Ultimate Temptations

by K. Anne

  I slid past the twin and walked to my lab table. My table partner, Jerimiah, gave me a nod, and I nodded back. Jerimiah was nice, but he was a bit of a nerd. He didn’t treat me like everyone else in this school though. We weren’t friends, but we got along. I was actually glad that I had him as my partner. The kid had helped me ace more than one test. Science wasn’t my strong point. I’d spend hours studying just to keep up my low A.

  “Everyone, we have a new student. Please welcome Asher Collins,” Mr. Henry called from the front of the room.

  Just like in math class, every girl stared at Asher in awe. The guys in class were either glaring at Asher for the looks their girlfriends were giving him or sizing him up. He ignored all of them as he stared at me.

  I looked away, suddenly uncomfortable. I had no idea why Asher felt the need to watch me like that.

  “Why don’t you take the seat next to Jenny?” Mr. Henry said, pointing to the table behind me.

  I groaned quietly. It was bad enough that Jenny sat directly behind me. I’d walked out of this room with spitballs in my hair more than once. Now, I’d have to listen to her flirt with Asher every day.

  It’s for the best.

  A guy like Asher Collins was so far out of my league that our leagues weren’t even on the same continent. Before my life had fallen apart, maybe I would’ve had a chance but not now. I was on the bottom rung of the social ladder and barely hanging on. Guys like Asher were always at the top. He might be nice to me now, but that would change once he heard the rumors about my crazy mom. I needed to get over my infatuation at first sight and move on.

  Three more months.

  I ignored him as he walked past my lab table and sat down at the table behind me. The moment I heard his book drop onto the table, Jenny started whispering to him. I tuned her out as I watched Mr. Henry take roll. Once that was over, he instructed us to take notes as he turned on the overhead projector. The lights above us went off, throwing the room into semidarkness, so we could see the words on the projector screen. I scribbled in my notebook as Mr. Henry talked.

  I could feel someone watching me. Without thinking, I looked back to see Asher’s eyes directed toward me. He tipped his lips up into a small smile. Instead of smiling back, I turned back around and started taking notes again.

  For the rest of class, I could feel him watching me, but I never glanced back again. I had no idea what his deal was, but he needed to stop. All his attention would do was cause trouble between Jenny and me, if she saw him watching me. She would leave me alone most of the time, and I wanted it to stay that way.

  I sighed in relief when the bell rang. Mr. Henry flipped the lights back on, so we could see our things to pack up. I grabbed my book, notebook, and purse, and then I dashed out of the room. I didn’t stop until I was at my locker. I quickly threw my book and notebook inside.

  Then, I hurried down to the first floor. As I made my way to the cafeteria, I saw Amanda waiting for me at the end of the hallway. She gave me a small smile when I reached her. Neither of us said anything as we joined one of the lunch lines. Once we had our food, we walked to our usual table at the back of the cafeteria. No one at the surrounding tables paid us any attention as we sat down.

  I set my purse on the floor by my feet and stared down at the food on my tray. “Ugh. What is this?”

  Amanda wrinkled her nose. “I think it’s a hamburger. I’m seriously doubting that though.”

  I looked down at the gray patty on my tray. “I think they’re trying to kill us.”

  She laughed. “It wouldn’t surprise me at this point. Just think, three more months, and we’ll never have to eat mystery meat again.”

  That brought a smile to my face. I looked around the cafeteria, taking in all the graduation flyers hanging on the walls. They were just another reminder that my time here was almost up. I’d paid for my graduation cap and gown last week. I couldn’t wait for them to come in.

  “So, what did you do all weekend?” Amanda took a tiny bite of her mystery burger.

  “I worked Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. I spent Saturday with my uncle, and on Sunday, I managed to finish my report for history.”

  I’d been working at the local movie theater for the last six months to help Uncle Jack with bills and save money. It wasn’t glamorous by any means, but it was a job. Once I left Shinnston, I would need the money to help me get started.

