Leo was looking intently at Elena. Time had stopped for him. He was thinking hard. How could it be that he was not her type? But he liked her so much. He had never liked any girl before. It hurt a lot to be rejected.

Leandro patted Leandro at the back "Stop waiting for her to change her mind. Give her hell Leo. That's my advice."

Leo saw the fear in Elena's eyes as she visibly shook and took a step back only for her back to come close to hitting the chain of boys on the football team who had formed a circle around her. Leo felt annoyed with that. Why did she look scared? Didn't she trust him to protect her. That hurt his ego too.

Leandro asked "What's it gonna be Leo? Hell? Or limbo treatment."

Leo had enough. His eyes were on Elena as he said "Neither. Nobody is allowed to touch her."

Leandro leaned close to his brother's ear "Is that so? Leo. You let her get away..." He then turned to Elena and took a step towards her which intimidated her and she took a step back. His voice was serious and threat was behind each word "Advice for you, hippie girl ... keep out of my way or you will get hurt. The day my brother removes his protection from your side I will skin you alive." He then walked away.

Leo knew his brother was going to be like this. But he was certain his brother was not going to hurt her. Not while he had eyes for her. Leo turned to his team "Guys... I will join you for breakfast later. Now leave us please. I need to talk to Elena... alone." He emphasised on the last word like it was an order.

The boys were not happy and were giving Elena disapproving looks but didn't comment. All of them couldn't wait to see Elena fall. They were liked a team of brothers. If one brother fell they all supported him.

As the boys left, Elena hugged her arms around herself and looked around "Why did you do it?"

Leo didn't reply and just looked at her as he had his hands in his pocket. He started pacing the ground while looking at her. He was silently looking at her and thinking about what it all meant. He finally breathed " I don't think you understand how much you mean to me... I see now .... You don't like me. Who do you want me to be? What do I need to be for you to like me? Who is your type?"

Elena sighed and looked up " I want you to tell me why first... Why didn't you let your brother hurt me? Your friends... all of them wanted to see a show of power... why did you not give them what they want... You are not my type because ... of what you do and not because of who you are... I can't be with a bully..."

Leo raised an eyebrow and stopped pacing the ground "I am not a bully. But I am not a door mat. You want people to walk all over me? Do you? That won't ever happen. I am sorry if you don't like me. I wish you tried. You don't even want to give me a chance... Thanks for being honest. That's why I like you..." He then gave her a sad smile and walked away towards the cafeteria.

Elena sighed and turned "Wait. Leo."

Leo stopped and turned to her "Yes. Elena."

Elena looked away and then took a deep breath "I have guitar practice sessions and I need to help the cheer leaders... I guess we could get a soda after school tomorrow..."

As she looked at him, Elena was surprised at how his expression didn't change. He looked indifferent.

Leo shook his head "Look. You don't have to grab a soda because of my brother's threats or my team giving you funny looks. I will talk to them afterwards. They must keep their opinions to themselves. I won't ever let them hurt you. So don't worry. Don't feel obliged to go out with me when you don't like me... see you later..."

As he was about to leave, Elena said quickly "No. it's not that... I think you are right. I should get to know you and not judge you based on what I know so far about you... I will go out with you but for one soda tomorrow..."

Leo looked up at the skies and sighed. He then looked at her "I told you. No one will hurt you as long as I breathe. Ignore my brother. I will talk to him..."

Elena took a step towards him "It's not because of threats."

Leo wasn't content. He said "I am not convinced. I don't force girls to date me. It's not who I am and what my family stands for. You are doing it because you are scared... You don't have to." He then turned and walked away.

Elena felt awful. What did she need to do? She walked to him and blocked his path " I am not getting a soda with you because I have too... I do it because ... I want to know you now. I am curious..."

Leo couldn't believe why she had changed. He didn't want to hopeful "What? Why did you change your mind?"

Elena explained "Maybe ....Maybe I figured you wrong... Maybe you are not just a bully and there is more to you... You ... stood up for me... No one has ever done that for me before... You are always the one who stands up for me and protects me but after that I have rejected you I thought you will throw me to the wolves. But you didn't... I was wrong about you. I can't shake off the fear I had but you made me ... feel safe...Thank you."

Leo was shocked. She was actually going on a date with him.

She looked around "I see you after school tomorrow. I will buy the soda to say thank you..."

Leo was about to reply but then heard whistles from above him. He saw some of his football team members making whistles and cheers. They had over heard their conversation as they were close to the building. He walked towards them and told them to stop and when he turned he saw that Elena was gone. She had ran away. He turned to his team as whistles and cheers were getting louder. He turned to the building and shouted threats at his team to back off. They normally went to the second floor when they wanted sporty breakfast and to chill.

