When we got to school, I got to see just how popular Jay was, especially with the girls. It’s like every chick wanted to hang around him. I don’t blame them though, he’s quite a catch. He kept introducing me to all of his friends and groupies, and I felt bad he had to baby sit me.

It turns out we were not in the same classes after all. I was in Grade 10D and he was in Grade10F, and to my surprise, I was disappointed.

‘Damn Lesedi, you are falling hard for someone you called a pain,’ my sassy inner voice said, ruining my moment.

After school, I had forgotten about him. This school is so amazing. We are taught using tablets and projected screens, so you can just imagine, having come from a green chalk board, this was a huge upgrade for me.

I decided not to wait for Jason while he entertained his groupies, and I walked alone.

As I was walking, though, I heard someone calling my name, and it was him. I started to sweat and feel butterflies in my stomach. Before stopping, I applied some lip therapy, fixed my uniform, and took out some mint gums to freshen my breath. I’m really head over heels over this guy, but what if he doesn’t feel the same anymore? I’ve turned him down many times already.

He finally caught up with me, and shame, he looked tired from all the running.

“Can we please stop at the park for a bit? I need to catch my breath.”

We silently sat under a tree on a bench for like five minutes, and it was awkward.

“So why did u leave me behind?”

“You were busy with your girlfriends.”

“Do I sense some jealousy there?” he asked and let out a laugh, he looked even more handsome when he was laughing.

“And why would I be?”

“Because I want you to be,” he ran his fingers on my face.
My body reacted. I was all sweaty, and this time I didn’t just feel butterflies in my tummy, it was the whole zoo. I was just there jaw dropped and quite … he kissed me, and his lips were so soft. I guess he still liked me.

“What was that?” that’s all I could come up with when I finally got words to say.

“I thought it was clear that I like you, Les, and I’ve told you this before. You are nothing like the girls I know. You speak your mind, you are so sure of what you want, and you challenge me. I mean, you know so much about sci-fi books and history, that I sometimes feel so dumb around you. And I can mostly be myself with you, Les. Most people see Jay the dancer, the smart kid, the soccer player, but you see me for me. People hang around me because my family is well known, that’s all.”

So I’m now Les, I like it. I didn’t even know his family was well known, he thinks all that about me, wow.

“You do? Uhm, I don’t know what to say”

“Don’t say anything now, let’s go change, and I’ll take you on a proper date, a kota date,” he took my hand and we walked home.
It felt good, just the way mama told me it should feel: not forced, not pressured, but good.

“So a kota date is a proper date, huh?”

We laughed and continued walking.

Tell us: What did you think of this love story?