  Uncle Jack knew my plans and understood why I planned to leave. I’d expected him to try to talk me into staying, but he hadn’t. Instead, he’d told me he’d help me as much as he could. I knew I’d have to take him up on the offer until I could survive on my own two feet, but I didn’t want to be a mooch. So, I saved every dime I could. I had just over six hundred dollars saved at the moment. I hoped to have a thousand by the time I left.

  “I wish my mom would let me get a job. I’m sick of staying home every weekend, and it’d be nice to have some cash of my own,” Amanda said.

  Amanda’s mother was the complete opposite of mine. She was super sweet and loved Amanda to death, but she was also overprotective. That was the reason Amanda and I almost never socialized out of school. She wasn’t allowed to go to friends’ houses or have sleepovers. In the past six months, we’d gone out twice together. Both times, I’d taken her to the movies and then straight home. Her mom had been waiting at the front door when I dropped her off. At least she let Amanda talk on the phone.

  “Just think, only a few months until you leave for college. Then, you can do whatever you want,” I said.

  “Did I tell you she tried to convince me to live at home and drive to college every day? Thank God I got those scholarships, or I probably would’ve had to,” Amanda said, shuddering at the thought.

  “Why did you pick a college so close to home?” I asked.

  She shrugged. “Everyone goes to West Virginia University.”

  “Everyone, except for me.” I picked up my burger and took a bite. While it didn’t make me hurl, it wasn’t something I’d want to eat on a daily basis.

  “Except for you. Have you decided on where you’re going yet? I know you had a few schools that wanted you.”

  I chewed thoughtfully. Up until my mother had gone crazy, I’d planned on attending WVU. It was located in Morgantown, about forty minutes away from Shinnston. I couldn’t go there now. Almost all of our classmates planned to go there after graduation. I wanted to escape my past, not go someplace where the rumors would ruin me before I even had a chance to start fresh.

  “I’ve narrowed it down to the University of Maryland and Texas State. I’d prefer Texas, but I’m still waiting to see if I got the scholarships I applied for. If I don’t get them, I’ll have to go to Maryland.”

  “You’ll get them. They’d be stupid to pass you up, Ella. You’ve had a solid four-point-oh since your freshman year.”

  “I hope so. Maryland should be far enough away, but I don’t want to take any chances.”

  Amanda looked away, just like she did every time I mentioned the rumors surrounding me. She never openly questioned me about what had happened that night. Truthfully, I thought she didn’t want to know. Since I didn’t want to talk about it, our silent agreement not to mention it worked perfectly for both of us.

  “So, what do you think of the new guys?” Amanda finally asked after an uncomfortable silence.

  I shrugged. “I have science class with that Asher guy, too. He’s cute, which means I’m staying far away from him. I have no doubt that Jenny will have her claws in him by the end of the week.”

  “Yeah, but maybe they’ll see what a slimy skank she is and steer clear.”

  I snorted. “When do guys ever stay away from Jenny?”

  She looked glum. “It sucks.”

  I opened my mouth to respond, but I stopped when the chair beside me moved. I looked over just in time to see Asher sitting down in it. My mouth dropped open in surprise. I glanced over to see Amanda looking as shocked as I was.

  “Min
d if I sit with you guys?” Asher asked.

  “Um, sure,” Amanda said before looking at me with raised eyebrows.

  Silence surrounded our table as Amanda and I stared at Asher. I had no idea why he was sitting with us.

  “What on earth is this?” Asher stared at his mystery burger.

  No one said anything for a minute. Finally, I started giggling uncontrollably. Asher looked confused as Amanda tried to hide her grin.

  “What? What did I say?” he asked.

  “Nothing,” I said through my giggles. “We just asked each other the same question.”

  “Well, whatever it is, I’m assuming it’s safe to eat?” he asked with genuine concern in his voice.

  “You’ll live. I think,” I said.

  He slowly raised the burger and took a bite. He frowned before taking a bigger bite. “It doesn’t taste nearly as bad as it smells.”

  “I take it that school food was edible in Colorado?” I asked.

  “Colorado? Oh, yeah. It was much better there.”

