The next day after English I waited behind when the other kids left. “So I thought about those extra lessons, Mr Phaladi. I thought maybe I’d like them,” I said.

He smiled. “Good. How about we start this afternoon? We can meet here after studies.”

“Okay,” I said. I was certain I knew what I was doing. I was not Pearl. I was not weak and stupid. I’d know how to work this to my advantage. Everything would be fine.

*****

Fiona grabbed me as I headed to the English classroom. “Where you going?”

“Oh I forgot to tell you. Mr Phaladi wants to see me after school. There was a problem with my essay,” I said.

Fiona looked at me. I knew she wanted to ask something, but she kept quiet. “Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow then.” She headed toward the school gate, and then she came back. “Listen, Kagiso. You know Pearl has gone missing right? No-one knows where she is.”

“Yeah, and so? What does that have to do with me?”

“Nothing… I guess.” Fiona shook her head and walked away.

Mr Phaladi was at the chalkboard when I arrived. “Oh good, Kagiso. Come sit down.”

He’d put two student desks together. I sat down at one, he sat down at the other. He was very close to me. “I brought this book for you. You can have it actually. It’s about using the five-paragraph structure to write your essays. I think it will really help.”

“Thanks,” I said taking the book.

He looked at me longer than was comfortable and I looked away. He pulled my face back towards him with his index finger. “You know, Kagiso, you’re a very talented student. And … a beautiful woman too.”

I wanted to run. But I wanted to stay too. Was it true? I never felt beautiful. I never felt special. I knew I got good grades, but it was because I worked so hard.

Before I could think again, he kissed me. On the lips. I stood up, shocked by what I knew would happen. But it was all going too fast.

He stood up and came to me. “Don’t be afraid. I don’t want to hurt you. I want to help you. I know about your family. I know you’re struggling. We can help… we can help… each other.” He smiled, but it was a smile that meant something different now.

“I don’t know… I don’t know about all of this…” I backed away toward the door. I couldn’t think. I needed to get away.

He spoke in a calm, kind voice. “Don’t be worried. I’ll help you. You don’t need to be afraid of anything.” He handed me R200. I took it. “Good. Now you go home. Think about my proposal. I really like you, Kagiso. I’ve liked you for some time. If you think more about it, you might realise you like me a bit too.”

I left without saying anything. I walked quickly to the gate. And though it was still hot, the ground baked and hard, I ran all the way home. I wanted to be as far away from the school as possible.

It was no longer my quiet safe place, my place of calmness. Mr Phaladi had changed all of that.

***

Tell us what you think: Since Kagiso took the R200, does she now owe Mr Phaladi something?