Leandro had just gotten to school and he made his way to his office. As he entered the building he found the last person he expected to see waiting for him. Levane Kennedy was sitting there in her military school uniform waiting for him and she didnt seem happy.
Levane stood up and said "I am here because I have an objection..."
Leandro raised an eyebrow as he took out his keys "Good morning to you too."
Levane said "Dont play so innocent Leandro."
Leandro opened the door and said "Come in and we can talk... Ladies first."
Levane entered the room and Leandro entered after her. He couldnt help smile. She was hostile as always but she seemed livid. It meant he had done something right. Success. He walked around his desk and sat down "What can I do for you Miss Kennedy."
Levane reached into her pocket and took out a piece of paper. She waved it in her hand. "What is the meaning of this? Why did you match me up to Jacob Neuer?"
Leandro said "Why not?"
Levane said "I have always made it clear I like to be alone. I dont go out with boys."
Leandro said "Correction. Its a partnership. Not a date."
Levane said "This is not happening. I am coming alone to the home coming."
Leandro said "No. The rules are clear. You have to have a partner. Whats the matter Levane? Are you scared of the wall?"
Levane said "Who?"
Leandro said "The wall. Jacob Neuer. You must have heard of his reputation."
Levane said "Is that what he is called amongst his people? Whatever. Wall or Jacob Neuer. I am not scared of him. Who is he? I know he plays football. Lochlan has talked about him before. I wont be partnered with him or anybody for that matter. I go solo."
Leandro said "I said no Levane. My word is final. You havent given me a reason for breaking your partnership with him. Do you want to swap partners?"
Levane said "No. I cant stand boys with their egos... Thats my reason..."
Leandro said "Jacob has no ego. Do your research on him and still if you dont like him as a partner I can arrange for a swap reluctantly. Either that or you wont be coming to the home coming. It will be pointless for you to attend when you wont have a partner for all the exciting activities my school has arranged."
Levane said "This is ridiculous. I cant believe you... Is this your final answer."
Leandro said "Yes. Now I dont wish to continue this conversation. I have work to do..."
Levane said "What is wrong with you?"
Leandro said "Goodbye Levane. Take it easy on the kids today in survival camp." She was there as a guest trainer on an exchange program.
Levane shook her head and sighed. She then left without another word.
*****
Leo was shaking his head at Levane's harshness. the training had been brutal as he had expected. Once it was over and Levane was collecting her equipment, Leo approached Levane "Did you have to be so harsh? So many people left with bruises."
Levane said "I had to go easy on them because they were beginners actually. What is wrong with you Leo? Dont be so soft."
Leo sighed "We dont want to scare off the recruits. They may quit."
Levane said "If they are gutless, you are better off without them. Dont you think?"
Leo said "Well... Not really. Having recruits is better than having no recruits. There is so much time, effort and resources that goes into this camp."
Levane said "If you lose recruits there is also military school. You should try it some time Leo." She then walked away. "Can you show me Jacob Neuer."
Leo walked after her and reached her "Jacob Neuer? What do you want with him?"
Levane said "Leandro told me to do my research on him. Your brothers request. I cant possibly refuse him." She then gave Leo a smile.
If she was smiling then there was trouble.
Leo said "This is now break time. After break there is sports hour. He will be at the football field with me. You can watch from the stands."
Levane said "Perfect. So I will mingle and ask some questions about him."
Leo asked "Do you mind if I ask you why you are doing research on Jacob? Why would my brother ask you to do this?"
Levane said "Because.... I have been paired up with him for the home coming."
Leo stopped walking and gasped "What the hell? Who's idea was it. You are a solo one..."
Levane stopped walking and turned to Leo and said "Thank you. Ask your dear brother."
Leo said "I will. Definitely. You cant possibly partner up with Jacob. He doesnt deserve the fire of your wrath for the male population. I need to talk to leandro. What if you scare Jacob off and he leaves this city? We need him to beat Nicnadro's team. He is the star wide receiver of our team Levane. I am not thrilled about this at all."
Levane sighed "It makes two of us. I am not happy with this arrangement either."
