She sat down. “I need a strong coffee. And so does Lelethu. Bontle, make us some coffee.”
The three of them sat silently together, sipping their sweet coffee. Bontle had given Lelethu the special mug with pink roses on it. Lelethu knew this was the closest thing to an apology she would ever get from her aunt. But she was thankful. For the first time since she had arrived here it felt just a little bit like home.
Later she and Bontle sat on the bed, talking. “And now Princess has been on Mxit pretending to be you. I know it’s her because you don’t have a cell phone. And once you told me she helped you get on.”
“What is she saying?” groaned Lelethu.
“She is pretending to be you, and saying that everyone must look at your picture, and see how sexy you are, and how you want to give boys a good time.”
“What?” screeched Lelethu. Bontle pointed at the door. “Don’t make my mother come in.”
“I don’t believe it,” whispered Lelethu.
“Yes, and she also wrote something rude about your friend who comes from the Eastern Cape. I warned you about that girl. She’s cruel.”
Lelethu sat up. “This can’t go on, Bontle. She’s trying to ruin my whole life.”
“What are you going to do?” asked Bontle.
“Please let me use your phone to go onto Mxit,” begged Lelethu.
Bontle looked hesitant. “But I don’t want to get involved,” she said.
“No,” Lelethu said. “Nobody will know it’s your phone. I will go on as me. And I will tell everybody that I didn’t write those things.”
Bontle handed her the phone. Thank goodness Princess had not changed her password. She sat with the phone, thinking. “What rhymes with pain?” she asked Bontle.
“Um, rain,” said Bontle. “Are you writing a poem or something?”
“That’s exactly what I’m doing,” said Lelethu. “Pholisa and I write a lot.”
She handed the phone back to Bontle. “Please also forward this to everyone you know.”
Bontle read it out:
For a moment I was a fool.
What friend puts that moment into a photo for the whole school?
What friend enjoys giving pain?
Enjoys seeing tears falling like rain?
A friend with two faces, that’s who.
Princess Mpahlele hacked into my name.
But I, Lelethu, am back to face my shame.
“Wow,” Bontle said. “You’re good. Aren’t you scared of saying that girl’s name?”
“I’m not scared of her any more,” said Lelethu. “She’s done what she can and I’m still here, still the same, strong Lelethu inside.”
They heard Auntie’s voice. “Lelethu, come here now.” They looked at each other.
“I know my mother’s strict,” said Bontle. “But she is trying.”
They both stood up and went to the kitchen. There, standing very sheepishly, was Siyabonga with a plate of biscuits.
“This boy came back. I did not understand what was going on,” Auntie said. “He was worried about you, and wanted to explain. He brought biscuits for the family.” She beamed at Siyabonga. “And he’s the son of my husband’s cousin. I just didn’t recognise him. And he’s at college.” She looked at the two girls. “He can stay for a short visit but you are both sitting with him.” Then she went to her room and they heard her radio going on.
“I’m sorry you got into trouble,” said Siyabonga. “But your aunt seems all right now?” “She’s fine,” said Bontle. “Can I make you some tea?”
Siyabonga looked at Bontle. He smiled. “Yes, please.”
They sat together and talked about what had happened.
“You will have to be brave tomorrow, braver than you’ve ever been,” said Siyabonga.
“I will stand by you,” said Bontle.
Lelethu felt warm inside. Here were Bontle and Siyabonga, and they cared for her. It really felt like family.
Siyabonga looked at Bontle admiringly. “You’re a good cousin.”
“I haven’t always been,” said Bontle, sipping her tea.
Siyabonga got a silly grin on his face, a grin Lelethu had not seen before. “I’m sure you have been. I’m sure you’re good at everything.”
When Siyabonga left, Lelethu noticed the long look he and Bontle gave each other.
“Auntie wanted you there when Siyabonga was here so that nothing happened between us,” said Lelethu to Bontle as they were getting into bed. “But I think it was the other way around. She should be glad I was there to check that you two didn’t get into trouble.”
