IS IT DESPERATION OR LOVE Novel Chapter 3

Naomi : mah?

Saronah : tsoga,here’s your homework.

Naomi : what time is it ?

Saronah : 5:30. I have to go to work,you better wake up,your transport will be here exactly at 7 o’clock.

Naomi : you found me a transport ?

Saronah : yes and it’s starting today. I have to go my baby,see you later.

She kissed my forehead and left. I took my toiletry bag and went to the bathroom. I took a shower and walked back to my room while drying my hair. I lotioned and wore my short white socks and my green school skirt. I wore a long sleeve white shirt and my green and white tie and my green school blazer. Now what am I going to do with my hair? I decided to check one of the YouTube videos I saved for a quick hairstyle. I chose one and did it as fast as I can then laid the edges. I checked the time,it’s now 6:45. I ran to the bathroom and brushed my teeth ASAP.

I went back to my room and packed my books for the day. ‘your lunch box missy,time is ticking’ ,my subconscious says to me and I roll my eyes taking my phone along with earpods and power bank and ran downstairs. I sliced a polony and grated it,took slices of cheese and placed them all between two slices of bread and placed it in the toaster. I made myself noodles with a microwave. I opened a fridge and took the juice jug and filled up my water bottle. I ran to my mom’s room and for my lunch money and she left R50 for me today,she must have been in a hurry. I ran back to the kitchen and switched off the toaster, placing my sandwich in my lunchbox and and apple too. I checked the time,3 minutes left. I packed my lunchbox in my bag along with my power bank and ate up my noodles as fast as I could. I ran to the bathroom to rinse my mouth and went to fetch my bag and ran out of the house. As I was locking up,my school transport was already here hooting up at my gate. I got inside after locking up the gate too. Argh,I didn’t apply my perfume today. At least I have the purse spray in my pencil case. That might do.

“neighbour” I looked at the girl sitting next to me and she’s smiling.

“oh, sorry. I’m Nothando… Nothando Khuzwayo,we’re neighbors”

Naomi : Naomi Sebothoma.

Nothando : so… How are you settling in?

Naomi : good I guess.

Nothando : grade 11 right ? Science student?

Naomi : y..yeah. how do you know?

Nothando : your mom came by yesterday looking for my transport driver’s tens. I asked her about you.

Naomi : makes sense.

Nothando : can I swing by after school? We’ll study together?

Naomi : yeah sure. Where’s your school by the way ?

Nothando : not that far from yours. Maybe 15 minutes away from your school.

Naomi : okay.

Nothando : can I have your tens? Maybe we can share some study guides on WhatsApp.

Smart move, making an excuse with our studies but who am I to say no? I gave her my tens and she gave me hers. Plus one on my WhatsApp contacts, cool. She took out a pie and we shared it,i ended up offering her my juice. She’s nice,I like her already. I’m glad that it’s just me and her in this seat. I got to my destination.

Nothando : see you after school,here’s your juice.

Naomi : I forgot about it, thank you.

She blows me a kiss as I went out of the car and a few more students follow me. Okay, another day in this school. I hope this become a much better day than yesterday. I walked in the school premises….It’s after school,I have a life sciences homework that I’m trying to do. I’m still in class, everyone has already left, just me. This topic will be the death of me, really. I sighed as I realize that my transport might be waiting for me.

“uh…” I jumped , frightened.

Naomi : Mr Q,you scared me.

Mr Q : My apologies,I was making my way out but I realized that there’s someone in here. Are you okay? Why aren’t you going home?

Naomi : I…I was trying to finish up my life sciences homework. I’m new here and this is not the topic we were on at my old school so I don’t understand it at all. I’m sure I’ll manage though,I’ll download some videos and watch them,I’ll understand better.

Mr Q : mhh, I like that. Come on, Mr Sibiya will be here to lock up this class soon. I took my bag and left him behind,I can’t be seen with my teacher,where’s my transport? I called Nothando.

Nothando : are you okay?

Naomi : yeah,where are you guys?

Nothando : still waiting for other learners here at my school for their sports practice. Phew!

Naomi : okay,I thought you left me behind. See you soon.

Nothando : ciao.

I dropped the call

“Naomi”

Naomi : Mr Q

Mr Q : enjoy the rest of your day He said and smiles then leaves me standing.

“you too” I whispered.