Nangomso is walking into school when she hears Samkeliswa calling her. She stops and waits for her to finish filling out her questionnaire, and get sanitized.

SAMKELISWA: I thought you fell off the face of the earth. You missed two days of school and your phone has been off the entire time. I called your mom and she said you weren’t taking any calls. Prince on the other hand won’t stop calling me to ask how you are. What happened to you? I have been worried.

NANGOMSO: I just needed time to clear my head. I am back now. Could we please not talk about Prince? I really want to focus on other stuff right now.

SAMKELISWA: (Concerned) What happened? Did you guys break up because Thabile kissed him?

NANGOMSO: (Angry) I said I don’t want to talk about this! I am late for my Maths class. I’ll see you later. (She walks away, leaving Samkeliswa shocked.)

Later Nangomso heads to her final class of the day. When she arrives outside the Life Sciences classroom she finds Prince waiting by the door with his arms crossed. She walks past him without saying a word. He follows her inside calling after her.

PRINCE: You can’t keep avoiding me. Nangomso? Nangomso? Please talk to me.

She takes her seat and he stands over her while she pulls her books from her bag.

PRINCE: Why won’t you let me explain? Just let me explain.

NANGOMSO: (Shouting.) Because I am not interested in what you have to say. Now please leave me alone.

The whole class turns to look at them. Prince reluctantly walks over to his table and sits down, defeated. Ms Lukhele walks in; seeming really upset.

MS LUKHELE: Good afternoon class. Please take your seats. I have an announcement before we can begin today’s lesson.

The students listen attentively as she puts her bag down then turns to face the class.

MS LUKHELE: (Clears her throat.) A formal email has been sent to your parents, however, Principal Naidoo has instructed all teachers to give you this information before you leave today.

The class is completely silent.

MS LUKHELE: Mrs Clinton’s family contacted the school just before break. They have been giving us updates on her health. Today they informed Principal Naidoo that Mrs Clinton has made a full recovery … however she did pass on the virus to her husband. He had a stroke earlier today. Sadly, it seems that Mr Clinton suffered severe complications and passed on before he could even be taken to the hospital. Mrs Clinton has also informed the Principal that she won’t be returning to school, so I will be your permanent teacher from now on. In light of this dreadful news there will be stricter covid protocols, to ensure that we maintain social distance and that we keep our masks on.

A handful of students are sobbing softly. Harriet has her head on her arms and is sobbing audibly. Nangomso leans across the table between them and squeezes her shoulder gently.

MS LUKHELE: I understand that this is devastating for you all – covid coming so close – but I believe that Mrs Clinton would want to make sure you remain positive and that you all focus on passing this year. She will be dearly missed.

Harriet raises her hand and Ms Lukhele nods in her direction.

HARRIET: Ms Lukhele do you know if it will be possible to send Mrs Clinton flowers, or a card, just to show our support …you know … seeing we can’t visit the family?

MS LUKHELE: Harriet I will need to confirm that with Principal Naidoo. As soon as I have all that information, I will let you all know.

Ms Lukhele takes a seat at her desk. When all the sobbing has died down she pulls the textbook from her desk drawer.

MS LUKHELE: Alright then, let’s pick up where we left off yesterday. Please turn to page 184.

After their Life Sciences class, Nangomso rushes out of the class. She heads to her favourite spot behind the library.

PRINCE: (Walking over to her with his hands raised.) I come in peace.

NANGOMSO: (Sighs) I don’t feel like talking. I got your messages and your explanation has been received. I just want to get back to how my life used to be.

PRINCE: I want to talk to you in person. I need to make you understand what happened.

NANGOMSO: I was there. I saw what happened. I don’t want to talk about this.

PRINCE: I am not with Thabile anymore. You have to believe me Nangomso. I want to be–

NANGOMSO: (Interrupting him.) You are still in love with her. And I don’t want to fall for you, only for you to go back to her. I saw how you couldn’t resist her. I can’t compete with that.

PRINCE: How are you telling me how I feel? (Raising his voice in frustration.) I want to be with you Nangomso. Doesn’t that count for anything? Are you seriously telling me that you feel nothing for me?

NANGOMSO: (Looking at her feet.) How I feel about you isn’t important. Thabile and you are–

Prince moves closer to her, places his hands on her upper arms and pulls her into his arms. She doesn’t resist his embrace. He sighs deeply and hugs her tighter.

PRINCE: How can you doubt how deeply I feel for you when holding you calms me. I really wish you would stop fighting your feelings and just be with me. You know you want to.

NANGOMSO: (Wrapping her arms around his waist.) I’m just afraid that you’ll wake up one day and realise you are still in love with her and forget all about me. I’ve had a crush on you for so long and I was okay with not having you, but then things changed and you became mine. My first boyfriend. Now I keep waiting for the rug to be pulled from under me.

They stand there in each other’s arms in silence for a moment. Prince eventually pulls away and looks her in the eye.

PRINCE: I really like you and I enjoy spending time with you. These past few weeks have been amazing and I wouldn’t want to trade them for anything in the world. I need you to believe that I truly want to be with you, only you. Thabile is in the past for me. Please stop using her as a reason to end things between us.

NANGOMSO: But she is a big–

Hugs her before she can finish her sentence.

PRINCE: Do you want to be with me?

NANGOMSO: Yes, I do.

PRINCE: Great, cos I want to be with you. Please let me be your boyfriend again. I’ve missed you.

NANGOMSO: Yeah I know – I have at least 50 messages from you as proof. I must admit it was a little unsettling watching you turn into a stalker. (Laughing.)

PRINCE: You joke, but Leroy had to talk me out of breaking into your house and forcing you to listen to me.

NANGOMSO: Remind me to thank him. I don’t even want to imagine the drama of having to explain to my mother why a strange boy is in my house. (They both laugh.)

PRINCE: So we’re good now? All is forgiven?

NANGOMSO: (Pulling out of his embrace so she can look at his face.) Yeah, all is forgiven.

PRINCE: Call your mom and tell her not to fetch you. Tell her you are going to Samkeliswa’s house or something.

NANGOMSO: Why?

PRINCE: I want to spend time with you. We can drive for a bit and then I’ll take you home.

NANGOMSO: (Blushing.) Okay. Let me send her a quick text.

She sends her mom a message. Prince picks up her bag off the ground then takes her hand in his.

PRINCE: Come on Miss Lukhalo. We have catching up to do.

NANGOMSO: Yeah, and the next time you decide to be an idiot, I disappear for a week. (She laughs.)

Prince stops walking and clutches his chest dramatically.

PRINCE: Don’t you dare. My heart couldn’t take it.

They both laugh. Then they walk to the parking lot talking and laughing.

*****

Tell us: Have you found it hard to have or sustain a love relationship due to covid fears and restrictions?/Did you enjoy this play?