Second break. The boys were sitting under a tree, watching the girls. Mzi squatted against the wall of the shed, and lit a cigarette. He was counting the minutes before the final siren marked the end of school. It couldn’t come soon enough.

Then he heard them: Ntombi and her friends. They were on the other side of the wall, giggling and chatting. Their laughter was annoying, but he liked the fact that he could hear them, and they didn’t even know he was there. There was something powerful about it. He might not be able to use his fists, but information was power too. And he needed all the power he could get if he was going to get his revenge.

“Are you ready for Friday night, chommie? We gonna set the dance floor alight at the party.” It was Asanda, he would know that voice anywhere.

“You did us proud getting to the finals in Jozi, and coming so close to winning, Ntombi,” added Lettie.

“You showed those girls in Jozi, awulo Fong Kong.” They all laughed. Mzi ground his cigarette butt into the dirt.

“The dance floor will be ours. Rain or sunshine. Guys, are we gonna have a braai?” There was Asanda again. So damn cheerful all the time.

“That’s a great idea. Maybe we can meet at Ntombi’s before the party. Hey I’ll make African Salad. Uyabona?”

“OK, let’s all bring a little something Friday evening and have a party, before the party.” They couldn’t wait.

“The only problem is those stupid boys, the ones who just hang around as if we were fruit they can pick off a tree,” said Asanda.

“Yeah, but at least Mzi won’t be there,” said Ntombi. “I don’t want to see that guy ever again.”

Mzi smiled. If they knew he was listening they wouldn’t dare say something as stupid as that. They were right about one thing, though. He wouldn’t be at the party to put them in their place. And they needed someone to do that, the way they were talking.

“We’ll dance till we drop. We’ll take over the dance floor.”

“You know the story of the giraffe,” said Busi. “Well, it asked for shelter from a man just to hide its head from the rain. But it ended kicking the man out of his house,” she joked. “Get it. We’re the giraffes! We gonna take over the place.”

Very funny, thought Mzi as they all laughed. He would wipe that smile off Ntombi’s face, but first he would make her drop her guard around him. He would surprise her, he would be nice. She wouldn’t know what to do. It was good to keep people guessing – then when you did make your move they wouldn’t see it coming.

Mit me at da gate afta skul – Mzi.

He still had her number. He pressed Send. He could hear her phone buzz behind the wall as his message reached her. It was only a few seconds before his screen lit up with her reply.

Nvr

Never say never, he thought. She wouldn’t have a choice. He would be there, waiting for her.

When school was over, Mzi was waiting. Right there, at the only gate in and out of Harmony High. He watched as Ntombi’s friends came out of class in their giggling group. They were moving slowly in his direction. Ntombi followed them. She was in a hurry and waving at someone. At first he thought she was waving at him. But then he turned and saw Olwethu on the other side of the street. He had come to meet his girlfriend and walk her home. Olwethu and Ntombi together! He shouldn’t be surprised. Ntombi ran past Mzi, straight across the road and into Olwethu’s arms. Mzi watched as he spun her around and kissed her. This wasn’t what he had planned. And now her girlfriends, the giraffes, were teasing the happy couple.

“Hey, lovebirds, enough of that,” Busi laughed.

“Yes, leave that for the party,” added Asanda.

“OK, sendikhona,” said Ntombi and stopped cuddling Olwethu, but they stood there, still holding hands.

“I’ll get a cooldrink for the taxi. Don’t go any-where,” Olwethu ran off down the street to the spaza on the corner.

“I’ll be right here.” Ntombi blew him a kiss.

Mzi couldn’t just watch this love parade. He walked across the street right up to the giraffes. “Hi, girls. I have some business with Ntombi.”

“You’ve no business with me,” Ntombi said, coming forward. Her friends stood there with their hands on their hips daring him to come closer. “Did you not get my SMS?” Ntombi asked.

“Yes, I got it,” he smiled. “I just want to con-gratulate you in person on your success in the Teen Voice Competition. Well done,” Mzi said. There it was, that look of disbelief.

