Jacob was staring at Leandro "I get it Leandro but it makes me wonder. What happens if you get mad at flower pot? Will you be as harsh as you are with me? I know you warn me to not question you but I am curious."
Leandro said "Firstly, I have not been harsh to you. It's nothing personal. Anyone who breaks the rules gets what's coming to them." He then thought to himself "But Jean is not just anyone." He then asked " Why do you ask me about your sister? Do you want her to get detention? Or you just want to test how far I will go before I act harshly to kick your habit of questioning me?"
Jacob said "I don't want flower pot to get detention..."
Leandro said "You dont want her to get detention. Thats good. Then why do you keep asking about it. We dont have a problem. Do we? "
Jacob said "We never had a problem. You didnt answer my question... But I know I know. You dont like questions. But you like answers I bet. Where is that cassette you said you are bringing for flower pot? I will put it on for her and you can dance here. Its a good surprise as you planned."
Leandro gave the cassette to Jacob and watched Jacob put the cassette on."Its not a surprise. I just thought she would like some music."
Jacob placed the cassette in the cassette player and said "You know... I would have thought my father would like to speak to you at some point but he doesnt. He trusts you. How have you managed that? He hasn't even met you and he has no worries about you. How did you convince him long distance to think that you are good without meeting my father at all."
Leandro said "Did he say he thinks I am good?"
Jacob chuckled "Sort of. He sort of did. I have no idea how you managed it. He said he doesnt need to speak to you."
Leandro said "I wish I could speak to your father today. I dont mind making myself clear."
Jacob said "Well. You should wish not. My father is very protective of flower pot. He misses her."
Leandro said "I told Jean we have a field trip to your home town soon. Then maybe you can visit and assure your father in person that all is well."
Jacob gasped "Hale? Seriously? What kind of a trip is it going to be?"
Leandro said "A fun one."
Jacob was finding it hard to getting used to his short answers when he didnt want to talk about a topic. He just gave him an answer and expected Jacob to accept it."
****
As Jean came back she watched as Leandro turned the cassette player on and her favourite music came on.
Leandro asked "Can we dance?"
Jean smiled "Yes."
Leandro walked slowly to Jean and held her hand in his. He took a deep breath "This is going to be peaceful. You bring me peace."
Jean and Leandro started dancing slowly to the song.
Leandro took a deep breath as he was taking in the peace that suddenly was taking over his body. When he was with Jean he just felt at ease. He felt like nothing else mattered in the world. It was as though there was just him and Jean.
Jean was feeling less nervous now. Leandro was just so gentle and polite. It was hard not to like him.
Lenadro said "I feel so at ease with you. I feel at peace."
Jean gave out a nervous chuckle "So do I. But... Well. I was never at ease with you. You made me nervous at first."
Leandro said "I did? I am very sorry. How about now? Do you feel nervous?"
Jean said "Its getting easier. But still you make me nervous sometimes and when you get mad I get scared."
Leandro said "When have I scared you?"
Jean said "You know when you were fighting Arcangelo or my brother. I was terrified. I was not used to fights. I dont like fights."
Leandro smiled softly "You dont need to worry when I fight. Especially if its with Arcangelo. He is my equal. He can hold his own and so can I. Your brother can hold his own too."
Jean said "I still dont like fights."
Leandro said "But I fight sometimes Jean. It cant change. Its like asking you to not... I dont know. What is it you cant stop doing if I asked and something I forbid but you cant give up."
Jean wanted to say climbing trees but instead said "Baking. I love baking. Do you love fighting?"
Leandro said "Yes. I do."
Moments went on with silence. Then Leandro looked into Jean's eyes intensely and didnt break eye contact as he was being thoughtful.
Jean asked "What are you thinking?"
Leandro said "A question.... Jean... can I ask you a question?"
Jean nodded "Yes."
Leandro said thoughtfully "Have we... met before?"
Jean said "No. I am pretty sure I would have remembered you."
Leandro said "I just have this familiar feeling about you that we have met before. I dont know why."
jean said "Do you remember meeting me?"
Leandro shook his head "No. I have never met you. But something inside me feels like we have met before. I cant explain it."
Jean smiled and so did Leandro. They stared into each other's eyes for a bit longer. But Leandro suddenly looked away at the clock "Its almost time for me to go home. I dont want to go yet. But I have to leave soon."
Jean said "I enjoyed myself. We can do this again sometime."
Leandro turned to look at Jean and said "But tonight is different to another night. I wish I could stay longer so maybe we could watch a movie." He stopped dancing and brought her hand to his lips and kissed it "Tonight has been amazing. I want you to finish your delicious meal. We need to stop dancing."
After they sat down and were eating, Jean felt like Leandro was not satisfied because he wanted to leave early so she looked up "Leandro. I think we can talk until you have to leave."
Leandro said "I guess we can if thats what you want. I will get picked up. They will knock. So we can chat."
Jean smiled. "I have questions. So many."
Leandro asked "Like what?"
Jean asked "Whats your favourite hobby? What do you do for fun?"
Leandro said "Thats what your brother asked me too. Why is it you both have the same curiosity?"
Jean said "Because our sense of fun is different. We discussed it once how people in the city have no fun. Jacob and I have so much fun. We used to go riding horses and play in the mud. Jacob bet with me that your only hobby is giving detention."
Leandro turned his tone to serious "Your brother shouldn't joke about discipline. And no. I dont see it as a hobby to give anyone detention. Your brother is mistaken."
Jean said "So whats your hobby?"
Leandro said "After school clubs especially the bible study hours. I like fishing."
Jean asked "Dont you like the movies?"
Leandro said "Not really but I will like them if you do of course. If you like anything, I will try to like it too. If you want to try something new, then I will try it too. You have no idea how far I will go to make you happy. But of course if something goes against my values then I will need to compromise on a middle ground."
Jean blushed "Leandro. I think that wont be necessary to like what I do. I know you wont enjoy it. You sound very serious."
Leandro said "I am serious Jean. I never thought I would dance with a girl in public but I did that with you in school. I never thought I would go on dates this soon and share bread with a girl when I hardly got to know her. But with you its different. I feel like I know you already and I want to get to know you more."
Jean looked away "I think there are things that I like that you wont."
Leandro said "Like what?"
Jean thought to herself "Like rule breaking sometimes." But she looked at Leandro and said "I am from the country side. If you visit my home town as part of the school trip you mentioned then you will see."
Just then a knock came on the door.
Leandro stood up "I think its my ride. I have to go."
Jean stood up too and walked around the table.
Leandro said "It was a very nice meal. Thank you. I am sorry I was late."
"We do goodbye kisses in my home town."Â Jean stood up on her tip toes and planted a kiss on Leandro's cheek.
Time stopped for Leandro once again as he closed his eyes.