"Do you want us to change seats? Maybe you can try driving." Levane said.

He said "You are asking me? Really? But you have it covered. Besides I might crash us. I have never done go karting before."

She said "I can teach you. Are you upto the challenge Neuer?". She winked.  She stopped the vehicle. They swapped seats. She explained how things worked. Jacob quite enjoyed it after that point. She was quite the expert with go karting indeed.

They were busy going over the basic manoeuvres and how the vehicles worked they didnt notice the time went on fast.

Levane noticed the time as she looked at her watch "Oh no. Its time for the second group to come. We may get into trouble. Go slow and no matter what you do dont bump into anyone."

Jacob said "Do you want to swap seats?"

Levane said "I will guide you. Don't worry." Then a vehicle came from behind them. "Go to the left and slow down." 

Jacob panicked and went to the right and pressed the gas. Suddenly their vehicle bumped into the other one.

"Oh no. Thats Lochlan and Maria Angela." She said. She then shouted "Sorry Lochlan" as her brother slowed down to see who the culprits were hitting his vehicle.

Lochlan said as he was driving side to side "Tsk tsk. Jacob needs to watch it."

Just then Jacob swerved to the left and bumped into another vehicle. Levane looked at who they were "Arcangelo and Lavinia. Great. You will get us killed Jacob now." They heard Arcangelo who slowed down and levelled with them "Your road will get bumpier now."

As Arcangelo was going to swerve into their vehicle, Lochlan quickly reacted and got himself to the other side and bumped into Arcangelo from behind. He then sped up. Arcangelo sped up after him. 

Jacob and Levane watched them shout at each other as their vehicles were speeding and bumping into each other from the side. "Stay away from my sister." Lochlan said. 

"Tell your sister to drive next time then. You are lucky my sister is sitting with you Lochlan. Watch it."

As they were arguing other vehicles reached them and they got busy speeding. 

After Jacob and Levane crossed the finished line they found out Leandro and Jean had won the race followed closely by Nicandro, Lochlan and Arcangelo.

After go karting it was time to get some food. 

****

Maria Angela was having a gelato ice cream as Lochlan was having a drink. They were sitting quite far away from the crowd or rather the crowd was sitting away from them. 

Maria Angela said "I have really enjoyed myself so far. How about you?"

Lochlan said "I always enjoy myself when I am with you. You should know that beautiful."

Maria Angela said " Of course. You love spending time with me so much that you have put me on meal times duty with you for an entire month in military school. How can I forget? All because I lost my badge."

Lochlan said "Spending time with me during meal times is not so bad beautiful. Or are you sad you cant spend time with your best friend Lavinia? Is that so?" He narrowed his eyes.

Maria Angela could sense jealousy in his voice. He was even jealous of girls. She sighed "Lochlan. She is my best friend. I like spending time with her at meal times. But you took that away for a whole month. You have a place with me and she has a place with me as a friend."

Lochlan's expression changed. He smiled "So you admit I have a place with you. Thats an improvement in our relationship. Where is my place beautiful?"

Maria Angela said "You know where it is. You are my boyfriend. I even introduced you to my parents as my boyfriend and came willingly to meet your parents as your girlfriend. What I am trying to say is... I am now committed to you."

Lochlan said "You are committed to me? I like that. So am I. I am committed to you too."

Maria Angela whispered "I dont doubt that." He had been committed to her for a very long time now. "If you are committed to me then why dont you dance with me Lochlan. We were the only couple not dancing."

Lochlan said "Beautiful. I dont dance."

Maria Angela said "Then you dont mind me dance tonight during the last dance because I am not going to sit and watch the best part of the night. There is live music by a surprise band."

Lochlan said "Beautiful. I cant dance. You can dance if you want."

Maria Angela said "Maybe its time you let go of your inhibitions."

Lochlan said "Maybe you shouldn't insist beautiful."

****

Levane was having chips as she was sitting opposite Jacob who was also having chips. She said "Whats the next task Neuer? Do you remember what was written on the board of the lobby?" She felt more relaxed talking to this gentle handsomeness. He wasn't being egoistic or at least for now that was the case.  She was getting a good vibe so she let the conversation flow.

