The Classroom: Act 1

Chapter

1

The sky was a pale blue, slowly being consumed by the dark of clouds. It was a bit windy, but it would be worse when the storm starts.

Hiding behind the long line that ended the eye’s view of what lay beyond what they saw as the ocean was the sun, readying itself to give way for night.

It was 6:57.

Mischka Hindley was the first one there. She would regularly be one of the late ones who always took their time getting ready and arrived an hour after. For some reason she was the early bird and received no worms because she was the only one there. The parking lot was empty when her father came to drop her off.

All the teachers had left and the school security system turned off for that night. The sprinklers were on. She could hear them from a mile away.

With nothing but her cell phone for entertainment, Mischka sat down on the steps that led to the main office. Curse her father for bringing her early. Why did his job call in for him? She was more important. Her father could have waited, but NO, his job was more important. To be honest, Mischka would have taken her own sweet time. But, hey, her beauty doesn’t just come naturally. With her straight black hair, fair skin and chocolate coloured eyes, time was all needed to make her look like someone’s wife. She had her hair tied in a ponytail and wore only a little lip-gloss. She knew she wouldn’t be getting any kisses that night, mainly because it was just going to be her class.

She wore a black hoodie with some white jeans and sneakers.

Their teacher, Mrs. Geldenhuys, offered up an end-of-the-year sleepover where it would only be their class spending the whole night on school premises. Sadly, they can only stay within the Activity Centre.

It was going to rain during the night. Most kids would have wanted a sleepover during a warm day, but Mischka’s class voted on having it on the rainy day. That way, they could stay inside and tell stories, play games and rekindle on all the great and bad moments of the year.

Some of the students already said they couldn’t make it, mainly because they weren’t in the mood or they had something better to do. Good, Mischka thought that meant that she wouldn’t have to deal with some of the boring kids.

Bored herself, Mischka looked down at her cell phone and hoped for new messages.

The only message was one from her friend, Veandré Raubenheimer, who sent her a meme earlier that day. The meme was about what happened during the day.

It was civvies at their school, including a massive bake sale. Of course, at their school, when you mix casual-wearing kids with food it would be a mess. There was also a food WAR in between, leaving the school a huge mess and everyone getting a lecture. The principal ordered everyone to clean the school, but seeing as it was Friday, everyone left before they even began.

The janitor, Reef, said he’d clean the school ALONE for extra payment. Seeing as they had no choice, the principal said yes. So now it was going to be Mrs. Geldenhuys, Mischka’s class, and the janitor. Mischka looked up from her cell phone when she heard the approach of a car coming through the main gate far in front. It was a dark blue BMW that slowly drove down the aisle, its headlights shining through the dark. Only when Mischka looked at the lights she realized that nighttime was coming fast.

The car parked ahead of the parking lot, the engine still purring.

Squinting above the light, Mischka tried to make out who was in the car. She saw a man with his son, both unidentified by the shadows. From what she saw, the father and son were arguing but not loudly. Maybe it was because they saw someone was sitting there and didn’t want them to hear. Good, too, because Mischka couldn’t care less about what the two were arguing about. When the argument was over, the passenger seat door opened, and from it emerged a classmate of hers who had their earphones in their ears.

Luken Groenewald, dressed in some Adidas shorts and a navy blue jacket with some Nikes, walked around the car and to the boot to get his sleeping bag and backpack. They were instructed to bring a sleeping bag or some duvets, toiletries if necessary and some snacks for in between meals. He grabbed hold of his duffle bag and sleeping bag that rested in between all the supplies his father bought for the function that night. Sighing, he closed the boot and walked back to the passenger seat door, the wind blowing his dark brown curls out of his eyes. “Thanks, I’ll be going now.” he whispered low to his father who was busy looking at Mischka.

“She’s cute.” his father whispered, trying to be nice again. “Dad, no.” Luken said, slowly slamming the door shut and giving his father the message to leave. His father didn’t wait for his son to say anything further, so he reversed out from the parking lot and began driving off. “What was that all about?” Mischka asked, trying to build up a conversation.

“Nah, nothing.” Luken said, taking out his cell phone and gluing his eyes to the screen, already motioning that he didn’t want to talk.

