It was morning and all students were at a large room in the lobby of one of the Rosario hotels having refreshments.
Girls were at one side and boys were at another side. The girls and boys had different refreshments. This part of event was for networking.
Jean was standing near an indoors fountain and was holding a drink. Lavinia introduces Maria Angela to her. "This is my best friend from military school."
Jean smiled "Nice to meet you."
Lavinia said she is Arcangelo's sister. You have met Arcangelo. He told me.
Jean recalled the meeting with Arcangelo. He hadn't been very polite but Leandro had assured her that he could be nice.
The girls talked for a while and then Leo's girlfriend Elena joined them. Their circle got bigger as Elena introduced Evangeline who was an old friend from their former school. Jean found out that Evangeline was Leandro's cousin Nathan's girlfriend. Evangelise then introduced Announced that Gretchen, Nicandro's girlfriend couldn't join them yet and there was possibility of her joining later. The girls all seemed nice.
As the group were busy chatting, Jean noticed a girl standing alone not far away. She seemed shy. As the host she was obliged to get her to open up and mingle. Jean excused herself with the excuse to get a drink. She got a drink and walked to the girl "Hi." She said to the girl.
The girl smiled warmly "Hi."
Jean said "I am Jean."
The girl said "I am Ariel."
Jean said "Nice to meet you Ariel. Why are you standing alone?"
Ariel said "I am waiting for my friend Lenora. She should arrive any minute now." Just then Lenora joined them. Jean decided to introduce them to the small group. Lavinia and Maria Angela knew Lenora from before but not Ariel.
***
It was time for girls and boys to partner up. Everyone had a name tags and the names of students who were single were displayed on a board next to their partners. The boys were meant to find the girls which was not that difficult as all the single girls were sitting by the board. Jacob scanned the crowd and looked at the line of single girls but didnt find Levane. He hadnt seen Lochlan either.
****
As time went on, Jacob still couldnt see Levane. He decided to go outside and wait in the car park. He stood leaning next to a tree as he watched cars pulling up. He managed to spot Lochlan getting off a car. Then saw Levane get off the car. He smiled. She had come with the type of dress Leandro had warned him about. She was wearing black. Leandro had warned Jacob that Levane always wore contrasting clothes to the theme of every party. The rules didnt apply to her. Leandro personally had issued a pass card for Jacob and Levane to get them past the security who checked the themes. Jacob was in fact wearing white on Leandro's advice.
Jacob walked towards the brother and sister as he got closer he felt his breath was taken away. She was a true goddess. She was incredibly beautiful. He had only seen her from far in a military school uniform but now she was wearing a dress that really suited her and a nice rose in her hair. Levane and Lochlan hadnt seen Jacob so they started walking away from the car to the hotel entrance. Jacob was coming from behind them. He walked behind them and cleared his throat "Excuse me Ma'am."
Levane turned around and stopped walking. She said "Yes.... Oh.... You... Jacob Neuer.... You are ... wearing white..." She then said to herself. "And you are killing me with your handsomeness country boy". Jacob was very handsome. He looked just elegant. Levane was blown away by how good looking he was. She had only seen him on the football field and hadnt ever appreciated the small details in his good looking figure.
Jacob smiled "You are wearing black." He then said to himself " You are a goddess."
Lochlan was looking at the exchange between his sister and Jacob with amusement. He was amused how civil his sister was. He wanted to see his sister kick Jacob where the sun didnt shine in their first meeting and he was waiting. When it didnt happen he thought eventually it might happen and he may be lucky enough to see it. He said "Do you have a problem with that Neuer?"
Jacob reached his hand into his pocket and waved a card in front of Lochlan "No. Not at all... I have permission from Leandro to have a different colour theme with my partner. So security check will be smooth. He said he expected your sister to be...."
Lochlan said "To be what? Unorthodox."
Jacob said "Well. Unconventional." Well actually Leandro had said "mental." But he obviously didnt say that.
Lochlan asked "Do you have a problem with that?"
Jacob said "If I did, I wouldn't be wearing white right now."
Lochlan said "Are you sure you dont have a problem? Maybe we can settle it right here, my way. The hard way..."
Levane said "Lochlan. You dont need to settle anything. Can you go in please? Maria Angela must be waiting."
Lochlan was looking at Jacob directly as he said "Alright. If thats what you want Levane. Find me if this guy doesnt behave." He then turned and walked away.
Levane watched Lochlan walk away and then looked at Jacob "So you have a pass for us to get through security? Thats nice of Leandro. I didnt think I will get through a Rosario hotel security and then I wont have to attend this home coming. But I guess I have no excuse now."
