Insert 29

Zee: Oh how I hate Tuesdays, getting out of bed was a drag and the fact that I didn’t even know what I was going to wear since it was V-Day made my laziness worse than I already was. Good thing the ball was Friday, I still hadn’t bought my ball gown as of yet because I didn’t think I was going. I’ll have to talk to mom about it, hopefully she will say yes to buying me an outfit just for the day. I took a long deserved warm bath, my body was tense and I just felt exhausted. After I was done bathing, I dried, lotioned and wore my favourite lingerie. I need to stock up on new lingerie, a lady can never have enough lingerie, and I’m just a fan of matching underwear. I wore a high-waist black jean, torn at the knees, with a long sleeved printed top. I just wore a button less knitted jersey on top. I did my make-up, all natural. Shaped my eyebrows and put on berry blast lipstick. I don’t have time for that red and white fiasco, that shit is for the grade 8s. I went downstairs after I was done with everything and found mom preparing breakfast. Today I am a bit early so I have time to sit and eat with her. Me:” Mother.” Her:” Young lady.” Me:” How did you sleep?” Her:” Better than most nights, you?” Me:” Quite well actually.” Her:” That’s good dear.” She smiled. She dished up for me and sat next me and we ate in harmony. Me:” So my beautiful mother…” I grinned. Her:” Oh! What do you want now?” Me:” So like there’s a Valentine’s Ball on Friday and this guy from school, Amogelang asked me to be his Valentine’s date.” Her:” That’s great honey, one day at school and you already scored yourself a date? I’m glad someone asked you.” Me:” Well yeah, me too. I have one tiny winy problem though…” I squinted. Her:” Which is?” Me:” I don’t have an outfit…” I whispered. Her:” What? Speak up I can’t hear you.” Me:” An outfit, I don’t have one.” Her:” So you want to go buy something?” Me:” Yeah, well if you have money but I can always look for something in my closet.” Her:” Don’t be silly, we’ll go get you something after school. I’ll come fetch you.” Me:” Serious?” I jumped up in excitement. Her:” Yes, no daughter of mine will go to a ball in a pair of jeans.” Me:” You’re the best ma, thank you.” I kissed her on the cheek and took an apple for the road. Me:” I have to go ma, I don’t want to be late for school considering that I’ll be taking a taxi to school from today.” I rushed to the door. Her:” What do you mean taxi? What happened to your friend?” Me:” Long story, we’ll talk over dinner?” She nodded and I left. I get a weekly allowance from dad so I have to pass by the ATM to withdraw taxi money for the week. As I was walking towards the Stop sign, Sands pulled up on the side, like this guy is just on another level of crazy. Him:” (Inside the car) so what do you call this?” Me:” Trying to get to school, what else could it be?” Him:” Get in and let’s go.” Me:” No… Who are you to tell me what to do?” I raised my brow. He stopped the car and got out. He stood in front of me and grabbed my arm. That grip was pretty tight. Me:” You’re hurting me Sandile.” Him:” Get in the car now, or else…” Me:” Or else what? I’m not your girl Sandile, you don’t get to order me around and grab me like this.” I shouted. I yanked my hand from his grip, it hurt but I was not going give him the satisfaction of knowing that he hurt me. Him:” Okay, look I’m sorry, really sorry. Please come with me, just for today and we can talk about this on our way to school, please?” Me:” Sandile what do you want from me? You made your pick and it was your choice, nobody forced you to it. Now live with your decision please and leave me out of it.” Him:” I know but please hear me out? You’re going to be late considering that the taxi you’re going to catch now is going to town first…” Me:” Arg! Fine! It’s for today only, ksasa please don’t come.” He opened the door for me and went to his side and drove off.

Him:” Zee I’m really sorry that you found out about me and Lindo the way you did. I was planning to tell you but I just couldn’t find the right time.” Me:” Yeah because your tongue was down my throat the entire time!” I shook my head. Him:” You know that’s not true. I love you Zee and I want to be with you.” Me:” (Chuckled) are you being for real right now? You know I never took you for a nut-head but you’re definitely proving me wrong.” Him:” Yes I am crazy, crazy in love with you.” Me:” That line is not going to work on me Sandile. You preach love but you still went to ask my friend out. How am I supposed to deal with this whole thing? Did you even tell her that we’ve had our moments? Does she know about you and me besides us being friends? How do you suggest I act around her, heck how do I even act around the two of you together? Did you stop to think about all that when you did what you did? If you asked me, Sandile Hlathi you are selfish!” I looked out the window, I was getting mad by the minute and he just had to take me there. His not being fair at all, not on me or Lindo. Him:” Zara I’m sorry. I’ll end things with her.” Me:” Do whatever makes you happy but do not do it on my account.” We got to school and the mood in the car was sour. I don’t know what Sandile expected from this ride but he didn’t get his way. I got off the car as soon as he stopped, I didn’t want to walk with him or talk to him. I just wanted him as far away from me as possible, pity he is in my friend’s life so I might see more of him here at school than expected.

I saw Kea and Lindo standing next to the assembly area, I headed straight to where they were. Me:” Morning…” Them:” Good Morning Zee.” Me:” Lindo you’re early today.” Lindo:” Eish mom had an early meeting, as you can see by the way I’m dressed. She literally dragged me out of the house. Serves me right though because she did tell me last night to prepare everything as we will be leaving super early but then because I’m me, I didn’t prepare anything in hopes that I’ll wake up earlier than usual but I overslept, stupid phone was off…” Me:” (Laughs) Lindo though, you’re too much do you know that?” Lindo:” Eish friend you have no idea, even Sands can’t handle my craziness at times.” Me:” Uhm… (Clears throat) who would?” I faked a smile. Kea eyed me and raised her brow, I don’t know what her deal is. I need to be careful around her. “Can we talk?” I turned around and it was Amo, he stretched his hand out to me and I gave him mine. Me:” Excuse me ladies.” Them:” Woo…” I just blushed, they are so silly. We walked to the canteen and stopped there to talk. Me:” So what do you want to talk about?” Him:” About last night. I didn’t mean to be rude…” Me:” Rude? You were nothing close to being rude Amo. If anything, I’m the one who’s supposed to be apologizing. You didn’t deserve that.” Him:” Yeah but still, I said some harsh things and you didn’t deserve that considering what you’ve been through.” Me:” Actually I’m grateful for what you said to me, all the things you said were true. I did some introspection and all I can say is that I’m on my way to recovery.” Him:” That’s good Zee, so why don’t we start over then?” Me:” I’d like that.” I smiled. Him:” Good.” He winked. Me:” Hi, I’m Zara, Zara Fonté.” I stretched out my hand. Him:” Hey beautiful, I’m Amogelang Qubeka but you can call me Amo.” Me:” Nice to meet you Amo.” Him:” Likewise.” We shook hands and squeezed in a hug. That moment was magical. Amo is actually a nice guy underneath all that pride. With that said the siren went and it was time for assembly.