02
892 Words
The canteen is filled with students, so like a norm, she goes outside to the back of security building to have her lunch, unlike usuall, she's not alone todat, theres another student there who is buried in his books,there's only one tabl available so she has no choice but to sit besides him.
the young man looks up and smiles at Maya who doest return the smile, feel embarassed, he nods his head down and continues to read his books. she takes her food out and eats, focussing in her own thoughts.
the bell rings, indicating the end of lunch, simulataniously, they both pack their things head to class.
the week continues the same, the pair continue to sit together during lunch and say nothing, both focussing on their own things, but today, things were different, somehow used to not being the only one at her secreat place, Maya is suprised to see that she was the only one here today.
the nerd boy as she labld him was not in, okay, given it is a friday and not most people have classes on friday, but she had hoped he would be here today. she continues with her lunch in a somber mood, and just like that, thats how the rest of her day and weekend end.
monday morning, she wok up feeling bright, in a much happier mood than how she was. even in class, people became shocked to see her interact, some made fun of her while others were too shocked to say anything, okay, fact! she's one of the brightest students in class, but she barely talks to anyone, so seeing her interact like this, came as a shocker to most.
lunch time came and she ran to her spot, like she anticipated, the boy was her before her. a small smile made it' way to her lip and she ran towards the table, taking both she and the nerd boy by suprise.
"why were you not at school?" she asks.
shocked, the nerd boy looks over at her and smiles. "it's nothing" he says.
"mmmh" maya says and sits down besides him.
"i'm Maya by the way" she puts her hand out forward.
the nerd boy smiles at her and takes her hand, "nice name maya " he says, in smiles.
"well...?" maya c**k her eyebrow in a question form.
supressing a smile he too mimicks Maya.
"what is your name " he smiles and respose.
"Tumahole" he says.
"nice to meet you too " she says, smilimg.
maybe school might just be nice from now onwards. they continue to talk but Tumahole glances at his book every once in a while.
"am i disturbing you?" she asks, suddenly feeling bad.
"huh?, no its not that" he closes his book and looks at her, she bites on her sandwhich and he looks another direction untill she takes last bite of her sandwich.
"i feel like i'm disturbing " she says after taking the last sip from her drink.
tumahole looks at her and smiles. "no, you not, i just have to catch up in my work" he says.
the bell rings and they both head in different direction.
with the same unsettling feeling she had, she begines to replay their conversation, maybe she came on too much? but he seemed to not mind, or maybe it's because of what?
she continues to question but finds no answer to her questions.
when she gets to her room, she finds her roommate with a few other girls giggling. she greets them and they greet back.
"so you hang out with poor kids now?" Maya snaps her head to the dirction of her roommate, not sure if she was talking to her.
"angizwa?" one of the girls giggle.
"i saw you with that guy"she says.
"okay?"
the girls look at each other and giggle.
"serious maya, no one wants to hang out with that guy,i know hes new and all that, but did you know that he stays at the cottage right next to the lake, like super poor. his mom works here at the school for free just so he can study here, like."
maya looks at the girl, waiting for her to make a point. the three girls look at her,waitig for them to say their point.
"you dont get it do you?" her roommate says.
"Candice im still waiting for you to make your point"
candice stands up and walks over to her.
"like Maya, he's poor, broke okay, stay away from him"
"So you judge people now, nakhona, what does him being poor have to do with anything? "
the girls all keep quite and look at her.
"aii, angi'understandi why nithanda ukuzenza unkulukulu ngabanye abantwana yaz" she clicks her tongue and slumps on her bed, putting her headphones on she plays music and blocks the rest of the world out.
suddenly like it had been waiting to be discovered, she remebers that when ever she would eat, Tumahole would look away, and come to think of it. he has never seen him eat anything since last week. could it be that he doesnt eat here at school? but why because everyone gets food.
still in thoughts, sleeps consumes her with all those thoughts running away with her.
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