Chapter Eleven
"Johannesburg "
(Hotel reception).......
The sixteen :... (In work suits, all laying back on the wall in silence).....
The other students:(standing, watching them, talking among themselves).....
Lebana:... (Angry)..... I swear I'll wreck my mum when I get home.....
Martin:(laughs)..... And to think shit wouldn't get crazy cause I was with you....
Lebana :.....
Zara:(angry, sitting between Jhene and Kuffi)..... This is beyond embarrassing....
Kuffi:.....(angry)... It will get worse Zara..... We are moping floors.......... We are in fucking work clothes.....
Jhene:.... (Laughs)..... Why are you two so mad like someone cuffed you to your beds to stay....
Zara:... I was basically cuffed to stay.... Kross forced me to....
Kuffi:.. And me Kameron........ I really wanted to see Mandela's house but he kept on with the begging and I felt like I had to....
Jhene:... Oh......... Marques and I just didn't want to go.....
Zara:......... (Rolls her eyes)......
Marques:..... Shawties looking mad.......
Kross :(sighs)....... She's been mad from earlier.....
Kameron:..... I get Kuffi though, she really wanted to go and I begged her to stay...... And now this has happened.....
Marques:.... At least we're just mopping.......... If the principal knew we were in as couples we would have been expelled.......
Kross:... Zara would have killed me for sure......
Kameron:.......
Marques :.... Wild.
Asani:(next to J'hream)..... Are you mad?......
J'hream :..................(looking straight ahead).......
Asani:....... Okay.
Mrs Style:(walks back in with a sheet of paper and a group of workers).........
Students:(noise increases).......
Mrs Style:..... (Loud enough).... This should be a warning to all of you.............
The sixteen :......
Lebana :.... I can't believe I'll be mopping floors....... I don't even know how to do it......
Martin :..... I'll show you...
Lebana :.... (Rolls her eyes).....
Mrs Style :...... Boys ..... You are more so you pick your partners......... Its two each floor, you leave with a worker they'll show you what to do....... Asani....
Asani:(to J'hream)... Babe?...
J'hream:(gets up in anger, follows a worker with Asani)......
Some students:.... (Taking videos)...
J'hream :(raises her middle finger at them).....
Zara:.... (Rolls her eyes)... Just what I needed...
Mrs Style:.... Marques.....
Marques:(gets up at the same time with Jhene)....
Jhene:... Bye girls...... (She leaves)...
Mrs Style:(calling people out).....
Kameron: are you going to pick Zara?...
Kross:... I feel like she doesn't want that but if I don't it will still be a problem.....
Kameron:(sighs)......
Mrs Style:... Kameron....
Kameron :...... (Gets up, looks at Kuffi)......
Kuffi:(gets up, angry..... Follows him).....
Kross:(looks at Zara).....
Zara:(rolls her eyes and looks away)............
Kross :........
"Ahli house"
Emani:(on her bed, reading an old note).......
London:(walks in slowly)........
Emani:(looks up at her).....
London:.......... (Standing at the door).....
Emani:(starts crying).....
London:(opens her arms out wide)......
Emani:.... (Gets off her bed and rushes in for a hug).....
London:(hugging her)......
"Johannesburg "
(Floor one)......
Guest:(slips almost falls to the ground).....
Marques:(turns the other direction, holding in his laugh).....
Jhene :(holding the mop, looking at Marques also holding her laugh in)....
Guest:(looks at them for a while then enters his room)....
Marques and Jhene:(burst out laughing)......
(Floor two)......
Asani :(sliding on the wet floor)....
J'hream :(laughing, a little irritated).... BABE!....
Asani :(slips and falls down)....
J'hream :(laughing)......
Asani:(smiles)...... It didn't even hurt...
J'hream :... Yeah okay... (Still laughing)........
(Floor three).....
Kameron:(sitting on the floor, leaning against the wall).....
Kuffi:(doing the same on the opposite floor)....... I was a daddy's girl......... I mean he let me do locks, play soccer, play with toy cars and play video games...... Have a navy blue room.
Kameron:.....
Kuffi:.. Everything my mum hated....... She wanted me to be a pink loving type.....
Kameron:....... Where is he?
Kuffi:(shrugs)..... Other family I guess.......
Kameron:(looking at her)....
Kuffi:(looks at the floor).... I think its dry now... (Gets up walking away from the situation)......
Kameron:(watching her...... Gets up).......
Kuffi :(folds her arms, sad).....
Kameron:(hugs her from behind,).... Sorry about your dad......
Kuffi:.......
Kameron:and I'm sorry about today.........
Kuffi:..........
(Floor four)......
Zara:(mopping in silence).....
Kross :(standing watching her, leaned against the wall)
Zara:..... (Stops, looks at him).....
Are you just going to stand there?....(giving him the mop).....
