I walk in to my high school gates and everything just comes rushing back as if it has happened yesterday. The humiliation is like it’s glued to me. I take a deep breath and wipe my sweaty hands on my dress and take the big step inside the schools yard.

Everyone I knew is there with their best dresses looking all beautiful.

“Lwandle I’m so glad you made it.” Ntombi says the girl who was popular in school.

I nod as I try to move past her and there at the far right corner of the hall is Thami looking as beautiful as ever.

“Today it’s not about him.” Buhle whispers,

“You have no idea how happy I am to see you.”

She drags me to a table far away from Thami and hands me a glass of champagne.

“How’s the baby?” I happily fill her in on everything and soon the ceremony starts. After, when the partying starts, Ntombi comes by with her minion friends and gives her best fake smile “You have been scarce on social media; what are you busy with?” She asks with a snicker on her face.

I shrug, “Nothing yet.”

“Did you even finish matric?” She asks with disgust written all over her face.

“Yes.” I say with more force than I intended. I place the champagne glass on the table with more force than I intended. I was about to bite their heads of when Buhle puts her hand on my shoulder. “I think you guys should leave.”

I look up and smile at Buhle, but more grateful that she’s here with me, by my side.