The team reported to Leandro who wasn't interested. He didn't see his brother's friendship to last long with a hippie. She just was too wild to be his brother's girl in his view.

Leandro was having breakfast with some of his team members who had stayed on the first floor. He was at the same long table as jean. Her brother was sitting next to her.

Finally Jacob turned to Leandro "Could you pass me the milk please?"

Leandro slided the milk towards him. He watched Jacob add some more milk to jeans cereal bowl. He then turned to Leandro. "When do they close the cafeteria? Flower pot likes to take her time with breakfast. She eats slowly."

Leandro said "They will keep it open as long as jeanelle's breakfast takes."

Jacob didn't doubt that. This guy meant business. He sighed and rubbed Jean's arm "You heard that flower pot. You don't need to rush. Ok?"

Jean nodded. She was looking down trying not to look at Leandro. She was feeling the pressure. Everyone was looking at her wherever she went. There were whispers. Jacob had informed her that everyone knew she was important to Leandro but they didn't know specifically why and they didn't want to know why. At least that meant they weren't going to ask her any questions. She wasn't sure how to describe his relationship with Leandro. He had been kind to her. He had let her practice her music in his prestigious club and was so patient. As long as he didn't expect anything in return she was fine. There was nothing she could give him. She didn't know why he was so nice to her. She wasn't special. She was so normal in her view. With the wealth, popularity and power that he had based on what she had heard, she expected him to be trying to get closer someone like himself. Jean could see how much people feared Leandro and couldn't connect it to the side of himself he had shown her. No one was looking at Jean while Leandro had entered. Everyone had their head down minding their own business. It made her relieved in a way but this showed how much he had an impact.

Leandro was looking at jean intently. He noticed how quiet. When jean left to go to the ladies room, Leandro asked "Why is your sister so quiet?"

Jacob said "Why don't you ask her?"

Leandro raised an eyebrow and stared him down. That made Jacob chuckle "Of course. You are the dean. I am not meant to question you..." He then saw Leandro stand up.

Leandro said "Do you want me to show you some manners outside?" He showed his fist to him threateningly.

Jacob put his hands up "Alright. I see the point. I didn't mean it to offend you. There is no need to turn violence my here. Flower pot likes peace at breakfast." He then glanced at the ladies room hoping his sister wasn't coming back yet. He didn't like to stress her out.

Jacob sat down "Answer my question then."

Jacob sighed "Just give my sister a week at least to breathe. She is new here. She is overwhelmed with all the attention she is getting after you told your people to spread word she is special to you..."

Leandro asked "What do you mean? What kind of attention?"

Jacob said "When we walked in here people looked at her like they had seen a ghost."

Leandro narrowed his eyes "People need to back off from jean. It's good if they know their place."

Jacob said "They stare."

Leandro asked "Who stared at her? Just give me their names and I will deal with them. I will give you a pocket size note pad later. Just keep watch and write their names. I don't tolerate disrespect ..."

Jacob sighed "It's not the point. I am not complaining and neither is jean. People are curious. It's just that you asked how Come age is quiet. I am telling you why. It takes time to get used to this unorthodox school and it's unconventional students."

Leandro said "Who are you calling unconventional and unconventional? We live by American values here and catholic values. This reminds me. You left the daily Mass timetable for this term in the changing rooms." He reached into his pocket and took out small size booklet. He handed it to Jacob "Today's mass is at 5.30. Don't be late."

Jacob took the booklet from him "Thank you. You are an observant captain... Your brother told me about why you took over the football team even though you don't want to talk about it. The other team is gaining ground. Are they? Your cousins? You need more recruits."

Leandro said "The stakes are high. Michangelo's brother is a good friend of mine. I thought he would join us. We will see. He might join his brother's school. If he doesn't join us, then ... I will have to get some transfer students... The talents we have this year are not as amazing as you."

Jacob was shocked to hear him compliment him "Excuse me? Was that a compliment?"

He stood up and walked around the table to Jacob and towered over him "You are better than I thought. In practice you were pretty fit. I wonder what your strength is like. How much weight do you lift at the gym?"

Jacob said "Weights? Gym? I dont lift weights. I made my muscles by working at my family's ranch over years. Us, country boys don't do gym unlike you city boys... What's the next question? My diet? It's 100% home grown beef and ..."

Leandro patted on his shoulder "I will test you in action... Don't worry. No more questions for now." He then walked away.

Jacob said to himself "Do I want to know what the test is? Unorthodox..."

Leandro had decided to go get a drink. He went to the drink dispensing machine that was next to the door. But before he could get a drink he saw his brother enter. As the door opened, the two brothers faced each other.

Leo closed the door soundly and whispered "What is your problem with Elena? She is my girl."

