“Well I’ve never been able to cope with people getting close to me. I could tolerate little things like handshakes and hugs from friends, but as I got older it got worse. Then one boy last year held me down in an empty class room and tried to force me. I blacked out and I can’t remember what happened, but he ended up in hospital. The police came and took me home. Thankfully someone had come in and seen him on top of me and ran to get help, but when they got back he was unconscious and I was standing over him. Since then if anybody lays a finger on me I will stop it there and then.”
Aiden was up close now. He put his hand on my shoulder and rubbed my neck with his thumb. It was soothing but very intimate. The teacher was now watching Aiden, and then he looked at me.
“I’m sorry you had to go through that. I only bring it up because you apparently assaulted another student, but I would call that self-defence. He’s a big lad he can handle it, and you should feel safe here. Obviously, your school sent over a list of your difficulties and, yet Aiden can put his arm around you no problem?” He looked intrigued, like I was a science experiment.
“Yes, well I thought it was only mom that I was OK with, but Aiden is my brother. Of course, I feel safe with him.”
I brushed my hair back off my face. It was starting to feel like an interrogation. I was getting hot and Aiden was still standing over me guarding me. We must have looked unusual to him, like I was fragile, and Aiden was my warrior ready to lay down his life. Mr H let us go then. He gave me all the work I needed to catch up on and it was a lot. Luckily, we weren’t too far into the year. To me all this work was pointless as once I turned eighteen I would leave and live in solitary. I wouldn’t have to worry about being alone with anyone then.
When we got into the hallway Aiden pulled me into an empty study room closing the door behind him. ‘That happened?’ He asked.
“Mitch? Yes. I wouldn’t make that up!” I said defensively. Aiden's face softened as he wrapped his arms around me.
“I'm so sorry that happened to you.” He pulled back slightly and kissed my forehead.
“Wasn’t the first, won’t be the last.” I said. Then chuckled to myself.
“How can you laugh about something like this? I don’t know what's funny about it.”
When I looked up into his eyes it felt like I was home. “I can laugh because this has been my life for a long time, if I don’t laugh ill cry. And what's funny about it is all this time I didn’t have to do this alone. I could have had you at my side. Life’s a bitch and I'm hungry”
Aiden just smiled at me shaking his head and took me to the cafeteria to get lunch. I think I was still popular news. Eyes were on me everywhere we went and hitting that guy this morning didn’t help. I could see rick sitting at a table with all his buddies, but his head was down. Aiden sat me down at a table with Jake and said he’d get my food and be back in a minute.
“So how are you finding this school?” Jake asked.
I looked around at all the people looking at us, and a lot of glares off girls. “Well everybody’s far too nosey.”
“You’re Aiden’s twin sister! Trust me your big news, and after this morning I think their all terrified of you.” He said.
I actually felt good about that. Having Aiden meant I may be able to get on with my work without the worry of being molested.
“So, what trouble has Aiden’s been in?” I asked excitedly.
“Well that’s difficult coz everybody got used to the fact he didn’t like them and attacked who ever came near him. The only trouble he gets in lately is my fights so not really his fault.” He said.
“Your fights?” I asked.
“Well if I’m being honest here, and I swear if you tell anybody… well I won’t do anything coz Aiden will destroy me, but I trust you. I haven’t really met anyone I really like. I mean I’ll sleep around a bit, but they don’t really mean anything to me. I do tell them this beforehand. I’m a player but I’m not an ass hole. They know the deal, but sometimes I’ll get an angry brother or boyfriend or ex-boyfriend that’ll want to protect their honour and that’s usually where Aiden steps in. He’s my personal body guard.” It was nice he was being this open with me, but I did find it amusing.
“Have you ever tried, you know, keeping it in your trousers?” I said with a giggle.
“Why? It’s much more fun out of my trousers.” He said. Then his face fell, and of course Aiden was behind me.
“What the hell you are talking about?” Aiden asked sitting next to me.
