“Cathy wake up please, you will be late for school,” Pearl shouted from the corridor.

I pulled the blanket over my head. Pearl was 25 and always scolding me, especially about school. I was in form 3, aged 16 but school was now a bore. I wanted to earn money and have my hair plated and wear nice clothes. Being poor made me sad. I wanted all good things like everyone else. I heard her closing the door.

I was not going to school that day; I always hated school. I was going just to pass time; school was not working for me. I was going to meet with Nancy and Mavis later. I checked the time and it was only 7:15 a.m. I went back to sleep.

I woke up at 9 a.m. and cleaned the three-roomed house that our parents left us; a kitchen combined with lounge and two bedrooms. It was the only thing we had and the little old furnisher my late parents bought. I always did the chores after school but today I had bunked. I wanted to hear from Nancy cos she was having a good life. I bathed and dressed up into my skinny jeans and a blue t-shirt. I wanted to be like Nancy. She was a drop out. I would be like her.

I walked out the house and locked it. I could sense Ma Agnes, our neighbour, sitting with her friends. I didn’t want to look so I walked away fast. I didn’t see that she also raced to the gate. She liked gossiping with her friends. She pretended to care while she was looking for stories to talk about.

“Cathy, you are home today. Aren’t you supposed to be in school?” she said, walking in front of me.

“I am not feeling well,” I answered annoyed.

“These kids nowadays yoh!” she said and walked away.

I walked quickly and went to Nancy who stayed in the next street. I found her sitting with Mavis outside. Nancy failed her form 4 and Mavis was studying Business Communication. Nancy and Mavis were two years older than me.

“I thought you weren’t coming,” Nancy stood up and hugged me.

“Hey Cathy,” Mavis said. Not even a smile. She hated me when I started hanging around with Nancy.
“How are you ladies?” I asked.

“I am good and happy to see you,” Nancy answered.

“I am also good,” she said in low voice.

I took a stool and put it close and sat down.

“Are you ready for today?” she asked.

“Yes I am,” I answered.

“You have to dress sexy so that all the men will desire you,” she said smiling.

“Nancy, she is young. I am sure she is still a virgin,” Mavis chuckled.

“I am not a virgin,” I answered.

“She will be good, you charge R300 a round and a night R1000,” she smiled.

I shivered when she said this. I was going to be sleeping with men to earn money? Mavis stared at me like she wished I’d get burnt one day. It was my first time. I had sex once with my boyfriend, Zuki. He was transferred to another school and we lost contact.

“Isn’t it risky? Do I have to use condoms?” I asked scared.

“No, most men don’t like condoms. Show them what you are made of so they can come back,” she answered softly.

“Let’s get inside to choose your outfit,” Mavis said walking into the house. Nancy was staying with Mavis since she ran away from her parents’ home. She had a good life and all she wanted. I wanted that life too.

***

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