Bypassers stood to watch and her classmates laughed hard, screaming, “Noni is stupid!”

She kept her face down. She wished Suzanne was around to comfort her.

“Know this. I don’t give a shit about you. It’s over and you are my past. I love Sarah right now, not you.” He pushed her and walked away.

Her classmates laughed harder and louder this time and she remained standing, embarrassed. Her tears dripped and she covered her face with her hands. She quickly grabbed her bag and left the lesson – luckily there wasn’t a lecturer present.

Noni and Suzanne had been invited to a party. Noni didn’t want to be seen in public. The incident with Keith shaming her was still the talk of the school. People turned to stare at her wherever she walked. She felt uncomfortable. She declined the invitation.

Suzanne had been with her in her room telling her the advantages of the party. “A new scene can change you. You are coming with me,” Suzanne ordered, and put a long, red dress on the bed for Noni.

“I don’t feel like partying,” Noni complained, and looked out of the window. She sat on the bed holding her legs.

Suzanne looked at her worriedly and pulled her up. She nearly fell and regained balance when she held her bed. She sat on the bed again.

“You are coming with me,” Suzanne said, handing Noni the dress.

Noni stood up sadly, without any effort. She had been shamed enough and she didn’t want another episode. She knew it was good to be out for air. She dressed in the red outfit and Suzanne did her make-up. She praised her beauty all over, but Noni didn’t agree because Keith saw a ugly monster in her. Why didn’t he want her back?

She looked sizzling and beautiful. Her short hair was combed and neat. Suzanne wore a short, white dress with black shoes. They both looked gorgeous, guys would stare at them.

The party was in the campus hall, there was no need for transport but a short walk. The song by DJ Spinall ‘What Do You See’ was playing. There was screaming as they approached the hall. Noni realised that noise could distract her from all her sorrows.

The party was well decorated and there were plenty of people dressed nicely. The smell of wine and beer enriched the air. Suzanne and Noni walked slowly to fetch drinks. Noni wanted something strong, so she took red wine.

“Girl, we need to talk,” Suzanne whispered, when she saw a glimpse of Keith. Her blood boiled, but Noni didn’t see him. “You have to let Keith go,” she continued, but Noni didn’t hear her.

Noni’s eye caught Keith kissing his girlfriend with his hand on her bum. Her heart ached for that love. She blamed herself for making Keith separate from her. She watched how beautiful the girl was. Wasn’t she just as beautiful? Her tears threatened to spill. Suzanne went in front of her.

“Noni, please…” she sighed.

Noni looked down and wiped her eyes.

“How will you meet a guy when you still want a man who doesn’t love you?” Suzanne tried to comfort her.

Noni put her glass on the table. They walked to the garden and sat near the pool. She breathed deeply. Suzanne saw how sad Noni was, and kept on rubbing her shoulder.

“I am sorry, girl,” she said again.

“It’s OK, I will be fine,” Noni lied.

Tell us: Why do you think Noni can’t seem to let Keith go?