Between Us

Chapter 6: Embarrassing Encounter

It had been two weeks since Siya last properly spoken to Zola and honestly, the first time they spoke didn't get off to a good start. The only other time he spoke to her was when she was leaving school after her audition. It was just his luck that they had different audition times so the only exchange of words that occurred between them was simple: 

"Hi, Zola."

"Hey. You're going to audition?"

"Yep. You?"

"Just finished. Good luck."

"Thanks."

And off she went, fast like the wind despite her short limbs. And that was it, not much of a conversation if you think about it.

Sure, it would be easier for him to forget that embarrassing encounter but it was hard to when he saw her everywhere he went. Not that she noticed. She hung around with Sihle all the time, the school president. And in all honesty, Sihle was a bit intimidating. She was tall and pretty and smart, even Njabulo was a bit nervous around her.

Siya would see Zola walking past his class. He would see her when classes were changing. He would see her waiting for what looked to be her dad in the afternoons, but would he ever approach her? Nope, not after that little incident with Njabulo. And frankly, he had been avoiding speaking to her because of that. How did he even notice a whole tattoo on Zola? It looked as if she didn't want people to find out about it. And Njabulo decided it was a great way to make friends: talk about a tattoo that was close to her boobs. Great. What were his eyes even doing wandering so far? But then again, 'Njabulo ke Njabulo' and there's no changing that.

Siyas thoughts were racing so much so that he didn't see his sister approach him until she threw her bag down on the table and startled him out of his daydream. "I knew I'd find you here. You usually come here when you're running from someone."

"I'm not running from anyone, I just happen to like books and the unique smell of a library. " Siya tapped the book that sat unopened on his lap.

"Hmph. Nerd." Scoffed Nele, "So who are we running from today? Kat?" Nele asked his brother.

"Do not even start with that, I've got enough on my plate." He responded, putting the unread book back in its appropriate place on the shelf.

"And by 'enough on your plate' you mean Zola, right? I saw how you looked at her when she first came to the drama club meeting, and how you always hover close to her during break time. Simp." Nele rested her chin on her hands mockingly,  prying her brother for a response.

"Are you sure you want to bring up ex-girlfriends?" Siya mirrored Nele's position whose face fell flat. "Exactly."

"Ugh, whatever I have to leave anyway.  I have P.E after this. I'll see you after school loverboy." Nele flicked her finger at Siyas face as she stood up to leave. At times it was really hard to tell that Banele was Siya's younger sister by the way she acted.

And even though he didn't like it, what she said was true. He couldn't help but think of Zola in a certain way. What he needed was someone to counter the way he was feeling and tell him he was being stupid. He needed Njabulo.

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"Yo. Where you at?" Siya asked his friend over the phone as the hustle and bustle of school leaving was picking up.

"I'm by the benches near the bottom field, why? What's up?" He replied.

"I just wanna hang out before I go home. I'll be there in a few minutes."

"You're lucky you get to go home. I live here." Njabulo sighed.

"Not my fault you live at the school hostel," Siya said, ending the conversation.