CHAPTER 01
RORISANG MKHIZE.
"Rorisang, class activity?"
Ma'am Khoza's voice cut through the awkward silence like a blade. Her round glasses sat low on her nose as she scanned the class, eyes pausing on Rori.
Rorisang, still sticky with yesterday's trauma, blinked at her teacher, then slowly stood. "Yes, ma'am," she said quietly, pulling the rumpled worksheet from her bag. It had yogurt stains on the edges, but at least the ink hadn't bled.
The class chuckled. One of the girls whispered loudly, "Maybe the yogurt helped her think."
Ma'am Khoza shot a glare in the girl's direction. "Enough."
Rorisang handed in the paper and returned to her seat, feeling the gum residue still stuck under her. She shifted uncomfortably.
Minutes dragged. Her mind wasn't in the math lesson. It was stuck on the look those girls gave her, the cruelty behind the laughs, the yogurt soaking into her books. And just when she thought she could breathe, Ma'am khoza roared.
"Rorisang Mkhize , please report to the principal's office."
A soft ripple of ooohs went through the class.
As she left the classroom, heads turned. Her footsteps echoed in the corridor, her mind racing with questions. What now? I I getting another detention? Oh hell no this was just a little misunderstanding, I am in trouble yet again I can't clean toilets.
She was so caught up in her thoughts that she didn't see him coming.
Thud! Thingz falls faster than er mind could think of a way.
Her shoulder slammed into a tall, firm figure. She gasped, stumbling back. Papers and files fell to the floor.
"Oh! I'm—I'm so sorry!" she stammered, quickly bending down to help.
The man crouched at the same time, their hands brushing as they reached for the same paper. She looked up—and froze.
A warm smile greeted her. Deep brown eyes, sharp cheekbones, a neat beard. He wasn't just good-looking. He was devastating, the body? Damn veins grabs her whole heart and harmer it.
He is way too tall, I'm sure he is the president's son, badly he is her type but not rich guys she wants someone at her league, who's poor of course she wanna spoil her man.
"No harm done," he said softly, his voice rich and deep. "You okay?"he asks trying to study her, her hands are shaking.
Rori nodded quickly, snatching her hand away. "Yes, sir."
She stood, handed him the files, and with a shy, "Sorry again," she hurried off down the hallway.
Philani Khoza, the new school sponser, the biggest on them all —and Ma'am Khoza's husband—watched her go, lips slightly parted. The softness in her eyes lingered in his mind.
"She's… something," he muttered under his breath.
Breaktime came and_____
The cafeteria buzzed with noise—trays clattering, voices rising, the smell of fried chips and sausage filling the air.
Rorisang sat alone in a corner, carefully unwrapping her lunch. Finally, peace. A chance to just eat.
But peace doesn't last long when you're a target.
Ayanda and Banele sauntered over, fake smiles plastered on their faces. Ayanda snatched the apple from Rori's tray while Banele reached for the rest.
"Look at this," Banele said mockingly, biting into her sandwich. "Ohh, is this chicken mayo? Fancy."
"I didn't say you could take that," Rorisang whispered.
Ayanda grinned, eyes glinting. "Didn't ask for permission, charcoal. You eat too much anyway. Maybe you'll lighten up if you starve a little."
Laughter. Cruel. Loud. Ugly.
Rori tried to grab her yogurt, but Banele was faster. With a loud slurp, she tipped it into the bin.
Not again. Not the yogurt again.
Her hands balled into fists. She looked around. No one cared. No one ever did.
Until—
"HEY!"
A sharp voice rang through the cafeteria.
Heads turned. Nhlamulo stood at the entrance, jaw tight, fists clenched.
"phumani. Off. My sister."
Ayanda's smirk faltered. "Ooh, the twin brother's here. What's wrong, can't fight her own battles?"
Nhlamulo didn't respond with words. He crossed the distance in seconds, stepping between them and Rorisang like a wall.
"Touch her food again, and I'll make sure you drink your lunch through a straw for the next month."
Silence.
Banele scoffed. "Whatever, man. You twins are so dramatic."
But they walked away.
Rorisang stared at her brother, tears prickling at the corners of her eyes.
"You good?" Nhlamulo asked gently, crouching next to her.
She nodded. "I'm trying."
"I know. And I'm right here."
And for the first time that day, she believed him.
What amazes her is that his brother never responds to her bullies always be like "you should fight your battles rori nfethu" but today he fought for her