“I’m telling Jake he would get in less trouble if he kept it in his trousers.” I smirked.
“Amen to that.” Aiden added.
“Yeah well maybe you’d get in less trouble if you got yours out every now and then.” Jake said. I felt a pulse in between my legs and I knew I was going red.
“Jake, Evelyn is here and you’re embarrassing her.” Aiden told him.
“Sorry Evelyn I didn’t mean to embarrass you, wow you’re really red.” He said looking intently at me. I was glad they thought I was just embarrassed instead of the fact I was thinking about Aiden’s trousers. Oh god please help me.
Chapter 10
Evelyn
I managed to calm my nerves and started picking at my food, but I couldn’t eat. I was too edgy. Then I saw Mathew walk in. I knew Aiden wouldn’t like it, but Mathew was my friend, so I waved him over.
“What are you doing?” Aiden asked me.
“Inviting my friend over.”
“You’ve made a friend already?” Jake asked.
“No, he moved here when I did. I’ve known him for years.” I could see Aiden scowl, but I didn’t care. When he came over I signalled for him to join us.
“Hey Evelyn, how are you enjoying your first day?” He looked a little anxious himself.
“It’s school. How much enjoying could anyone do?” I laughed with him. “Mathew this is Jake.” I was surprised when they shook hands. “Jake this is Mathew. He is a friend of mine from back home, and Mathew Jake is… err what are you to me?” I asked Jake.
He turned to Mathew. “I’m her sexy new brother who’s off limits.”
I had to blink a couple of times. It was crazy how right he was, only about the wrong brother.
“Ah yes, you guys have been the talk of the school all day obviously. Evelyn, I see you’re up to your old tricks.” Mathew said smiling at me.
“Wouldn’t be me otherwise.” I said. Then I saw the realisation on Jakes face.
“Oh no! Your ear!” He said pointing at Mathews bandage with his mouth wide open.
“Wow I see news travels fast. Yes, this is what is called ‘Evelyn’s kiss’ in our old school.” He said smiling at me.
“I always hated that nickname. As if I’d kiss anyone.” I said, stuffing more food in my gob. Aiden put his hand on my thigh and I almost choked. I could even feel the smirk on his face.
“You ok?” Jake asked me, when I nodded he turned back to Mathew “Well, Mathew. I managed to pick her up and twirl her with incurring any damage.” Jake sounded so impressed with himself.
“Really?” Mathew said in shock.
“Yeah, but I think its coz she thought I was Aiden. I wouldn’t dare do it now.”
I could feel Aiden’s hand on the back of my neck now. He was rubbing his thumb softly over my skin. Then Mathew noticed what he was doing. He looked at me, but I didn’t move. I didn’t want him to move either.
“Yeah they’re fine with each other though. Must suck when the only person you can touch is your sister.” Jake said as Aiden and I went stiff and he pulled his hand away.
I think he was trying to let Mathew know I was off limits and I’d have to elbow him for that later.
Once we got back to class, Aiden was standing by his desk. I sort of backed up towards him and when I felt him against my back I jabbed him really hard in the ribs.
“Ow!” He shouted. “What was that for?”
“You know what that was for.” I looked at him s
ternly and he stared back showing no emotion. It was like a standoff, but then I saw the tiny smirk on his face and he knew it.
“I don’t like him.” He said.
“I know but I’m just saying logically wouldn’t it have been less disturbing for Jake to do that seeing as were not related.” I countered.
“And let him touch you? No way.” He said.
“You do realise that sounds creepy right?” I was searching his eyes for an answer.
“Evelyn you’re my sister. The only family I’ve got left. I’m not going to let anyone near you, that you don’t want near you.” He said. Which I guess, did made sense.
Mr H walked in then and smiled at me, but it was a different smile and Aiden noticed. I knew I probably wouldn’t be in his class much longer. I was sad about it. He seemed like a really nice teacher that actually cared about his students, but he kept looking back to me every few minutes, and so did Aiden. He knew I was feeling uncomfortable, but there wasn’t much he could do about it.
