Entwined (12 page)

Her eyes widen in dismay. “Suspended?” Yep, a good girl. I like her already.

“Don’t worry. You have to be pretty bad to get suspended,” I assure her. “Who’s your class teacher?”

“Mrs Kensington.”

Lebz and I suck in our breath. We both had Kensie for History and the scars run deep. “You poor girl!” I exclaim. “Does she call your class an ‘appalling embarrassment to this great continent’?”

Rose laughs. “At least once a week. You mean she’s been saying it for years?”

“Decades,” Lebz and I reply in unison.

“I like her,” Rose remarks. “Strict teachers make you work harder.”

“You must be top of your class,” I tell her, impressed.

She drops her gaze and smiles.

“Oh – the library’s open.” I nudge Lebz and the two of us get to our feet. “Nice talking to you, Rose.”

“You, too.” I sense a pang of sadness. She’s probably never spent this much time with anyone other than Amantle.

“See you around,” says Lebz. When we’re a good distance away, she turns to me. “She seems too nice to be part of that group.”

“I know!” I shake my head in amazement. “I get the feeling Amantle picked her because she has the right pedigree, if you know what I mean.”

Lebz wrinkles her nose. “I can’t believe primary school kids can be so shallow!”

I refrain from pointing out that secondary school is even worse. We’re out of sight of Rose now, so there’s no need to enter the library. Instead we walk towards our bench, where Wiki is going over his homework.

“I was wondering what happened to you two,” he says. “Can I assume you were up to no good?”

“Naturally,” I tell him. “We were chatting to our new friend Rose.”

He raises his eyebrows. “Ma-fourteen Rose?”

“Yep. Sweet girl.”

“Maybe,” says Lebz, “but I still don’t think she’s going to tell us anything about her friends.”

“That’s because you didn’t see what I saw,” I point out. “She’s looking for a way out and I’m the key to her escape. It’s only a matter of time.”

My chat with Rose has given me a burst of confidence, so when lunch comes around I make a bold move. Lebz and I are sitting on the bench, waiting for Wiki to return from the tuck-shop. Rakwena walks by, carrying enough food for a small army. I know he’s expecting me to sneak away to join him behind the Science lab. Well, not any more. Maybe if the other students see him with someone as popular as Lebz they’ll stop treating him like a leper.

“Rakwena!”

He turns to look at me, his expression indecipherable. “Hello, Connie.”

“Come sit with us.”

Lebz has frozen up again. Really, she needs to do something about all that tension. Rakwena lets his barrier slip just long enough to let me know he’s not impressed with this public display, then approaches us.

Lebz clears her throat. “Connie…”

“Relax,” I interrupt, beaming at Rakwena. “He’s a boy, not a wild animal.”

She mumbles something I’m sure I’d rather not hear, and inches closer to me like a lioness defending its cub.

Rakwena’s gaze shifts to Lebz. “Hi.”

“Hey.”

“Lebz, Rakwena. Rakwena, Lebz.” I wave at the empty section of the bench beside me. “Take a seat man, we’re not going to eat you. I just thought it was time for all my friends to get to know each other.”

He sighs and sinks onto the bench beside me. “Did you have to be so melodramatic?”

I peer at his purchases: fresh chips, jelly beans, three chocolate bars, three soft drinks, and a hot dog. “Are you eating for two?”

“Charming as always,” he says, shaking his head.

Lebz has loosened up and is studying Rakwena as if he’s a new species. “I think he got some food for you,” she says. “Isn’t that right, Liz – Rakwena?”

He blinks, uncertain, then hands me a drink and a bar of chocolate. “Of course. You need to keep up your energy.”

I look at him, then at Lebz. “Thanks, but Wiki will be back any minute.”

“You can keep it for later,” he suggests. “Well, it’s been fun. I should get going.”

“Don’t move.” I tear open the chocolate. “You’re going to meet Wiki, and then the four of us are going to sit together until the bell goes. Got it?”

“Is she always this difficult?” he asks Lebz.

“Oh, this is Connie when she’s being nice,” she replies wryly.

“See? You’re getting along already!” I beam and offer Lebz some chocolate.

She hesitates for just a second before taking a huge bite. “Here comes Wiki.”

“Poor guy,” says Rakwena. “He looks like he’s about to drop that food.”

