I arrive home at 17:45. Mama is sitting with Lizo outside, dad is there too, making fire to start with the pots. 

Lizo runs to me, I pick him up and him his sandwich. He greedily takes it, a wide smile on his dark and round face. He eats it with his eyes closed.

“Nice!” He shouts, after taking his first bite. His brown eyes are glowing with happiness.

Mama laughs. “Where did you get that?” She asks me

“From a friend.” I say

“I’m glad you’re finally making friends.” She smiles gently.

“Evening Papa.” I greet dad.

Father looks up from the fire and waves at me. “How was school?” He asks.

“Okay.” I disappear inside our shack. I find Nhlanhla there, asleep on her sponge.

When I walk in, she stirs.

“Where are you from, this late?” She asks me.

“I was tutoring.”

“You’re now a tutor?”

“From today.” I nod

She smiles. “Okay baby brother. How’s the issue of friends coming along?”

“Its okay.”

“You’ll be fine, you’ll see.” She says

Easy for her to say. She already has a boyfriend at school, and she chills with the most popular girl group at school. She’s the smart and beautiful girl at school, unlike me. Smart and unknown.

“I hope so.” I grin

She smiles and closes her eyes, drifting to sleep once more.