“I don’t know what you mean,” said Bontle, with a little giggle in her voice.
But then she was serious. “He is a nice guy, though, isn’t he?”
“He saved me today, in so many ways,” said Lelethu. “I don’t know what I would have done without him.”
But she stayed awake deep into the night, wondering how she would manage the next day back at school. It felt like the hardest thing she would ever have to do in her life.
Chapter 19
“I can’t believe you have the cheek to come back to school after all you have done,” said Princess. “But I guess it’s true. Mafikizolos have the skin of an elephant – in more ways than one.” She looked at the other girls for support. “And then that silly poem you wrote!”
The girls laughed, but they didn’t really sound happy. Lelethu couldn’t believe she hadn’t seen before how they all blindly followed Princess, too scared to think for themselves.
Lelethu felt her fear dissolve into a wave of anger.
“I’m more impressed that you are at school, Princess,” she said. “After all you have done. Aren’t you worried about what will happen?” She saw Princess’s face turn doubtful as she walked off.
“Hello, chommie.” Busi came up to her, and soon Ntombi joined them. “Taste my mother’s cake,” said Ntombi. “I’ve brought left-overs from my sister’s birthday.”
“We read your poem,” said Busi, as they ate the cake. “It was brave. And I realised you hadn’t put the photo on Mxit yourself. So we were wrong to judge you. The only person we need to judge is that girl Princess.”
“I know,” said Lelethu. “And I don’t know how to get her back.”
“Don’t talk like that,” said Ntombi. “Don’t get into a war with her. You’ll be hurt even more. Leave her alone.”
Lelethu couldn’t believe she had been so silly not to see from the beginning how clever and nice these girls were. They were cool, but they were also kind and loyal. “You are real friends,” she said.
“Hey, I liked your poem,” a girl said to her as she walked past. She was a matric girl she didn’t know. All through the school day people greeted her, telling her they had read what she had written. Only a few boys whistled and made comments, but she ignored them.
At break she stayed well away from Princess and her friends. Busi came over and sat with her. “It’s amazing,” Busi said. “Even Princess’s own friends are acting a bit different after what you wrote. They all agreed to go to Sports Day even though Princess said she wasn’t going. They’d never have done that before.”
At the end of lessons Bontle found her. “You OK?” she asked.
“It wasn’t as bad as I’d expected,” said Lelethu. “Lots of people liked my poem. Only a few boys still laughed at me. And it was like Siyabonga said. I didn’t react and so they just left it.”
“He’s quite a guy, that Siyabonga,” said Bontle. “Come, let’s walk home. I’ll get you a chocolate at the spaza.”
“Sorry, Bontle, I can’t. There’s something I need to do. I need to find Pholisa,” said Lelethu.
Her stomach churned at the idea of trying again. Knocking on the shack door, having Pholisa push her out. But she knew she had
to do it.
She found the shack more quickly this time. Before she could change her mind, she knocked loudly. Pholisa opened the door.
“I did see what you put on Mxit,” Pholisa said quietly.
Her granny called out from behind her. “If that’s Lelethu, will you go and sort things out? I’m tired of you hanging around here. It makes me sick to look at you so sad all the time.”
Lelethu giggled. “She sounds better.”
“She is,” said Pholisa. “We went to the hospital and she got better medicine.”
Together they went out onto the street. Lelethu bought them a cooldrink with money Bontle had given her. “You remembered my favourite,” said Pholisa as Lelethu handed her a can of Iron Brew.
“I messed up so badly,” Lelethu said. “You must forgive me.” She told the story to Pholisa, not leaving out how she had behaved. “I don’t know what got into me,” she said. “It’s as if that Princess bewitched me.”
“Don’t even joke about it,” said Pholisa. “You know it was you. You can get a bit crazy about things. Remember when you wanted that dress, the one in the new shop? When we all knew it was too small for you. You didn’t think about anything else. In the morning, it was just dress talk. And then all day. I think if your aunt hadn’t given your mother the money you would still be talking about that dress.”
