Monday …

Break is over, and I’m glad Mrs Viljoen didn’t keep me in during break, otherwise I would’ve missed the fight between Morena and Dylan. Yes, we share a name. My name is a very popular one. It’s even in the national anthem. I always feel weird when I sing the part with my name. The other learners look at me and the other Morena, and smile at us like we’re some sort of icons. Childish.

I don’t know what they were fighting over, those two, but as soon as the prefects ran to stop the fight, they fled. That’s because they knew if any of the prefects or the teacher on duty got a hold of their names and classes, it was either after school detention for both of them, or warning letters. So they wisely fled.

I’m still outside, and I can hear Mrs Viljoen talking about the raffle. I have my 50 bucks and I’d like to enter. I get up and I knock.

“Ma’am, I’d also like to enter the raffle.”

“No!” she says. “No, no! Unfortunately for you that privilege is gone mister! Next time Morena.”

Mbali and her friends at the back chuckle.

“Serves him right! Cheater.”

As I am walking out I see Morena Nkhato, the other Morena, buying tickets worth R70, with a R50 note and a R20 note. Damn. I didn’t stand a chance either way. His gran must be smart like mine.

“Shooo! Morena, you mean business this term hey! Good for you.”

Before the end of the day one of the other prefects walks into our class holding a brown envelope. I am allowed back into class so that I can pack my things before afterschool. Mrs Viljoen reminds me to get my diary signed or I will not be allowed back in.

“Oh and this came for you. Give it to mommy to sign.”

I’ve never received a brown envelope before. On my way home I am trying as hard as I can to figure out what might be in it. And then I remember: the cash drive! If your school fees are paid in full before the end of the year, you get a certain cash back reward and it always comes in a brown envelope. I am super excited and I can’t wait to give mom the envelope so we can share the money.

By 3.30pm I’m usually home back from school, in time to do my homework and watch Naruto on SABC 2. I put my diary and the brown envelope on the desk so that Mom can see them. She starts with little bro’s diary.

“Let’s see what mischief you got up to today,” Mom says, as she opens little bro’s diary. He has his days, most of which he is a problem. He’s a little devil that one. Last week after they were taught the dangers of electricity, he tried sticking his little fingers into the electric socket. Today, however, it seems as though he behaved himself and for that he gets a reward.

My turn now. Mom starts with the envelope and I am very excited about it; in fact I am smiling as she opens it. It’s a white piece of paper. There isn’t any money. The expression on Mom’s face changes as she reads it … I’m still smiling … hoping that the money is at least stapled onto the paper or something …

Mom takes off her glasses. A warm klap to my face, another one, and another.

“You will apologise to Dylan and give him back all of his money!”

“But Ma, but Ma …” I try to start explaining.

She won’t give me a chance to speak. “Shut up, shut up. I did not raise a thief! What head prefect steals?”

Dylan is my best friend! That’s what I’m trying to tell her. I would never steal from my best friend.

Mom signs the warning letter and she slips a R70 note into my diary.

Yeah, as you can expect, I am just so confused, I even forget to get my diary signed.

***

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