Karabo didn’t see Buzz for a few days, after he had spoken to her about William giving her a lift to school. He seemed to be either too far away to talk to, across the hall, on the other side of the field, or otherwise nowhere near her at all. Karabo hoped that she would get a chance to talk to Buzz over the weekend, because there were only two more exams to go. Then the matrics would be finished with their exams and on holiday.

On Saturday morning, Karabo walked slowly to the gymnasium, her heart in her throat. She tried not to think too much about what would happen if Buzz was there. How would he behave towards her? Would he ignore her or would he confront her again, question her reasons for getting into William’s car? Carefully Karabo opened the gym door and peered inside the hall. She could hear the sound of a basketball bouncing, but couldn’t quite make out who it was on the court, as her eyes adjusted to the darkness inside.

The distinct smell of gymnasium, a mix of old sweat and rubber, filled her nostrils as she sucked in her breath. It was Buzz bouncing the basketball. She watched as he stretched his body long and took a shot. It missed the hoop and twanged loudly against the backboard, flying off to the side. Buzz turned to see who had come into the gym. Karabo froze, barely breathing and smiled tentatively. He smiled back at her. The same smile he always gave her, warm and generous. Everything was going to be OK. She beamed at him and ran towards him, hugging him and burying her face into his chest, nearly knocking him over.

‘Hey,’ said a surprised Buzz, ‘nice to see you too.’ He hugged her back. Karabo looked up at him, ‘Are we OK?’ she asked.

‘Yes, we are. I thought about what you said. I do trust you. I know you, and even though I still don’t like him or trust HIM, I’m not going to let that guy get between us,’ explained Buzz. ‘So yes, we are good!’ Karabo felt relief sweep over her, she hadn’t realised how stressed she had been feeling.

‘A quick round so I can kick your butt before you go on matric rage?’ Karabo said, a naughty glint in her eyes.

The following week, Karabo and Isla were studying for their biology paper in the library when they heard shouting and laughing outside. They left their bags and books strewn all over a table and went to the window. Across the lawn the matrics were standing in groups writing messages on each other’s shirts with permanent markers. Some were throwing their blazers in the air, and Isla and Karabo could taste their freedom.

‘I want to be them,’ said Isla, her voice flat and sad. ‘I’m done with school. Over it. I want to leave school, too,’ she said, her head resting on the cool glass. Her eyes focused on Mzi bear- hugging Buzz.

Karabo sighed, ‘Me too. Our boyfriends are about to go on holiday, a wild girlfriend-free holiday. And we still have to write biology, Afrikaans, English lit and maths,’ said Karabo, stating the facts of their situation.

‘Did you just say “our boyfriends”, Karabz?’ said Isla raising her eyebrows, her face showing her amusement.

‘Bug off. Whatever. The point is, I’ve been thinking, what are the chances they are going to be faithful when they are on holiday? My guess is no chance; I think we should break up now and let them have their fun. Long distance stuff is no use. My mom tried it with my dad and it was a disaster, and they were married. So, we need to do this before they do it to us,’ she said. She crossed her arms across her chest, watching Buzz and Mzi, now pushing each other around.

‘You want me to break up with Mzi?’ said Isla, looking at Karabo as though she were insane. Karabo nodded emphatically.

‘No way girlfriend. No way! I have been waiting forever to be with that guy – you have got to be kidding!’ Isla crossed her arms and stared at Karabo, defiant.

‘You know that saying, if you love someone then set them free? Well this is that. Trust me Isla. It’s for the best,’ explained Karabo.

Isla placed her hands on the glass window. She stared down at Mzi. She could feel her heart break at the thought of telling him it was over. For now at least Karabo was right. Isla knew what happened at matric rage. It wasn’t fair on him to hold on to him when she couldn’t go to the rage in Plettenberg Bay – an enormous organised festival to host all the matrics in a safe, party zone for a week. It wasn’t as if they had made plans to see each other in the holidays either, and then next year he was going to the University of Cape Town. This was the worst decision she had to make. She turned and slumped her way back to her desk.