Leandro was laying down in his bed. He couldnt sleep. He was thinking of how the day had changed his life. He didnt feel the same. He felt better. He had never been so happy. He had never been feeling so free. Jean had changed his life. Jean's openness was nothing he could possibly take for granted. He never dreamt of a day to share his first kiss to feel so great. The kiss on the cheek from Jean meant so much to him. Jean trusted him enough to kiss him. He never thought a kiss could feel so natural and amazing. Being with Jean felt like breathing.
****
Jean opened her eyes as her alarm clock went off. She stretched her arms and then looked at the time. It was time to wake up. She sat on her bed and took a deep breath. Memories of the day before came running through her mind. She had invited Leandro and had loved every minute of spending time with him. He was such a gentleman.
*****
Jacob was in the kitchen that he shared with Jean. He was making himself a peanut butter sandwich. Just then Jean came inside the kitchen. "Good Morning."
Jacob smiled "Good morning flower pot".
Jean frowned "Aren't you supposed to have eggs and bananas in the morning. I thought you are supposed to have protein before football practice. Isn't that Leandro's orders for the football team?"
Jacob sighed "Its his orders. Isn't it? But what he doesnt know doesnt hurt him. I felt like some peanut butter."
Jean said "I am joining the cheerleaders this morning for practice while you have your football practice, so I decide to have eggs. Are you sure you dont want any?"
Jacob said "I am fine. Thank you."
Jean took out the pan and started making an omelette.
Jacob started talking slowly "So... How was yesterday? You went to your room after the Dean left and just drowned yourself in books. I didnt want to disturb you by asking how your date went. Can you tell me if it went ok flower pot?"
Jean turned "It was fine. It was better than I expected. He was such a gentleman."
Jacob said "Ha. He is a gentleman to you flowerpot but he is not one to others in this world."
Jean said "Just dont break his rules and he wont give you detention. He told you to have eggs and you are having peanut butter instead."
Jacob chuckled "Dont tell him what I am having flower pot. Or I wont hear the end of it from him. He likes his lectures and detentions."
Jean smiled. She flipped the omelettes and added some salt and pepper to what she was making.
Jacob said "Seriously Jeanelle. I think you have to keep some secrets. Your man and you clash on some things.
Jean turned off the stove and picked up the pan and placed the contents in a plate. "What things?"
Jacob said "Come on flower pot you know full well. You know his rules. Anything fun that you knew and loved at our ranch to him is a health and safety hazard. I know he said there is a trip to Hale, Michigan. But come on. Do you really think he wont be blown away by what you and I can get upto if we are set free?"
Jean laughed.
Jacob said "Exactly. Its not funny. Its serious Jean. He will really get a back shock of his life if he sees how much fun he is missing out on."
Jean said "He wont see it as fun. He would see it as health and safety hazards."
Jacob added "And detention worthy."
Jean sat down and started eating her omelettes with baguettes.
Jacob said "But one thing is for sure. I like that you seem happy here. You dont miss home I take it."
Jean said "Not really. We havent been here very long. I like the opportunities we get from here. I want to go to college. This school is really good. I may even learn a new language to get extra credits. They offer so many programmes. I can even go travelling in Europe."
Jacob smiled "This is the adventurous side of you that Leandro hasn't seen yet. Do you think he will like it?"
Jean said "No. I dont expect him to like everything I do. I dont like everything he did."
Jacob asked "What didn't you like about what he does?"
Jean hesitated and then said "Well. Â I dont like fighting.. But he likes fighting."
Jacob said "I am sorry flower pot. But I have a feeling he wont give that up for you. He is a fighter. In a way I am glad he is. He can stand up for himself."
Jean said "I just dont like it when he fights. I dont like it when you fight either."
Jacob said softly "Sometimes fighting is necessary flower pot. We both know that." He then took a bite of his sandwich.
***
Jean and Jacob walked towards the football field with their backpacks. It was early morning. Not many people were around. When they reached the football field, the footballers were running laps around the field lead by Leandro and Leo.
Jean asked "Are you late?"
Jacob said "No. They are early flower pot. I think they are so into their rivalry they come early. I go join them now."
Jean separated her way and found the girls belonging to the cheer leaders squad coming out of the changing room. She smiled and waved at them.
When Jean was practicing she could see the football team too. She was doing stretches as Jacob was doing his laps. After they finished, Jacob carried on doing laps probably to catch up with what he missed.
When it was time for water break cheerleaders decided to share their water break with them. They brought out the water bottles.
Jean picked up a water bottle and then as she looked up her heart beat became faster as she saw Leandro coming closer to her. He picked up a water bottle and walked straight to her. She stopped drinking and looked at Leandro.
Leandro said "Hi."
Jean said "Hi."
Leandro asked "Are you ok? Cheerleaders are not tiring you out are they?"
Jean said "No. I am enjoying it actually."
Leandro was standing so closer to her. With his football outfit, he even seemed bigger and more muscular. She asked "Leandro... Why was your football practice starting early?"
Leandro said "Our rival team have lengthened their practice so we have to do it too. Your brother wasn't paying attention to the notice board notices after I warned repeatedly to check it every afternoon and came late."
Jean asked "Does he get detention?" She looked up worriedly.
Leandro said "I am in generous mood this morning and its his first time being late so he doesnt get detention."
Jean smiled.
Leandro loved to see her smile. He took a sip from his bottle and watched her drink too. Her cheeks were a light shade of pink that suited her after exercise. He couldnt wait to kiss her cheek again.
Jean asked "Can my brother now come and have some water?"
Leandro looked at the field and saw Jacob was still running lapse. He said "Sure." He then blew a whistle and signalled to Jacob to come to have water.
Jean said "Thank you."
Leandro turned to her "Jean... I ... really want to thank you for yesterday."
Jean said "I had a good time too."
Leandro cleared his throat "Can I see you after school today again?"
Jean thought about it and then said "Oh. Today... after school.... Its ok. I guess."
Leandro smiled "Perfect."
Jean said "I just remembered I am studying in the library after school. I need to revise for a test."
Leandro said "I can help you with your test. What about after library? Do you have plans?"
Jean said "After that, Jacob and I were going to grab a burger from the Campus's main diner thats open till late. Everyone says they are good. I thought its nice to grab a bite there. You can ... join us if you like."
Leandro said "I would love to join you." He then sighed "I need to get back to practice."
Jean said "Ok. So do I."
As Leandro smiled and was about to go to call his team mates to get back to practice, she made her mind up about a decision and said "Leandro."
Leandro turned "Yes."
Jean said "There is one thing left I needed to tell you."
Leandro asked "What is it?"
She stood on her tip toes and kissed his cheek softly. She whispered to Leandro for only him to hear "We had our first date. I am now ready to be your girlfriend in public. Are you ready to be my boyfriend officially? If you are then kiss me".
Leandro's heart was pounding in his chest. A barrier had been lifted. There were no obstacles between them now. Leandro felt free. He took a deep breath.
Leandro leaned down and kissed her cheek with a soft and gentle kiss. Everyone was watching Leandro and Jean now witnessing their king claiming his queen in public for the first time with a kiss.