Mischka took the hint, rolled her eyes, and looked down at her cell phone too. She went into her contacts and dialled in Veandré’s number. The ringing started and Mischka waited for her friend to answer. “What up, Mischka!” Veandré answered with her charming voice that crackled due to the wind in the background wherever she was. “Where are you?” Mischka asked her. “When are you guys coming?”

“What’re you talking about, we’re all here,” said Veandré. “Everyone’s sitting in front of the Activity Centre.” Mischka cursed at herself for almost forgetting. They were going to camp out in the Activity Centre. Of course that’s where they would be waiting.

“Shit, I’m at the office.” Mischka said, slightly laughing. Veandré laughed at Mischka. “Nah, girl, you funny.” she said, trying to stop laughing. “Get over here. Everyone’s still waiting.”

“I’ll be there now.” Mischka reassured Veandré and ended the call. She turned around to alert Luken about where they should be, but he was already on his way around the huge school building. Irritated, Mischka picked up her backpack and sleeping bag. She strung the backpack over her left shoulder and ran after Luken, trying not to curse at him for leaving her alone.

She passed the once beautiful but now creepy looking trees as the wind rustled the leaves and branches. Dimly lit lights were against the walls, shining like energy-saving light bulbs and giving off enough light.

Luken’s father’s headlights were brighter than all of them. “Wait for me!” she yelled at Luken, but with his earphones in and his eyes on the screen he was as deaf as a post.

When he walked around the corner and disappeared, Mischka then realized how creepy the school was at night. Trying not to get caught by unknown guests, she speeded up and turned the corner too, passing one of the container classrooms as well as the locked sliding gate. The wind blew her hair back and cooled her down. With the hoodie she wore, she barely felt the cold. She passed the trees that were lined up in front of the massive hockey field. Next to the lined up trees was the giant Activity Centre, a cream coloured building made for winter sports and sometimes assemblies. The maroon building matched the black letters spelling out ACTIVITY CENTRE.

The closer Mischka got to Luken, the more she saw the group of kids standing underneath the trees in front of the building. In the middle was a cement-and-brick cube students sat on or put their bags on. In this case, it was both. There were about ten kids from her class.

Lucia Du Toit, Narron Fuller, Matthew Adams, Gabriel Sas, Farren Titus, William Alexander, Moejid Arnolds, Lonwabo Malgas, Malebo De Beer and Andrea Stevens. They each had a backpack and something to sleep on. Their luggage was packed on the cube. The girls sat on the cube, sitting close for heat, while the boys were gently kicking a ball they were planning on playing with after dinner. Everyone wore sweaters, jackets or hoodies. Matthew and Luken were the only ones so far in shorts.

“Where’s Vee?” Mischka asked, not seeing Veandré anywhere. Luken walked over to the cube and put his bags down. He went and sat down on one of the benches next to the trees shadowing the cube.

“She’s over there taking pictures.” Lucia, a slim, brown-skinned girl with long, black hair she had tied in pigtails. Mischka turned to where Lucia was pointing and saw Veandré with Tracey-Lee Titus and Jolita Wessels.

They stood by the wooden fence that surrounded the pavilion. Within it were the bleachers and the rugby field. Just outside the wooden fence were a few tables and benches that had trees looking down on them. “Yoh, Vee!” Mischka called after putting her luggage down next to what she hoped was one of the girls’ luggage. She then jogged off to her best friend to smother her in hugs and finally have someone to talk to. Meanwhile, the group of girls on the cube were all watching videos on Lucia’s cell phone. Narron had the cell phone while Lucia, Malebo and Andrea were carefully looking over her shoulder. The light shone over them and made their surroundings dark.

“Does this girl go to our school?” Malebo asked, pointing to the truly gorgeous girl in the Tik Tok video who danced to one of the more popular songs of Dababy.

“Yah, and she’s not just an amazing dancer; she can also sing.” Lucia bragged. Farren looked down on the screen and tried to avoid Malebo’s bun. Narron exited the video the moment it was over, showing them a wide range of videos.

“Pick that one.” Malebo said, already pressing on the video. It loaded and finally played. It was of a fight that happened at their school during the bake sale. The worst part was that the two people fighting were Uzair Cupido and Shaariq Majid, both boys from their class. People were taking videos and chanting FIGHT over and over again, no one even bothering to stop it or call one of the teachers.

