White lies

Part 1

"I am really grateful for this opportunity and I will be sure to make the university proud."
no that doesn't sound right, thought Naledi to herself as she paced around her room practicing for the speech she was supposed to give to her University faculty the next day. She had been chosen as the recipient of a scholarship to pursue a masters in virology at Saint Catherine University in the UK and she was asked to give an acceptance speech as part of her graduation speech.
Bachelor of Biochemistry in the bag, she thought, graduating summa cum laude.
She had always dreamed of being a virologist, seen herself working on research that would help mankind in combating diseases and as of tomorrow she was taking a huge step towards achieving this. Just as soon as she beat this speech into submission.

"Lemme see, perhaps I could just Google something." thought Naledi, moving to sit on her bed, which had her laptop and a number of books scattered across it.
She still couldn't believe she had actually been chosen to represent her university. It was such a big deal, there were a number of students equally deserving, well almost equally. She had dared to hope but not really believed that it would be her. And so her speech needed to be perfect. This was a big moment for her, she had worked hard for this. She deserved to feel proud of herself. It was also a big moment for her parents who had worked so hard for her to be here. Her mom had worked as a maid since Naledi could remember, her Dad as a driver, sacrificing a lot, from working extra hours to loans, just to put her through school. Of course some sort of repayment is expected when she starts working.

Her thoughts went back to the moment she told them the news of the scholarship. She had never seen them as happy and proud as in that moment, their Naledi was off to white man's land her Dad had said, do go and make us proud were her mom’s words and remember where you are coming from. There were of course some words of caution, after all parents cannot help themselves. So this wasn't a small victory. The sleepless nights were paying off.

"The internet isnt helping much," she thought as her dorm room door opened and in came Pauline and Thando her two best friends. They had been friends from the very first day of varsity, Thando came from a well off family, the kind were she got a brand new german car as a gift when she passed her grade 12. Whereas Paulines background was that of a middle class family, they got her all the things she needed for school.. Their friendship began when they had sat together in one of her very first chemistry classes and in as much as they were from different worlds, Naledi had found she easily got along with them. A few classes later and they were Bffs. Thando exposed her to the finer things in life things like dinning in fine restaurants, traveling to places she never knew about and a class of people that would have never looked at her twice. She felt awkward in the beginning, never being able to contribute anything but as their friendship grew she realised it was all given with an open heart. After all, Thando had excess.

Everyone said she had changed from the girl who left home, like a caterpillar becoming a butterfly she had blossomed into a beautiful young woman, apparently heads turned when she walked by.. She didn’t get it, she still felt very much like that girl. She watched her friends flower into women, makeup, learning to dress up, their bodies learning the sexual language. She could do none of that, she was so awkward and nerdy, just happy in her comfy jeans and tshirt all the time, pursuing her dream. Her friends said she was hopeless, wasting her assets. After varsity they had planned to move to braamfontein, the town to be for any young adult, where they would share an apartment, doing part time work as they furthered their education. But seeing as how Naledi was to leave for the UK in 6 months’ time, it seems it was just Thando and Pauline to fulfill their long life dream. A bit disappointing but the girls couldn't be any happier for Naledi.

"oh comeon," Pauline began "don't tell you are not dressed yet Naledi, it's past 6, we should have been there already.." "Come on Naledi, really though? How can you still be working on your speech? " chipped in Thando.. as they moved towards Naledi, "comeon guys, I meant to but I just can't figure out what to say and I didn't wanna go out till I sorted this, you know how bad I am at standing in front of crowds, plus this is the whole faculty, I can't mess up.. I should have already done as the ceremony is tomorrow already" replied Naledi. "no girl, you won't do this again, come now get dressed already" as Thando moved grabbing Naledi by the hand and dragging her to her wardrobe. " " we know you are little mis perfectionist, but tonight we not letting you have your way, no talk of school, and speeches or anything related to it, we are dancing the night away in celebration of your scholarship" added Pauline. Thando reached into the wardrobe pulling out a racy little number with a mischievous look. Naledi backed away in horror, “oh hell no, no way…." middle school graduation dresses

"I can't believe you made me wear this guys," as Naledi tugged at the mini dress she was clad in, Thando had given it to her along with alot of other clothes, she kept pulling at it in hopes that it might become longer and actually cover her exposed thighs. She didn't really mind wearing revealing clothing even though she preferred other things, but this was past her comfort zone. Short as it was though, it looked really good on her, she had barely recognised herself in the mirror, and it showed off her hourglass figure, hugging the curves she usually hid perfectly. And she imagined the bounce caused by the heels making her even more attractive..
"Don’t worry after 2 shots you won't even notice the length of it," replied thando with a smirk on her face as they walked into taboo nightclub where they were to dance the night away, well atleast thando and Pauline would dance. She would head straight for the nearest alcove. She would not risk bouncing right out of the dress on the dance floor with her jerky moves, so damned short!

Thando and Pauline were going on the dance floor as Naledi sat watching them fondly. She was not alone, her friends had attracted quite a few eyes as they obliviously enjoyed themselves, very few people where dancing as enthusiastically. She had to admit, without the few bouts of craziness her friends injected in to her life she would not be as happy a person. She did feel a little envy at how free her friends were, she would have liked to dance too but she just couldn't gel in properly in a place like this, she was always that awkward friend that left almost sober and made sure her friends got back to their residence safe. Well not tonight anyways. As she was lost in thought she didn't realize someone had walked up to her table.
"hi there, what's a beautiful girl like you doing seated all alone?"

"Excuse me, I can't hear you." shouted Naledi as the music was too loud..
Which made the man move closer, "I asked why your sitted alone" Naledi was momentarily struck dumb when she got a better view of him, He had the kind of face that stopped you in your tracks. Naledi found herself staring at him, words jumbled in her mind. "Hello, are you alright,." he asked. She finally managed to stammer out some words, ”hmmm sorry, just the music is too loud, I'm with my friends but I just didn't feel like dancing.."

"you don't mind if I keep you company do you? He asked.. But before Naledi could reply he was already sitting next to her.." name is Theo," as he extended his hand to hers..." eeer Naledi, " she replied shaking his hand. “Well that’s a beautiful name for a beautiful girl, can I buy you a drink Naledi?” She blushed, the compliment throwing her off as she tried to think of a way to refuse. Taking the silence as acquiescence Theo flagged down a waiter and ordered her a mojito. After mumbling some weak protestations Naledi thought why not? Such moments don’t come around often, why not. She and Theo talked for a bit, and after her drink came and she took a few sips they talked a lot, exchanged a lot of looks too, ofcourse the alcohol went straight to her head rare drinker that she was. Eventually Thando and Pauline joined them, almost seemed like they had intentionally stayed away thought Naledi as the ladies came and sat down..

"Well well look what Naledi found, hey Sexy," said Thando to Theo as she fell more than sat in her sit, "I'm Thando, short for thandokazi. Before she could say any more Naledi was getting up and pulling her off the seat.

"Time to leave now," started Naledi," its way past the time we said we'd leave.. "Thando began to protest but Pauline wasn't in great shape and definitely didn't look like she could stand any longer.." fine, fine... Sorry Mr handsome, “replied Thando as she winked at Theo.." perhaps another time.. "

And just like that they were walking out.. As the uber got there, Pauline was first to go in while Thando followed. As Naledi was entering Theo appeared and pushed a piece of paper in her hand, "call me," he said as he walked away..... Tbc