It happened weeks ago, but I still remember it like it was yesterday. Lerato and I had been saving all the money we got as an allowance to buy the lightstick. But she went behind my back and asked her rich father to buy it for her, and she decided to tell me by the time our money was enough to buy two. I wasn’t angry at first, but everything changed after I found out it was sold out. Story of my life. I will never forgive her—even the postcards she offered won’t make up for it.

She threw all the long years of friendship down the drain. She has been my friend since high school. We met through Facebook. Her username was “Taehyung’s wife.” I had to text her to confront her about stealing my title—that’s when we found out we went to the same school. It’s hard to find such friendship in South Africa because most are unaware of or dislike the K-pop culture.

This reminds me: it will be hard to get hold of the lightstick now unless… oh wait, Lerato has it. The only solution left is to steal it because she won’t give it to me willingly.

Don’t judge me yet—she betrayed me first. I HAVE TO GET THAT LIGHTSTICK NO MATTER WHAT. The problem now is how will I steal it? I have to think of a plan.

I log into my Facebook and start writing a text. It read as follows: “Mmata, the house is suffocating me today, can I come and chill with you at your house?”

Ping! It’s a message notification from Lerato. She replied fast, just as I expected. It read: “LOL, u just want the postcard n can’t wait any longer. U can cum bt my mom is arnd.”

Her mum? She won’t be a problem.

I took a 3-minute shower, quickly dressed in anything I could find, and rushed outside. I forgot to mention that she stays just a street away. In a blink of an eye, I was already in front of her home knocking. Her sweet mum opened the door for me. I already know the drill. Lerato is in the living room waiting for me, and her sweet mum stays in the kitchen preparing snacks. I walked into the living room, and there she is singing along to K-pop music on Trace Urban with the postcard in her hand.

“Annyeonghaseyo (Hello in Korean),” her attention turned to me, and she threw the postcard at me. I picked it up and stared at it, then whispered to myself, I already have this one, and I don’t have the time to argue with her about it. I have only one mission today—grab the lightstick and disappear.

“Mmata, why did you come with such a big bag with nothing in it, like you’re planning a heist?”

I snapped out of my thoughts and sat down. If only she knew her lightstick would soon be filling this empty big bag.

“Mmata, let’s go to your room. I have important news to tell you.”

No matter how invested we are in K-pop, we are still African girls, so we can’t say no to gossip.

“Mos, I thought we don’t let each other in our rooms to avoid problems.” Damn, I came up with that rule, and I am about to act upon the problem.

“I know, but I can’t say this here with your mum around.”

“Okay, let’s go.” YES!!

I followed her up the stairs to her bedroom. It wasn’t bad, but I had high hopes for it. The owner always spoke about it like it’s a BTS museum. But never mind that, where’s the lightstick?

“Wow, mmata, what a nice room. It’s better than I expected. Soooo, where’s the lightstick?”

She walked to the closet just at the end of her room and took it out. It’s as beautiful as I expected.

“Can I hold it?” I asked pitifully.

“Aowa, mmata, I don’t trust you. You might break it.”

I wouldn’t do that because I want it as much as you do.

“So what did you want to tell me?” Nothing. I have to think of something quickly.

“Remember Kyle?”

“Yes, how could I not?” she replied. Lord forgive me for what I am about to say.

“Apparently, he was with Michaela this weekend.” I looked straight at her eyes and lied through my teeth.

“Don’t sugarcoat it, say it as it is.”

“Well, it looks like ba jola (they’re dating).”

“What!!!”

I have added fuel to the fire. You must be wondering why this got her worked up. Michaela is her biggest enemy, you know, the childhood-friends-to-enemies type of relationship, and Kyle is Lerato’s biggest crush.

“I’ll show that skinny chick who I am tomorrow. I’m joining Mum to church.”

“Good luck, mmata, show that…”

My statement was cut short by Lerato’s mum. She put the snacks on the table. We thanked her, and then she walked out.

“Mmata, what about drinks?”

She stood up and followed behind her mum. This is my chance.

I got closer to the closet and opened it. Finally. I stretched my hands towards it.

“Mmata, mama sa—”

Ten minutes of silence for the friendship that is about to die.

“What are you doing, Matlou?”

I have to finish my mission. I shoved it in my bag. She came to its rescue and started pulling it out of the bag. WORLD WAR IV. The winner takes the lightstick. The poor lightstick was being pulled back and forth.

“Matlou, leave it! It’s mine!”

“I can’t! You betrayed me first!”

Her mum showed up with drinks in her hands. When the scene registered in her mind, she quickly put them down and ran to her daughter’s rescue.

“Lerato, leave it!”

She did as she was told and released a pond full of crocodile tears.

“Mama, Matlou doesn’t want to give back my lightstick.”

Oh, so that’s how you want to play it. I see.

“Matlou, if you don’t give it back, I’m going to call and tell your mum.”

Nice play.

“Come and take it, Lerato,” I said while sticking out my arm to her.

She tried grabbing it, and I pulled back my arm, making her trip a bit. Then I slammed it on the floor. She screamed.

“That’s what you get for betraying your best friend.”

I carefully took steps to the door, avoiding the broken pieces.

“Matlou, how could you do this to your friend?”

How could I not do this to a friend? I stared at her with a mischievous look, which gave her the energy to give me an earful of things that didn’t shake me even a bit. I take back what I said about her being a sweet mum.