Insert 31

After a long day at school, it was now after school and that meant I was going shopping for my Valentine’s Ball outfit. Mom really came through for me. Kea:” Leaving with Sands again today?” Me:” (Sigh) what’s your deal with Sandile? You’re forever asking me about him? What? Do you like him or something?” I said while packing my bag. Kea:” I’m just looking out for a friend, I’d hate to see Lindo hurt because of you.” Me:” Friend? Wow” I chuckled in disbelief. Kea:” Yeah, friend and friends look out for each other.” Me:” O-kay… Good to know. If you’ll excuse me.” I walked away from her.” Kea:” I’m talking to you Zee!” She yelled. She must be crazy thinking I’m going to engage in whatever feud she has against me. I walked to the gate and my mom was already waiting for me. I rushed over to the car when someone yelled out my name. Goodness I hope it’s not that Keabetswe or else I’m going to lose it. Me:” Yes…” I turned. It was Lindo with her entourage. Lindo:” Hey, I didn’t see you today. Are we fighting or something? I thought we’re patching things up?” Me:” Of course we are, look I’m sorry I haven’t been much of a friend lately. I’ll call you when I get home?” Lind:” Please do, we need to talk about something, and I really need your advice.” Me:” Don’t worry, I’ll call you.” I gave her a hug and waved at the ladies goodbye. I need to fix that friendship, we used to be so close, and I can’t let Kea replace me. She has an agenda and I’m going to find out what it is. I got into the car and mom drove off. Her:” You sure took your time.” Me:” I’m sorry, girl drama, it never stops.” Her:” Are you and Lindo having problems again?” Me:” Not at all, we’re still trying to find each other after our fall out.” Her:” I hope you’ll be able to fix it, she’s truly a good friend.” Me:” Yes she is.” After she said that it made me realize that what I have with Lindo is way more important than what I could have had with Sands. That needs to die before anyone gets hurt. * * * Kea: I think I’m succeeding at driving a wedge against Zee and her friends. She used to be on top of the world and now it’s time for the world to be on top of her. Ain’t nothing sweet like revenge right? I can see that she has forgotten about what she did to me in Grade 9, she will live to regret that day. “Earth to Kea…” Kea:” Oh! Linds, sorry I’m just thinking about the amount of work I have. Matric ain’t no walk in the park.” Lindo:” Right?” Kea:” Yeah.” I was keeping Lindo company until her mom came to fetch her. She was running late and everyone else had already left with their rides so I didn’t want to leave her alone seeing that my house is a walking distance from here, plus I needed to get closer to her. She’s my only way of getting back to Zee and also, I’m like drawn to Sands, so I need to ruin things between them so that I can be his trophy girl. I don’t need these girls, I just need to teach them a lesson. Everyone else will just be a casualty at war.

Lindo:” Thanks for waiting up with me.” She smiled. Kea:” It’s what friends are for, I know you’d do the same for me.” I faked a smile. Lindo:” Tell me… Uhm… What did you mean?” Kea:” What did I mean?” I raised my brow. Lindo:” Yeah, when you asked me if I am sure whether Sands and Zee are just friends?” Kea:” Look Lindo I don’t want to mess things up between you and your best friend…” Lindo:” But if there’s something going on between them then I deserve to know right?” Shame poor girl, she must really be in love with that jerk. When I’m through with her, she will not recover from it. Kea:” I think its best you talk to Zee, I really don’t want to jump to conclusions. They could be friends, but also, they could just be fooling us. I mean, why would Sands get all defensive when we talk about Zee?” Lindo:” Well I never thought about it that way…” She looked down. Kea:” It’s probably nothing but I’m just looking out for you. Looks like mom is here…” I smiled. Lindo:” Finally! Thanks again Kea, you’re a good friend.” We hugged briefly and she went to her mom’s car. After she got in, they drove off. I made my way home.

(At the Mall) Mom:” So what did you in have in mind?” Me:” I don’t know, I was thinking maybe an open-back round neck slim fit dress with a slit up to my thigh black in colour with a touch of gold.” Mom:” That fancy huh?” Me:” I just want to look beautiful, it’s going to be a magical night but…” I looked down. Mom:” But what honey? Of course, you’re going to look beautiful.” Me:” It’s the scars, I don't think I’m ready to reveal them to my peers as of yet.” Mom:” Oh honey, I’m sorry you feel that way. And I’m sorry I’m the reason you have those scars to start with.” She breathed out loud. Me:” No, no, it’s okay mom. We’ve crossed that bridge, I’m sure we’ll find something that will cover up the scars and still get to blow people away.” Her:” That’s the spirit.” She smiled.

We walked into Nicci, I have been told that this boutique has beautiful clothing. I might just find what I want. I was just browsing around and mom was doing the same when I lifted my head and saw dad walking by the store, he was walking hand-in-hand with a brunette white lady, she looked like she was in her early thirties and it seemed like she was pregnant. I didn’t know what to make of what I was seeing and just rushed over to mom, I kept her busy, and making sure she doesn’t look over to the direction where dad and this lady were. Me:” Mom can’t we get a tailor to make a dress for me from scratch?” Mom:” That’s an idea but it’s going to be expensive seeing that there’s only 4 days left.” Me:” I know, I’ll contribute to the costs. I have enough money to assist were I can.”

I had to get mom out of the mall, so any idea that popped up in my head I presented to her but she just didn’t get the hint and we moved from one shop to the next with no luck because I kept rejecting everything she showed me. My head was just not in it, I wanted us out of the mall ASAP. I’m not ready to see what might happen should we bump into dad and that woman again. It’s going to break mom’s heart. Me:” Tell you what… This is pointless, can we just go home?” Mom:” But I thought you wanted to look ravishing…?” Me:” I know but we’ve been here for more than an hour and still, we have nothing…” Mom:” Practice patience dear, we’ll get that one dress, I promise.” She smiled. Me:” I said I want to go home, can we go?” I said that with my teeth brought together. I didn’t want to cause a scene. Mom:” You mind your tone young lady, you’re the one who wants a dress not me.” Me:” I’m sorry okay, I just… I’m just tired and feeling emotional right now. Can we please go?” Mom:” Okay fine. I guess we’ll go to a tailor tomorrow.” Me:” Thank you mom.” Mom:” Don’t you want us to eat first?” Me:” No… we’ll eat at home.” Mom:” Zara are you okay?” Me:” Yes!” I rushed out of the store without looking where I was going and when I turned I bumped into that brunette lady. Me:” I’m so-rr-y” I looked at her straight in the eyes. Her:” No problem love, we were both not looking where we were going.” Me:” Uhm… yeah.” Mom was surely taking her time getting out of the store. Her:” Who are you waiting for? If you don’t mind me asking…” Me:” My mom, she must be held up or something.” Her:” I’m waiting for my fiancé.” She smiled. I choked on my saliva from what she just said, I coughed so hard mom came out running from the store. Mom:” Honey are you o-ka…” Brunette:” Oh! She’ll be fine.” She said rubbing my back. Mom:” Get your filthy hands off my daughter!” O-kay… does mom know this lady? Brunette:” Excuse me, I was merely trying to help Ms.” Mom:” its Mrs to you!”

“Honey I found the baby-grower you were talking about.”

That was dad walking towards us, he didn’t notice us at first but as soon as he realized that the brunette lady was standing with me and mom he stopped on his tracks and hanged his head in shame.