Beautifully Broken

The Other Girl

Chapter 9

Success brings customers. And customers bring jealousy.

Monday. Zamo was in class, minding her business, when a girl walked straight to her desk.

Pretty, light skin, expensive wig. Everyone knows her — Sihle, Lwandle's new girl. The one from the "finally peace" post.

"So you are Zamokuhle?" she said, hands on hips. Class went silent.

Khethelo stood up instantly. "And if she is?"

Sihle ignored Khethelo, eyes on Zamo. "Lwandle told me everything. You keep telling people he cheated. He didn't cheat, sisi. He left you because you were boring, always crying, always insecure. I am not like you."

Ayabongwa gasped. Lindokuhle grabbed Zamo's hand under the desk.

Zamo stood up slowly. She was taller than Sihle in her heels.

"Sisi," Zamo said, calm. Too calm. "I never told anyone he cheated. I said he left. That's truth. If you feel like 'cheater' fits him, that's between you and him."

Class: "Ooooh!"

Sihle got angry, "You think you are better because you sell lip gloss in res? Lwandle only came back to you because he felt sorry for you. He loves me."

Zamo smiled — that CEO smile she learned.

"Then why are you here and not with him? Why are you in my class worrying about me if he loves you so much? Sihle, I don't want your boyfriend. I blocked him. I have my own man who irons his shirt for me. You can have Lwandle. Keep him. But don't come to my class to fight for a boy who is already looking for the next girl after you."

Sihle was shaking. "You—"

Nomkhocy walked in late as always, saw drama, assessed in 2 seconds.

"Oh, it's the peace girl," Khocy said loudly. "Girl, final peace didn't last long huh? You were peace for 2 weeks and now you are war in our class?"

Everyone laughed. Sihle ran out, almost crying.

Khethelo hugged Zamo, "CEO clap back! You ate her!"

But Zamo wasn't happy. She was tired. "Why do girls fight over boys who hurt us both?" she whispered to Khocy.

That evening, Zamo did something no one expected.

She DM'd Sihle: _"Sisi, no hate. You can have him. We both deserve better than boys who make us fight each other. Focus on you. I focused on me and now I'm rich. You can too. - Z"_

Sihle didn't reply. But she didn't post Zamo again.

Bandile called that night, "You okay? I heard."

"I am," Zamo said. "I used to think healing is when you stop crying. But healing is when you stop hating the girl he chose over you."

Bandile was quiet, then: "My girl is wise now too? How will I keep up?"

Zamo laughed, "You won't. You will just love me and pay for my gloss."

End of Chapter 9