I was surprised when Jake leaned over to me.
“Is it me or is he looking at you a lot?” Jake whispered to me. Obviously, Aiden heard him.
“Yes.” Aiden replied to Jake. I tried to avoid eye contact with him, but that only made it worse. It wasn’t fair. I wanted to be in his class! “We should tell the head.”
“No, I don’t want to. I really enjoy this class and they’ll move me again.” I was pleading with him to keep his mouth shut.
“Fine. Just promise you won’t be alone with him ever.” Aiden said.
“Wait, he’s a teacher. He wouldn’t do anything. Would he?” Jake asked.
“That’s what the head of my old school said to my mom when I didn’t come out at the end of the day. I’m just glad she screamed at them until they brought her to my classroom.” I tried to swallow the lump in my throat.
“A teacher did something to you?” Jake asked.
“It’s ok. He didn’t get far. Even at that age I was strong.” I didn’t think this was the place to have this conversation, but I almost wanted Jake to know that this happens a lot and I may need him one day.
“How old were you?” Jake asked, and I see that Aiden was shaking so I put my hand on his arm. The contact made me feel better.
“I think I was 12.” I replied.
“But you were only a child.”
“My mom did warn me it would happen as I got older. I would be vulnerable, and some men would try and take advantage. I could never be alone. I always had Caitlin with me.”
I could see how confused Jake was. It was like I was saying I’m something special, but for me it was a curse. They never wanted to know me or date me. They just had to put their hands on me.
“Well don’t worry with Aiden and I on either side no one’s getting near you.” Jake said. He was very sweet.
Then I noticed that Aiden was softly tracing his finger over the hand I had on his arm. I guess he was finding it a good distraction, but I could see a lot of students whispering about us. I could tell as they could see what Aiden was doing, so I pulled my hand away from him and got him to come closer to me.
“People are watching what you’re doing and gossiping about us.” I whispered into his ear.
He nodded and glared at everybody until they turned around. Then he took my hand back and carried on for the rest of the lesson. It was surprising how little work we did; Mr H was to distracted looking me half the time and the other half he looked guilty as sin. I got the feeling then that he wasn’t so bad. He knew what he was doing was wrong, but did Aiden?
School went much the same way for the next couple of weeks. Mr H managed to get himself under control. He was used to it now, so it wouldn’t feel so powerful. His teaching was amazing. I always looked forward to his classes, and all our other teachers were woman which was perfect for me. I spent all my time with Aiden, Jake and Mathew. I even heard some rumours that I was having a threesome with Jake and Mathew. It’s weird what jealousy does to girls. Aiden was pretty annoyed about the rumours, and basically lectured every person that said it around him. There was also a rumour that Aiden and I were sleeping together. The way he was with me, he did look more like a boyfriend than a brother. I didn’t see him lecturing anyone about that rumour, he would just deny it. Unfortunately for Jake he wasn’t seeing much action anymore, which he expressed freely to us. The girls were usually scared by Aiden, and neither of them left my side. I was starting to feel like a baby being guarded. I was looking forward to Christmas though. I was hoping to go back to LA and stay with Caitlin for a few days.
I sat on my bed and looked at the picture of us. We were at her house trying on makeup and making a big mess about it. Her mom took the photo and I swear we looked like clowns. I laughed to myself. I could sense Aiden was watching me, so I looked up and Aiden was about to knock but I caught him.
“You can come in.” I said. He walked in over to me and took the photo from me. He was smiling so sweetly.
“Wow you both look lovely.” He said laughing.
I snatched the photo back and stuck my tongue out at him. He laughed harder now. Wow even I knew that was immature. I started laughing too. I was about to put it away in my photo album when he saw the picture of two babies holding hands. You could clearly see a birthmark on each hand that formed a heart shape. He looked puzzled and asked me what it was.
