I walked very slowly hoping that maybe I might see someone I know but they were all strangers. I tried to be brave. I was already missing my friend Brenda. I was helpless with no one to talk to.

“Hey! Looking for someone?” a friendly voice asked.

I looked at her. She was so beautiful. Damn! She was such an angel. I just couldn’t help it, I just stared at her, smiling not knowing what to say.

“Hello! Earth to you! I know I’m a full package and yummy but hey you need to stop day dreaming. Are you a lesbian?” she asked and we both laughed.

“No silly. I’m not gay. You are just so perfect. I just couldn’t help it,” I said.

She just laughed at me. She was such a natural speaker.

“By the way my name is Olunje. I would like to be your friend,” she said giggling.

“You don’t waste time I have to admit,” I said smiling.

She was beautiful. I envied her, but then that scored me some attention because many learners would stare and glance at her and I was very lucky to be her friend. She chose me regardless of my looks. I’m beautiful too, I’d say to myself trying to make me feel better.

The whole one hour of break time was stolen by those annoying golden boys. Every five minutes some guy would come and ask her out. I felt so left out. It was like I wasn’t good enough. Like I was not attractive and I felt ugly. She just rejected all of them even those who were more handsome. I just couldn’t understand why was she doing that.

“Hey guys do you have a minute,” some boy said just trying his luck.

Olunje was so annoyed. She couldn’t even hide it.

“Okay. Say your piece and go,” she said.

I just looked at her and watched her being rude to the poor handsome boy. He was a coloured. If I were her, I’d would have the boy all by myself. He was a hunk!

“My name is Michael. I would like to know you guys too,” he said politely.

Olunje wasn’t even interested anymore. Well I don’t blame her. Everything comes with its own problems and she didn’t sign up for this.

“Nice to meet you Mike. My name is Sindi and this is my friend Olunje,” I said smiling hoping that he would ask me to be his friend. Well instead he asked Olunje. She wasn’t interested though. I just couldn’t understand why. Maybe she wasn’t ready to date anyone or maybe she wanted to focus on her studies. Shame on me! Not everything is about boys, I realised.

“Why did you reject the poor boy? He is so handsome. Are you crazy?!” I yelled at her.

“I can see that, but I’m not interested in any of them. It feels so wrong,” she said.

I just couldn’t understand her. She was so strange. How come a beautiful girl like her would be like that? I mean who wouldn’t be interested in Michael? He is the most handsome guy in our school. Olunje was being irrational and unfair. That was unacceptable according to me.

***

Tell us: If you were Oljune would you accept Michael’s request to be friends?