  “So, why did you move to West Virginia? I can think of forty-nine other states I’d rather live in,” I said.

  Asher hesitated, almost like he had to think about his answer. “Well, uh—”

  “Asher, there you are.”

  I looked up to see Asher’s double sitting down beside him.

  I couldn’t help but stare. Wow, there really are two of them.

  Looking at them side by side was indescribable. They were stunning on their own, but putting them together was almost too much. If they hadn’t been wearing different clothes, I never would’ve been able to tell them apart.

  Coherent thought left me as I willed myself to look away, but I had no such luck.

  “If you want, we can pose together for a photo and make all your teenage dreams come true.” Asher’s twin smirked at me.

  I snapped out of my stupor at his words. Ass.

  I glanced at Asher to see that his whole body was tense. The scowl on his face was at odds with the smirk on his brother’s.

  “Cain, what do you want?” Asher finally asked.

  “What? Can’t I sit next to my brother at lunch? I thought you might’ve missed me since this morning,” Cain said, the smirk never leaving his face.

  “Why don’t you go bother someone else? I’m trying to have a conversation with Ella and Amanda,” Asher said.

  I was surprised that he knew my name and Amanda’s. Neither of us had told him our names, so he must’ve heard Amanda’s during roll call in math and mine in both math and science. I was impressed that he’d paid that much attention. I was also surprised by his hostility toward his brother, and I wasn’t sure what that was about. He’d seemed relaxed until Cain sat down with us. Maybe they had some kind of sibling rivalry.

  “Why would I do that when bothering you is so much fun?” Asher’s brother glanced up at me and then Amanda. “I’m Cain.”

  “Nice to meet you,” Amanda mumbled.

  I didn’t bother to reply. His snarky comment about the picture had ticked me off.

  “This is the part where you tell me it’s an honor to meet me,” Cain said, never taking his eyes off of me.

  “Why would I do that?” I asked.

  “Because it’s an honor.”

  I snorted. This guy was obviously full of himself. “Sorry, I can’t say that it is. You’re kind of a jerk.”

  Cain pasted a fake hurt expression on his face. “You wound me.”

  “I doubt that.” I turned my attention back to Asher. “Anyway, you were telling us why you moved here.”

  Asher opened his mouth, but Cain cut him off, “Our mom was transferred here, and since our dad isn’t in the picture, we got a one-way ticket to West Virginia. Lucky us.”

  “You could go back to Colorado. I doubt if anyone would mind,” I said.

  “But then, you couldn’t look at my pretty face.”

  I rolled my eyes. “I could still look at Asher’s if you were gone. He’s just as pretty, and he isn’t annoying.”

  My face turned red as I realized what I’d just said. I wanted to groan out loud. I’d been so caught up in trying to annoy Cain that I didn’t think out that last statement. I glanced at Asher, noticing the smile curving his lips. His smile was just as otherworldly as he was.

  My eyes landed on Cain when he laughed.

  “You think we’re pretty? I’m flattered, really,” Cain said.

  “Oh, shut up,” I snapped.

  “I think I’m going to like you, Ella.” Cain picked up his burger. After glancing down at it, he frowned. “What the hell am I eating?”

  “Mystery burger,” Amanda, Asher, and I said in unison.

  Cain’s appearance at lunch had effectively ended any further conversation. I spent the last ten minutes of lunch watching Asher frown at Cain. Cain’s smirk never once left his face. That seemed to irritate Asher even more. I knew a lot of siblings didn’t get along, but these two were taking it to a whole new level.

  By the time the lunch bell rang, I was so relieved that I nearly cried. Before I could stand, Cain rose from his chair, leaned down, and whispered something in Asher’s ear. My eyes widened in shock when Asher’s body actually started shaking with anger. Amanda gave me a bewildered look before standing. After mumbling a good-bye to Asher, I rose and followed her to dump my tray.

  “What was that about?” Amanda asked once we were out of the cafeteria.

