This guy Stone had a nerve – coming and flirting with Morongwa right in front of Tebogo! He looked at Morongwa, expecting a frown on her face, but was shocked to see a smile instead. Jealousy smothered Tebogo’s heart like a blanket. Quickly he took Morongwa’s other hand, and squeezed it.

“And now, wena. What do you know about girls?” Stone said with a mocking sneer. His friends burst out laughing.

“Just leave us alone, Stone. Why don’t you go to your many girlfriends and stay away from us?” Tebogo fumed, still holding Morongwa’s hand.

Stone jumped in front of Tebogo. “What did you say?” he demanded, then pushed Tebogo, who staggered back, and nearly fell.

“Beat him up!” one of Stone’s friends shouted.

“No – stop it!” Morongwa cried out, getting between Stone and Tebogo. “You’re not going to fight over me on my first day here. What will people say?” she continued, looking around at the learners who were watching.

Stone glared at Tebogo. He pointed his finger at him and shook his head, then walked away, followed by his friends.

“Come … let’s go,” Morongwa said and pulled Tebogo by the arm. He looked at the learners who were starting to gather around. Then he saw Dimakatjo, observing him from a distance, his face sad under his red sun hat. They always walked home together, but for the first time, Tebogo wasn’t going to walk home with him.

“Isn’t that your friend?” Morongwa asked Tebogo, as Dimakatjo walked past. “Why is he not greeting us?”

“Maybe he didn’t see us. He has problems with his eyes when he’s in the sun. It’s because he’s albino.”

“Oh, I understand.”

Tebogo felt guilty as he watched Dimakatjo walking home alone. He kept seeing his sad face in his mind’s eye. And he felt guilty for holding Morongwa’s hand in front of him. Surely, Dimakatjo’s heart was bleeding, and that hurt Tebogo. But Tebogo had never had a girl, and such a beautiful one, interested in him, inviting him to visit her. What could he do? He prayed that Dimakatjo would not confess all to Morongwa on the internet. Surely Tebogo would lose her then.

Tebogo knew he had no choice but to tell Morongwa the truth that afternoon. There was no way that he was going to let her find out from Dimakatjo. He had to do it for his own heart.

***

Tell us what you think: Can the two boys’ friendship survive this conflict of love interest?