The love between Nothando and Samson had at this point vanished into thin air, leaving behind broken hearts. They wrote their final exams, but Samson hadn’t recovered from Nothando’s rejection. On the last day of school, Samson sat alone outside the school gate after saying his final goodbyes to Thami and Clement. He wondered about how his efforts to show Nothando how much he loved her didn’t work, and that, even if he wanted to do something, Nothando had not gone to school on that day, and he didn’t have her number. He never wanted to ask anything of her from anyone, and he liked to keep everything of his personal.

“I guess I’m just a looser who’s lost in his imagination and trapped by his own emotions. Damn it, I hate myself,” he thought to himself, then punched the ground.

While walking out of the school yard, Lulu saw Samson and approached him. “Nothando told me that you’ve both turned into water and oil,” she said. “After all that you’ve done for her, she shouldn’t have treated you like that.”

“I thought so too, but the damage has been done and we can’t reverse time to do things in a different way,” Samson said.

After listening to him, Lulu held Samson’s hand, and he looked at her with eyes desperate for comfort.

“Samson, I’ve known you for a long time,” Lulu said. “We’ve been friends since primary school, and we’ve walked to school together, played together, helped each in times of crisis, and I’ve watched everything put a smile on your handsome face. That long run of interaction has lit in me a strong affection towards you, and I’m heartbroken seeing you like this.”

“I appreciate the fact that your care,” Samson said.

“Samson, I love you,” Lulu said.

“Uh?” Samson responded, sounding shocked.

“Yes, please tell me you feel the same. Allow me to heal you of your wounds,” Lulu begged.

After listening to Lulu, Samson looked down and thought of Nothando, but Lulu saw through him.

“Nothando wants to change schools next year,” Lulu said. “So even if you want to fix things with her, it’s a waste of time. But I’m here for you, like I’ve always been. I want your acceptance.”

“I guess it’s forever us, like always,” Samson said, agreeing to Lulu’s statement.

Once they were done talking, they sat together holding hands.

The following year, Nothando indeed changed schools and went to enrol at a private one. Thami took a transfer and also went to another school. Clement, Samson and Lulu remained at Sakhasonkhe high school, but as for David, the world better hope for him to live long enough to reap what he had sowed.

Tell us: What do you think is going to happen now that Nothando is at another school?