Reneilwe felt guilty, she knew she had failed to be loyal to Tshegofatso and her mother.

Mbali got up from the bed looking like a mad cow, she couldn’t stop moving around. “Do you guys know that we could be pregnant and HIV positive right this moment?”

None of them moved or said anything.

“Can we just bath and leave this place before we commit suicide. I think I’ve had enough for the day already. And we can’t just sit her whining about something that has transpired already. I just hope that we learnt the lesson,” said Anele.

The girls went out of the hotel and soon Reneilwe caught herself walking alone. She felt like everyone was looking at her, like they all knew what she got up to last night. The thought that she might be pregnant and HIV positive drove her berserk. One night of experience was enough to turn my world upside down, she thought to herself.

She got to her flat wondering what she was going to tell her cousin about her whereabouts. The thought that she might be pregnant and HIV positive made her feel terrified. She got into the room and saw a note on the table and she became even more terrified. She slowly opened it shaking.

Dear cousin. I have gone back home for a few weeks so please take care of yourself. She felt relieved that she would have the space all to herself.

Now the room felt so huge without Malebo. She kept busy and tried hard not to think about last night. She cleaned and did the dishes but there was nothing she could do to forget about last.

She decided to take a nap but she couldn’t stop tossing and turning, her body felt numb. Reneilwe called her mother and told her about how great the city was, how her first day at school was, and she told her about the Nkandla Girls. Her mother was happy for her.

“I hope you are not misbehaving with those girls. I know the city life, I was once a student like you. I hope you won’t come back with a grandchild,” said her mother. Reneilwe felt like her mother knew what had happened and that made her terrified; tears slowly came trickling down.

She wanted so much to her the truth but she couldn’t. “Sorry mom, I’m actually cooking and I think my pots are burning,” she lied and hung up quickly.

For days and days Reneilwe didn’t see the Nkandla girls. She knew being around them would distract her attention from school but she missed them a lot. She thought of going over there but decided not to. Fortunately she heard a knock on the door.

It was Mbali and Anele.

“What a surprise! I was just thinking about you girls. I haven’t seen in you in days,” said Reneilwe hugging them. The Nkandla girls had brought extra grilled chicken, some wine and ice cream.

“We missed you, girlfriend and I think we should go out this weekend,” said Anele. Reneilwe didn’t think that was a good idea not after what happened last weekend, but she kept quiet.

“Why should we wait for the weekend when we’ve got money now?” asked Mbali.

Reneilwe went to take a shower. She was so unsure about going out but peer pressure couldn’t let her say no. They all took their bags and went off to Egoli club.

The place was quiet but they liked it there. They were approached by a few boys but they were not giving them any chances. Reneilwe went to the counter and bought some condoms.

“If anyone of you needs to have sex come to me, I’ve got protection,” said Reneilwe.

They all laughed but realised that she meant business.

“Okay girlfriend, thanks but don’t worry about that because tonight we are leaving early,”

The girls didn’t stay for too long at the club, they decided to have an early night. They were looking forward to waking up the next day with no confusion. The Nkandla girls decided to spend the night at Reneilwe’s flat, so they went to get Pizza and something to drink. But Mbali wanted beers.

They got a twelve pack, went back to the flat, played music and cooked. That night everything went accordingly and they were so happy. Soon enough they were all tired and went to bed, leaving the music playing softly in the living room.

***

Tell us what you think: Have you ever experienced peer pressure? How did you handle it?