March 2013
Adrian and Tim were twins, physically identical, but in other ways poles apart. Adrian had an 'edge' to him, a competitive, dominant aspect to his character that Tim simply did not have. Tim gave in to Adrian in every part of his life, he knew how important it was to Adrian to be better than him, and Tim simply didn't mind. He enjoyed Adrian's success . . . until the time he didn't.
When they were sixteen, Adrian noticed Tim's interest in Ella. As twins, it was nearly impossible to keep secrets from each other. When Ella was around, Tim was mesmerised. She had curly, black hair, olive skin and a mouth quick to smile and laugh. He had always been so composed, so relaxed, he was confused. He didn't like how she made him feel, but at the same time, he did. He didn't know what to do, so he did nothing, but watch.
He was sitting at the kitchen table, chatting with his mum, when Adrian bounded in.
'I'd like you to meet my girlfriend . . .' Tim looked up '. . . Ella' announced Adrian triumphantly, while searching his brother's face for signs of his reaction.
'Pleased to meet you, Ella. This is a surprise, Adrian!' exclaimed his mother.
Tim made an excuse and left the house. On his way to the woods, tears filled his eyes and he started shaking with anger. He sat against a tree and thought. Without a doubt, his brother had done this knowing how much Ella meant to him. Tim didn't care about spelling tests and running races, but he cared passionately about this girl. He knew he must change the habit of a lifetime and fight his brother. Adrian might know what made Tim tick, but it also worked the other way round.
At school, he started to smile and chat to Ella, it was easier now that she was his brother's girlfriend. Then he began the major offensive. He started to work hard, and delighted in Adrian's reaction to being second in tests, second in athletics . . . in fact, second in everything. Tim always knew he could surpass Adrian, now he had the motivation to prove it.
Adrian was incandescent with rage at this turn of events, he simply could not bear it. He thought he'd worked out why this was happening when he announced to his mother and Tim, 'I've broken up with Ella . . . she was affecting my work!'
Tim's expression was inscrutable.