Leo was running in the tracks with his friends as part of his exercise in American football. It was a lengthy session but he was hardly phased by the end of it. He was used to hard training. After training, he stopped to drink water.
As he grabbed a water bottle from the refreshment table on the side of tracks he looked across the football field. His eyes followed Elena and her team of cheer leaders. He drank his water as he was thinking of today after school and how he was planning to ask her out. He had planned it fully.
Benjamin brought him out of his thoughts "Leo. Where should we ambush them?"
Leo glanced at him "Right here... But before that get Elena out of here. Tell her the principal needs to see her..."
Benjamin nodded and walked towards the cheer leaders.
George said "Man. They will learn not to go cheer on our arch nemesis team. What were they thinking? Did they actually think we let them live?"
Leo took sip from a bottle "They are fast learners. That will teach them. Now that Elena is leaving the site, let's get the guys. Attack when I say. Surround them. Don't let any of them escape."
The boys formed a circle around the girls who noticed they were in trouble. They gathered in one place as the circle of the boys surrounded them.
Leo stated "You have disrespected us. You are all traitors and must atone for what you did this morning. You cheer for the enemy. So is it going to be the hard way or the easy way girls? Either make your way to the punishment room or we will force you..."
The girls looked at each other with fear and then whispered to each other. They started moving to the building that was where they were doomed to torturous treatment. They wished for a cold shower. That was least painful.
Leo watched in satisfaction as the girls entered the building. He left two people to stand guard as he went inside to lecture the girls.
Minutes later Elena came back and looked around for her friends. She walked to the two boys standing guard and asked "Have you seen the cheer leading squad?"
They shook their heads. They didn't want to talk to her. She belonged to Leo even if it wasn't official. He had announced she was off limits and exception to all rules.
Just as Elena was about to walk away to search she heard screaming from inside. She gasped and ran past the boys. They didn't attempt to stop her unless they wanted to die at Leo's hands.
Elena walked up the stairs and then saw the entrance to the room where screaming was coming from. Just as she was about to enter, she found herself face to face with Leo.
Leo was taken back "The guys called up and said you entered the building. Your friends are cooling off in cold water. Just leave for now ..."
Elena didn't respond and tried to walk past him but he stopped her by his words "If you take one more step I am doubling the penalty for their crimes..."
Elena gasped "What? What crimes?"
Leo crossed his arms over his chest "Cheering for the enemy."
Elena walked to him "Are you kidding me? We didn't break any rules. The season hasn't even started yet. It's the first day of school."
Leo said "There are no excuses Elena."
Elena wanted to argue but cringed as more screaming came. She stood in front of him "Stop them now... Please. They will catch a cold."
Leo said "No. There is still time left. Maybe 10 minutes or 20. I decide..."
Elena shook her head "Leo. Stop this. You proved your point. Let them go now. Please."
The pleading look she was giving him was turning him on. He felt excitement. Of course he was going to use this to his advantage "Alright. I let them go. But you owe me one... You do realise I have kept you out of it. You are the captain... You are my equal..." He then grabbed her hand and pulled her to himself "However, if you lead your team to break the rules again, this punishment will look like a walk in the park."
Elena was speechless. She nodded.
Leo followed through with his promise. He did let the girls go and watched Elena accompany her team away as she glanced back at the building.
After dealing with the cheer leaders and watching Elena disappear, it was now time for Leo to face his own challenges... He left the building and made his way to another.
Leo opened the door to the school gymnasium and was hit with the sound of music from the speakers all over the place and the cheers from the crowd of his brother's followers who were gathered around the boxing rink in the middle. He sighed as he watched the latest victim of Leandro who was knocked out within seconds. He fell flat on the floor as his brother towered over him. His brother licked his lips waiting for the next opponent or rather victim. The boy who was going next was quite slim. It was pay back time. This victim was going to be out of school for days. When his brother beat people up they suffered mentally and physically in every way. He was the master in art of making people suffer. He shook his head at the crowd who cheered. There he was Alfonso his brother's close friend pushing the kid towards the rink. Leo looked at his watch. He wanted to leave and he knew the crowd were going to taunt the kid and take their time. So he made a quick decision that could cost him.