Most of the fights at their school lasted for about ten seconds, but this fight almost made it to a minute with both boys giving it all they had.

Shaariq, the one with the black wavy hair and fit body, laid down punches all over Uzair, the slightly skinny one with curly light brown hair and braces.

Uzair didn’t back down, of course. He fought back, head-budding Shaariq to catch him off-guard and then tackling him to the ground. The fight was mostly of them laying down punches, headlocking each other and the swearing loudly. They left the fight with bruised knuckles and bleeding noses and lips.

Luckily they weren’t suspended from the big sleepover, but them both being there would be a whole lot of drama, especially since everyone said Shaariq won. “Nah, I don’t think their parents would allow them to come.” Lucia said, slowly shaking her head. “What were they fighting about, anyway?” Andrea softly asked, her eyes on the screen. “From what I’ve heard, it was about some girl.” Malebo said. “Oh, come on, it can’t just be of a girl.” Narron said, her hollowed voice ripping through the air. “A fight this intense must be about something personal.”

Moejid, the shortest of the boys with a scruffy voice and black curs and soft brown skin, overheard the girls but paid them no sign that he was. “The girls are talking about the fight.” he whispered to Matthew, Gabriel, William and Lonwabo. “Who isn’t?” Gabriel asked.

“But, nah, Shaariq was all over Uzair.” Lonwabo said, kicking the ball over to Matthew. “Did you see all those bruises over Uzair?” “Ricky better be careful.” Matthew said, halting the ball with his right foot. “Uzair’s brother might wanna take revenge on his side.”

“You’re talking as if Shaariq doesn’t have people.” Moejid said. “If those two took revenge on each other, I’m telling you guys, it’s gonna be war.”

“Do you guys even know what caused them to fight?” asked Matthew. “They wouldn’t say.” Lonwabo said. “Van Vuuren shut them both up and sent them home after that.” “I really hope they’re gonna be here tonight.” Moejid said. “It’s gonna be boring without their lame-ass jokes.” Matthew passed the ball to William and kicked it up to his hands. “If they do come,” he said, staring at the ball with his honey-coloured eyes and trying to be mysterious. “We better keep them from triggering anything that might cause an argument and then a fight.” He tossed the ball to Moejid who grabbed hold of it, dropped it to his feet and kicked it to Gabriel.

“I swear, there’s gonna be some tension between the two.” Gabriel said, bouncing the ball on his left foot. “But they’ll be buddies by next week.” Matthew said. “I mean, look at Shaariq and Zurial. They fought one day and the next they were laughing at each other’s jokes again.” “But this was a heated fight.” Moejid said. “Whatever caused it had better not show face tonight. All I wanna do is eat, laugh, play games and take a breather after the exams.”

“Yah, I swear we all failed maths.” Matthew said, smiling broadly as his smile pulled out his cheekbones. He had a nice fit body with stringy and wavy dark brown hair he gelled to the side. “Speak for yourself,” William said, kicking the ball towards Matthew. “We all know you got -70 outta 70.”

Matthew kicked the ball back to William and it bounced against his leg, hopping on over the fence and rolling down the grass onto the rugby field. “I’ll get it.” said Moejid, already jogging off before there were even any volunteers.

He hopped over the fence and came to the ball. He bent down, picked it up and looked ahead of him when he saw the headlights of an approaching car driving in the street behind the school.

It was a white Corolla that parked by the security gate at the back. There were no guards, so the gate was locked, meaning that whoever came out of the car would have to use the revolving gate, which was smaller and right next to the security gate, and had some leftover barbed wire strung to the metallic fence beside it.

The kid in the car immediately climbed out, already holding their luggage. “Who is that?” Matthew asked, yelling at Moejid. Moejid stood up straight and squinted to see who came through the revolving gate as the Corolla drove off. “It’s Daylon!” Moejid said, turning around and jogging back to the others.

Daylon, dressed in a nice and thick sweater with some jeans and Jordans, came walking confidently down the cracked road that led past some trees and both fields and headed to the Activity Centre. With his nice plump body and charming good looks, he succeeded in both rugby and Casanova. “Yoh, yoh, yoh!” he greeted them, waving both his hands freely and smiling broadly.

