Grade 9, Thokomelo Child Care Centre
I am Mandy, a 16-year-old teen. I am going to start Grade 11, just a week to go and we’re going back to school. Well, this was a great experience and what I discovered- I don’t know if I should thank Corona or not.
The day arrived. I was so excited to see my friends. It had been a while and since I lost my phone, I lost all their contacts and I couldn’t contact them. When I arrived there, school had changed- everything. We had to screen before entering the school, practise social distancing and wear masks. I couldn’t survive an hour with it on. Well, I had to follow the protocols. The worst thing that happened is that I arrived late at school. The late-comers were divided into separate classes. They told us they divided all Grade 11s according to their marks. I never thought it could stress me this much but when I arrived in class not even one of my friends was there. I couldn’t say anything to anyone. I just sat at the front seat, since we sat one per table. I was so bored until break time when I saw my friends. Those girls are a vibe; they are a whole mood. My break time was fantastic. I didn’t want it to end but it did. I had to go back to that boring class.
I sat there and it was our free period. Our maths teacher came and introduced a new learner called Jay. She was a lesbian. She was so cute. When she was introducing herself, her smile was to die for but she put her mask back on. There was no space at the back so she sat at the table next to mine, in the front. I decided to speak to her. I greeted her and she answered. I told her my name and I told her I would show her around the school. We had a long conversation. She got to know me better and I got to know her better. After school we exchanged numbers. Well, when I got home as usual, I changed out of my uniform, ate and just chilled. I tried going on my phone but then I was dataless. That bored me. I even forgot to put her number on my phone. I just sat on my bed and thought for a long time.
I thought, is this a time for me to start over and make new friends? Is this a punishment to get away from my friends? Why would they only separate me from them? Is this Corona even real because it’s really ruining my life? I am stuck here at home. I can’t even visit my friends. In group chats I felt left out when they were talking about the things that happened but I wasn’t there and I couldn’t go to the park! I kept on thinking hard. Well, I was used to overthinking, I guess.
The next day, Jay and I spent time together. I showed her around the school, introduced her to the lesbians I know well since it’s a girls’ only school. I left her with a group of lesbians and went to my old friends but I felt bored. They didn’t even notice I left. I went to class. I found Jay sitting alone. I asked why she was alone. She said that the girls/lesbians aren’t the type of people she would want to chill with and she was a little bit overwhelmed. I think she was bored and just made an excuse. She also asked me why I told her about the girls and about our friendship and how I feel now that it never existed. She felt sorry for me but I didn’t want that. While talking the girls from our class arrived, only two of them. They greeted and complimented Jay and told her how beautiful she was and all. Jay just said, “Thanks” and never entertained them. I think they were crushing on her but I turned a blind eye to this. As the days went by, I was really enjoying her company. She had the best personality and I think I found myself again and felt free to be me around her because she never judged. I was open to her and we became the best of friends without even noticing it. When I got data, I asked her to send her pictures. They were so hot-hot and she used no filter. They were gorgeous.
Two months passed and we had the best friendship and not even a single fight. At school one day she asked me If I date girls. I felt that was a weird, a very weird question. I was surprised so I said, “Me? Girls? Hell, no. I don’t date girls. Imagine me dating girls.” She just stared and said, “Okay.” The next day those girls came again at break time. This time she actually entertained them and even asked for their numbers and flirted with them. That really surprised me. I just stood up and left them there. My mood was down the whole day. When she tried talking to me I was moody. I couldn’t believe I was jealous of her. I tried convincing myself that I wasn’t falling for her and yet I was.
The following days I did not get close to her. I tried making an excuse about Corona and social distancing- that I don’t want to get infected. She knew something was up. So at break time she went to those girls to chill with them. I was so angry that I couldn’t stand talking to her for the whole day. She noticed that something really was wrong now. She came to my house on Saturday. I told my mom to tell her I am not home.I blue-ticked all her messages. On Monday in the morning, she asked me if I was jealous. I told her I was not and that she could continue with her girls and leave me alone. She didn’t like drama. She actually backed off. At break time I heard that she was now dating one of the girls. I knew I had to put an end to this. I went to Jay and told her the history about the girls and that it wouldn’t end well on her side. She pretended not to believe me but she knew I wouldn’t tell her lies. She really needed the reason why I told her all of this. I told her it was because I cared. After school she visited me and confessed how she felt about me. I also knew this was the time to come clean. I told her that for the past two weeks I had liked her and I thought I was actually falling for her without realising it. I said, “I know I said I don’t date girls but you actually changed my mind.” She told me she knew I was jealous and she wouldn’t date those girls. She found out her own information about them. She forgave me and I forgave her.
Our friendship was good again and a start of a relationship, I guess. So maybe I should thank Corona for separating me from fake friendships to a new and real friendship and a relationship.
I actually found out I can date girls. I am part of the LGBTQI group. There’s actually something positive that came out of this.
THE END!