It seemed like whenever I wanted to tell Thandi how I felt about her, something always interrupted me.

After school the learners flew out of class like a swarm of bees, happy that the first day of school was finally over. Sam and I walked out of the schoolyard. When I saw Zakes and his two buddies standing at the gate I knew that they were looking for trouble. I found out later that Sam had wanted to tell me that the murderer had moved into Parkview, but he was interrupted by Zakes as we were about to exit at the gate.

Zakes and his buddies came to stand in our way.

“Hey, get out of the way,” Sam said.

Zakes laughed.

Ben and Jack stood with their arms folded. Zakes came closer to me and put his hand on my shoulder. “I’m going make one thing crystal clear to you,” Zakes said. Sam and I looked at each other, confused. “You stay away from my girl. Understand?” I wanted to laugh.

“Bongi you know this fool?” Sam asked, looking at Zakes crossly.

“Not really, but I know what he’s talking about,” I said calmly.

“Understand?” Zakes asked again.

“What’s he talking about?” Sam asked.

I removed Zakes’ hand from my shoulder. “You know she said NO, right?” I said.

“What’s he talking about?” Sam asked again.

“You just stay away from her, or else,” Zakes said in a deep voice. I could hear the anger in his voice.

“Or else what?” I asked, coolly. I knew where this was going, and it was something I didn’t want.

“Or I’m going to beat the shit out of you. You understand me?”

Ben and Jack laughed.

“I ain’t scared of you, Zakes.” I said. Zakes and his buddies laughed.

“You should be,” Zakes said.

“Bongi, you don’t have to do this.” Sam said.

“Maybe I should.”

“Tonight at the river, eight o’clock sounds cool,” Zakes suggested.

“Sounds perfect.”

“Cool. See you tonight,” Zakes said as they walked away.

“Who was that?” Sam asked as we walked home.

“Zakes. Thandi said he and his brother just moved here,” I said.

“Did she say where he was staying?”

I thought for a second. “If I remember correctly, I think she said he lives at the old house behind the mini-market.”

Sam stood still.

“What?” I asked.

“The old house?” Sam repeated.

“Yeah,” I said, looking confused.

The expression on Sam’s face changed. “I wanted to tell you this morning about that place. I think you will want to hear this.”