“Here comes my husband.” said Veandré the moment she saw Daylon approach. She abandoned the photo shoot and jogged over to him. He wasn’t really her ‘husband’. She just liked hugging people. Heck, she even hugged everyone that came.

When she came to him she gave him a tight squeeze and departed. “I thought you weren’t gonna come.” she said, her hands on his chest.

“Nah, I wasn’t gonna miss seeing who snores in their sleeps.” Daylon said, looking over at Lonwabo.

“I’m looking at you, big boy.” “Yah, Wabbie also screams in his sleep.” William said, playfully smacking Lonwabo on his back. Daylon made his way over to the cube and tossed his duffle bag in between the other luggage.

“Are we the only ones here?” he asked, cracking his fingers one by one. “Some of the kids can’t make it tonight.” Mischka said, approaching them along with Tracey and Jolita. Tracey was a well-built girl with short and wet black hair with faded hair on the sides of her jaw.

Jolita, on the other hand, was a bit taller than Tracey, and also had her hair in a bun. She was slender and had a nice small and round face.

“You’re part of the group admin,” Malebo said, looking away from Lucia’s cell phone. “Who’s coming?” When all attention was on the questions, Narron left the videos and went into Lucia’s gallery.

“Besides Ma’am and us,” Mischka said, her hands on her hips. “Kids that are still to come are Shakiya, Aaliyah, Teswill, Duaine, Amy, Aqhamile, Sasha, Abongile, Robin, Britney, Uzair and Shaariq.”

The boys all gave each other concerned looks.

“Oh, come on,” Veandré said, noticing their looks. “Those two are not gonna fight tonight. Trust me, I’ll make sure those two become friends again, that is if the steam hasn’t already cooled down.”

A cold wind swept through them and made everyone shiver. “I hope you’re right, though,” Matthew said, looking down the cracked road and at the gates. “Their fight was hectic. I swear, if they fight now it’ll be more than just some bruises and bleeding noses.”

Chapter

2

So far everyone had arrived, except for Shaariq.

Of course Uzair was the last one to arrive, wearing a parka and some jeans. The class tried not to give the impression that they were still thinking about the fight, but Uzair himself thought about it. He wasn’t as comedic as he was during all days. His eyes were lowered and his mouth was shut. The only actions he did were walking and carrying.

“Hello, Uzair,” greeted Mrs. Geldenhuys. “How are you this evening?”

Robin Sinclair, a short and slim girl with a dark brown bob and scowling eyes, wanted to slap Mrs. Geldenhuys for pretending to be oblivious.

Mrs. Geldenhuys arrived about ten minutes after Amy-Leigh Hartzenberg arrived. She was the short and chubby one with the honey-coloured hair and talking to Sasha, a slightly taller but also chubby girl with black braids.

They stood beside Aqhamile Mcknchu, a brown skinned girl with an athletic body and thin braids, and Abongile Mcweba, a plump girl with light skin and chocolate-coloured hair that she combed down her neck. The two of them were standing with Malebo who repeatedly talked about Uzair’s arrival with her soul sister, Aqhamile. “I wonder where Shaariq is.” Malebo asked Aqhamile. “Maybe he’s at home because he knows he’s gonna beat the hell outta Uzair.” “Shut your mouth!” Uzair yelled at the two of them, fury burning in his eyes.

“Hey, quit it!” Mrs. Geldenhuys ordered. They all looked at her and stayed quiet. “This is supposed to be a fun night because next year you’re all in metric. Next year is your last year here, and probably your last year seeing each other.” She saw that her words got to her and seemed pleased. “If I were you, I would go around gossiping and picking fights just because someone was in a bad mood.”

“Sorry, Ma’am.” the three of them mumbled, looking down at themselves.

“Good for you,” Mrs. Geldenhuys said, flicking her blonde hair out of her sky blue eyes that were ringed with eyeliner. She had on a thick puffer jacket and some pale blue jeans with a box of things the class guessed were files.

“Alright, Shaariq said he was gonna come later tonight, so I want y’all to get cosy inside.” she said, turning around and walking to the thick, wooden door of the Activity Centre. She bent down and unlocked the door, swung it open and flicked on the lights.

