[EnigmaofSorrow]

So Jane managed to join the uniformed group, even though it was mid way through the year.

As expected, her enrolment also meant a large jump in recruitment of guys into what was supposedly a sissy uniformed group. No prizes for guessing why they joined.

So it was either bad luck, or the teacher-in-charge's immense faith in Alex that made him the cadet in charge of getting the new recruits up to speed on all the lessons and tests they missed in the past one and a half years. The main aim was to ensure that all of them were ready to go for, and at least secure a pass for the upcoming basic non-commissioned officers training course that was held in December.

Alex somehow relished the task. It was the first time someone actually placed such a huge responsibility onto his shoulders. It also set the stage for his future leadership role in the uniformed group. Not suprisingly, he roped Ben in to help him, along with another female cadet named Grace.

The rest of the year passed rather uneventfully, and all of the new recruits managed to make it for the NCO training course.

Due to sheer fate or luck or whatever you called it, Jane and Alex ended up in the same section, while Ben was in the same platoon.

As usual, the guys from the other school were besotted by Jane, while the girls were insanely jealous. Alex made sure that nothing untoward happened to her. He was protective of her that way.

During the course, Alex was selected for various leadership roles such as Section IC, Platoon IC and even Course IC. Somehow he felt that maybe someone was torturing him, for it was certainly a lot of work and responsibility, especially for a 14 year old. But he was being assessed all the way, even getting positive appraisals from the instructors and officers from other schools.

After a gruelling 3 day course and 5 day camp where the trainees were put through the various drills and lessons, including an absurdly long hike around Singapore, they finally broke camp.

Alex and Ben were heading out of the school where the camp was held to the bus stop when Jane called out to them.

J: Hey guys. Can I treat you dinner or something? I might not have survived the training if not for your help.

A: Oh. It's ok. It was our duty-

B: Dinner sounds great! How about a kiss too!

A: What the?

Jane dropped her bags and ran up to Ben and kissed him on the cheek. He felt himself go weak in the knees.

B: Woah. Wasn't expecting that.

The horde of boys behind Jane immediately turned away dejected. They were intending to get her number.

J: Come here Alex.

A: What?

He did not move, so Jane went up to him and attempted to kiss him too. In his haste to turn his face away from her to avoid the kiss, her lips accidentally met his. For a full two seconds.

Ben's jaw dropped. Alex's duffle bag dropped from his hand.

The hopes of all the boys behind them dropped as well.

Alex pushed her away slightly.

A: I'm so sorry... I didn't mean for that to happen.

J: I'm not sorry.

She smiled at him.

J: Now how about dinner?

B: Let's go.

The three of them headed off to the bus stop.

Back in the school foyer, Grace felt a sharp pain in her chest. Perhaps her asthma was acting up. It was an unfamiliar ache. A single tear rolled down her cheek. She had been meaning to ask Alex out for the longest time. Now it seemed that her plan had been wrecked by that bitch Jane. She gripped the strap of her bag so tightly that her knuckles turned white, and watched as the three of them walked out of the school gates.