Mrs van Zyl is welcoming the students into her classroom, but most are still shuffling down the corridor. Zuri is walking with a group of girls. Bandile and Ethan are dragging their feet behind her.

BANDILE: Aargh I’m so done with this day, can’t it end already! This LO lesson is going to drag.

ETHAN: I know man, and Mrs van Zyl sounds like a whining old duck when she talks.

BANDILE: Jo bra, spot on!

ETHAN: Be prepared to be bored out of your mind.

Bandile pushes Ethan’s backpack to cheer him up. Ethan pretends to fall over and cackles with laughter.

BANDILE: Hey, but party at my place tonight! Let’s get the whole gang there: can you see if your brother can sneak us some beers again? Man, what a legend!

ETHAN: Yeah, dude if you’ve got the cash he’ll do it … Hey, there’s Zuri, when are you gonna ask her out? I know you’ve been checking her out, but seriously I still think you can find a hotter girl in the grade.

BANDILE: What do you mean? Zuri is at least a solid 7 out of 10.

ETHAN: That’s what you think … no, I’d go for a girl like Monde, now she’s a dime.

BANDILE: Whatever! You take Monde then, she’s too short for me anyway. Check this out….

Bandile trots up to Zuri and puts his hand on her shoulder, making her slow down her pace.

BANDILE: Hey! Zuri … what’s up cutie pie?

Zuri rolls her eyes and edges away from Bandile. She pushes his hand off her shoulder in annoyance.

ZURI: What now Bandile?

BANDILE: Just checking if the sun came out, or did you just smile at me?

ZURI: Are you always this cheesy? Or is it just when you’re around your friends and trying to show off?

BANDILE: Just when I’m around you gorgeous… Anyway… Party at my place tonight, why don’t you and your girlfriends come over for some fun? Come on, let loose, get your nose out of your books and have some fun for a change…

ZURI: Thanks for the invite but I think I’ll skip.

BANDILE: I see. And are you just playing hard to get?

 ZURI: (in annoyance) I don’t feel like being gawked at by you and your little gang all night, and I know Monde is so over Ethan cat-calling her across the field during break. It’s just childish.

BANDILE: Oh come on, you girls are just lame. Everyone’s gonna start thinking you’re a teacher’s pet if you act like this.

ZURI: Just because I care about my grades doesn’t make me a nerd.

 BANDILE: You’re never gonna get a guy if you’re so stuck up all the time, Zuri.

ZURI: (sarcastically) Cheers Bandile, enjoy your party tonight.

Zuri disappears into the classroom behind her girlfriends. Bandile is pissed off and turns around to find Ethan bent over, his hand over his mouth, roaring with laughter.

ETHAN: OOOOOH, what a burn brother! You must be losing your touch with the ladies.

BANDILE: Never!

ETHAN: Ha! Or you’re just ugly, it must be your face! (winks)

BANDILE: Oh shut up. Come on, we’re late again.

Mrs van Zyl is sharing a presentation on the projecto. Bandile and Ethan are passing notes under the table, making plans for their part.. Both boys are hardly listening. Mrs van Zyl snaps her fingers.

MRS VAN ZYL: Bandile, Ethan, are you listening?

BANDILE and ETHAN: (simultaneously) Yes Ma’am.

MRS VAN ZYL: Then please repeat who is most at risk of HIV/Aids in this country?

Both boys are silent and sit up a bit straighter.

MRS VAN ZYL: That’s what I thought…  it’s young woman and teenage girls who are most at risk, which means all of you lovely young ladies sitting here today. This is why preventative medication like PrEP is so important, and not just for the ladies. It can prevent HIV in men and women, whether you’re heterosexual or homosexual.

Everyone in class is trying not to giggle, except for Zuri.

MRS VAN ZYL: Has anyone ever experienced taking PrEP, or know someone? Please don’t be shy, I would love us to discuss this.

Zuri sits quietly, she wants to speak up but she’s shy. She slowly raises her hand. Ethan and Bandile turn to look at her with a sneer.

ZURI: I know someone, ma’am.

MRS VAN ZYL: Has PrEP been able to help them, Zuri?

ZURI: It’s an uncomfortable thing to speak about, but things could be a lot worse without PrEP. I really wish more young girls knew about the danger of Aids before becoming sexually active. People need to speak up about it more, and show support where it’s most needed.

MRS VAN ZYL: Thank you Zuri, I agree with you there! The more we speak up and educate young people, the more we can prevent the spread of HIV. You are at the forefront of our future!

Mrs van Zyl carries on with the lesson.

BANDILE: (whispers) Stop sucking up Zuri, why do you take this so seriously. It’s not like HIV even affects us.

ZURI: What do you know, Bandile?

BANDILE: You could have it aaall going for you if you weren’t so serious all the time.

Bandile and Ethan are sniggering at Zuri. Bandile throws a piece of crumpled paper at her and it lands on her desk.

Zuri opens it, confuse,d and reads the words “Teacher’s pet” scribbled on the page. Tears well up in her eyes.

BANDILE and ETHAN: (mouthing the words) Teacher’s pet, teacher’s pet.

Zuri gets up and runs out of the classroom. Everyone stares after her.

Tell us: what do you think of Bandile’s and Ethan’s behaviour?