15 Seconds Behind You

Chapter 1

"How long are you going to be, I need to be at Mollet's in 5 minutes remember?" He says to me.

"Yeah, I'm just gonna be in and out don't worry, wait right here." I said, I get out of the car and get into the 24hour store at the gas station. I get inside and there's a queue, there's only about 3 people since its early hours. I'm in front of the line in about 5 minutes, so poor Nate is going to have to wait a little longer.

"Hello, how may I help you?" the lady at the till says, how polite, I almost forgot how friendly the people here are, has it really been 2 years already?

"Yeah can I get a pack of cigarettes and a lighter please. Oh and a pack of gum." I said, the lady looks at me strangely before turning around to get my requested items.

"That'll be R47,50" she says. I hand her the money and take my things. It's really cold in Johannesburg during these hours so I quickly walk towards Nathan's car and we drive away.

"When are you quitting exactly?" he says, looking at me as I light one up. I blow smoke out of the window from my mouth.

"I don't know, whenever you decide to start."

"That's never gonna happen."

"Well alrighty then, answered?" I say, while turning my head to face him and smile, he just smirks and I give him a quick kiss. "Turn right here."

He turns and we drive slowly until we reach Noluntu's house.

"I don't understand why you don't just go to your parents house if thats the reason you're here." Nate says while rubbing the top part of my hand.

"No, no, no, my dads house, that woman is not my mom and I would much rather bond with my sister than stay a week without a voice. Always being controlled, Noluntu understands."

"Oh I get it, I get it, so then she'll understand why you smell so bad, right?" He said and I shoved him and we laugh in the car. "No joke though, cologne is necessary"

I reach for my deodrant and spray it all over my clothing, purposely making sure that I leave this car smelling like me.

"You're not just gonna leave like that right? After 6 hours in a car with you babe?" He says while unbuckling his seatbelt and leaning forward, I smile and give him a very passionate kiss, it lasts for about 2 minutes and the I break it off.

" 'K babe I've gotta go now, help me with my bags?" I say while slowly getting out of the car and heading for the boot.

He gets out of the car and gets my luggage while I call Noluntu. He kisses me once more before getting back into his car and driving away. Just as he left, my sister is walking towards the gate that is sliding open at that moment, in her cream gown and purple slippers, her hair is tied up and she has pantyhose covering it (as she usually does when sleeping).

"Who was that?" she says while closing the gate behind me.

"My boyfriend, we drove up together."

"At 3am?"

"Hawu, KZN is no joke sweetie, we left at about 8 last night. I didn't even get to watch Generations! Imagine, just so I can see you guys"

"Aw shame man, well at least you decided to come, it's almost like you've been avoiding the family."

"No, its not that, I've just... been busy" I argued, following her towards the kitchen after closing the door behind me.

"Busy? Ha, with what?" She said taking out 2 cups and preparing Rooibos for the two of us (our all time favourite tea).