Wiki’s mouth is hanging open as he walks slowly towards us. He hands us our food and goes to sit at the other end of the bench, next to Rakwena.

“Hi,” he says carefully. “I’m Wiki.”

“Rakwena.”

Wiki clears his throat. Lebz and I look at each other and try not to laugh at the awkward silence that follows.

“Connie’s idea,” says Rakwena finally.

“Oh.” Wiki clears his throat again. “Well… everyone’s staring at us.”

He’s right. I didn’t notice all the eyes on campus turn in our direction. People are whispering, their expressions baffled. I know what they’re thinking: what the hell is Black Lizard doing with them? What the hell is Black Lizard doing with
anyone
? I can hear the wheels turning in their heads, most of them creaking loudly from lack of use. Good. Let them wonder. We’ve been unfairly prejudiced against Rakwena for years, and it’s about time we learn a little tolerance. At the very least, it would be nice if people stopped thinking of him as a former child soldier.

“Who cares?” I turn back to my friends. “Are you embarrassed?”

Wiki looks offended. “Of course not.” Yes, Wiki – I haven’t forgotten that you were the only one who knew his real name.

“Are you?” I turn to Lebz.

“No.” Yes, she is. A little.

Wiki holds his hand out to Rakwena. “Connie thinks you’re safe, so I guess you must be. Welcome to the club.”

Rakwena shakes his hand, looking amused. “There’s a club?”

“People who can tolerate Conyza Bennett,” Wiki explains. “As you can see, there aren’t many of us.”

“Hey!”

Rakwena laughs. Lebz gives him a speculative look, surprised that Black Lizard has a sense of humour. He turns his gaze on her. “What’s the verdict?” he asks. “Am I a bad influence on poor Connie?”

She smiles. It’s a real smile, too; I’m proud of her. “You’re not too bad,” she says.

I sense the ice breaking. This might work out after all.

“I’ve brought you something,” says Rose, reaching into her bag.

It’s a few minutes before seven and we’re sitting on her bench again. I’ve made a habit of passing by at just the right moment, and after a week or so we’ve become friends. “Is it edible?” I ask hopefully.

She laughs. “No.” She pulls out a thick academic-style book.

I’d better let her down gently. “Um, sweetie, I try not read textbooks unless I absolutely have to. Novels, comics – yes. Reference material, not so much.”

She laughs again. “It’s about movies. You said you love movies, right?”

“I
live
for movies.” I take the book from her and gaze at it. It’s the size of an encyclopaedia and it’s called
The Monster Book of Modern Cinema
. “This is yours?”

“My brother’s. He likes movies, too.”

“Clever boy.” I turn the book over and give an appreciative nod. “Are you lending it to me?”

“Oh, you can have it,” she says. “He bought the newest edition and gave me this one. I thought you might like it.”

I’m surprised and touched by this gesture. “Thanks, Rose.” I lean forward and give her a hug. “That was so thoughtful. I’m actually going to read it too, not just put it in my room for decoration.”

“You’re crazy,” she says, giggling. “I’ve never met anyone who’s so obsessed with movies, not even my brother.”

I shrug. “I love the idea of creating a whole world out of nothing but an idea. It’s like magic. It’s too bad we don’t have cinema as a subject.”

“So I guess you want to be an actress when you finish school?”

I frown. “Honestly, I haven’t thought about it. I have no idea what I want to do.”

“Connie!” Her eyes widen. “You only have one more year!”

“I know,” I groan, but the idea of university is rather like the idea of motherhood – something older people worry about.

“Well, there are lots of options,” she goes on. “You can study drama, or film or multimedia. It depends on whether you’d rather be in front of the camera or behind it.”

“What do you want to do?”

“I think I might study human rights law, or political science.” Her pretty face settles into a thoughtful frown. “Or international relations. Something in that area. But my friends think I should focus on getting into the media. You know, something that will make me famous.” She winces. “Fame is important to the girls.”

She always refers to them as “the girls”, almost never mentioning their names.

“They’re young,” I remind her. “I’m sure when they get older they’ll also start thinking more seriously about their careers. When you’re twelve or thirteen you have enough trouble keeping up with school and hormones.”

“I suppose you’re right.” She reaches into her shirt and fidgets absentmindedly with the chain of her necklace, and I grab my chance.

“You know we’re not allowed to wear jewellery in school, right?” I nudge her with a smile. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell.”

