Thomas and Mercer Boyette are two familiar, and identical, faces among the hallways of Rocky Mount Academy. They are just two regular boys. They can be seen joking around with their friends in the cafeteria, walking to biology class with a bag of vanilla wafers in one hand and a powerade in the other, playing soccer, football, and tennis, or doing about a million other things that the average teenager does. Everybody loves the two Boyette boys, but what if I told you there was a third?

This past week, a secret about the Boyette twins that we know a love was revealed. All along, we have been deceived. The Boyette twins are actually triplets, with a third brother named James. For three years, all of Rocky Mount Academy has been oblivious to this truth. How come we knew nothing of this triplet?

James’ identity came to light because of a slip of tongue by Mercer. Mercer let the secret slip to me during biology class while tending to his germinated seeds. All of his attention was directed at these seeds when I heard “Wow, James would love these.” Within seconds of saying this, Mercer’s mouth hung agape and looked at me with terror in his eyes. Before I could get the words out to ask what his problem was, Mercer began to let the story of his brother completely unfold before me.

Thomas and Mercer came to Rocky Mount Academy in the ninth grade after leaving Greenfield School. When they came to Rocky Mount Academy, their brother, James, went away to boarding school in São Paulo, one of the biggest soccer cities in the world, to focus on his soccer career. We all know that Thomas and Mercer are excellent soccer players, but James took his commitment a step further than his brothers, who even switched over to football this year. James has been studying and training at Muito Boa Academia de Futebol where he has been immersed in the Portuguese language and is perfecting his craft.

In their hometown, the far away land of Wilson, James is no secret. That is where he grew up and he shares the same friends that his brothers have. However, when you cross over the Wilson County line and enter Nash County, James’s identity disappears. When asked about why they haven’t revealed their triplet to any of their friends here, Thomas said, “I don’t want people to know that he’s better than me,” and Mercer said, “I don’t want him to steal my fame.”

Now that the secret is out, everyone has to deal with the new truth. Nothing actually changes here because of the news, but it is strange to see the twins and know what we now know. Thomas and Mercer now have to acknowledge their brother, but perhaps a weight has been lifted off of their shoulders. And who knows, maybe one day everyone will all get to meet James, the mysterious 3rd boy(ette).

And if you’ve made it this far…..

……get yo neck. April Fools!