Jacob said "Bumper electric cars at the theme park of the hotel."

Levane said "At least thats easier for you."

Jacob said "Am I driving again next? Really?"

Levane said "I like to see you try it. We can take turns with bumper cars. You have a go and the I will have a go. But something tells me some angry captains will make sure we score zero in the electric car challenge. We are not competing but still. I wish not to be last on the leader board. I cant believe you bumped into my brother and Arcangelo today. They never let things go you know. Watch it in the next task."

Jacob said "You reckon they will be mad at me bumping into them? It was unintentional."

Levane said "They are always mad. They never forgive and forget."

Jacob asked "How about you? Do you ever forgive and forget?"

Levane said "What do you think?"

Jacob said "I saw what you did to Sinead and I saw what you did to some boys at the game back when I first saw you at my school when you came to visit survival camp. Thats why I ask... do you actually ever let things go?"

Levane said "I told you. Sinead is. especial case... To answer your question... It depends. Yes and no. I do let things go. But I never give up. We dont learn how to be defeated in military school. Defence and offence is what we live by."

Jacob sighed "Oh. I have heard about the infamous military schools. Their approach is bit extreme from what I hear. Don't you ever feel you ever miss out on a typical school experience by going to military school?"

Levane smiled. She was having a serious conversation with Jacob and it was the first time she couldnt see herself be hostile to a boy who was inquisitive. She said "I love military school. You should try it. Actually why dont you join our military school. Its fun. You can see first hand that there is no such thing as extreme. You will change your perspective."

Jacob said "Nicandro and Arcangelo also have tried to recruit me for military school."

Levane said "I bet you said no. I dont blame them for trying to snap you up."

Jacob said "Snap me up? What do you mean?"

Levane said "There is fierce competition between the performance of military schools. We all compete in annual contests and manoeuvres. There is one called the sea challenge coming up. All military schools join it. Survival camps can also join because they are part of the syndicate but the participation is voluntary for them and they join different military school teams for the contest scoring. So yeah. Alumni of military schools also join the sea challenge too. Its big and epic. They try to snap you up for their team. You are quite strong but you must hear it alot. I have never seen anyone fight the way you do on the football field too. You are a rare diamond for the military schools to recruit. If I was fighting opposite your team I would be worried."

Jacob said "This whole competitive culture is strange to me. Is there anything the kids around here dont compete for. Ever since I stepped foot in my school, I see rules and competitions."

Levane said "I take it you are not a fan of Mr Preach's rules."

Jacob said "Who is Mr Preach?"

Levane said "Thats my nickname for Leandro. He likes his rules and discipline. Its a Rosario trait. Actually come to think of it, your sister is dating Mr Preach. How are you holding up since he has asked your sister out?" 

Jacob said "Well.. He is ok I guess.  He keeps giving me detention but he hasn't given my sister any detentions so I am relieved about that." He found himself talking honestly with Levane. The goddess asked an honest question and deserved an honest answer. 

Levane laughed "He is strict. I know. So he doesnt give you any special treatment I take it."

Jacob said "Like what kind of treatment? I am treated like everyone else."

Levane said "Thats interesting. I bet his rules forbid special treatment....  But I guess only your sister is immune from his wrath."

Jacob said "But how do you know Leandro this much? You go to a different school."

Levane said "He is well known in my circle. Our families have ties. I have met him alot in family gatherings... Besides our military schools collaborate and he is a captain. So I saw alot of him in manoeuvres and joint activities."

Suddenly there was noise coming from a juke box and music started playing.

Levane covered her ears "What kind of a music is this? I dont like it." 

Jacob watched as she stood up and walked to a group of boys next to the juke box. She shouted from far. "Who put this music on?" They pointed to each other and quickly scattered. It seemed like no one messed with this goddess.  No one wanted to own up to putting on the music when the goddess was raging. 

Levane reached the juke box and changed the music as she said "Boys have no taste in music." It reminded Jacob that she was a girl with a reputation. But she had been so nice just now he felt relaxed around her. She had contrast in her personality. She could be nice but had a tough side.