Senatla sat at the edge of the picnic table listening to Marike talk about the party she was planning out at Kloofsburg Dam. Themba, Connie and Reggie sat with them and offered suggestions.

“I can bring my Dad’s braai so we can cook some meat,” Reggie offered.

“That’s good. I’m making punch and my sister agreed to buy some booze for me,” Marike said. “But we shouldn’t tell people. I don’t want the wrong crowd there. Just small, us and a few others. I want a nice party and you know how some of the others can be. The wrong kind of kids.”

Senatla had to admit she didn’t like Marike much anymore. They’d been friends, in a way, since primary school. Marike was often mean to people for no reason. It was as if she liked seeing people suffer. And that part of her personality was growing since she had started dating Reggie. They were the same and they seemed to feed off each other. Senatla wished she could find new friends, but she also knew leaving the popular group would make life problematic. Anyway, she liked Connie and Themba and so usually tried to stay with them.

She wasn’t sure about this party either. She didn’t like the dam, especially at night. And now kids would be drunk. Senatla thought she might try to make an excuse not to go if she could.

“There’s no way my parents will let me stay out at the dam all night,” Themba said.

“Don’t be stupid. You don’t tell your parents. You say you’re sleeping at my house,” Reggie said. “The less parents know the better, I’ve found. They like it like that. They get nervous if you tell them the truth.”

“I don’t know,” Connie said. “What about the monster?”

Marike laughed. “You mean the ‘Kloof Dam Monster’?”

Reggie suddenly grabbed at Connie’s arm and growled. Connie screamed.

“They say it grabs people and pulls them into the dam to drown,” Senatla said. “I don’t think that’s something to laugh about.”

“Oh, Senatla, you’re always such a worrier,” Marike said. “That dam monster is all a lie to scare little kids so they don’t go swimming out there. We’ll be fine.”

“I have a great idea!” Reggie said. He whispered into Marike’s ear.

“Oh Reggie! You’re horrible!” Marike said, smiling.

Reggie turned to Senatla. “You’re friends with that new girl, the one from Joburg, right?”

“Not friends really. We take art together and we talk a bit,” Senatla said, wondering what Reggie was up to.

“So can you get her cell number? I think we should invite her to the party. She doesn’t seem to have many friends. It will be a way for her to get to know people.”

Senatla looked at Marike and Reggie. What were they up to? She knew they didn’t like the party, Kagiso. Why did they want her at the party? She didn’t want to help them in their plan; she was sure it was nothing good. “I don’t know,” she said.

“Come on Senatla, why can’t you do it? Nowadays you act like you don’t want to be my friend anymore,” Marike said.

“No, it’s not like that…” Senatla tried to protest.

“Then do this small thing for me. It’s nothing. I just want her to come to my party. What? Are you jealous?” Marike said.

“No, I’m not jealous…OK I’ll do it. I’ll get the number,” Senatla said. Later, she’d regret agreeing to that.

* * *

Tell us what you think: What is your opinion of Marike? Why?