The following day at school, everyone was talking about the murder. The principal even addressed it at assembly, telling the students to always let people know where they were, and to always walk in groups. He assured them that the police were doing all they could to catch the person responsible.

Just before the end of assembly, the principal also introduced a new teacher. Mr Mabaso was the school’s new deputy principal and would teach Grade 11 and 12 English and History.

“Show Mr Mabaso respect please. He comes highly recommended. He helped his last school in Limpopo raise their pass rate from 38% to an incredible 96%!”

The students and the teachers gave a roar of applause.

“We hope that he will do the same good work here at Phendula High, and put us on the map.”

There was another round of applause before the students were dismissed. As they walked, Lerato and Ayanda overheard a conversation about the body found in the park.

“My mom was there when they found her,” said one girl. “She said she was raped.”

“Who do you think she is?” asked her friend.

“I don’t know. But she’s not from Phendula Park,” the first girl said.

At break time a group of boys sitting by the water tank were also talking about the murder.

“Hey Khido, did your dad say anything about case?” one boy asked. Khido’s dad was one of the police officers who responded to the call from Mma Radebe.

“Nah bra, and he can’t really talk about it until they know more.”

“You see, the police are useless. They never know anything,” the first boy accused.

“And what do you know? For all we know it could’ve been your brother’s gang who raped and killed her,” Khido fired back.

Angry, the boy leapt up and pushed Khido. Lerato rushed to them as Khido was scrambling to get up.

“Stop it!” she said, trying to stop the fight. “We don’t know anything about her or what happened to her. It doesn’t help spreading rumours about people.”

“Miss Know-It-All, sitshele ke, tell us, what happened to her?” said the boy who had instigated the fight. “Your brother smokes nyaope next to those toilets where they found her. Maybe he and his friends–”

The boy didn’t finish his sentence because Lerato’s hand came flying and landed across his face. The boy staggered backwards, hurt, and shocked that he had been smacked.

Luckily, Mr Mabaso had seen what was happening and came to stop the fight. He separated them and sent them off in different directions, threatening to call their parents if they continued the fight.

The boy was not happy, embarrassed that his friends would probably mock him for being hit by a girl. Lerato could see anger burning in his eyes. She knew this was not over.

“Why would you hit him, Lerato?” asked Ayanda anxiously, as they walked away. “You know he’s not going to let that go.”

“Mxm! I’m not scared of stupid boys like DK. I can take care of myself.”

“But you didn’t have to hit him tsala. You know you were wrong.”

“I know, Ayanda. Eish, but nobody talks rubbish about my family.”

As the girls walked on, they noticed a boy standing by himself, watching them.

“And this one? Not seen him before. Have you?” asked Lerato.

“Must be new; his uniform looks so fresh.”

When the boy saw that they were looking at him, he dropped his head and walked away.

Ayanda turned her attention back to Lerato. “This whole thing has everybody on edge. I’m so scared, I couldn’t even sleep last night. And with Mama working so late, and Mpilo and I always by ourselves …”

“Don’t worry tsala, they will catch whoever did it,” Lerato tried to comfort her friend. “We should focus on our studies and let the police do their job,” she said. “Are you coming to the extra Maths lesson later today?”

“I don’t know. I want to, but who will look after Mpilo? Mama is working a late shift today.”

“Don’t worry about it. My mom said she’ll look after him. And we’ll walk together afterwards so you don’t have to be afraid.”

“Thanks, Lerato. But I have to get home and cook for Mpilo.”

“You’re both eating at my house tonight. Mma said so. So we’re going to the lessons and that’s that!”

Lerato was strongheaded like her mother, and Ayanda knew better than to argue with her.

“Mma Radebe is a good woman, and you’re a good friend. Thank you.”

Lerato linked arms with Ayanda as the bell rang to end break time. As they walked, Lerato looked back and noticed the new boy looking at them. He smiled briefly, then turned and walked off.

Tell us: What do you think about Lerato hitting the boy?