd with the big glasses out but yet she has refused them all," Nora facepalmed. She was not even able to believe what was happening. Julia just doodled all over the back of her sketch pad.

     Nora continued ranting, "Like seriously? Not even the Jace Anderson in all his glory?"

    Julia's face turned crimson as Nora mentioned his name, "Shut up Nora."

   "Ahh, it is him isn't it?" Nora grin was more victorious than the first.

   "I never said so."

    "You don't need to tell me, it's all in your eyes baby."

   "I don't like him, Nora." Yes, Julia thought, she didn't like him, she loved him.

   "Then look into my eyes and say his name, then add those words."

  "What is this?" Julia immediately looked back at her book, her doodlings were more defined now. She quickly drew a pig over the J she had started drawing, "Like vampires incantoes?"

    Satisfied Nora relaxed back into her chair grinning, with arms over her head,

   "You like him." She stated

    "Like who?" A new voice said. Nora's and Julia's head went up as her two brothers had turned to them. Liam and Jace were also looking at them now in amusement.

    Please let him not have heard, Please God let him not have heard, Julia chanted in her heard.

  "Who does our Jules like?" Alexander asked again.

    Cornelius the quiet one of the two was already folding up his sleeves, balling his fists.

   Liam was laughing quietly while Jace just stared in amusement. When Nora and Julia just stared with wide eyes, Cornelius turned around and moved his seat closer to Nora"s. Looking into her eyes he asked again,

"Who does Jules like, Nora?"

     Nora's eyes were so wide that it became watery for she hadn't blinked for long. She licked her dried lips unable to shift her eyes away from his. She was having an internal tug of war of whether to succumb to Cornelius spell or remain loyal to her friend.

    But she said she didn't like Jace. So it'll be no big deal if I talk right? Nora mused. No, even if it kills me I wouldn't betray Julia.

    Yet Nora found herself beginning to talk, "I... Julia..." She started finding herself unable to hold on for much longer. Cornelius urged her on with a nod of his head, "Julia..."

     Julia felt her nails bite into her palm. She was preparing what she was going to say when Nora finally lets the cat out of the bag. She didn't blame her at all. She knew how enchanting Cornelius and Alexander could be when they wanted something. Sometimes, she wondered if their twin strength was the power to bend people into their will. It wasn't the first time them getting what they want.

    "Julia likes Ron," Nora finally let out breaking her eyes from Cornelius. Julia let out a huge breath. She had to treat Nora to as many meals as she liked.

    "Who is Ron?" Both brothers asked at the same time.

     "Does it matter if she likes someone?" Jace spoke for the first time, looking between them.

     Julia smiled gratefully at him. Always my knight in shining armour, she said to herself.

    Her brothers looked at him with disbelief in their eyes,

"She is still too young, " Alex started

    "And it's a big bad world out there, " Corn finished for him.

    This time Nora and Julia rolled their eyes. Liam shook his head at his friends saying, "Give her a break guys."

    Looking at her, Jace continued, "I mean, she will still grow up into the big bad world with big bad guys, so why wouldn't you let experience teach her? You can't protect her forever can you?"

    There!, Julia thought to smile gratefully at him.

    "But we can lock her in her room... Until she is forty, " Cornelius smirked causing them to roll their eyes again.

    "So you mean we should leave her to the likes of us?" Alexander said staring blankly at him.

    "That's not what he meant, " Liam put in

   "Hell, I'll personally deal with anyone who messes with my best mates sister, " he said causing Nora to cry out in delight and Julias blush to go even deeper,

     "But she needs to learn some things on her own."

   "I agree, " Liam said putting his hands up to be counted.

    Alexander turned away rolling his eyes, "Whatever, we still have to protect her from the likes of Us. Especially, the likes of you Jace, " he pointed at him causing Jace to smirk.

    As usual, Cornelius finished his twin's sentence, "It's either that or we lock her in her room till she is forty."

   He turned to Nora again, "So who is Ron again?"

   "Ron Weasely, " Nora said.

    After they left, Julia turned back to her books quickly. She didn't want Nora to see the blush that was still on her face.

    "I'm sorry, Jules. Cornelius is evil, I couldn't help it. His charm was irresistible, " Nora rushed knowing what she almost did.

    Julia chuckled, " I know Nora... I know what those boys can do, I'm their sister."

    Nora sighed in relief before adding,

" But you wouldn't have minded right? After all, you don't like Jace, " she teased her

   "I didn't say that, " Julia said. She decided that Nora was worthy to know her secret if she could withstand Cornelius charm.

    "So you finally admit it huh?" Nora grinned again

   "Now you know, are you satisfied?"

    Nora made it her mission to tease her, "What did you say?"

   She rolled her eyes and Nora burst into laughter. Julia pulled out her diary from her bag. She removed the bookmark she had put and pulled out her pencil.

    Chapter 12, she wrote.