(It is Monday again, first period, Maths. Miss Jude comes in and the class quiets immediately)

Students: Good morning, Miss Jude!

Miss Jude: Have the mornings ever not been good to you?

(The class laughs)

Miss Jude: Take your seats, please. How was the test?

Sfiso: It was a little tough.

Miss Jude: You didn’t study hard then, I put to you.

Xolani: The test was intense. I couldn’t figure out what was happening in the last question. One wouldn’t say that was Algebra. It was more like Trigonometry.

Miss Jude: That’s not true, Mr Mkhize. Your problem was that you already set your own paper in your head, and you were expecting it. As I always tell you, Maths is about application. It is made up of real life situations that you experience every day. You’ll see how easy it was when we’re doing the corrections.

Students: Mhmmm!

Miss Jude: I have my top three. Do you want to know who they are and their percentages?

Students: (excited) Yes!

Miss Jude: At first position with 100% is Thabo Sibisi.

(The class gives a round of applause)

Miss Jude: Where is Thabo?

Xolani: Probably absent. I haven’t seen him this morning. He was not even at assembly.

Miss Jude: Okay. In second position with 98% is Khanyisile Buthelezi.

(The class gives another round of applause)

Miss Jude: And in third position, well, this one took me by surprise too. Not that I don’t trust my students, but with such an improvement, it was extraordinary.

Students: That’s me! No me! Why not me? You’re all lying, it’s me.

Miss Jude: Enough, thank you. In third position with 97% is Tshepo Malope!

(The class gives a huge round of applause)

Miss Jude: It looks as if your grades didn’t oversleep this time. Well done Mr Malope! Continue with your efforts and you’ll be the happiest student in January.

(It is break and Tshepo is with his friends)

Tshepo: (excited) Guess what guys?

Khaya: That girl you love, loves you back?

Mlondi: That’s too soon. He has to wait at least a week before making a move on that girl.

Tshepo: It’s not that, it is school based. Well, academically based.

Mlondi: You passed your Maths test?

Tshepo: Yes!

Khaya: Finally, you have something academically to smile about. I am beginning to like the new Tshepo.

Mlondi: Only if he can quit leading girls on and breaking their already-broken hearts.

Tshepo: Not now. Just be happy for me, just this once. Pretend you are. The break is on you, boys. You have to spoil me. No discussion.

Mlondi: No surprise there. I have home-made breyani and choice assorted biscuits in my bag. Khaya will go and buy some soda. Here, help yourself, happy kid!

Khaya: I better come back and find my food’s still here. My stomach has been growling since the second period.

Mlondi: I heard it in class, that’s why I coughed so hard while you were pinching it!

Khaya: You saved me from crocodile eyes and embarrassment. I owe you.

Mlondi: That’s why you’re walking alone to get all of us soda.

Khaya: You’re a game setter, you know.

(Khaya goes and come back quickly.)

Khaya: Here, boys.

Mlondi: Good boy.

Tshepo; He was only quick because he thought I was going to finish all this food alone.

Mlondi: How about me?

Khaya: You want this food too? You’ve got plenty at your home.

Tshepo: You beat me to saying that!

Mlondi: Hahaha, very funny.

Khaya: It is! You should’ve seen your face. It was Mr Bean’s.

Mlondi: So, how much did you score in the Maths test?

Tshepo: I am glad you asked! 97%! I came in third position.

Khaya: What? That’s impossible! From failing to 97%?

Mlondi: This is incredible! How did your tutor do?

Tshepo: Oh no! Thabo! I’d completely forgotten about him. He is not at school today. I should go to his house later, with both of our scripts. He helped me, a lot. I can’t thank him enough. I wonder why he is absent today? It’s unlike him.

Khaya: You’ll ask him later. Can we eat already?

Tshepo: Yes, please.

(It is after school. Tshepo is at Thabo’s house, knocking on the door)

Sindi: Come in.

Tshepo: Thank you. Can I see Thabo?

Sindi: He is in his room. He doesn’t want to talk to anyone. So, if you could come back later, he’ll be up.

Tshepo: No. I have to see him now!

Sindi: Which part of ‘he doesn’t want to talk to anyone’ don’t you understand?

Tshepo: He’ll open up if he hears it’s me. I know he will.

Sindi: Boys are all stubborn. Go and knock yourself out.

Tshepo: Thanks, please give me his food, bottle of water and juice… Knock, knock, it’s me.

Thabo: I don’t want to talk right now. Leave, please. I am not mad at you.

Tshepo: I know, that’s why you’ll open this door for me before I break it open.

Thabo: That’s an idle threat, I know.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Thabo: Are you out of your mind? You’ll break my door if you continue with your madness.

