Mr Lopez looked up at me as I entered the room.

"Ah, yes, Benjamin Walker. Have a seat." he said cordially.

I sat myself down.

"So what do you want to discuss?" I asked, leaning forward.

He took out five photographs from a cream-coloured enveloped he held under his arm and spread them out.

I glanced at them.

The five recruits and their names written on the photographs in an elegant cursive.

Dayna, Donovan, Nick, Corrine and... wait, what?

Janelle?

My heart pounded in my ribcage as I took in the pretty smiling girl with chocolate brown eyes staring at me.

Aw, sorry El.

Mr Lopez noticed me glancing at Janelle's picture.

"What's wrong with that one?" he nodded his head to Janelle's picture.

I shook my head.

"Thought I saw her around before." I commented, trying to put on the 'cool as a cucumber' act.

He raised his eyebrows but nodded.

"They will all be coming around tomorrow. Benjamin, you have to choose Janelle."

I blinked, stunned.

"Why?" I asked.

Mr Lopez shrugged.

"She's the best fighter amongst all of them. She's in judo for her enrichments, and she fights like a pro. She'll cope the best with the strenuous training under you."

I nodded. 

"Fine by me. Just... my girlfriend's gonna be jealous." I replied.

Mr Lopez winked.

"We'll work it out later." he commented and that was that.