One by one the lights buzzed on, revealing the giant dome building with its white walls, grey cement floor and two sets of bathrooms right next to the supply room and kitchen. Above that was the spectator gallery with a glass wall and everything. Besides that, the spread of space where hockey and netball were played during the winter had a crate of bananas, apples, oranges and bottles of water in the left corner. There was more than enough space for them to make camp and run around.

“Wow, I almost forgot how cosy this place was.” said Britney, her bronze-coloured hair laid out straight and her hands shoved into her coat pocket. The lights illuminated her cognac eyes and made the gel in her hair shimmer. “It was when we had our Grade 8 camp.” added Lucia. “But even then it was freezing cold.”

“Which is why everyone’s gonna sleep together.” said Mrs. Geldenhuys as she walked into the kitchen to put down the box. Everyone was shocked at her proclamation and turned to face her. Some of them began muttering and said that they wanted to sleep separately.

Mrs. Geldenhuys came out and hushed them all with her fist. “It’s either the girls or boys sleep on the other side and freeze to death because that garage door is slightly open,” she said, motioning to the aluminum garage door where the bigger supplies would come in, as well as the hectic lawnmowers.

“Or we can all sleep on one side, try not to touch the opposite and or same sex, and sleep peacefully after a full stomach.”

They all looked at each other and cringed.

“Ok,” Lucia said, her hands balled into fists and on her hips. “But then the girls sleep up against the wall while the guys sleep below us.” “So you want us under you?” Uzair asked. His words brought back laughter to the guys and a few smiles to the girls. At least now they could see he was feeling better. “Ok, you all settle in and figure out who sleeps where,” Mrs. Geldenhuys told them. “I’m quickly gonna go and check up on our delivery.”

She took out her cell phone and left the Activity Centre, closing the door behind her.

They all looked at each other for a few seconds, apprising each other of the race that was about to happen. Within seconds most of them ran to the wall, shoving each other out of the way just to get a great place to sleep. With their pillows up against the walls, they’re necks would be safe from stiffness and pain, so the wall was a very valuable spot.

“Children. They’re all children.” Britney said as she turned and walked over to the girl’s bathroom. Lucia and Robin immediately followed her, as well as Tracey, Jolita and Shakiya. “This is gonna be one fun night.” Mischka sarcastically said. “Damn right it is!” Narron said, swinging her duffle bag to the ground and unzipping it at the same time. From within it, she took out a bottle of A.A. Badenhorst Family red wine, then she took out a bright blue hookah and a Bluetooth speaker. The moment their eyes were laid onto it, everyone forgot about the wall and hurried over to Narron and her treasure chest.

“Wow, where the fuck’d you get this?” Uzair excitedly asked.

“What? What?” came Robin’s voice from inside the bathroom. She scurried out and saw the wine, hookah and speaker. “Holy shit,” she whispered, rushing over to the crowd. “Did you pay for all of this?” “My dear, I know people. Haven’t you heard that Narron knows people?” Narron asked, swaying the bottle of red wine in the air.

“What if Ma’am finds out?” Luken asked. “Hey, hey, if you keep your mouth shut she won’t.” Aaliyah, a pale-skinned girl with pitch black hair and dark brown eyes, told Luken, almost biting his tongue off. “Narron’s people paid good shit for this stuff. This might be the first time you’re gonna drink alcohol; you’re first time is always better with the people you love.” “Ma’am won’t be here to watch over us the entire night.” Narron said. “She’ll have to eventually go out for calls things, you see. When she does, we can enjoy ourselves.” She gently put the stuff back in her duffle bag and zipped it shut. The rest of them backed up and looked at each other with interest.

“This is gonna be one fun night,” Aaliyah said. “I swear, this is going to be a night we’ll never forget.” “You can say that again,” Britney’s voice came as she exited the bathroom along with Lucia, Shakiya, Tracey and Jolita. Over Britney’s eyes were big and black sunglasses. With her cell phone in her hand, she nodded to Narron and smiled. “Let’s play some tunes while we work, shall we people?” “Nice!” Narron said and unzipped the duffle bag again to get the speaker out. Britney turned on her cell phone and scrolled through all her old-school jams which one would suit the mood and get them all moving.