Leo said "Cant you pull out? I will owe you one if you do. Just tell leandro you want to go solo like how you always do in parties and gatherings."
Levane said "Thats exactly what I said to Leandro."
Leo gasped "And he said no? Really?"
Levane said "Yes. Can you believe his nerve."
****
Levane was sitting on the stands watching the game in an empty corner. He spotted Jacob immediately from his shirt number. Leo had told her. He was huge and pretty strong in the game. No wonder they called him the wall. She was impressed with his game for sure even though she didnt like football very much. She decided to get closer to the pitch. She walked down the steps and sat on the front row. Just then the cheer leaders had a water break and a girl sat down beside her. She shouted "Come on Jacob."
Levane thought maybe this girl knew Jacob so she could ask her about Jacob.
She said "Hi. Excuse me can I talk to you for a second?"
The girl turned to her "Hi..." Her eyes caught the badge on her chest. "Oh.... You are the trainer from this morning who everyone talks about? Chief Commander Officer Levane Kennedy? Everyone talks about you... They say you skinned the boys group alive..."
Levane said "I did nothing to them. I went easy on them actually. They are unfit. Its not my fault."
The girl said "I am Jeanelle by the way. But you can call me Jean. What did you want to talk about."
Levane said "Jean. Nice name... I wanted to ask you something...." Her eyes then caught her quartz crystal necklace "What? A quartz crystal. You belong to Leandro? Really?"
Jenaelle said "Oh how do you know Levane?"
Levane rolled her eyes "Because he is like that. He staked his claim with quartz crystal on anything in military school. Everyone knows quartz crystal is his sign. How do you stand him by the way."
Jean said "What do you mean? He is very kind. He is a gentleman."
Levane laughed "Sure he is... Anyway. I dont want to remind myself of your boyfriend. You seem like a sweet girl. I dont want to argue with you about your man. Can you tell me about the boy you called upon just now. You cheered for him. Jacob."
jean said "He is my brother."
Levane gasped "Really? Interesting." So Leandro had partnered her up with his girlfriend's brother. That was very strange. Levane cleared her throat "He plays really well. Why do people call him the wall? Do you know?"
Jean sighed "Its a nickname he was called when we lived in Hale... in Michigan you know..."
Levane said "So you are from the country." Even more interesting. She was paired up with a country boy.
Jean said "Yes. We are far from Hale right now..."
Just then water break finished for cheerleaders.
Jean said "It was nice to meet you Levane...."
Levane said "It was nice to meet you too Jean."
Levane sighed. What a coincidence she had to bump into Leandro's girlfriend of all the people. Queen Jean seemed quite nice. She didnt know how Leandro had managed to get any girl to go out with him. She decided to ask more girls about Jacob during the match. The boys who recognised her ran away and changed seats to get away from her from what she could see. Good. They knew their place. They were a pathetic bunch breaking so easily.
****
It was the end of the game and Jacob was having a water break. Leo took him aside and said "I have some bad news."
Jacob said "What news..."
Leo said "Look at the stands. You see the girl standing there in her military uniform. She is your home coming partner."
Jacob asked "Is she Levane Kennedy. I saw her name on a piece of paper that came through the post for me telling me my partner. I wished there was a picture but now its good I can put a name on a face. Why is it bad news?"
Leo said "You dont understand. She is not like other girls. She is crazy. You know. This morning, at survival camp, the group A of boys encountered her as guest trainer. She nearly killed them all and she said she went easy on them. She is one of the strongest and most dangerous girls I have ever met. She has crazy genes too. Her brother is Lochlan Kennedy. You know the boy we studied as our possible enemy on the battle ground when we meet Nicnadro's team."
Jacob said "Thank you for all the information. But I still dont see how it is bad news. Levane and I are going to be partnered for a charity event. Its for a good cause. I am sure she is reasonable. Isn't she?"
Leo said "She isn't. Heavens help you Neuer."
Jacob was about to respond when he spotted Levane attacking a boy. The boy ended on the floor withering in pain and Levane grabbed a big bucket full of balls and she emptied them on his body. She threw the empty bucket next to him and shouted "Now, get up and face me jerk."
The boy crawled away from her and ran away as fast as he could.