She got home and took a nap, she was drained out and her heart wouldn’t let off on the regret she was feeling. If only she would’ve noticed something sooner, then Nora would be safe and her life wouldn’t be like this. She hated Mazibuko with passion and at the moment she made a wish that she’s never even thought of wishing for anyone else. She wished he was dead. She was woken from a sombre sleep by a knock on her door and she couldn’t even lift her head up. Thulani walked in and said nothing, just walked over to the bed and lay next to her.

She woke up the next day and she was alone in the house. There was a message on the fridge in her dad’s hand writing saying: Don’t worry about it angel, I’ll take care of it. Love Dad.

She smiled at the thought that people were taking care of it, but immediately she frowned. She thought how clever Mr Mazibuko’s lawyers had been when her case was handled and she started to panic. If they pull the same hearsay defence on Nora, Nozie knew she would die. She went to shower, got dressed and walked out.

School was coming out and Nozie saw Mazibuko’s car was still in the parking lot. She walked in the gates greeting people as she went trying to look casual. She walked straight to his classroom and found him packing away his things. She walked in and closed the door.

“Well, well. If it isn’t little Miss Dlamini. What brings you here, more accusations?”

There was never good blood between them since the ‘incident’.

“Not accusations, Mr Mazibuko, facts.”

“Is that so? And what facts can I help you with?” he came closer.

“Firstly you could tell me why you do what you do. Why do you prey on young defenceless girls?”

He laughed a cold evil laugh that gave Nozie chills.

“Nozuko, we both know that case was never proved on me so why don’t you tell me why you’re here?”

“I know what you’re doing with Nora and I want you to stop.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about Ms Dlamini.”

“Oh drop the cheap charade, it’s just you and me here look around. I just wana know why her, why Nora?”

“If you must really know, it’s all your fault. If you hadn’t done called the cops on me I wouldn’t have gone after her. But I saw how you liked her and spent all that time with her, and she reminded me of you. Not as feisty but pretty and smart. She was weak and timid and an easy prey, a bit boring if you ask me.” He stopped talking at looked at her his head cocked to one side. “Do you wish it were you? Mhh? Are you jealous of poor Nora?”

She walked back and he didn’t move. “I want you to know that you disgust me. And that you are going to pay for ruining that little girl’s life. That’s a promise.”

This time his laughter was that of triumph. “And how will you accomplish that? Who will believe you and that fat little thing? It’s your word against mine. See, you tried to get me before and you failed, then you went and got some poor girl to lie on your behalf in your lazy attempt to nail me. Now who do you think a judge will believe? Huh?” his voice went low and he was looking at her dead in the eye.

“I did Nora a favour, who was going to love her? She would’ve been a virgin forever. I tried to help you but you refused. Now, get out of my class and stay away from me before I file a case for harassment.”

Nozie turned and walked straight out the door. She wanted to smile but she felt sick to the stomach so she just went home instead. She called Thulani and asked him out for a movie and she planned to enjoy the evening to the fullest. Mazibuko was wrong about one thing; she won’t be a virgin forever. She wrote a note to her parents and put it on the counter table with a tape recorder next to it.

It read: I’m not worried dad, I took care of it. I will be sleeping at a friend’s tonight… love Nozuko.

The End.