She scrolled down and found one that was both old-school and new-school. With the Bluetooth speaker on and already connected, Britney tapped on the song and immediately it started. Electricity, by Dua Lipa, played and echoed off the walls of the Activity Centre.

“What kind of music is this?” asked William, pretending to cover his ears as if they were bleeding. “It’s art,” Britney said. “It’s something you wouldn’t understand.” The song played loudly and made some of the girls start to dance. The 80’s beat mixed with the nowadays guitar music created an epic groove that made most of them already start laying out their sleeping bags and duvets. “Can you believe we’re gonna have a sleepover together?” Malebo excitedly asked Aqhamile who was busy laying out the base of the bed she made for herself.

“I know. I’m so excited!” Aqhamile cheered. The two had always wanted to have a sleepover but never wanted the other to come to their house. “Hey, I hope none of you talk in your sleep.” Abongile said, laying down an old sleeping bag her mother got for her.

“I hope no one gets wet dreams and starts doing things in their sleep.” said Uzair. “If anyone besides my people touch me I swear I’ll slap you awake and then asleep too.” Lucia warned them. Robin giggled as she spread out her sleeping bag.

“I really wish Erin was here.” Farren said, sitting down on her sleeping bed that was already made. Her snipped dark brown hair was tied in a nice ponytail that she made fall down her neck.

“She wanted to be here, but her family had this party or whatever that’s like super important.” Britney said, also sitting down, and took out her cell phone.

The music was still playing. She went and played some old Ne-Yo songs “Wait, Luken, weren’t you supposed to be at some family thing too?” asked Matthew who was leaning against the wall as Lonwabo took out their ball, ready to play another game. “Yah,” Luken answered, his hands in his pockets and his bed not made yet. “It’s an old but close friend of my dad’s 60th birthday. Apparently this guy means a lot to my family is sick so we decided to host his birthday as a gift before he … you know … dies.”

“Poor old guy.” Veandré said, pushing some sympathy out. “Yah, my dad wanted me to be there to give some speech, but I wanted to be here.” Luken said, sounding as if he was regretting his decision. “And it was a great idea, too,” Teswill said as he and Duaine walked over to him.

They wrapped their arms around Luken and messed his hair a bit. “Tonight wouldn’t be the same without him.” “Yah, they wouldn’t have someone to boss around.” said Shakiya.

The two boys, both tall and broad, with Duaine taller than Teswill, looked over at Shakiya and asked what she was talking about. “Jokes. Just jokes, people,” she said, laughing afterwards. “I’m just playing. It’s good to have you here, Luken.”

“Yah, whatever,” Luken said, being a good sport. “I wonder what we’re gonna do to pass the time.” Tracey asked, going over and standing next to Matthew who was busy scrolling through his chats. “I think we’re gonna be playing some slumber party games,” Jolita suggested.

“Maybe some games where it’s boys versus girls.” “Whatever it is, it better be great and worth my night of binge watching some great movies.” Lucia said, jogging over to the back of the Activity Centre where the giant crate was. “I’m suddenly in the mood for a banana.” she said, bending over the crate to grab her a banana. “What, you’re potassium low?” Gabriel asked, snickering the minute he said it.

“That would be funny if I knew what pataseum was.” Lucia said, jumping back with a bright yellow banana in her hand. “Oh, yah, eat it, Lucy,” Narron said, snapping her fingers. “Eat it slowly.” When the boys started laughing and smiling, Shakiya playfully shook her head in disbelief. “Ya’ll are dirty minded.” she said. “We were thinking of an inside joke,” William said. “Yah, what were you thinking we were thinking?” Lonwabo asked, crossing his arms. Before Shakiya could shoot something back at him, Daylon opened his duffle bag and showed them all about twenty packs of potato chips. “Good job, Bally,” Matthew said as Daylon began tossing the packs of potato chips at everyone.

“One for you,” he said as he tossed the chips. “And one for you,” The wind howled like wolves outside, shaking the garage door that was open a crack from underneath. “I hope no worms or bugs come in here tonight.” Amy whispered to Sasha. “I’m fine with bugs,” Sasha responded.

“But once Malebo sees a cricket in here, I fear for all of our safety.” Amy laughed at Sasha’s comment and hoped Malebo didn’t hear it.

