He came into the living room carrying the drinks in his hand and he handed her the glass. She couldn’t have tasted anything different as the fizz in the cola was soothing and sweet. He sat on the other chair and watched her as she quenched her thirst. She had opted for a sleeveless mini dress, floral and summery and it hung just above the knee. She was wearing green wedged sandals that made her look older and more mature than her age. A tinge of eye liner made her eyes big and more noticeable than they were and she had plum lip gloss on and it gave her a more sensual feel.

He wanted to launch himself at her and take her right there and then. He had always wanted that since she turned 14 and he found himself watching her and wanting her with every fibre in his body. He could just taste her, he could feel himself erect with every single dirty thought and desire, and then his fantasy got interrupted by a knock on the door. He got up feeling annoyed and ready to chase whoever it was away.

“Hi Mr M. how are you?” Bulie was bubbly as ever and didn’t notice his annoyance.

“Uhh… Good, good Ms Dladla. What can I do for you?”

“I heard you needed help grading some papers.” She said pushing her way inside, she didn’t wait for an invitation. What a forward little mouse, now she’s going to spoil everything, Mr Mazibuko thought.

She didn’t give him a moment to breathe but barged into the living room and started talking to her friend.

“We were just about to start, take a sit and I’ll get the work.”

He marched into his study angry and very disappointed. He couldn’t say anything without raising suspicion so he got the papers and some red pens and walked back to the living room. So close and yet so far, but there’ll be another time, he thought. He consoled himself as he listened to the girls’ annoying giggles. They graded the papers laughing and conversing, talking about their final exams in just a month’s time, the prospect of going to university the following year and meeting new people. Nozie was starting to feel a bit groggy and she thought maybe it was the sun mixed with the excitement of the day. She got up and got a glass of ice cold water which she downed and didn’t mind the brain freeze she was feeling. She stood a little while leaning on the refrigerator door trying to breathe and assess things in her head. It didn’t make sense that she should feel this way, she had been feeling fine not so long ago and suddenly this happens, she thought.

They were done by 18:30 and being early summer it was still light out so the two girls walked to the party together. Jabu’s house was about 20 minutes away so they strolled slowly, not wanting to be the first to arrive. Nozie was still feeling light-headed but she was really trying not to look or sound odd because she really wanted to talk to Thulani and apologise. The house was already packed and the music could be heard from the next street, it was really a bash. They made their way inside the house to find their friends – Jabu met them at the door and offered them drinks.

Bulie saw some girls they didn’t like from the neighbouring school and she turned to Nozie, “Nobody told us this was a bitch party.”

She sneered in their direction and before Nozie could speak, she spotted Thulani leaning on the wall in the living room, a girl was all over him, rubbing her dirty hands on him, Nozie saw red.

“It didn’t take you long to get over me.” She snapped at him. The girl was giving her an assessing look meant to undermine her but Nozie couldn’t care less.

“It’s a party babe, chill out. We’re not doing anything. Damn!” it was evident he had had a few drinks.

“Well if she has her way with you you’ll be going all the way.”

She rolled her eyes at the girl. This crew of girls were famous for sleeping around, the town’s biggest sluts. Not only were they easy but they were cheap too. They were all wearing short miniskirts and little tank tops that showed their belly buttons and they were famous for stealing boyfriends. If that ain’t cheap I don’t know what is, Nozie thought.

“Well maybe if you gave him some I wouldn’t have to do it for you.” The girl retorted and it sent a stab right at Nozie’s heart.

How could he discuss our private business with miss whore? Now Thulani knew his girlfriend was a peaceful person who spoke her mind, but the girl she was getting into a tiff with was a rude, loud mouth who believed in fist fighting and stabbing. He quickly stepped in and tried to calm Nozie down, he took her by the arm and dragged her outside.