3

A FACE IN THE CROWD

3.

That's how my friendship with Katlego began. We were inseparable throughout the term. I found him hilarious and understanding. He had a way of making me laugh even on my worst days. As we spent more time together, I discovered he was raised by a single father, a policeman, after his mother passed away when he was just five. He had three older brothers, and I was surprised to find he was more mature than most last-borns.

We did all our school work together, and he was always there to lend a helping hand. He'd often tease me, saying I was his study buddy, but I knew he genuinely cared. He'd always be in my face, making me laugh, and I found myself happier when we were together.

One thing I adored about Katlego was his love for surprising me with gifts. He'd buy me girly stuff like cream, soap, and perfumes, which I thought was sweet. But what really caught me off guard was when he bought me a pair of slippers during our evening stroll back home from school. We saw them at a local store, and he just bought them on impulse. I thought he was buying them for someone else, maybe a sister or cousin, but little did I know, they were for me!

My only problem with Katlego was my little bratty sister, Prestige. She had a huge crush on him and made a bet with her friends that she could win his heart. The thing is, she already had a boyfriend in her Form 4 class, but she's always been a bit greedy.

.

.

One Saturday night, I was in my room, trying to escape the chaos of our full house. My stepbrother Tiro had brought his two rambunctious kids over for a visit, and they were running wild. My mother was pretending to be okay with it, but I knew she was seething inside. My father, on the other hand, was enjoying every minute of it, spoiling his grandkids rotten.

Just as I was getting into my painting, Prestige burst into my room, making me jump.

Prestige:''My own artist! Our first family artist!'' she exclaimed, as if she was genuinely proud of me. But I knew better. She only called me that when she needed something from me.

I cringed at her comment, but I tolerated her for the sake of peace in the household.

''What do you want, Prestige?'' I asked bluntly, not interested in playing games.

She pretended to be offended.

Prestige:''Me? I don't want anything! Can't I just praise my darling elder sister in peace?'' But I knew she was lying. She always needed something from me, whether it was help with her schoolwork or a favor to cover up her own laziness.

I was busy with a huge painting, trying to capture the beauty of spring and peaches on the trees. I didn't have time for her games.

''Enough with the emotional blackmail, Prestige. What do you want? Ask now, while I'm being nice.''

I eyed her suspiciously, wondering what she had up her sleeve this time. Would she ask me to do her homework again? Or maybe she needed help with a project? I hoped not, but I knew I'd have to give in eventually. She knew our mom would always take her side, and I'd be stuck doing her bidding.

Prestige declared,''I want Katlego,'' with a confident smile, expecting me to hand him over on a silver platter. I chuckled, knowing this was coming. She was used to getting whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted it.

I suspected she was jealous of the time Katlego and I spent together. She'd always had a crush on him, and it must have killed her to see us laughing and studying together every day. I remembered how she'd throw herself at him, trying to get his attention, but Katlego wouldn't budge. He'd even mocked her, calling her names like 'loosy' at her very face.

What Prestige didn't know was that Katlego had no idea she was my sister. At first, she'd made it clear she didn't want anyone to know we were related, so I kept it quiet. Now, I was surprised she was asking for him, as if I had control over his feelings.

The truth was, I didn't 'have' Katlego. He was just a good friend, my study buddy. But I'd be lying if I said I hadn't developed feelings for him. I dreamed about him on many nights, and my paintings were filled with subtle hints of my affection. I'd drawn him surrounded by peaches, his favorite fruit, and even painted a sunset with the colors he loved.

Still, I knew I wasn't his type. He didn't see me in that way. To him, I was just a friend, a competition in class, and a reliable study partner. That thought stung, but I pushed it aside.

''You want Katlego?'' I asked Prestige, raising an eyebrow. ''What makes you think I have him wrapped around my finger?'' I was curious to see how she'd react.

Prestige's eyes narrowed.

Prestige:''Don't play dumb, sis. I've seen the way he looks at you.''

But I knew that wasn't true. Katlego looked at me with friendship, not romance.

I decided to call her bluff.

''Even if I did have Katlego, which I don't, why would I give him to you?'' I asked, folding my arms.

Prestige's face twisted into a pout.

Prestige:''Because I'm your sister, and I always get what I want.''

I shot back, "I guess I'm not your sister either, because I don't always get what I want, right?" I was amused by her audacity, thinking she could demand Katlego from me like he was a possession.

But Prestige's response cut deep.

Prestige:"I don't care. I want him. You're not his class, and you know that. You're ugly and out of shape. He can never want you. He deserves better."

Her words stung like a slap in the face. I couldn't believe my own sister would say such vile things to me. I felt a lump form in my throat as I struggled to hold back tears.

"How can you say that, Prestige?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. "I'm your sister, your family. Doesn't that mean anything to you?"

Prestige rolled her eyes.

Prestige:"Family? You're just a nuisance, a obstacle to what I want. And what I want is Katlego."

I shook my head, disgusted. "You're not even making sense. Katlego is not a prize to be won. He's a person with his own feelings and choices."

But Prestige just sneered. Prestige:"Whatever. I'll get him, and there's nothing you can do to stop me."

In that moment, I realized that Prestige's beauty was only skin-deep. Inside, she was ugly and cruel, willing to hurt anyone who stood in her way. And I knew I had to protect myself, and Katlego, from her toxic behavior.