Insert 26

Zee: The siren went signalling after school, it couldn’t have went at a better time than this. I thought this was going to be the best day ever but what do you know, it looks like my whole life is going sour right now. I walked with Kea to where Sands had parked his car, I didn’t want to go with him but he is my ride and I don’t have enough money to take a cab. Kea:” So tell me, what’s going on between you and Sands?” She looked at me. Me:” Nothing, why would you think there’s something there?” Kea:” I don’t know, it’s just that after you rushed off during break he became distant and Lindo was furious with him.” Me:” I have no idea what you’re talking about and besides I didn’t know they were dating, only found out today so why would I have anything to do with him being distant?” Kea:” Ke hobane’ng ha u tsamaea le eena?” She raised her brow. Me:” In case you didn’t notice, I’m mixed race and I don’t know all 11 official languages okay and my mom is Zulu.” Kea:” Oh! My bad, so why are you traveling with him?” Me:” Look Kea, Sands and I are friends and we became friends way before he and Lindo started dating, hence I know nothing about them dating. Is everything clear now?” She’s starting to annoy me with all these questions. We only became friends today and now she’s all up in my business. She needs to chill gosh! Kea:” Yeah, of course.” Me:” Good! Bye.” I walked away from her before she could say anything. I’m not in the mood for her thousand questions right now, I feel like I am going to regret asking her to be my friend.

Sands found me waiting for him and we was walking with Lindo. I really hope we are not going together, I’m not about to be a third wheel. Lindo:” Zee my Zee…” She smiled. Me:” Chom chom…” I faked a smile. Lindo:” I hope his treating you well?” She said pointing at Sands. Me:” Of course, he is a gentle-guy this one.” Lindo:” That’s good. So when are you going to start traveling with me and mom?” Psssh! She’s crazy this one, thinking that I’ll just go with her and her mom after our fall out? No! I think she’s just jealous and want to keep me away from her pretty little boyfriend. Girls with insecurities though… Me:” Uhm… No don’t worry about me I’ll be taking a taxi from tomorrow onward, well more like until my mom is able to come pick me up.” Sands:” I don’t mind going with you until that time comes…” Lindo gave him a nasty stare, I could tell that she was not about to have it. I understand her jealousy though and where she’s coming from, so I don’t want to make her feel like she’s competing with me when I’m not even in the race. Me:” No, it‘s okay Sandile. Look… From your girlfriend’s perspective it only makes sense that you travel with her and not me. Like how is it going to look when I’m always in your car, occupying the front seat and I’m not even your girlfriend, while your girl is going with her mom? I don’t want to be seen as that girl…” Lindo:” Yeah right? Like baby it makes sense.” Sands:” Yeah, whatever…” He said getting in the car. Lindo:” Look friend, I’ll see you neh. Travel safe.” She gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek. She walked away swaying her hips from side to side. Who would’ve thought I’ll see this day where my very own friend, best friend that is, would be jealous of me? Sands opened the car door for me from the inside, I got in and he drove off. Sands:” Look… uhm…” (Phone ringing) Me:” Hold that thought…” I gave him the finger and answered my phone, it was Tebo.

Over the phone: Me:” You’re early?” I smiled. Him:” Hey, where are you?” Me:” On my way home.” Him:” Already? You didn’t even say goodbye?” Me:” Sorry I was in a rush. How could I be of service to you Mr Tau?” I blushed. Sands was so mad I could tell by the way he was speeding and the glances he stole, he was even clenching his jaw. He has no hold over me, he needs to get over himself. Him:” I love it when you call me that, you should say baba next time.” Me:” (Laughing) don’t push it.” Sands:” (Whisper) do you mind?” I rolled my eyes at him. Me:” Look Tebo I have to go. Call me tonight before I go to bed?” Him:” You know damn right I will. Bye beautiful and please think about what I said…” Me:” Bye, bye.” I hung up smiling. Sands:” You have the nerve yaz!!!” He clenched his jaw. Me:” Excuse you?” I raised my brow. Sands:” What do you call what you just did Zee?” Me:” It’s called conversing with a friend!” I rolled my eyes. Sands:” You don’t disrespect me like that Zara!!!” Me:” Disrespect? You want to lecture me about disrespect? Well mister player guy, disrespect is what you did to me during break… How could you two time me and my friend?” I was furious. Sands:” I didn’t two time anyone, as far as I’m concerned you and I are nothing but kissing friends!” Hearing him say that cut through my heart. My throat dried up immediately and tears welled up in my eyes. I blinked them away and just focused on the road. Suddenly the drive to my house seemed like it was taking forever. I just kept quiet, I have nothing to say to him right now or ever. Sands:” Look, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. It came out wrong. You and I have a good thing going, let’s not mess it up by complicating it by giving it a label.” He tried to hold my hand but I pushed his away. Who does he take me for? I will not do that to my friend. We might not be that close but I will not became a Busi. Me:” Just drive!!!” * * He pulled up by the gate. I took my bag and got out. Me:” Thanks. And please don’t bother picking me up tomorrow or any other day for that matter!” I slammed the door and walked away. I might not know the principles of dating but I will not let a guy use me like that. I know my worth and Sands is not it. I might feel something for him but I have to get rid of these feelings, maybe I should give Tebo and me a chance… It won’t hurt trying right? And, if we fail at this relationship thing then I’ll be content knowing that I tried.