  I shook my head. “No clue. Those two are taking sibling rivalry a little too seriously if you ask me. I know one thing. I wouldn’t want to be their mother.”

  Amanda frowned. “Asher seems nice. I think Cain is a jerk though.”

  “You think?”

  She bumped my arm with hers. “Asher must like you since he sat next to you.”

  “Doubtful. Even if he does, after Jenny’s finished with him, he’ll never look at me again.”

  “Wouldn’t it be awesome if you stole him right out from under her nose? She’d go nuclear.”

  I grinned. “While that’s a nice thought, I won’t be going out with him anytime soon. He’s cute and all, but I have more important things to worry about than boys.”

  I waved good-bye and headed upstairs to get my English book out of my locker. Once I had it in hand, I weaved through the crushing sea of bodies, heading toward the classroom. As usual, I was one of the first ones in class. I settled down in my chair and pulled my homework out of my bag. Someone sat down beside me, but I didn’t bother to look up as I double-checked my homework. English was a breeze for me. I liked it so much that I planned to get my degree in teaching high school English.

  “Aren’t you going to speak to me?” a voice asked from beside me.

  My head snapped up. I knew that voice. I stared at its owner trying to make sure I had the right twin.

  Cain was wearing a dark pair of blue jeans and a black shirt. Asher was in a white T-shirt today. As long as they didn’t dress alike, I’d be able to tell them apart. If they ever decided to match, I’d just wait for Cain to open his mouth. With his attitude, it’d take me two seconds to tell them apart.

  “Sure. Why not? Hi, Cain,” I said calmly. I wasn’t about to let him get to me again. When I was frazzled, stupid sentences would leave my mouth.

  “Aw, look at you, telling us apart already,” he said as he grinned.

  “It’s not that hard. You’re in black, and Asher is wearing white. It’s not rocket science.”

  “You’re a mouthy little thing, aren’t you?” he asked.

  “Like you aren’t,” I shot back.

  He shrugged. “Good point.”

  Our teacher, Mrs. Harrison, walked in and started taking roll. When she was finished, Cain stood and headed to the front of the room. His walk told me everything I needed to know. The boy was cocky.

  Asher had said he didn’t like being the center of attention, but Cain obviously thrived on it. I looked around the room, noticing almost every girl had her eyes firmly glued on his jean
s. I shook my head before glancing back at Cain.

  Mrs. Harrison seemed surprised to see that we had a new student. As Cain spoke quietly to her, I watched her expression change from confused to blank in just a few seconds. She nodded once and stood. She walked robotically from her desk to the supply room where she kept extra books. When she returned, she handed Cain a book. Cain said something else to her before turning and returning back to his seat.

  Mrs. Harrison stared straight ahead for a few seconds before shaking her head and frowning.

  That was weird.

  Mrs. Harrison asked us to pass our homework to the front before walking across the room to collect them. After they were on her desk, she grabbed another stack of papers and started moving through the rows, handing each one to its owner. When she reached me, she smiled, but her eyes looked strange. Normally bright, they were now dull and almost lifeless.

  “Good job as usual, Miss Wilkins.” She handed a paper to me.

  I looked down to see my report on Great Expectations that I’d turned in last week. I grinned as I shoved it under my book. I’d landed another A without even trying.

  Cain surprised me when he reached out and snatched my report off my desk. He glanced at the grade at the top before turning his attention to me.

  “Pretty and smart. Not a bad combination.” He handed my paper back to me.

  “Um…thanks?” I said as I took the paper from him.

  “I wasn’t being sarcastic for once. Plus, you told me I was pretty, so I thought I’d return the favor.”

  I rolled my eyes. “You’re a real charmer, you know that?”

  “Yep,” he said as he continued to stare at me.

  What is with these guys?

  Apparently, the brothers felt the need to stare at me to the point where I would feel uncomfortable.

  I dropped my hair so that it hung like a curtain between us. Thankful that he couldn’t see my face anymore, I turned my attention back to Mrs. Harrison.

  A few minutes later, a note dropped onto my desk. I picked it up and opened it.