The next morning, I didn't rush downstairs when Kylie honked outside. I moved slowly, deliberately, taking the lunch tin my mom handed me without protest.
"Honey, are you okay?" She asked gently. I nodded, offering a small smile.
"Do you want me to pick you up from school today?"
"It's okay mom, I am sure Kylie won't be busy today." I told her, but even I wasn't convinced.
She looked at me with a mix of sympathy and hesitation. I kissed her cheek before heading out.
When I got into Kylie's car, I greeted her, but she barely looked at me. She seemed sad today but I didn't ask why. I just assumed she had a lot going on, between Zweli breaking her heart then dying—getting murdered shortly after.
We got to school and went to class in silence.
Lunchtime was different. It seemed as though her mood changed, and she started telling me about the amazing time she had with Pako. I just nodded along, trying to tune out the pain that came with listening to her. I pushed my food around my plate with a fork but barely took any to my mouth. And that says a lot because I was a sucker for anything that had cheese.
Why did it hurt so much that Kylie was hitting it off with Pako?
"What's wrong?" She asked.
"What do you mean? Nothing is wrong." I lied.
"I know you dude."
"I'm just stressed about this stupid project." Another lie.
"Oh, don't stress too much, it will come. At least Pako will help." She shrugged and I nodded. "Plus, you have about three months. You'll be fine. I have Math lit, see you later." She stood up and swung her bag over her shoulder. I exhaled and closed up my food for later.
"You okay?" Janine's voice pulled me from my thought.
"Damn! You are everywhere. Just leave me alone." I snapped then stood up to head to my Math class, not looking back to see how Janine received my words.
The school was still gloomy after the news we heard the day before. Teachers kept mentioning it and asking us to come forward with information we have. Nobody seemed to have known what happened to Zweli and it was pretty odd.
During my last class of the day, the classroom was silent except for the soft scratching of pens against paper. The afternoon sun streamed through the windows, casting long shadows across the desks. My eyelids felt heavy as I tried to focus on the words in my notebook, but everything blurred together. I felt tired.
Just one more period. One more, and I could finally go home.
The door creaked open, and everyone's heads snapped up.
Mr Uche paused, lowering his glasses as he looked toward the doorway.
"Mr Uche, Principal Moatshe would like to see Olebogeng Moseki, immediately." A learner said.
My stomach twisted. In mu five years in Tableview High, I had never been called to the principals's office. I swallowed hard and pushed my chair back. The legs scraped against the floor, the sound sharp and grating. I ignored the curious stares as I grabbed my bag and slung it over my shoulder, my heart pounding against my ribs.
The walk to the principal's office felt longer than usual. My mind raced through every possible reason I could be called in. Mr Moatshe used to be my neighbour, but there was no way he was calling me to his office for a casual chat or to ask how the rents were doing.
The door to his office was slightly ajar. Through the crack, I saw a navy-blue uniform and a badge and a gun holster. My breath hitched as soon as I realised that there was a cop in there.
