The next activity was bowling. Levane was acing all her throws.
Jacob said "You are very good."
Levane said "Thank you."
Jacob asked "Do you want a drink? I am getting one for me."
Levane said to herself "Handsomeness offers. I think I take it this time." She said "Sure."
Jacob walked to the refreshments stand. Levane was watching him as she picked up the ball to have another throw but stopped in her tracks when she saw a group of girls approaching Jacob. She suddenly felt a fire igniting inside her as Jacob was giving his full attention now to them. He had stopped walking and was talking to them. What did they want? She didnt know why but the thought of him talking to other girls bothered her. She shook her thoughts. How dare he talk to others? He seemed friendly too with them. He was being his handsomness, gentleness self.
After she came back with the drinks she grabbed her drink and stared at him "What did those girls want? Do you know them?"
He said "They were from a different school. They wanted to know if I was Jacob Neuer. They knew me because of football." He sighed "I dont know how they heard about me. They wanted autographs. They thought I would be famous one day in the football circle."
She said "You dont sound very happy. Don't you like the attention?"
Jacob said "Not really. I never wanted to continue football. People get hurt on the field when I am there. I wanted to quit sports all together but when I came here my plans had to change. Lets say this school is good at pushing the students in the direction it wants. Now I will see what happens in the games. If people get hurt I may need to talk to leandro." He didnt even know where it all came from. He had never confided in anyone about why he wanted to quit sports. He had found himself telling Levane.
She was surprised "Its not your problem if people get hurt. Its part of the game. You shouldn't throw away the chance to earn yourself possible scholarships because you are considerate to others. People who let themselves into football know what they are doing. Its not like people die. They just get injured. It happens." She then narrowed her eyes "What else did those girls want? Besides autographs I mean. Your conversation took long."
Jacob chuckled "One asked me out."
She snapped "Which one?"
Jacob said "I dont know their names. They were from another school. I told you."
She asked quickly "Did you say yes?"
Jacob said "No."
She said "Good."
Jacob raised an eyebrow "Why is it good that I said no?"
She said "Because I have a feeling you weren't their type. None of the girls seemed like your kind of girl."
****
It was the end of the night and everyone was doing the last dance. Nicandro was standing alone watching everyone dance. He had missed Gretchen so much.
Then he saw her. She had honoured her word. She had saved him a dance. She approached him and Nicandro smiled.
On the other side of the dance hall Maria Angela was sitting with Lochlan. They were watching the dances.
Maria Angela said "Cant you dance just a little bit?"
Lochlan said "I dont like this. I dont dance. You can dance if you want."
Maria Angela had enough "Fine. I go dance alone." She made her way to the dance floor.
As Maria Angela started dancing alone, she felt Lochlan's eyes on her. He was following her every move. She decided to go to another part of the dance floor. As she made her way to another side, she saw Declan Sawyer alone dancing. She asked "Hi Declan what happened to your date? Why are you dancing alone?"
Declan said "She went home early. Where is your date?"
A voice came from behind them "He is right here."
Declan and Maria Angela turned around. Lochlan said "You can talk to her date directly if you have any questions. Do you have any?"
Declan was panicking "Sir. Well... Sorry sir... I meant no disrespect."
Lochlan said "I asked you something. Answer it. I said do you have any questions."
Declan said "No sir."
Maria Angela stood between Lochlan and Declan.
Declan said "See you around Maria Angela." He didnt blame Lochlan to be jealous. She looked absolutely stunning. It was understandable that Lochlan was jealous of any guy coming near her.
Maria Angela said "I thought you said I can dance."
Lochlan said "You can. I just thought I come watch you dance." He smiled.
Maria Angela said :"I was going to dance with Declan but you scared him off."
Lochlan said "You can dance but I am watching. If anyone wants to dance with you they can but they must do it in front of me. And I didnt ask Declan to leave."
Maria Angela sighed. No one was going to dance with her. Not when he was watching. So she decided to play with Lochlan. She took a step to Lochlan and reached her arms up. She wrapped her arms around his neck.
Lochlan said "What are you doing?"
Maria Angela said "Trying to dance with you." She then moved her hips slowly to the music. But Lochlan stood in one place.
Lochlan said "I dont dance..."
Maria Angela said "Ok. But I will. You can watch me dance... like this." She then carried on moving her hips. She looked into Lochlan's eyes and then made up her mind.
She stood up on her tip toes and looked into Lochlan's eyes.
Lochlan said "What are you doing?"
Maria Angela said "What does it look like?"
Lochlan noticed Maria Angela's lips was inches apart from his lips and she was looking into his eyes intensely.
Lochlan took a deep breath "Maria Angela. What are you trying to do to me?"
Maria Angela said "I am going to claim my man." She then attached her lips to his.
Time was meaningless suddenly to Lochlan. He had felt nothing like this before. He instinctively reached his hands up and placed them on Maria Angela's hips. He brought her closer to himself and reacted by deepening the kiss not letting go. He then started moving to the music as her hips were moving so did he. He moved to. He broke his tradition of never dancing. Only for her.
****
Jacob was standing next to Levane now. They had done the dance as king and queen. Now they were having a rest. They were watching other couples dance.
Levane said "I cant believe the day I just had."
Jacob said "It was a nice day for sure. I have a confession to make. Before I met you I heard rumours about you. They said you are a man hater. They said you were a nightmare as a partner for a home coming.... But I come to think of it... I really enjoyed my time today. So thank you..."
Levane was touched. No guy would have admitted to that. But Jacob was not just any guy... She decided to also open up. "You know... I really really liked the time I spent with you too. You know when they told me I was paired up with you I wasn't happy. I went to leandro and demanded that he let me come to the home coming alone. He said no... Now... I am glad he didnt let me come alone... Because... Because.... I think I might like you Mr Neuer." She then stood in front of Jacob and wrapped her arms around his neck.
Jacob was shocked. "What?"
Levane said "I said I might like you Mr Neuer... And know this... There is nothing you can say that will change my mind."
Jacob stared into her eyes and took a deep breath. He did not say anything. He just silently slowly took a step away from her as her hands were embracing his neck and Levane felt hurt as she noticed that he just took a step back. She let go slowly.
She then watched Jacob as he then reached his hand to her hand. She felt like her heart was beating faster now. He brought her hand up to his lips and planted a kiss on it.
****
Jean was dancing with Leandro. Leandro had his hands on her hips and she had her hands on his shoulders. Then suddenly her attention was on a girl who was dancing with Nicandro. She stopped dancing.
Leandro said "Jean. Why did you stop?"
Jean let go while staring into the distance.
Leandro said "Jean. Whats wrong?"
Jean let go of Leandro's shoulders and walked away.
Leandro said "Jean. Wait."
Jean walked to Nicandro and Gretchen and stopped next to them.
Leandro reached her and said "This is Nicandro and Gretchen. I take it you have met Nicandro..." His expression then turned to a concerned one "Jean... Why are you crying?"
Gretchen stopped dancing as she noticed a girl was looking at her. She then froze. Seconds went past before realisation hit her. She let go of Nicnadro who was looking between Gretchen and Jean in confusion.
Gretchen and Jean stood looking at each other staring into each other's eyes with unreadable expressions. They then embraced each other tightly as Nicandro and Leandro watched wordlessly in confusion and surprise.