“I know,” laughed Lelethu. “You must have gone mad.” The picture came back to her of a soft blue dress flared at the waist with white trimmings around the sleeves and the hem. She remembered the gentle swish it made around her legs as she walked – but how tight it had been around her waist. She had continued to wear it until it just about split open. “It was the most beautiful dress in the world.”
“Yes, when you were seven,” said Pholisa, slurping her cooldrink noisily through the straw.
“Oh, Pholisa, it’s so good to be with you again,” said Lelethu. She hooked her pinkie with Pholisa’s. “Friends forever,” she said.
“I should punish you for being so horrible,” said Pholisa.
“No, Pholi, I’ve been punished enough,” said Lelethu.
“OK, Lele. Friends forever,” said Pholisa, and then slurped her drink again.
Lelethu heard a familiar laugh, and looked down to the corner where the hawkers sold fake leather handbags. There were Princess, Pamela and Zikhona walking towards them, talking and laughing like they were the most important people in the street.
“Oh, no, I can’t believe it’s her,” said Lelethu. “Come, sit down here, I don’t want her to see us.” She huddled down and pulled Pholisa next to her.
“She’s not looking here,” said Pholisa, peering over the box they were hiding behind. “Who’s that guy she’s looking at?”
Princess turned to see. Down the road, who should be approaching but Siyabonga. There was something friendly even about the way he walked, swinging his legs high with each step, seeming to bounce along the pavement.
“Hi, sweetie,” shouted Princess, crossing the road to join Siyabonga, leaving Pamela and Zikhona waiting on the pavement on the other side of the road. Oh no, thought Lelethu, she’s getting closer.
Siyabonga gave a little wave and smiled at Princess, but looked as if he was going to walk on. That wasn’t good enough for her.
“I’ve been looking for you everywhere, sweetie,” said Princess. “It’s your college dance in a week, isn’t it?”
Siyabonga nodded, looking around as if he wanted to escape. Then he saw Lelethu behind the box. “Lele!” he called out.
Damn, she thought to herself, as she and Pholisa stood up sheepishly. It was as if they’d been caught spying.
Princess’s face looked like thunder, but she didn’t say anything as Siyabonga introduced himself to Pholisa.
“Lele, I’m looking for your cousin,” he said.
“No need to look far,” she said. “Look who’s coming down the road.”
Bontle was on her own. She had seen them and was rushing towards Lelethu with a worried look. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere. So you found Pholisa, that’s good. But is that Princess giving you trouble?”
“Are you talking about me, bitch?” said Princess, stepping towards Bontle, who took a step back, shocked.
Siyabonga interrupted her. “No, no Bontle, there’s no trouble. But I’m glad to see you. You see, I’ve got something to ask you. Are you doing anything next weekend?”
Princess’s jaw dropped as it dawned on her what Siyabonga was saying. “You invited me to the dance!” she spat out.
“I never did, Princess,” said Siyabonga. “You just wanted me to.”
For once Princess didn’t seem to know what to say. “Besides,” Siyabonga said. “You haven’t been very nice to your friends.” He pulled Lelethu close to him.
“She’s not my friend,” said Princess.
“You’re right there,” said Lelethu. “You don’t even know the meaning of the word.”
The girls stared angrily at each other. Then Princess turned to Siyabonga, her tone suddenly pleading. “I’ve bought my dress and everything.”
“I’m sorry, Princess,” he said. “But I’m asking someone else.” He looked at Bontle.
“You want her, and not me?” said Princess in disbelief. “She has no swag in the world.”
“I think she’s got swag,” said Siyabonga, and then looked shy all of a sudden.
“You’re sad,” she said.
“No, you’re sad,” said Lelethu. “Because you don’t have a real friend in the world.”
She pointed to Zikhona and Pamela across the road. “Do they really care for you? Or are they just afraid of you?”
