Ellipses

Chapter 1

When I was a little girl I liked the idea of being a princess.I used to binge on disney movies and do ballet every chance I got.But one thing for sure ..I knew from a young age that I didn't need a price charming to come rescue me.If anything, princes needed me for...I don't know what.

I hated boys growing up.Or maybe I thought I did.See from a young age I've always been 'shielded'.I was the miracle child.
Get this- I'm the only girl,the last one to be born and that stubborn child who came even after doctors swore that my mom wouldn't have anymore children after she miscarried,twice.Come to think of it I should've been named Evidence..you know as in 'I'm proof that God lives'- but I would've changed that name at sixteen so I'm perfectly satisfied with the one I have.
Speaking of..I'm Hlohonolofatso.Yes it's a long name.A meaningful one. It's Sotho for Blessing.I think it's pretty obvious why I got named that.

I'm the last of three children.I have two older brothers,Lesedi who looks exactly like me- it's creepy,so they say.At first glance people always assume he's my father which does not make any sense because he's only ten years older than me and it's just impossible and ..where am I going with this again? We're both weird which makes us even closer

And then there's the celebrity that preceded me- Amo.I swear dude thinks he's on a league of his own .He's famous for..I don't know being alive?And being beautiful,well atleast that's what people say.I love him though.He makes me laugh.

Then there's ma. There's not much to say about her because really she's like every African mom. Sometimes I think those human beings have some sort of handbook we don't know of that you only gain access to when you have your own kids.Because really- they use the same threats,the same punishments,the same language, heck they even give the same stares! Honestly I can't. She takes me to church every Sunday and I don't dare protest because well..I don't want to be accused of atheism or worse,being against God.Moms can take it that far.
I can never comprehend why they have to be so hard on girls.I mean girls are taught more work at a young age ,the curfew is different for girls and boys even when they are the exact same age.The system needs to change! - anyway let me not get deep.One thing mom taught me though is independence.She always says "don't rush into marriage,be young,get educated,make money and when you do marry do so because of love not because it was your last option"
She got married to my father when she was twenty seven. I don't think my dad has seen the front gates of church since his teen years.But he's a good human. A God fearing one too. I don't know how he knows all the Bible scriptures he randomly quotes,must be all that radio he listens to. Anyway they are perfect for each other,him and my mom,strange match but perfect.

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"Hloni!" I was not here at all. My mind left the room.
"You should think about your boyfriend when I'm not here,I've been talking"I blush at the possibility of the dude being my boyfriend but quickly shove the fantasies at the back of my mind
"I'm sorry,I'm just preoccupied"I say and take the TV remote from her
"He rules your brain"she says and laughs. Somehow we both know who she's talking about without any name mentions. I join in on her laughter .Lebo though.SMH. She's my best friend. She's a beautiful human being. Very beautiful. We're almost the same height,she's taller and light skinned. We both possess equal amounts of weirdness. I'm fluent in sarcasm. She's not . We met in primary school,sixth grade and we've been inseparable ever since . She,like me has never dated. It's the 'shielding' thing .Teachers in primary were always strict when it came to us ,the 'smart bunch'. What they don't realise though is that they've completely robbed us of a chance to interact with other humans, especially boys. They wouldn't dare come near us. And now..the situation can't be salvaged. My brain is doing that thing again- leaving the room
"You know ,you should talk to him at some point. You'd look good together" she says and I give a surprised look
"And say what? Hey I like you?"
"Yes duh,it's not 1920, girls can take the lead" I can't hide the shock on my face. I almost want to laugh at her . When has she ever taken the lead?
"The dude doesn't even look my way .I'm not his type anyway". She rolls her eyes .I know what it means . She's done taking . But I want her to reassure me ,to tell me that he like me and she can see it . She won't ,I know her

The next two minutes are spent in silence,not awkward though. It's completely by choice ,we never run out of things to talk about. We just like the tranquility.
It doesn't last long though. I hear a bang on my door . In walks a short girl with long brown hair and an uncanny resemblance to me. If I didn't know any better I'd say that she's my daughter and I had her when I was younger and they kept it a secret,but that doesn't make any sense- not even for me . Second theory would be that we're twins butttt I'm ten years older than her and that wouldn't be possible on planet Earth. She's Lesedi's daughter,my niece.
" I need help with homework" she says and puts her hands on her hips. We've got completely different personalities. She's already feisty and she's only six. SMH. I know Aurora is one hundred percent capable of doing her own homework and of someone two grades ahead of her- but she'll find any excuse to hang out with me . I'm mostly flattered by this gesture except when I'm with my friends and she just barges in without any warning I close my eyes for a moment that I think is long enough for her to leave but I'm brought back by the sound of a closing door .I release a sigh of relief and slowly open my eyes - and she's standing right there, staring at me.
It's gonna be a long afternoon..