She returns my smile. “I know it’s against the rules, but it’s like a…” She searches for the right word, but can’t find it. “Well, all the girls wear them,” she concludes. “To show that we belong.”

“Can I see it?”

She hesitates, thinking of what would happen if the others found out.

“It’sOK.” I offer a reassuring smile. “If it’s private you don’t have to show me.”

“No, I don’t mind.” There’s a note of urgency in her voice. She knows as well as I do that this is a turning point. Once I’ve seen the fabled necklace there’s no going back. She slips her hand under her shirt and lifts out the necklace, glancing around to make sure nobody’s watching.

It’s a very pretty necklace, a five-petal flower on a silver chain. The locket is about the size of a large coin, delicately carved, with a blue gem in the centre. My heart starts to thud. Inside this innocent-looking locket is the key to the mystery. I don’t have to fake the admiration in my voice. “It’s beautiful. Is that real tanzanite?”

“Amantle would never wear fake bling,” she replies, quickly hiding the necklace under her shirt again.

“I’m sure she wouldn’t. And she bought one for each of you?”

She nods. “They’re made by a family friend, so she gets a special discount.”

“That’s interesting. I wonder why she picked necklaces. You could have had bracelets or rings.”

“It wasn’t planned,” she tells me. “She got hers as a birthday gift and fell in love with it, so she asked Nicola – that’s her father’s friend – to make one for Laone. Then she decided to make one for Emily, then Refilwe joined the group and she got one, then me.”

Was the necklace given to Amantle already bewitched? It doesn’t seem likely. It must have been tampered with after she decided her friends should have necklaces, too. Maybe the Puppetmaster realised that he could use the necklaces to control the girls. But that means he has to be someone she knows.

Rose glances at her watch. “Amantle will be here any minute.”

I get to my feet with a rueful smile. “Thanks again for the book, Rose. I love it.”

She beams with pleasure. “You’re welcome. I’ll see you around.”

I start towards the bench where Lebz and Wiki are waiting for my daily report.

“Conyza Bennett,” a sly voice drawls behind me.

I freeze. I know that voice. I’ve heard it many times, but never directed at me. I turn around slowly, blood rushing past my ears. Thuli is standing there with his hands in his pockets and his eyes roving across my face. He’s not looking through me at someone behind. He’s looking at
me
and he knows my name. Obviously I’ve fallen asleep and slipped into a beautiful dream.

“Hi.” He smiles. It’s quite a nice smile. I don’t see it often. “I’ve been meaning to catch you alone one of these days. It’s not easy. You’re always with one of your friends.”

I blink. I can’t think clearly. I’m in shock.

“I’m Thuli.”

No, really? “I know who you are.”

“Right,” he says, in a tone implying that everyone knows him. “So, Connie. I can call you Connie, can’t I?”

“I’m surprised you know my name at all.” Where is this attitude coming from? Shouldn’t I be falling apart, stammering hopelessly?

His eyes widen in dismay. “We’ve been in the same school for years, and I know your friends quite well.”

Ah. That must be what this is about – he wants me to ask Lebz something. He knows she’ll say no if he asks her himself. “Do you want me to pass on a message?”

He shakes his head. “You’re the one I want to talk to.”

Oh dear. My bravado is melting and my brain is dissolving slowly. “About what?” My voice sounds a little breathless now. I hope he doesn’t notice.

“Everything.” He smiles again. “But school’s about to start, so… maybe we can hook up sometime.”

“Oh. Uh… OK.” Ah, there’s the stammering idiot. I knew she’d show up eventually.

“It’s nice to meet you,” he says, taking a step backwards. “You know, officially.” Then he walks away with a little wave.

I whirl around as fast I can so he doesn’t see the exultation on my face. Lebz is gaping at me, her eyes the size of dinner plates. Wiki has dropped his book. I make my way to them slowly and carefully, afraid I might collapse.

“Connie!” squeals Lebz in horror, or glee, or something in between. “What was
that
?”

“That conversation lasted three and a half minutes,” Wiki adds in disbelief. “What was he saying for that long?”

It takes me a moment to recover my senses. “He knows my name,” I whisper. “He said…” I swallow, still stunned. “He wants to hook up later and talk.”

“Where is this coming from all of a sudden?” demands Lebz. “He’s been ignoring you for years!”

“I know.” I shrug weakly. “But I caught him staring at me the other day.”