Divergent

02|Sleepover?

"Are you new here?" I glance up at the person. "Uhm, yeah" I answer for the hundredths time this week. Things may have not been going as planned, I've made zero friends so far.

And I've been spending all my breaks in my little corner, reading. "I'm Nelisiwe" She states. "It's nice to meet you... I'm Mihlali" I clear my throat, as she sits down next to me.

"I'm not trying to be a bother anything but I was wondering if you would like to sit with us" She offers. "I don't mind at all, thank you for asking" I grab my bag and book, following after her.

"There's only three of us so you don't have to worry about anything" She warns as we approach her table. I let out a breath as all eyes turn towards us.

"Guys... This is Mihlali. This is Dintle and Elihle" She introduces. "Hi" I wave.

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"Sleepover?" I nervously repeat. "Yeah. We normally do it once in a month but we're making an exception for you" Dintle shrugs. "I-I don't think my parents will agree to it"

"We'll put in a good word for you" I internally sigh. "I don't think I'll be able to go. It's complicated-" I'm cut off by the repeated hooting of Boti Mixo's car. "I'll see you guys tommorow"

"We'll text you the details" Nelisiwe reminds me and I nod, walking over towards the car. I get in and he drives home. "What took you so long?". "Oh my days, Boti."

"Do you know how expansive petrol is these days? This is the last time I'm fetching you" He mumbles under his breath. "Tell Papa that" I snarkly reply.

"Ni ta ku ba" (i'll hit you) "You want to hit me yet you didn't even bring ke a simple take away to ease my hunger" I wave him off. "You get an allowance, I don't. I work for my money.". "Ha. Work?"

"Mhm. What do you think I've been surviving on? Your father's very stingy when it comes to money" He parks outside the gate. "I'm not coming in. I'll be back later"

"Ha-uh... I'm not staying there alone" I fold my arms over my chest. "Your bodyguards will keep you company. Get out" He laughs. "It's not funny"

"Bring that up with your father. Huma" He unlocks the foors and I huff, getting out. I drag my feet into the yard and into the house, heading up to my room.

I freshen up and pull out my phone, saving the new numbers. I text the girls back before completing my homework and studying. "Mihlali!"

I whine, rushing down to my mother. "There's stuff in my car, go and get it" I check the date and walk out to carry the bags. "Are we having guests over?"

"No. There's just so many people in this house that groceries need to be bought every week" She scowls. "Who told you to have five kids?"

"Your father. He kept on wanting a girl-" I interject. "So that he could imprison me?" I chuckle. "Maybe" She shrugs her shoulders. "The men you choose to marry, Mama"

"Hhayi. Leave me alone" She walks up the stairs. I unpack the groceries and get started on with diner. I cook, clean up the kitchen and set up the table in the dining room.

"What's the special occasion?" I roll my eyes as all four of them walk in. "I've decided to poison you all" I sarcasticly reply. "Sizodla udoti namuhla" (we're going to eat rubbish today)

"Who said that I was cooking for you? The kitchen is that way" I turn to face Mahlori. "Mxm" He walks away. "She wants something, that's why she's cooking"

Mama comments as she strides down the stairs. "I do not" I wave her off. "Oho. Hi ta vona hi swona" (we will see) Mandlenkosi states.

I huff settling down along with everyone else. "Your father is on his way down" She infroms. Atleast he decided to join us for dinner tonight, he's been sleeping at the office the entire week..

Everyone keeps quiet once he sits down and we all pray. We start eating. "Makhanani... Ku sweke wena?" (Are you the one that cooked?) I don't even look up. "Yes" I mumble.

"What do you want?" Oh my days. "Papa?" I clear my throat. "Ni ri u lava yini?" (What do you want?) I can hear Malwande and Mahlori snickering. "Uhm... My friends invited me to a sleepover tommorow night"

"So I was wondering if I could go?" I squeak out. "Don't you see your friends enough at school?" He takes a sip of his water. "I do Papa, it's just that this is more of a girls night and they invited me over. It would be very rude to say no"

"Makhanani.  It's not safe" I look down. "It's never going to be safe, Papa. May I please go?" I stumble over my words. "The guards aren't available this weekend and so are none of your brothers or I"

"That's even more perfect. I don't want to freak my friends out or scare them away these bodyguard tactics" I puff out my mouth. "That's a safety procedure-"

"Nothing has harmed me in the past week. I'll survive the night, Papa... I'll be extra careful. I promise" I clasp my fingers together.

"I first need the location of the venue. The entire background, everything about the hosts. A full background check on your friends and extra security around you for the night"

"Noted" Mixo mutters. "Mahlori's going to come with you, just in case" My face drops. "So I can go?" He just stares at me. "Yes" He reluctantly answers and my face immediately lights up. I jump onto my feet, heading over to hug him.

"Thank you. Thank you so much" I grin. "Anything to make you happy" He hugs me back. "If anything, and I mean as much as a little cut or a bruise is to form on your body..."

"We're getting rid of those friends of yours"