Jacob asked "So... Ma'am. You dont like this home coming?"
Levane said "No. Not really. I only attend because my parents said I should. I need to be friendly with the Rosarios. Rejecting their invite is not polite." She couldnt believe she was having a conversation with this stranger. He sounded so gentle and polite. He was too polite. He didnt sound egoistic so far. She couldnt stand the guys' egos. "By the way, dont call me Ma'am."
Jacob asked "You dont like it?"
Levane said "I am not used to it. Just call me Levane..."
Jacob said in his mind "Ok goddess." Instead he smiled "Yes. Ma'am. I will try to remember that."
Levane rolled her eyes. This boy was way too polite. Other boys were not like him. But was this all an act. She said "I am going inside." She then walked away and Jacob walked a step behind her. They got to security and Jacob showed the card to the personnel.
After they entered the room alot of eyes were on them. Almost everyone was looking at Levane and Jacob in shock.
Jacob said "Do you want me to get you a drink .... Levane."
Levane said "I can get it myself. I dont need a man to do my work for me. You hear that. I need no man. I only tolerate you because my parents have asked me to go along with the rules and with whoever my partner is so we dont disrespect the Rosarios. Especially now that they know you are Leandro's girlfriend's brother, they are very keen for me to tolerate you. So dont over step the mark and I wont have a problem with you tonight. Do you understand Neuer?" She said to herself "Whatever you do dont smile handsomeness. It kills me and dont call me Ma'am again. It just shows your country side that is just too gentle..."
Jacob smiled "Yes Ma'am. I understand."
Levane sighed and turned to walk to the drinks table. She couldnt believe how attractive this boy could be. She didnt expect herself to fancy him. Not at all. She thought she would be civil for one night with a guy because Leandro was the host but right now she was controlling herself from smiling and warming up to this guy. Who was this guy? He didnt get the message that his charm was unwelcome. He was so handsome. It was the first time she had found a boy handsome.
While waiting Jacob found himself coming across Lavinia. She smiled "Hi Jacob. How is it going with levane?"
Jacob said "Alright."
Lavinia said "People have bet on how long you will last."
Jacob said "People have been betting on how long my partnership lasts with levane? Serious?"
Lavinia said "Yes. Many lost money because a lot had bet on you lasting only a few seconds with her... See you around."
Levane came back with a drink "Did I miss anything? What did you say to Lavinia?"
Jacob said "Nothing. Just saying hi."
Levane was feeling a hint of frustration. Something inside her wanted to go after Lavinia for talking to Jacob. Then she realised it. She was jealous. She didnt want Jacob to talk to other girls. She tried to tell herself it wasn't important. What did it matter if this handsomeness talked to others. But it did bother her. What was wrong with her. Handsomeness could talk to anyone. He was just a random person who was partnered with her thanks to Leandro and she had to endure him to be polite to the Rosarios. She told herself that but something still inside her told her she didnt like him talk to Lavinia. What had they been saying? She cleared her throat "How do you know Lavinia?"
Jacob said "When I first arrived at this school she welcomed me. She is a friend."
Levane raised an eyebrow "A friend? And Arcangelo is ok with this friendship. Is he? He is not the type to share."
Jacob said "We are just friends. He believes me when I say I am just friends with Lavinia. Jealousy is immature I think."
Levane told herself "Not when its about you handsomeness. No one will share you I bet."
****
Levane had gone to get another drink. Jacob could hear the whispers of others talking about her. He was finding it quite disturbing to hear what they were saying about Levane calling her the man hater who needed to be tamed by her boyfriend. He normally was calm and collected. But he had enough. He picked up a bin and placed it next to a girl who was going on and on. He said "If you want to talk trash about Levane, talk to the bin."
The girl gasped and the girl next to her said "I told you her boyfriend will hear you Sinead."
Jacob sighed and turned around to walk away. But he came face to face with Levane. She had heard the exchange by the looks of it. "What did she say about me to make you throw a bin at her?" She felt strange. He had defended her honour. She didn't like owing him. She didn't need a man to defend her but part of her felt warm at his nice gesture. Handsomeness was honourable.
Jacob said "She called you a man hater and much more. Her groupies joined in too. Ignore them. I never pay attention to trash talkers. Neither should you."
She raised an eyebrow "Neither should I? I don't think so. I normally make sure trash talkers can't talk trash again. I am going after Sinead and her group."
Jacob said "Right now?"
She said "Yes. After I finish my drink."
Jacob said "Is that really necessary? It doesn't matter Levane. They have stopped and scattered for now. Just leave it please."
Levane said to herself "You look so cute right now handsomeness. Don't plead."