“Please, don’t waste our time. We’ve got better things to do,” said Asanda. She linked her arm through Ntombi’s and tried to pull her away. Ntombi just stared at Mzi.

“Yes,” said Ntombi. “Don’t waste our time.” But she didn’t sound so sure.

“Come, let’s go,” said Lettie, and she and Asan-da climbed into a waiting taxi.

“Aren’t you coming?” Lettie called Ntombi.

“Olwethu’s going to walk me home,” said Ntombi proudly.

“Sweet,” the giraffes chimed.

Mzi smiled to himself. He had seen the spark in Ntombi’s eyes in that moment when he had congratulated her. It was still there. She couldn’t hide it. He looked back across the street. Thandi was watching him. Good. He wanted her to see him with Ntombi. He wanted her to know he didn’t give a shit about her standing up for him. He wanted her to know that if she thought she had a chance with him, she should think again.

Just then an old-style convertible, BMW 3-series came screeching to a stop in front of the taxis. A lady wearing designer sunglasses got out of the car and walked straight towards Mzi.

“Hi, sweetie.” It was Priscilla.

Mzi leaned over and kissed her. A long slow kiss, and he hoped all the girls were watching. When he looked up he saw Ntombi’s face as she quickly turned away. Olwethu was staring too, with envy, thought Mzi. He couldn’t drive Ntombi in such a car. He couldn’t offer her what Mzi could. Mzi saw the look in his eyes and Priscilla dangled the car keys and then laughed as Mzi grabbed them and jumped into the driv-er’s seat. There was no way a woman was going to drive him home.

The soft-top was down, letting in the nice sun-shine and a breeze. Priscilla turned up the kwaito sounds. For a moment, behind the wheel, he felt the old life come rushing in. As they got to the turn into Mzi’s street he couldn’t avoid a white hen pecking for food. It became a whirl of feathers and blood.

“Oh good,” said Priscilla. “We can have chicken for supper.” They laughed.

When they pulled up outside his house he was sorry to get out from behind the wheel where he felt so in control, the old Mzi.

“Are you alone here?” Priscilla asked as Mzi let her in. She was looking around the lounge.

“My sister’s probably gone to the spaza. Why?” Priscilla moved very close to Mzi, lifted his chin slowly, and kissed him.

“Let’s gate-crash that party Friday night. I want that little Ntombi to see me on your arm. Don’t worry about those vultures watching you. You aren’t dead meat yet.”

“Sure,” Mzi replied, laughing. He hadn’t felt like this since before he had been arrested. Then a door slammed and his sister appeared from her bedroom. She had heard them.

“You’re crazy to listen to her.” She looked at her brother, then glared at Priscilla. “She just wants to get you into trouble. If you go out after dark I’ll report you to your social worker and say you disobeyed me.”

“You wouldn’t do that. You couldn’t.”

“Watch me,” she said.

Priscilla raised her eyebrows. “How can you let your sister be the boss of you?” she asked Mzi as his sister left the room.

She was right, thought Mzi. Nobody was the boss of him.

“You’re still one of the men,” said Priscilla. “And I have a message from one of Zakes’ guys. No more carjacking.”

“I know that,” said Mzi. “Do you take me for a fool?”

“But they’ve got other work for you,” she smiled. “They want you to do some selling at school. Zol. Get the younger kids hooked – begging you for more … Bit of extra cash, hey? You’re in the perfect position. Their other guy’s left now and it’s always good to use someone who is at the school. Security’s getting strict.”

Mzi frowned. “I don’t know. It’s a risk.”

“Of course it’s a risk, sweetie,” said Priscilla. She came and gave him a long kiss. Her mouth tasted good. “You’re that kind of guy,” she whispered into his ear, then gave it a little bite. “That’s why I like you so much.”

Mzi did not have time to think about her words, as her hands started getting under his clothes. Soon he wasn’t thinking about anything.