Asive and Avela emerged from that group of students. They were grinning as they walked in my direction.

“And then?” Asive asked with a naughty smile on her face.

“What?” I asked pretending to be confused.

“We want to hear it all, Zee. Your conversation with that guy. Is he the one who was waving at you at the lab? ” Avela asked. She pointed in the direction Loyiso had disappeared.

“You mean, Loyiso? He has a name you know.” I couldn’t stop myself from blushing, not that I was trying hard anyway.

“Mhh, our friend is in love,” my friends high-fived each other.

“Argh! Maan. Stop it guys, it’s not like that!” I said. I had always wondered what it would feel like discussing boys with my friends. And it made me feel so good to be the centre of attention.

“We are all ears. We don’t have all day, Zee. The next lecture starts in five minutes.” Asive shook her shoulders showing impatience with me.

“Uhmm, he was asking me out on a date, guys,” I said.

“Tshisa! Girl!” my friends said excitedly. They were so happy for me, they even danced around as if their favourite music was playing. I sank back into a series of thoughts. I asked myself the same questions I’d been asking  before my friends found me sitting on the bench.

“What’s wrong now, Zee?” Asive asked. She was concerned.

“There is something I should tell you guys,” I said, playing with my fingers.

“Anything, my friend,” Avela said. My friends sat close to me and wore their serious faces.

“I have never been in a relationship before. This will be my first time,” I confessed, opening myself to potential ridicule once more. But Asive and Avela were different from the girls I had known in my school days. They apologised to me when they hurt my feelings at the lab and for this they earned my trust.

“You mean … Never ever?” Asive asked. Her small eyes were now the size of golf balls. Avela looked at her in disapproval.

“It’s OK, Avela. Yes, Asive, I mean never ever. This is why I have never discussed boys with you guys,” I said.

“Ncooh!!” Avela opened her arms wide and hugged me.

“To be honest, Zee, we always thought as much,” Avela said after breaking the hug. With my mouth slightly open I moved my eyes to Asive’s face.

“Yes, dear. We could tell. Our experience doesn’t count for nothing,” she said with a smile.

“Go for it, girl. Loyiso seems like a nice guy. But if he buys you a vetkoek on your first date, stuff it in his mouth and leave him there,” Asive said. We all laughed.

“Anyway where is he taking you, Zee?” Avela asked. We were now on our way to class.

“He didn’t say,” I said starting to worry. “We exchanged numbers though, so we’ll discuss that later.”

“Remember, Saturday is only two days away. He may have a fancy place in mind and he just wants to surprise you,” Avela said.

In class I couldn’t concentrate as my mind was two days ahead. I saw myself sitting at a table that was covered with a white cloth. Loyiso was looking deep into my eyes, telling me how beautiful I was and brushing my chin gently with his fingertips as we waited for our order.

***

Tell us: How do friends build trust?