Leandro said "She sure doesn't act like it."

Leo said "She will see me tomorrow. She is coming around."

Leandro said "I heard. I will be watching. If she leads you on, then she must face the consequences..."

Leo watched his brother walk away. He didn't think his brother was going to warm up to his girl any time soon. Elena was not liked by Leandro. Everyone knew that. He was the obstacle in Leandro's way that stopped his brother from putting her in her place or so Leandro claimed.

That morning was going to be eventful. It was sports morning and more trials were coming up. The boxing trials were one to watch. Everyone wanted to see who Leandro floored or rather who dared challenge him. To join the elite boxing club Leandro took on the challengers. It was fun to watch and people grabbed pop corn even. But it wasn't fun for the person being put on trial.

As Leo entered the arena, he scanned the names. He was contemplating putting up his name or not. Leandro wasn't going to fight him. That was for sure. He saw Jacob neuer joining him. They were both looking at the names.

Jacob turned to Leo "Are you signing up?"

Leo said "I am tempted to sign up."

Jacob shook his head at him "Don't. You don't want to do that. He won't beat you up. I am pretty sure. Brothers don't beat each other like how they do in the rink."

Leo said "But how do you know? You don't have a brother."

Jacob shrugged "I have a sister."

Leo said "It can't be the same. But I get your point. I want to put my name down. Leandro won't treat me like others but not because he doesn't want too... My parents won't like it..."

Jacob said "Well...Your parents sound reasonable."

Leo chuckled at the irony. "They are."

The boys sat on the stands. As they watched the matches no one was selected. Everyone were knocked out within seconds. They were going to have a retrial for anyone who lasted longest and were knocked out after longer than a minute at least but the candidates were on the same level. No one was close to the standards Leandro wanted for the club.

Leo said "The football trials are next. I need to go prepare the pitch before Leandro gets there... Vice captain has to do it all."

Jacob said "I will join you later."

As Leo left the building seconds later, Jacob narrowed his name at the name that was added to the list as a kid was dragged in. It was Elena's brother, Eliot. The boys had forcefully written his name and were pushing him on the rink.

Jacob wasn't happy with this. He noticed how when Leo was not around and this was the way to get back at Elena for leandro's gang. He got on the rink and stood in front of the boy who was pretty skinny and scared. He didn't look like a boxer. "I don't think he should box. He forfeits."

Leandro eyed him "Get off the rink. He can't back out unless someone takes his place..."

Jacob started taking off his jacket.

Leandro raised an eyebrow "You can't be serious."

Jacob wore boxing gloves and told the boy to get off the rink who gratefully obeyed and stood around watching his saviour facing the mighty Leandro.

Leandro was leaning to the rink fences "Any last words Neuer? Is it your German side that's crazy or your American side?"

Jacob said "Both actually." He watched Leandro carefully who walked towards him "Your funeral."

The boys circled each other. The room had gone totally silent.

Jacob was fast. Leandro could see how he was good at escaping the hits.

Leandro said "Attack me. Go on. See what I do."

Jacob was a survivor in the rink. He could tell Jacob was avoiding attacking. That kid had much more strength than just playing defensive. So he tried to rile him up. Leandro tripped him over with his feet making him fall down.

Jacob fell down on his back and frowned "What kind of boxing is this? This is on." He stood up and did attack.

Leandro had the best boxing match he ever had. No kid had ever given him such big challenge. He could hold his own. He didn't box like a boxer. He was a fighter. He was just fighting to remain on the rink and not get knocked out.

Leandro got a good shot at Jacob's head and he fell down. But he wasn't knocked out. But officials stopped the match announcing time was up.

Leandro said "We can continue this later..." He offered his hand to Jacob to take. Jacob thought of what kind of fighter he had faced. The most defensive and dangerous kid he had met. He hoped flower pot didn't hear about it. His sister didn't like it when he fought.

Leandro said "Congratulations. You passed the selection. You will be on the fight to die squad with me."

Jacob grabbed his coat not even wanting to know what that meant but then was given a badge. Leandro put it on his chest.

As he left the rink without a word he wanted to leave quietly not really wanting to be a fighter. But then he experienced a similar kind of situation as his sister. People were staring and whispering. Just then he heard Leandro's voice from the rink "Fun Fact.... Neuer's nickname was "the wall" in his old school. No one can floor the wall..." He then laughed at his own joke.

This only made people whisper more. "Did you see how he was fighting?" "Who is this kid?" "He will be Leandro's deputy I tell you when he announces the positions ..." "Keep out of his way people if you want to live..."

He then walked to the exit and crowd parted for him. He whispered "Thanks a lot man. That's just what I need. More attention." He didn't know where he found his old nickname. Nothing escaped these people. Where was this place.