“It’s us.” I said.
Then I stood up and took his right hand in my left. I felt a jolt when our skin touched. I pulled our joined hands up to show him the marks that made a heart shape below our thumbs. When he looked up at me I saw confusion and happiness in his eyes. Then he pulled me into him and held me against his chest. He held on tight like he was hurting. I could hear his heart beating rapidly. I moved my hand and placed it on his chest. I could feel his muscle under his top. I wanted to move my hand down and under his top, but I knew it was wrong. I looked up at him. I felt scared, but when I looked deep into his eyes, I saw he was scared too. I pulled away slightly and fist punched him on the chest.
“Ow! What you do that for?” He said in shock.
Honestly, I had no idea why I did it. It just seemed like something siblings did. I wanted to break the tension as well. I laughed.
“I don’t know it. Felt good though, punching other people doesn’t quite give me the satisfaction you do.” And as soon as I said satisfaction the look in his eyes was back.
Did I really just say that? I’m such an idiot. I tried to think of anything else to say. “Are you looking forward to Christmas?”
“Well not usually but this year I am. I get to spend it with you.” He said.
“Me to. I’ve never had a brother before. It was always me and mom and now I have a whole family to spend it with.” Towards the end the words sounded horrible as they came out. I didn’t mean it to be, I just missed my mom so much and not knowing what happened to her hurts even more.
“You ok?” He asked.
“Not really. It’s just so hard not knowing what happened to her. I almost wished they come after me to at least I could find out if she’s alive or dead.” I looked over at her budding orchid so small and frail.
“Don’t say that Evelyn. She wouldn’t want that for you.”
“I know but I don’t know what I want for myself. I never saw much of a life. I figured we’d be together forever and that was OK because I loved mom. She never had anyone, well except for dad, but since then no one. She said he was her soulmate. They were made for each other. I always thought it sounded like a fairy-tale, but as I got older I knew it was the opposite, losing that one person was awful and she couldn’t move on.”
I walked over to the window Aiden followed. My back was to him as he put his arm around my waist and his fingers splayed across my stomach. I could feel the heat stirring as his body pressed against mine.
“Maybe she didn’t want to move on because she loved him so much, but they loved us more and did what they thought was best for us.” He said in
to my ear.
Then he took my wrist and guided my hand to the budding petals. I could feel him resting his head in the crook of my neck. He touched my finger to the flower. I thought I heard him whisper something, but then lips kissed my shoulder so quickly and softly. I could feel something flowing through my veins and out through my fingers. My eyes were closed, but I knew it was some kind of light and when I looked up at frail orchid, it was fully-grown with shades of blue through it. I gasped and that’s when he let go and left. I couldn’t understand what had happened. It was so small before and now it was thriving.
Aiden
“It’s us.” She whispered.
Us? I felt more meaning in that sentence than she wanted me to. Looking at the photo, I made out my hand. With the same birth mark I’ve always had. I wasn’t expecting her to take my hand and show me the little heart shape we made together. I didn’t understand why we were being punished like this. Wanting someone you can’t ever be with. I pulled her tight against me. I just wanted to understand what this was. When she put her hand on my chest it stirred up feelings I wasn’t allowed to feel, and when she looked at me I wanted to bring her just a little closer. She pulled away. And it hurt when she did. Almost in slow motion I saw a smirk on her face as she made a fist and punched me straight in the chest.
“Ow what you do that for?” It’s not the first time she punched me, but it hurt a little this time and I don’t get hurt often.
I would have felt sorry for the guys she hits if they hadn’t been perverts to begin with. Frankly they deserved more than they got. She was giggling now and biting her thumb. I was so happy at this moment. Her happiness made me happy.
“I don’t know it. Felt good though, punching other people doesn’t quite give me the satisfaction you do.” As soon as she said it I became hard. I just hope she didn’t notice.
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