Tshepo: That’s my intention. So, should I apply full force now?

Thabo: Stop it, you idiot! I am opening up for you.

Tshepo: Okay. Thanks. Here is your food. Eat, or else I feed you. Mind you, I’ve never fed anyone, it’d be a rough session.

Thabo: Do I have a choice?

Tshepo: Yes, you can eat your food peacefully. I won’t disrupt you.

Thabo: I will, slowly though. I am forcing myself here.

Tshepo: You and your room are a mess. Wooah! Have you been crying?

Thabo: Those wounds are fresh. Don’t reopen them.

Tshepo: But, I thought we were friends? Friends talk to each other.

Thabo: Friends?

Tshepo: No, brothers. We’re now brothers. You have to trust me. I’ll always be a part of your life.

Thabo: I-I… It’s been four years since my father died in a car accident. The infamous car accident. I miss him.

Tshepo: Come here! (hugging) I can’t fill the void left by your father, but I’ll be here for you.

Thabo: Thank you! (hugging back)

Tshepo: Don’t cry anymore. You’re ugly when you do. You look like an amoeba.

Thabo: (smiling) You’re crazy! What would your girlfriend say if she could see us like this?

Tshepo: I am now single. It’s been two days since I ended things with her.

Thabo: What? Why did you do that?

Tshepo: I am in love with someone else, but I’m afraid that person isn’t even noticing me. To that someone, I’m a mere companion.

Thabo: She’d be crazy to not date a handsome guy like you…I mean, a good looking guy.

Tshepo: You think I am good looking?

Thabo: No. You are, and that you also know, so stop your false modesty.

Tshepo: Okay.

Thabo: Are you blushing?

Tshepo: No, it’s your imagination.

Thabo: It’s okay if you do. Why are you here?

Tshepo: To thank you. Here are the test results. You, 100% and me, 97%.

Thabo: Wow! I am so happy for you! This is an amazing improvement. I guess you were in the top three.

Tshepo: Yes, in position three and you in position one. Thank you Thabo. I am so thankful that I have you in my life.

Thabo: You’re welcome. I am glad to make a difference in someone’s life. So, how are we going to celebrate your achievement?

Tshepo: I have a plan, but it’d be like I was asking for much too much.

Thabo: What will that be?

Tshepo: I want to kiss you, on your lips, for a long time. Then I’d like to cuddle until we fall asleep.

Thabo: I am sorry? Did you just ask to kiss me?

Tshepo: Yes. Only for tonight. The person I’m in love with is Thabo. Thabo Sibisi.

Thabo: No, we can’t. It’s forbidden. Utterly forbidden.

Tshepo: I don’t care. All I want is you. I don’t care what the person walking in on us will say.

Thabo: Okay, go and lock the door then.

(Tshepo goes to lock the door)

Tshepo: Make some room for me.

Thabo: Just take off your school uniform. I’m half naked too.

Tshepo: Okay.

(They kiss)

Thabo: Everything will change now.

Tshepo: I know.

Thabo: How will I survive in class with you?

Tshepo: Better you than me. Teachers always pick on me.

Thabo: I’ll teach you some manners if you want me to.

Tshepo: Deal.

Thabo: I don’t want to act awkward in your presence, though.

Tshepo: You don’t have to. Just don’t over-think about this. Right now, let’s enjoy each other’s warmth and company.

Thabo: Why did I allow this to happen?

Tshepo: Are you having regrets? Do you wish we’d never kissed? Was this a mistake?

Thabo: Yes! No, not at all! It’s just that I’ve never imagined myself with a guy. Why didn’t you give me hints that you were into me?

Tshepo: I always flirt with you, but you just shush me. I brought you a jersey the other cold day.

Thabo: You said it was a coincidental extra jersey.

Tshepo: No, you’re blind! I saw you leaving your home without a jersey. I knew that it’d be much colder in the evening so that’s why I brought one for you. I also invited you to a soccer match.

Thabo: That’s what stars do each day.

Tshepo: Except me. I never invited anyone to a soccer match. You were the first one, and probably the last.

Thabo: I am sorry, I never noticed.

Tshepo: It’s my fault. I should’ve tried harder.

Thabo: Still.

Tshepo: I have to go. See you tomorrow.

Thabo: Cool. Bring me lunch, please.

Tshepo: I’m not promising anything at all. ‘Bye, lief jou.

Thabo: Ek ook.

Tshepo: I’ve left the work we did today together with your script on your bedside table.

Thabo: Thanks, for all.

Tshepo: It was no sweat at all.

***

Tell us what you think: How do you think school will be for the boys now?