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A FACE INTHE CROWD

1.

Every day, I dread going to school because of Nala, Mpho, and Neo. They're my bullies, and they make my life a living hell. Nala's the ringleader, always bossing me around and threatening me. She's always demanding something from me, like my math assignment. And I always give it to her, because if I don't, she'll make me pay.

They call me 'Pig' and treat me like dirt. If I don't do their homework or run their errands, they'll beat me up, spit on me, or even force my face into the filthy school toilet. I've learned to avoid their wrath by doing whatever they want. It's humiliating, but it's the only way to survive.

Nala's always saying things like, 'Pig, where's my math assignment?' or 'Pig, do my homework for me.' And I'll do it, because I'm scared of what will happen if I don't. Mpho and Neo are just as bad, always joining in and making fun of me.

I hand the assignment to her in hurry yet she collects it after giving me a very loud slap. I couldn't help but cry.

As I'm kneeling on the ground, I see Prestige walking towards the school field. I feel a glimmer of hope, thinking that maybe, just maybe, my sister will save me from these bullies. But as she approaches, I realize she's not here to rescue me.

Prestige has her own crew, a clique of five beautiful and wealthy girls from Gaborone. They're the popular ones, the ones everyone wants to be friends with. And as they walk towards us, I can feel their eyes on me, judging me.

Prestige sees me kneeling, sees Nala and her friends bullying me, and she cringes. I can tell she's disgusted, not with the bullies, but with me. She's embarrassed that I'm her sister. Her friends laugh at me, and they all walk past me like I'm invisible.

I know Prestige isn't scared of Nala and her friends. She's just disgusted that I'm allowing myself to be treated like this. She's made me promise never to tell anyone at school that we're related. She's ashamed of me, and it hurts.

I feel like I'm all alone, like I have no one to turn to. Even my own sister doesn't want to be associated with me. I'm just a nobody, a 'Pig' who deserves to be bullied. And as I watch Prestige and her friends walk away, I feel like I'm drowning in my own helplessness.

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Prestige:"Mom, can you please tell precious to stop embarrassing me at school everyday? I'm disgusted by what she does at school. She's kneeling for some kids at school and licking their feet cause she wants to join their bad gang"

The liar! I know my mom will support her.

Mom:"Bad gang? You want to join bad gangs? What good are you precious? Precious, stop embarrassing your sister. Can't you stay a day without causing trouble?..." She goes on and on about how troublesome I am. She didn't ask for my own side of the story and I'm not going to defend myself either. I'm done doing any of that.

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I'm in my room, painting as usual. It's my escape, my sanctuary. I've turned my room into my own personal studio, filled with art supplies and papers. I spend all my allowance on painting materials, it's my passion. I'm currently working on a beautiful sunset piece, the sun meeting the river as the sky dims.

But my peace is disrupted when Prestige bursts into my room, not knocking as usual. If reverse is the case, I'll be in trouble. I always knock before I enter her room or anyone's room.

Prestige :''The painter, daddy is calling you.'' She says it with a smirk, like she's enjoying the fact that I'm in trouble.

I put down my paintbrush and head to the sitting room, where the whole family is enjoying mangoes from our farm. My dad owns a large farm, with livestock, sorghum plantations, and other crops. And of course, delicious mangoes. My favorite.

But as I enter the room, I'm met with hostility.

''Dad, can I have some?''I ask, eyeing the juicy mangoes.

But my dad's expression turns cold.

Dad:''No! These mangoes are not for bad gangs to have. No bad gang will eat my hard-earned mangoes. Never!''

Prestige laughs irritably, like she's enjoying my misery. And my mom chimes in,

Mom: ''That's exactly what I've been telling her since. We won't train any bad gang in this house. Lesedi is always the problematic child, I'm tired of her, Baba.''

I feel a sting from their words, but I'm used to it. I know they'll never understand me, never listen to my side of the story. So I just stand there, silent, as they continue to enjoy their mangoes, without me.

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It's a new year and I'm in form 5. Princess is done with senior secondary school. She failed her BGCSE and she's now an apprentice for a fashion design school.

I couldn't help but notice him as soon as he walked into our classroom. Katlego Kgosi, the new transfer student, was making a statement. His chiseled features, tall stature, and deep voice had the girls in our school swooning. I won't deny it, I thought he was pretty handsome too.

But what really caught my attention was his confidence and dominance. He carried himself like he owned the place, and his voice commanded attention. I could tell he was used to being in charge.

Our class teacher, Mrs. Mpho, introduced him and dropped a bombshell - Katlego was a straight A-student, just like me. I felt a surge of competitiveness. I'd always been the top student in our class, and now I had a rival.

I watched as Katlego effortlessly answered questions and participated in class discussions. He was smart, and he knew it. I found myself feeling a little threatened, but also intrigued.

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I was hiding in the classroom during recess, my usual safe haven. But today, it wasn't so safe. Katlego, the new transfer student, had followed me in. He was standing in front of me, his piercing eyes locked on mine. I felt my heart racing.

"So, you're my competition?'' he asked, a hint of a smile on his face. I didn't know what to say. I'd never been this close to a guy before. I felt like a deer in headlights.

Then, he asked, ''Do you have hearing difficulties?'' I shook my head, trying to play it cool.

But really, I was thinking, 'No, it's just the attention you're bringing to me that I don't like.' I didn't want to draw attention to myself, especially not with Katlego around. He seemed to attract classmates like a magnet, and I didn't want to get caught up in the chaos.

But Katlego didn't give up. He stretched out his hand, perfectly manicured, and said, ''I'm Katlego, and you're...?'' I just stared at him, clueless. I'd seen people shake hands on TV, but it was harder than it looked. I didn't know what to do.

"Precious"