Insert 24

2 weeks later Zee: I am finally going back to school. I have been waiting for this day since like forever and here I am going back to school the day before Valentine’s Day, now that I am not looking forward to. Sands is picking me up today, things are pretty much the same between us, still kissing and all but we’re not dating. I have not reached out to Lindo and Livia ever since we patched things up that day at the hospital but I’m definitely planning on meeting up with them today during break and Tebo is still busy asking me out but I honestly don’t know how to turn him down without losing his friendship. From today onward I’ll be wearing my school pants, long sleeve school shirt, pull-over and blazer. I am not ready to reveal my scars to the world as off yet, I still need to regain my self-esteem now that I have scars all over my body.

(Message alert) Sands: Ready for school? Me: (Blushes) Of course, you know how hyped I was about going back to school yesterday, so bring it on honey. Sands: Unbelievable… You’re actually happy you’re going back to school? Me:” Babe I am, I need to finish my matric and get out of this hell whole.” Just to fill you in a little bit about what’s been going on in the home front, dad has not been sleeping home for the past week, I don’t know why but mom told me that his gone on a business trip and that his coming back next week. I didn’t buy that story because she cries herself to sleep almost every night and no, she still doesn’t want to open up to me. She’s broken, hence I want to finish matric and get out of here. Sands: Come let’s get going… Me: Coming…

I rushed down the stairs after I fixed myself up. Found mom downstairs having breakfast. Me:” I am on my way to school” Her:” And breakfast?” Me:” I’ll grab something on the way.” She nodded. Her:” When am I meeting that boy who keeps coming and going?” Me:” Not any time soon mom, we’re just friends.” Her:” I still want to meet him…” Me:” Of course, bye.” I kissed her on the cheek and left.

Sands opened the car door for me from inside, he was playing some nice music to set the tone for such a lousy Monday. Me:” Honey…” I smiled. Him:” My beautiful queen, I missed you.” He leaned in for a kiss, it lasted for a while before I pulled away. Me:” Missed me that much huh?” Him:” You have no idea.” He smirk. Me:” Such a naughty boy. So what have I missed out on at school?” Him:” Nothing really, same old Erusmaskloof.” I nodded and focused on the road. The ride to school was quite fun actually, we made small talk and he shared a few jokes which made me laugh. Sometimes I wonder why he hasn’t asked me out yet, I really feel like I am falling deeply in love with him. I want to ask him out but I’m scared it might ruin what we have. Him:” Welcome back to Hoërskool Erusmaskloof.” He smiled. Me:” Well, thank you mister.” I smiled back. He came to open the door for me, I took my schoolbag and he walked me to my classroom. Him:” When am I seeing you?” Me:” I don’t know, you tell me?” I blushed. Shit I’m whipped. Him:” I’ll make a plan, see around.” He winked. I couldn’t stop looking at him as he walked away. I can’t believe I’m falling for him.

“Look at what the cat has dragged in…” I turned to look at who that was… Me:” Busi, happy to see that you’re still alive and kicking…” I said as I walked into the classroom to put my bag before leaving for assembly. Her:” We really missed you, must’ve hit your head hard huh?” Me:” Sarcasm my love, doesn’t really suit you. Now excuse me.” I pushed her to the side and walked to assembly as the siren had already went. Announcements were made and it was time for the rose ceremony, I wish I could just go to class since I won’t be receiving anything seeing that I was not at school for the past 4 weeks so no one had an idea that I’ll be back today. A lot of the matric girls were called up, even Lindo, I wonder who wants to be her Valentine’s. I’ve really missed out on what’s going on in her life, we honestly need to sit down and catch up, she could be dating someone here at school for all know… “Zara Fonté” Wait did I just hear my name being called up? “Is Zara at school today?” Everyone turned to look at me, gosh! What a way to be noticed, really! I walked up to the front and received my rose. I wonder who the mystery guy is. I hope its Sands, maybe his finally going to ask me out. A smile crept up on my face as I thought about how Sands is going about this the romantic way. Finally I am going to me Mrs Hlathi.

After assembly we all went to our respective classes. I caught up with Keabetswe, I needed to start some form of friendship with her, plus she’s really a nice girl. Me:” Hey Kea.” I screamed out to her. She turned and looked at me. She looked rather surprised when she noticed that it was me who was calling her. Me:” Hey, thank you for waiting up.” I smiled. Kea:” It’s not a problem.” She shyly looked down. Me:” And then? Why are you shy?” Kea:” Uhm… Come on you’re Zara, one of the popular girls here at school and you’re talking to me.” Me:” Is that a problem? Excuse me, did I miss something?” I raised my brow. Kea:” Girls like you don’t talk to girls like me, well we never grab your attention even if we tried.” She frowned. Me:” Well here I am giving you my attention, I’d like for us to be friends?” Kea:” O-kay… But why?” Me:” Just… I mean, I’ve had the same friends since grade 8. I need new people in my life and would like for you to be one of them. So would you please give me the honour of having you as friend?” Kea:” Uhm… Yeah, of course. Why not?” Her eyes were sparkling with tears. Me:” Well here’s to new friendship. Yeay!!!” I hugged her. Me:” Thank you.” Kea:” No, thank you. Look at me crying…” She said wiping away the tears. Me:” Oh my Kea, come on don’t cry.” I cried too. We walked together to class since we were doing the same subjects. When we got to class Amo was sitting on my chair. Me:” Kea I’ll see you around. I need to deal with him. Don’t be a stranger.” I winked at her. She went to her sit, she’s a front rower. She’s a nerd. Me:” And then wena on my chair?” I folded my arms. Him:” Is that the way you greet your Valentine’s ball date?” He smiled. Me:” No you didn’t?” I was shocked to say the least. Now, that I did not expect. I really thought it was Sands. Him:” Why are you so shocked? Were you expecting the rose to be from someone else?” Me:” Uhm… No, na-ah, like psssh no…” I looked down. Him:” Are you okay?” He raised his brow. Me:” Yeah… Why wouldn’t I be?” I cleared my throat. My throat was drying up, tears were building up in my eyes. I wanted to cry so badly. Why couldn’t it be Sands who asked me to the ball? Like he knew I was coming back today. Does he not want us to me more than friends? Him:” So Zee will you be my Valentine?” He smiled. His so cute when he smiles, in that moment a tear escaped my eye and I had to play it off and pretend I was crying because he asked me to be his Valentine’s date. Me:” Uhm… Yeah, thank you Amo. That’s really sweet of you.” I sobbed. Him:” O-kay… Zee it’s not that much of a big deal. It’s just a ball, it’s not like I’m asking you to marry me or something.” Shame, the awkwardness Amo is feeling right now. If only he knew the real reason why I was crying. But I can’t tell him that now, can I? It would break his heart seeing that he and Sands are some kind of enemies. I just pulled Amo in for a hug. Me:” I know it’s not a big deal but it is to me, I’m finally going to dance with my knight in shining armour. Now that’s got to count for something right?” I pulled away and smiled at him with tears in my eyes. I must really look dump right about now. Him:” Yeah, sure. I’ll call you later. Bye.” He walked away from me so quickly, I swear I scared him off. If it wasn’t a final thing, he was going to retract his request right away.

Classes proceeded and all my teachers were happy to see me and of course, fishing for news about what really happened. First half of the day went by so quickly and it was now break. I walked with Kea to the canteen, I had invited her to come chill with me and the girls.