Leo walked to the rink as he put his hand up and shouted "I am next. Not him..."
His brother's level was so advanced he was out of everyone's league and that was what made his boxing challenges so entertaining for some. His brother was a powerhouse that no one could stop. He was the star athlete. He was the perfect student. He was the godlike leader of the underground gang everyone worshipped and feared. That was it. Everyone fell on their knees if he asked for it. Everyone bent a knee without a second thought. But Leo wasn't everyone. He was his younger brother. He challenged his big brother when it was the right time and place which meant anywhere but in front of their mother. Their father's orders and code of conduct had specific instructions they didnt dare ignore.
The crowd parted ways and they fell silent. Now only the beats of the song from the loud speakers could be heard.
Leandro narrowed his eyes at him. He was daring him to back away.
Leo didnt back away. He kept walking. He jumped over onto the boxing rink floor. His brother eyed him and then turned to the crowd "Everyone Leave. Now."
The crowd left quick. Leandro was used to getting angry if his instructions weren't followed quick enough.
Leo watched as his brother stared at the door. Leandro waited for the last person to leave before he glanced at his brother. He walked to his brother and whispered "You came to crash the party as usual. What do you want?" He then hit his shoulder with his as he walked past his brother.
Leo turned and looked at his brother taking off his gloves " I want us to leave now. Let's go."
Leandro threw the gloves away and turned to Leo "I have some business to take care of. You have to wait."
Leo said "Leandro. You can't do this..."
Leandro said "Says you?" He then walked to his brother and stood in front of him "You came here challenging me. Aren't you able to back it up? If you want me to change my mind you must fight for it."
Leo said "Look. I think you are not being fair. I said I will do anything for this. There is a reason for me to want to go to this performance. I need to be there when she is performing with her band. She only gets to do one performance. I like to ask her to the prom and it might make a difference. She would like it if she sees I am supportive of her band even though I don't like the music type."
Leandro said "Why dont you go alone?"
Leo said "Because I cant go."
Leandro asked "Why is that? Remind me again..."
Leo didnt like being taunted but he replied "Because you own that youth club and your people guarding the place wont let me go in it unless I am with you..."
Leandro said "Good. And you think I will let you go in this time because...."
Leo said "Because Elena is playing tonight. I want to ask her out... Come on Leandro. She plays first. I want to see her play.. Its important to her..."
Leandro said "So which is it? You want to see her or its important to her?"
Leo said "Both... I guess. I don't know. You know me I have no experience in this area."
Leandro said "You are banned from my club after what you did last time. The ban stays..."
Leo said "Mother said you must take me tonight... I go with you while you are watching so I wont crash your ... activities that you like to do... You can watch me."
Leandro said "she didnt specify what time I go with you. I will go later this evening and you can come with me to have dinner there. But I have no reason for leaving early." He was about to side step his brother but Leo put his hand on his chest "Alright, I am sorry Leandro... I am sorry for what I did last time..."
Leandro said "Its too late. Hands off Leo unless you want to challenge me. Are you able to back it up?"
Leo sighed in frustration and said "Ok." He then pushed his brother backward. Leandro shook his head "Big mistake." He then started his attack.
Leo held his stance. He tried hard to hold him up but it seemed like his brother got stronger every day. Leo found himself on the floor. He whispered "Damn it."
Leandro stood towering over him "Pay up."
Leo said "Fine. What do you want?"
Leandro chuckled "Oh you will find out when I ask you..."
Leo stood up "Come on Leandro. Just this once. Let me go to your club."
Leandro jumped off the boxing rink "Give it up... Maybe its healthy to stay away from this girl..."
Leo said "You know one day you will find a girl who you are trying to impress and then I will watch you mess it up and then..." He stopped himself from carrying on.
Leandro stopped walking "And then what?" He turned "Finish the sentence."
Leo said "Ah. Well." He was not going to be forgiven for that. His brother took his honour seriously.
Leandro spoke in a low hard tone "Are you seriously threatening my girl?" He then charged.
Leo said "What. No. I was just joking." But he got the message. His brother didn't like jokes. Leo got off the boxing rink and ran on instinct.