Chapter 17

I rub my eyes as I hear the knock on door. I get off the bed and head for the door.

"Hello..." I yawn

"Must have been a very thrilling and exhausting hangout huh?" He frowns.

"Okay..." I fold my arms, "Are you here to lecture dad or check on me mom?" I gawk at him.

"I wish I could but you are big girl, you have to learn things the hard way. No one ever wins with Lucas as long Mrs Windhoek" He sighs a bit, "I am sorry, I should mind my business and tell you what I came for. So...".

"Nah-ah, continue, why is that? And...I am not interested in Lucas like that. He is just a nice guy compared to you!" I relax my arms and sit down on the patio. "But..." I continue, "I should heed your advise. I just had to get that out there" I pause, "I don't like him like that" I finally menouvre the words out of my mouth. I raise my head to look at his face, cold as ice.

"Sure, it doesn't matter much. Anyway, the lady said you resume work all is well" He smiles, "I missed our walks to work, it was Linda lonely one may say" .

"Of course it was, I am the little ray of sunshine in your life! " I let a soft burst chuckle in the air.

"Yeah Yeah, rest for the night and be ready for work tomorrow. So...goodnight" He walks away. He is so awkward. He is such a nice tease. I close the door with relieve that I will finally get to be called a teacher again tomorrow.

*

"Mam we missed you!" , "We are sorry about what we said to you the other day" They keep quiet waiting for my response.

"Alright, alright, apology accepted under one condition, no matter what no one talks about my life outside work. I might be a teacher, but this is a job and I have life outside work. We all have life outside this school so...lets not cross each other's boundaries. Alright?" I wait for their response.

"Yes mam" They respond, " but you do look cute together", "Mr Windsor is taken, what about Mr, you look beautiful when you walk together " , "nah! He is with Miss Khoza".

"Guys, hello! What did I say? " I fold my arms. I thought we are past this. Why are they matching with everyone. "Grade 12s focus , listen, No talking about teachers in that manner okay?" I wait for their response.

"Yes mam" they keep quiet. "Okay let us start class. Our topical today is Tropical cyclone, lets open our textbooks on the tablet" I thank God for his mercy, I almost died of embarrassment. I tap my tablet.

*

I open the doors to the staff room feeling dejected. Just three periods but I feel like I have been hit by the bus. Who knew talking for living can have this much toll on a person, at least it's lunch time I can rest.

"You already tired? This morning, is it the visits?" Mrs Grey grins. Why is she grinning?

"What visits? Who is she visiting there?" Ayanda stops mid-way her way to her table.

"Well...I don't know" She looks at me with a very all knowing gaze.

"I am confused" I shrug my shoulders.

"Everyone Paris has a boyfriend who lives at Winding down estate" Amanda announces in the room.

I feel my body melt into numbness. I think I should sit down. I turn my head and I meat a very grim expression from Ntshuxeko. Oh schucks! I hope he is just confused not disappointed in me.

"I guess that is great" He comments with a nonchalant voice.

"Oh yes it is" Second Ayanda who turns her dreamy gaze to the nonchalant Ntshuxeko.

"Be like Paris, don't be desperate" Mrs Grey sips her very healthy drink from the transparent plastic bottle.

"Oh thank you Mrs know it all, oh please remind me why your husband is not coming back home anymore. I do not take advise from people with failing marriages" He sneers. The whole room keeps quiet. "She asks for it. You like making nasty comments like your life is perfect..."

"Okay, that is just enough, let it go" Thank pleads.

"You watch your mouth young lady" Mars Grey stands from her chair.

"Or what? " Ayanda urges her on.

"Oh no, no, no " Miss Dube holds Mars Grey, "Calm down she is just a child" She soothes her back.

Everyone starts murmuring but no audible things were heard. I take a bite of my bread and look at the hurt Mrs Gray. I turn my gaze to Ayanda, who is now whispering things to Ntshuxeko and smiling. What a switch of character, I have to be wary of them. At least all the attention has been diverted away from me. I continue eating my lunch in silence.