Kross:.... (Walks up to her).... Is there something up?....
Zara:...... (Laughs a bit)....we are really choosing to get ridiculous...
Kross :........ You're mad about something else and you're letting it out all on me.....
Zara:(almost laughing).... That's what I told you?....
Kross :.... That's the vibe I'm getting....
Zara:.... Well let's see........ One you lied about where everyone was going...... I was looking forward to going to Mandela's house but you said that was for Thursday........ Two, you pick out our movie just so you're on your phone for half of it.....
Kross:......
Zara:...... Then... We get in trouble and you act like its no big deal......
Kross :.......
Zara :... Which one of those didn't you do?........
Kross:...... I was texting my mum so....... And I only lied because I wanted to hang out with you.........
Zara:..... We'll we are hanging out again...... Here mopping these floors.....
Kross:.... I'm sorry.
Zara:......
Kross :..... Next time we'll just go for the boring shit then.......
Zara :...... When you get tired I can continue.... (Walks away)....
"That night".....
(Room 12,Zara sitting with Jhene on the bed and Kuffi sitting with Tandeo on the other).......
Zara :I was so angry, I swear I was over the cliff....
Kuffi:.... I was too but we talked and you know he apologized...... I just had to get over it. It happened and I can't reverse it....
Jhene:... We had a blast.......
Zara:I can imagine......
Jhene:..........
Tandeo:.... And I found myself alone, not that you'd have been with me regardless but it felt lonelier.......
Jhene :(awkward).......
Kuffi:........
Zara:...........
Tandeo:... Just continue talking no need for the awkward silence. ........
Zara:(clears her throat)......... Kross and I....... We did it last night.....
Kuffi:(screaming in excitement with Jhene almost getting off the beds jumping).......
Zara:(laughs).......
Tandeo :(gives a fake smile)....
Jhene:(now hugging a pillow ).... So?....... How was it?
Kuffi:(excited)......
Zara:..... Uhm........ He said it would hurt for a while...... But it hurt longer than a while.....
Kuffi:(smiles).... But then it got better right?.....
Zara:(shy)..... Yeah....
Jhene:... I'm so happy for you....
Zara:....... And then..
Kuffi:.. More?..... (Smiles).....
Zara:... I woke up to shower cause you know...... I wasn't for the idea to shower together.......
Jhene:... Bro... His already seen everything....
Zara:yeah..... But I was going to leave it as a one time thing.....
Kuffi :. (Curious).... And then?...
Tandeo:.......
Zara:... He woke up..... And joined me....
Kuffi and Jhene :(have an explosion of excitement)......
Tandeo:.......
Zara:..... Yeah. (Laughs a bit )..... It happened again and that's how he made me stay.....
Kuffi:(smiling weirdly).....
Zara:okay the story is done now so stop that..... (Smiles)......
Jhene:..... I remember my first time....... It was hella weird..... But good though...
Kuffi:who was your first?.......
Tandeo:(laughs a bit)...... Well....
Kuffi:(confused).....
Jhene :.......
Zara:..... (Also confused)...... What? Was it someone weird?....
Tandeo:... No.... Not at all....
Jhene:(to Tandeo)...... Stop please...... (To Kuffi).... It wasn't anyone worth mentioning....
Kuffi:.... Then tell us....
Jhene:......
Zara :....... Now I'm curious ....... Why don't you want to tell us.....
Tandeo:....... I'll just go to the bathroom..... (Leaves chuckling)........
Kuffi :.......
Jhene:...... Kameron was my first......
Kuffi:...(upset)...... Are you being.......... Wait.... Why would you let me get to this point with him without telling me anything?
Jhene:. ….. Because it's not important......
Kuffi:.... He asked me to be his girlfriend....... And I said yes to a boy that dated and fucked my friend......
Zara:.......
Jhene:... I never dated him....
Kuffi:(angry)...... THAT'S EVEN WORSE!........
Jhene:.......
Zara:...... Did you like him?....
Jhene:..... Look it was pressure really....... I don't even count it like that....
Kuffi:.... …(gets up)....... I can't do this....... (Putting her winter boots on).....
Jhene :... Do what?.......
Kuffi:..... Date Kameron......
Jhene:Kuffi you're over reacting......... We didn't have a relationship.....
Kuffi:..... I still can't see this right.......
Jhene :we weren't even friends then....
Kuffi:well we are now...... (Walks out of the room).....
Zara :....... (Shocked)....
Jhene:Do you think I'm the wrong one?.....
Zara:... No.......
Jhene :would you date Kross if him and I had a thing?......
Zara:.... Okay now that you put it like that...... It’s weird....
Jhene:.... These gender codes are just bullshit.... (Storms out of the room).....
Zara:........
"Wednesday morning "
(4:12 am, students getting into the bus).......
