Monday morning at school. Bandile is walking around looking for Zuri. He keeps going over his apology in his head.

BANDILE: (to himself) It just sounds so stupid! What can I say to her to make her realise how sorry I am?

He pretends to speak to her.

BANDILE: “Hi Zuri, can we chat?”… No No… “Zuri, hi, I need to speak to you about the other day.

He slaps his forehead. When he looks up he sees Zuri walking by herself up ahead.

BANDILE: Well, here goes nothing.

He runs up to her and touches her gently on the shoulder. His heart is beating fast.

BANDILE: Zuri, um…I… how are you?

ZURI: (sighing) Have you come to call me names again? I’m not in the mood for it, Bandile.

BANDILE: Um no, see that’s why I’m here. I want to apologise for that.

Zuri turns to look at him, a little confused.

BANDILE: I’m really sorry Zuri, I’ve been thinking about it all weekend. I was wrong to laugh at you and I know I hurt you. I’m sorry I made you cry.

ZURI: Let’s sit down.

They sit on a bench under the trees.

BANDILE: I’ve been thinking about so much lately, and I know I need to change. I just hope you can forgive me. I just needed you to know I was sorry.

He looks away, embarrassed.

ZURI: Hey, Bandile, um…thanks, for saying sorry. I can see you mean it.

BANDILE: Friends?

Zuri smiles and puts out her hand for a handshake.

ZURI: Friends! Why the change of heart all of a sudden?

BANDILE: I have my mother to thank really, she’s a good person. She told me something important, and it’s making me see things differently.

ZURI: (Jokingly) She must be a strong woman to crack that big head of yours!

They both laugh a little.

Bandile: Everything you’ve been saying is right you know. I should have respected you for speaking up about HIV. My mothers’ story has made me realise that now.

Zuri: What happened, Bandile?

Bandile tells Zuri the whole story about his mother and father.

ZURI: Oh dear Bandile! That’s terrible. Your poor mother. How can a man be so heartless like that too, and leave his child?

BANDILE: I know, I was shocked too.

ZURI: What about your mother? Is she okay?

BANDILE: Yes she is fine, I didn’t even know she was HIV positive. She caught it early and takes all the proper medication. But I know she still feels pain for what she went through.

ZURI: I’m sorry Bandile… my heart goes out to your mother for what she had to go through.

BANDILE: Thank you, Zuri, so does mine.

ZURI: I must tell you about my sister.

Zuri suddenly looks very sad. Bandile listens quietly.

ZURI: Remember in LO, when I said I know someone taking PrEP? I was talking about me. It’s why I feel so strongly about it, I’ve done all the research.

BANDILE: Why do you need to?

ZURI: It’s because of my older sister, she was raped six months ago on her way home from work. She had just got out of the taxi and was nearly home when someone grabbed her. She tried to fight but he was too strong. The man who raped her was HIV positive and he passed it on to her.

BANDILE: Oh no, Zuri.

ZURI: She’s still not the same, and I miss her. She was always the one laughing at home and now she’s so quiet. She feels ashamed of her HIV status, and she’s battling with her health. She always used to get sick easily, even when she was younger. My mother is so worried.

BANDILE: It’s awful Zuri. I’m so sorry, your sister should never have gone through that.

ZURI: My mom is so worried I will end up like her that I take PrEP just in case. I’m still a virgin, I really want to wait until I’m older and meet someone I love. But my family is so afraid of rape now, and to be honest, so am I.

BANDILE: Oh Zuri of course you would be afraid. I’m sorry for all the hurt your family has had to go through, It’s dreadful.

ZURI: Thank you Bandile, I know we’ll get through it, it’s just hard.

BANDILE: I admire your strength. I feel so guilty for how I treated you in class; I had no idea you’d been through so much, Zuri.

ZURI: When Mrs van Zyl was talking about it I just couldn’t stop thinking about my sister. You and Ethan just pushed me over the edge. Have you ever started crying about something so small, and then end up crying about everything that’s wrong in your life?

BANDILE: I wish I could take it back, I’m so sorry for hurting you, Zuri. I’ve made mistakes, and I hope I can make it up to you.

ZURI: Your apology means a lot, and it felt good to talk about what happened to my sister, so thank you for listening, Bandile.

Bandile reaches over and gives her hand a squeeze. Zuri smiles faintly. Ethan and a group of boys walk past and spot them.

ETHAN: OOOh look who’s holding hands. What did you do to win her over now, Bandile?

BANDILE: Not now, Ethan, enough making fun of Zuri.

ETHAN: Check it out boys, he spends 30 minutes with the nerd and he’s already turning soft.

They walk away laughing. Bandile shouts after them.

BANDILE: She’s not a nerd!

He turns back to Zuri.

BANDILE: I’m sorry about that, they’ll come around. They’re just trying to act cool. I’ll get Ethan to stop.

ZURI: It’s okay, I’m kinda used to it by now. Anyway, thanks for standing up for me!

Bandile smiles. The school bell rings for the start of class.

BANDILE: Hey Zuri, what are you up to after school tomorrow? Want to hang out?

Zuri smiles back.

ZURI: Sure! It’s a deal. See you later B!