Princess opened her mouth, then shut it again. Then she turned around and walked back to Pamela and Zikhona. “So aren’t you going to the dance?” Zikhona asked.
Princess made a strangled sound. “You retard. Of course I’ll go somehow.”
Pamela made to put an arm around her.
“Leave me!” Princess shouted and stormed off, Pamela and Zikhona looking after her.
Then Zikhona turned to the others. “Bye!” she called. “See you round, Lele.” And she and Pamela strolled away together.
“Well done, Lele,” said Pholisa. “You are always so brave.”
Siyabonga and Bontle smiled at them both, the kind of smile proud parents give to their small children. Then Siyabonga turned back to Bontle. “So, Bontle,” he said. “About next weekend.” He looked at his feet awkwardly, then looked back at her.
“Glad you think I’ve got swag, Siya,” Bontle said, her eyes laughing.
“Oh, I do, Bontle,” began Siyabonga earnestly. “You know that I …” His voice faded.
“Time to get out of here,” said Pholisa to Lelethu. Bontle and Siya didn’t even seem to notice as the friends walked away arm in arm.
Chapter 20
“You girls, there’s more to life than dances, you know,” Lelethu’s aunt moaned as Lelethu and Pholisa helped Bontle get ready for the college dance. But Lelethu could see that she was proud of her daughter. “I’m going to borrow Sis Thandi’s camera. I’ll be back soon.”
“Thanks, Mama,” Bontle called as she went out. Bontle turned to Lelethu. “I don’t think she would have let me go if you hadn’t come to stay with us. She’s changed.”
Thank goodness for that, Lelethu thought. It was true. Her aunt had softened in the last week, and Lelethu had overheard many late-night conversations between her and her sister, Lelethu’s mother. She was still often rude and cross, but now she treated Lelethu more like a daughter of her own.
“Here, let me help you with that.” Pholisa adjusted the bow on the front of Bontle’s dress. “You look gorgeous. I can do your make-up for you if you like.”
“She’s got real talent,” said Lelethu, as Bontle looked doubtful
. “You’re as bad as everyone else in the city. Just because we’re from a village doesn’t mean we don’t know how to look good!”
They all laughed. Lelethu watched as Pholisa did Bontle’s face. “Make yourself useful,” said Bontle. “Make us some juice.”
“Stop ordering me around,” joked Lelethu as she went to the fridge. “You’d better drink before we get your lipstick on.”
Her aunt came back in. “Photos!” she cried. Bontle had to stand in the kitchen, in the yard, sit in a chair inside, sit on a chair outside, smile, laugh, look serious, as her mother clicked away.
“Lelethu, you take them,” said Bontle.
“Hayi, wena, don’t you trust me?” said her mother. “No, no, Lelethu, Pholisa, go in too. Come on, hurry up, we need the dress and make-up artists in some pictures.”
Lelethu put one arm behind Bontle and one behind Pholisa. She felt a warm glow. Who could believe things had been so difficult a few weeks before?
“You can stop smiling now,” said Pholisa. “She’s stopped taking photos.”
“But I’m so happy!” replied Lelethu. “I can’t believe how happy I feel.”
“Crazy girl,” said her aunt. “One day happy, next day sad, another day putting naked photos all over Faceback.” But she was smiling.
“It’s Facebook, Ma, and anyway it wasn’t Facebook, it was –”
But her mother wasn’t listening. “Be careful, Bontle, do not spill juice on that dress. How many times have I told you to be careful!”
Finally Siyabonga arrived, shining in a suit and blue tie. He bowed to them all. “Good evening, Mama; good evening, lovely ladies,” he said. His eyes fixed on Bontle. “You look – you look beautiful!”
She blushed, and he took her on his arm and escorted her out as Auntie shouted instructions about times to return and cell phone messages every hour. When all the flurry was over, Auntie dabbed her eyes. “One day it will be you too, Lelethu, you just wait.”
But Lelethu wasn’t thinking about boys right then. She was thinking about friends, and what made true ones. And about how she hadn’t always been a true one herself.
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