Twins

University Years and Anniversary

Whilst I had embarked my studies in New York, my four other friends have remained in Britain. Surprisingly and unbelievable but it happened somehow Harold and Pauline had gone to University of Edinburgh, where most of their parties were private.

This is when Henry and Lili had become a little more serious in their relationship, spending many weekends together even when they had gone on to different unis and cities. Fiona has moved to Leeds, and read biochemistry degree instead of medicine.

Henry and Lili explored their lives together during winter break, Easter break and summers. Pretty much spending the same city during term breaks. Sometimes they've cozied up in single beds at halls during a reading week visit.

In those three years the have had their time to explore together. They have had secured places in their lives, though they were not in a hurry to move things further. At that time there were contented to just be steady, regularly sleeping with each other, getting drunk with Fiona and their new found friends.

During those years, Facebook was in its figurative teenage years, in such it was just beginning to be a corporate of inclusivity. It was before exclusive to emails that ends in edu or ac.uk, by invites and MySpace was still preferred by budding university musicians and to those who prefer personalised profile backgrounds. This is how I got in touch and felt my friends presence during my time in America.

It was in those three years, when Henry's parents pre-approved Lili should things go further. Likewise with Lili's father. They invited each other at family parties whether in Switzerland or in England.

It is also those years, where Harold felt alone in his life. Seeing Lili beside his perceived more alpha of a twin brother, slightly taller and more handsome.

Within those three years, things have changed in just one party - the twins' parents twenty fifth wedding anniversary.

The twins' mother Emilie, adored Lili - she sees her as the real deal for her son. Since being friends with Harold also, Lili inspired him to be a better man without compromising fun and party.

In that particular event, Henry had many onlookers some from his childhood who are family friends. Harold also had admirers, but there's just something about the disposition of being the first born.

Lili felt such jealously coming from Rosie the poshie, but she hadn't felt insecure from her anyway. Sure, Rosie can be quite assertive towards her admiration to Henry. But she throws herself too much, that it makes Lili laugh in silence.

'She's too much to handle isn't she?' Harold whispered to Lili as they stood by the bar.

'I don't even care,' her confidence is inspiring. Elisabetta after all was a law student at a top tier university, and won herself a place in the field hockey team at the university that earns her £1500 a term for athletic scholarship allowance. She completed her internship at two elite American law firms: Simpson Thacher and Bartlett LLP, and Cravath, Swain and Moore LLP in that summer. She also co-wrote a lyrics, that landed on a Volvo advertisement across Europe.

Her confidence caught Harold's wild heart at play, he never thought of her as that confident that it makes a wild bronco that he is interested even though she is his twin brother's girlfriend.

'I've been speaking to Robert a lot lately, as I'm thinking of applying to Columbia law for LLM.' Elisabetta barely gave anyone a small talk.

'That's awesome, you're leaving us in Britain?' Harold sipped the last remaining wine in his glass, and asked for vodka, coke and lemon on highball glass to the bartender a the open bar area of the party.

'I haven't even mentioned this to your brother,' she confessed.

They were standing side by side, looking at everyone else. Henry was juggling two table, one with his parents and the other with his other friends including Rosie the poshie, Violet the literati and Lara - all three were faking their laughter to flatter Henry, and all smiles to send a message that they're interested.

'You think he'd protest?' Harold raised his eyebrows, as he took three big gulps from his alcoholic drink.

'He wants us to move in after uni, and that's a year away.' She sounded very resigned, and unenthusiastic as after all she has a years and bright future ahead of her, from London to New York City. It was Lili's turn to refill more alcohol.

'You're right, you should enjoy life more,' he supported his friend.

Even though in that summer, Henry informed Fiona and myself that he is thinking of proposing to Lili after uni or one year after uni tops. Fiona was happy for Henry, but when Lili visited me briefly in New York to look at Columbia and NYU law, there I knew she might need some time to be single (unmarried) and she will need Henry's patience.

'Henry hasn't even noticed you,' he sounded like a concerned friend.

'Let him,' she smiled.

'Honestly this isn't my kind of party anyway. Family friends, and pretentiousness.' Harold rolled his eyes. It looks like Lili is rowing the same boat as Harold's that evening, and that made them bond like they never did before.

'Since we have been friends for long, want to come to my room and play some Playstation rather than pretend we are enjoying?'

Harold's smiled to Lili upon asking the question is of sincerity and his eyes screamed desperation out of boredom.

'Only if we have a bottle of vodka between us, diet coke, lemons and lime,' Lili counter offered.

'I'll sort that out. You know where my bedroom is, right?'

This is not Elisabetta's first time in the twins' family home tucked in a twenty acre private area in Buckinghamshire, with nine bedrooms, ten toilets and baths and three separate cottages - one for the staff and two for the guests with families. It is quite easy to get lost unless you've been there a few times, like myself, and Lili.

'See you there. Oh and Harold, some chocolates too and cake, and something to lessen our morning after hangover.'

Harold smiled at Lili, the kind of smiled that changes that evening and the course of my friends' lives.