Kross :(following Zara)....
Zara:(turns to a seat).....
Kross :... (Sits next to her).....
Zara :(leans her head on his chest)....
Kross :(kisses her forehead)......
Ndasi :(walking Zara and Kross' way)..... (Rolls his eyes).....
Kuffi:(sitting with Tandeo, looking out the window, her air pods on)......
Kameron :(reaches Tandeo)..... Do you mind if I sit here?...
Tandeo:..... (Gets up with no defined expression).....
Kameron:...... (Sits down)......
Kuffi:(sitting looking out the window).....
Kameron :(glances at Kuffi, sighs)......
Jhene:(in her seat, upset).....
Marques:... (Next to her).....you still won't tell me what's up?....
Jhene:......
Marques:...... Okay.
Mrs Style:... I hope everyone is present today.....
Students :(some chuckle to her comment).....
"The next day"
Students:(standing in a single line in the parking lot, all heading to the bus)......
Mrs Style :(holding a bowl with folded papers in it)........ AS YOU WALK ON YOU'LL ALL PICK A BONFIRE ANGEL......
students:(talking among themselves).....
Mrs Style :WHEN WE GET TO THE MALL YOU WILL ALL BUY YOUR BONFIRE ANGEL A GIFT..... DON'T BE CHEAP!.......
students :(get even noisier).....
Mrs Style:(to the first student in the line).... Pick a paper.....
Students:(Starr going in, each picking a paper).....
Kuffi:(in front of Kameron)... (Without turning to face him)... When will you leave me alone ?...
Kameron:.... When you explain to me why you broke us up over a girl code when Jhene and I never dated and when she's fine with us being together...
Kuffi:.... You don't have to get it.....
Kameron:.......
Jhene:(behind Marques)...... "Just tell me, maybe I can help"......
Marques:(upset)........
Jhene :you're not helping.....
Marques:..... (Turns facing her)..... Who else have you slept with?........
Jhene :..... (Folds her arms)... Why?.....
Marques:... Because I want to know just how long this queue is and were I stand in it....
Jhene :......... (Walks passed him to the front of the line)....
Marques:(turns, watches Jhene cut ahead of the line)....
"Ahli house "
Ermias :(watching the house managers packing some of Zara's things)......
London:.. This is the worst approach....
Ermias :... I don't know what else I can do?....
London :.... Talk to her babe....... She will be really angry trust me........
Ermias :....... The centre is well recommend.....
London:..... This is a bad decision......
Ermias :WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO!........ (Suddenly tense)........ YOU HAVEN'T READ IT....... YOU DON'T KNOW HOW SCARED I AM RIGHT NOW FOR MY DAUGHTER!......
House managers:(trying not to pay attention).....
London:.........
Ermias:..... (Sighs).....
London:you shouldn't have told Emani about Linda....
Ermias :.. She wanted to know and I was stressed and tired okay........... I got fed up of the questions....
London :..... Linda abandoned her at the hospital.... Leaving behind a note that you gave Emani to read....
Ermias:...
London:... She is ten years old........... That's never the story she expected.
Ermias :I told her and now...........
London:and now she's mute..... She doesn't eat....... She doesn't play with Vanessa.......... She's hurt babe........
London :.... I get that they are your daughters but some of these decisions you make are nothing a father should make......
Ermias :....
London:(walks away).....
"Johannesburg "
(The mall)........
Kameron :(behind the mall, completely deserted).....
Kuffi:..... (Her arms folded)..... Why did you drag me here?......
Kameron:(calmly)....... I want you.
Kuffi:.........
Kameron :..... Jhene happened two years ago and she only happened because the guys made a big fuss about me still being a virgin.........
Kuffi:......
Kameron:..... I didn't even know her really but we both had something in common and that shouldn't be a barrier for us ......
Kuffi:......
Kameron :(sighs).....I really like you......
Kuffi:..so do I but...
Kameron :no just end there... I like you you like me.....
Kuffi:......
Kameron:(holds her hands)....
Kuffi :(looking up at him).....
Zara:(walking with Kross in the mall, in thought).......
Kross :are you good?.....
Zara:...... Yeah.
Kross:..... I don't get why you do that?........
Zara:... Its no big deal...
Kross :I don't care...... I want to know.
Zara :(sighs)..... My sister told me that some of my things were moved out of my room in boxes......... And driven away by some car....
Kross:...... Why?
Zara:That's what I'm trying to figure out......
Kross:....
Zara:...... I think his sending me to Mauritius slowly......
Kross :....(upset).... Come on. From what you tell me....... He seems like the type who would even die for his daughters happiness .... You're not going anywhere......
Zara:.... (Looking at him)..... Why are getting so defensive?......
Kross :(puts his arm around Zara)...... I just have a strong feeling its not that.....(they both stop)......