Even if she did, she knew it was true. Pretty soon everyone was on their own: Malebo, Abongile, Aqhamile, Amy and Sasha were in their own group with Andrea barely tagging along, Luken, Teswill, Daylon and Duaine were together while the rest of the girls were in one group and the rest of the boys played some soccer to pass the time before Mrs. Geldenhuys would arrive. “Yoh, Uzair,” Matthew said out of the blue as he passed the ball on to Gabriel.

“I don’t mean to pry, but what happened today?” They all stopped playing. Some of the girls who heard Matthew’s question lifted their eyes off their screens to see Uzair’s reaction. Uzair looked at all of them and could feel their eyes on him; he could feel them holding their breaths in anticipation to know what triggered the almost-one-minute-fight.

All of them were hungry for that little bit of gossip. Even if some of them would say that they weren’t interested in what happened they still wanted to know so they wouldn’t feel left out. He didn’t want to tell any of them. No, he didn’t NEED to tell them, but if he backed out now it would reveal an emotional side of him that he’d rather prefer be hidden from the rest of his classmates.

He had no choice but to tell them … something. If he didn’t tell them something quickly they’d assume he and Shaariq were actually fighting over something serious.

“Uhm,” he started, thinking of a good excuse to hide the real fact why they were fighting. “Nah, it’s nothing too serious. Shaariq just went and told the girl I was gonna ask out that I’m gay, embarrassing me and leaving the girl questioning my sexuality.” “But you know you’re not gay.” Narron told him.

“Why do you pay mind to it and give Shaariq the attention he so desperately wants?” “No, you don’t … you don’t understand.” Uzair said, lowering his voice and biting his tongue to not spill any important information. “If Shaariq comes walking through those doors, I’m gonna slap the shit out of him.” Lucia said, pulling a bit of rage from deep within her and mixing it with her stamina.

“No one touches my man after fuelling his rage!” Uzair smiled and wanted to thank her for her support, but once again, he didn’t want to show weakness. There was a quick moment of silence before Mrs. Geldenhuys walked back inside the Activity Centre. “Can three of the boys quickly come and help carry the food?” she asked, and Teswill was already jogging to assist aid.

“Nah, Ma’am,” Daylon said, walking in front of Luken who was willing to help. “I don’t think three guys will be necessary. Two’s alright.” “Ok,” Mrs. Geldenhuys said as the two boys smiled and began heading to the door.

“But if anything falls and breaks, you’re paying double its amount.” Pretty soon Daylon was jogging out the door and Teswill ran past him. In an instant, a light jog became a race to the food truck. Mrs. Geldenhuys stood in the doorway of the Activity Centre and watched the two boys running inside the school, trying to be faster than the other one.

“Boys,” Farren sarcastically said, rolling her eyes and laying them back down to the brightness of her screen. “Yah, they’re heading the wrong way.” Mrs. Geldenhuys said, slowly shaking her head and laughing at the idiocy of the two boys. “Alright,” she said, quickly turning around. “Luken and Duaine, I need the two of you to go the food truck that’s right by the BACK gate.” Luken jumped at the opportunity and dropped everything he was doing.

Duaine walked beside him the two passed Mrs. Geldenhuys and out into the cold night where the wind picked up speed and the sky was an inky black as the clouds took control.

Mrs. Geldenhuys closed the door when the wind screamed through the branches and moved them in an unsettling way. She shivered and hugged herself.

Her eyes darted to her watch and she saw it was 7:27. As per the schedule she made up, dinner was gonna be at 9pm and bedtime whenever.

From 7:35 till 8:55, they were going to play some games and or tell stories to pass the time. During dinner, Mrs. Geldenhuys planned on playing them all some movies she’d project on to the wall. She’d turn off the lights and it’d be like their own little theatre. For dinner, she bought KFC and pizza with the money the students brought in. It was going to be a fun night, she thought to herself as she looked at everyone.

She’d been stuck with all of them since the beginning of their journey through high school. Seeing them all grow up and eventually leave was just so extraordinary to her that it was almost elegiac.

“Tonight’s gonna be amazing,” she told herself. “These kids have been through a lot together. It’s only fair that they get one last night, before one last year.” She nodded to herself, breathed in deep and smiled broadly. The A class, she thought. The A class would never be the same again.