Zara:.... Or you just don't want me to leave.....
Kross :.......... Or mostly that.....
Zara:(smiles a bit).......
Kross :..... Don't get all blushed up....
Zara:.... I can't help it.... (They start walking again)......
Jhene:... (In a sports wear shop with Tandeo)......
Tandeo :who did you pick?
Jhene:(in a barely audible voice)........ Marques....
Tandeo:... Awwwwwww...... (Realizes something)..... Oh that must be why you're with me.....
Jhene:(her eyes full of tears, looks at Tandeo)...... No that's not why......
Tandeo:(worried)..... Are you okay?... (Goes closer to her).....
Jhene:..... I just want to go home......
Tandeo:.... They must be a reason......what happened?
Jhene:.... (Shrugs)....(tears roll down her face)......
Tandeo:(hugs her).....
Martin:(walking out of a jewellery store)..... I can't believe you bought Kross' name off that girl.....
Lebana :..... His making me desperate....
Martin:..... Lebana there's many fish in the sea...
Lebana:... And which fish is that....... You?....
Martin:............. Yeah.
Lebana:(laughs).......... Good one gee......
Martin:(laughs along nervously)......
Lebana:...... Do you think the Rolex is enough?.....
Martin:......
Lebana:.... No, I think let's get shoes too..... (Going).....
Martin:..... (Follows sadly)......
"That night"
(Bonfire, most students in their pajamas ).......
Mrs Style:..... (Sitting on a log with a student next to her)...... As you can see the gifts are shuffled up...... I had five people stick names for the order of sitting and put the gift right next to the name...... So I hope you're sitting as set....... (Continues talking)...
Students:... (Talking among themselves ).....
Jhene:(her eyes a little swollen, sitting next to Tandeo)......
Tandeo:..... (To Jhene).... You could have stayed you know.....
Jhene:... Yeah, but today is the last day......I don't want to miss this and regret it later....
Tandeo:.......
Marques:(sitting with Martin, upset)......
Martin:... You okay bro?...... Like you and Jhene?....
Marques:...... Yeah.
Martin:.....
Lebana:(sitting with Roshai, looking at J'hream).....
J'hream :(talking to Asani)....
Mrs Style:.... Time for the presentation of gifts.....
Kuffi:(to Kameron).... I wonder who picked me....
Kameron:same. I just hope its not some cheap person.....
Kuffi:... Don't make this about money.....
Kameron:... It practically is...... Did you see some people's bags.......... They looked like designer material......
Kuffi:......
Mrs Style :....... Okay so we'll start from the left end..... Noah....
Noah:(gets his gift).......
"Several gifts later".......
Kross:(gets his gift, a shopping bag with black air Jordans and a Rolex watch).....
Zara:(watching)....
Lebana :(smiling)......
Students:(anxious).......
Kross:(raises the shoes and the watch).....
Students:(clap together, others talking in between)......
Mrs Style :and who are those lovely gifts from?.......
Kross:(with no enthusiasm)..... Lebana.....
Students:(the chats increase).....
Zara:...... (Rolls her eyes).....
Lebana:... (To Roshai, angry )....is this bitch sick?......... (Referring to Zara).....
Mrs Style :... Lovely gifts Lebana....
Lebana :.... ( rudely)... Yeah okay.....
Mrs style :.....okay. Next.......
Zara:(gets her gift bag, a black phone cover with her name engraved in it with a glass box of expensive chocolate).......
Students :(curious)........
Mrs Style:.......
Zara:(raises the phone cover and then the glass box of chocolate)....... (Smiling).....
Students :(clapping, cheering a bit).......
Kross :...... This person must know the phone you have....
Zara:right........ (Checks the card)....... (Freezes) ...
Mrs Style:... Who got those lovely gifts for you Zara....
Zara:.... Ndasi....
Ndasi:......
Kross:... (Expresses no emotion)......
"Several gifts later"
Marques:...... (Holding up a north face hoodie)...... From Jhene.....
Jhene:... (Looking down).....
Students :(silent, awkward)......
Mrs Style:... Silence?.... Okay..... Thank you Jhene....
Jhene:.......
Mrs Style:(continues talking)....
Marques:(to Martin).... I can't believe she picked me....
Martin :well she did...... Anything wrong?.....
Marques:are you pretending to be lost? ........
Martin:(confused)......
Marques:.... Everyone knows that Jhene and I are hanging on really thin thread......
Martin:.... For real?.... What happened?....
Marques:.... I said something..... She's been all about it on Instagram...... And now the whole class knows there's something up.....
Martin:..... (Shocked).... I had no idea really....
Marques:(sighs, looking at the hoodie )........ I love this brand.....
Martin:.. She knows you man....
Marques:....... (Looks at Jhene)....
Jhene:....(sad, watching the gift being presented).....