"Zany? Are you up? Azania you're going to be late!" I could hear my dad's voice shouting somewhere in the distance. And in this same distance, was a pounding on a door that could have brought a hangover to shame. My eyes fluttered open seconds before my bedroom door burst open to reveal my dad rushing in. Suddenly, my mind caught up with my body and I sprung out of bed faster than lightning.
"Shit dad why didn't you wake me up?" I screeched as I scrambled around my room, trying to find my school uniform.
"Haibo Azania, language! And I did wake you up, an hour ago. I just came to check if you were ready but turns out you went back to sleep." My dad chuckled as he watched, amused as I pulled my socks over my knees.
"Hurry up, I'll take you to school sweetie." And with that, he was gone. I ran into my ensuite bathroom, in nothing but a matching black bra and panty set with my knee-high socks on. I washed my face and brushed my teeth in under a minute. I hate being late because I hate not showering. Sighing, I brushed my fingers through the coils of my hair and tied it into a tight bun, pinning the tendrils that came lose with bobby pins. I was dressed in my mid-thigh black pleated skirt, school shirt, loose tie with the blazer when my dad barged into my room again, informing me that we had less than 10 minutes before the first bell rang. So, screw breakfast, I guess.
"I hope this is the last time we're late. You're in matric this year. There is no time left for play." My dad said in all seriousness as he pulled the car out of the driveway and sped to school. Holding my tongue, I rested my head against the window of his Toyota Fortuner and closed my eyes.
"It's not like I wanted to be late tata. I slept through my alarm." I mumbled quietly to the confined space in the car, in dismay.
"Then sleep earlier so that you don't sleep through your alarm next time. That is no excuse. Take responsibility of your actions, my dear. Take responsibility and take initiative. You know what I am expecting of you at the end of the school year." I had to swallow the sigh that almost escaped through my teeth. I can't even put a number to the amount of times we have had this conversation. I stayed quiet.
"It has been so hard raising you alone. I have done all that I could. Matric is just the first step. Matric is the first step to the rest of your life. And I will do all I can to help get you where you want to go. I want nothing more than to see you succeed, especially after everything you went through. I want to prove to you that you can achieve a lot of things. Even without her." I noticed the way his fingers clenched around the steering wheel at the mention of her.
"I'm already having a bad morning. Please don't ruin it even further by talking about that ... her." I snapped, with as much respect as I could. And at that moment, he pulled up in front of the school. I opened the door then, not even waiting for his reply. I was seething as I ran to the gate, where the security guard was looking at me with disapproving eyes and a frown etched on his leathery face. My dad honked but I didn't turn to look. And all of a sudden, I was pissed. It's one thing to talk to me about my future. I get that. I know that I need to work hard and get a bursary. I know all these things. He knows that I know. Heck, he knows that I know that he knows that I know. There was absolutely no reason for him to talk about her. I bet she doesn't talk about us. I bet she doesn't even remember that we exist. We should do the same. No good ever comes out of talking about a mother who abandoned her child.
"Azania! Azania wait!" He shouted after me and suddenly, my eyes were stinging with unshed tears. I sniffed and increased my pace.
"I'm already late tata!" I shouted back.
"Yeah well how do you expect to learn anything at all today without your school bag?" He questioned with a hint of amusement evident in his voice. I stopped walking immediately as realization dawned on me. I felt like slapping my forehead with the palm of my hand as he finally caught up with me and put the strap of my bag on my shoulder. He kissed my temple and whispered 'I'm sorry' before he walked back to his car. I sighed and finally made it to the school gates and surprise surprise, was sent to straight to the principal's office before I could even think of a valid excuse. The rest of the school would be at the opening assembly right now, so was the principal hence I wasn't in a rush to get to his office. There was a small part of me that was still bubbling with anger directed towards my dad. But if I look back, I am lost, so I will have to find a way to get over it.
I pulled out my phone and wireless earphones, wanting to feel like a bad bitch when I get to that office. Today's bad bitch of the day is Boity so that's what I pick on my playlist as I start the journey to my favourite place on campus. I wasn't so worried about being sent to the principal's office, Old Man Denner and I are old friends. He'd spew a few words and give me a warning and that would be that.
I'm feeling every bit of a baddie by the time I strolled past Janice; his obnoxious secretary with obnoxious boobs the size of my head and flashed her a dazzling smile. She returned it with a scowl. Jerky Janice was saying something, but words are wind and were blocked by music, and so I walked right in without even caring to knock because, well I never did. She was probably saying I should wait for him at the foyer and blah blah blah but those benches aren't comfortable, and the old man's chairs are. My earphones were still snug in my ears when a loud bang startled me, my hands giving way for my phone to meet the floor.
"Ah shit, I won't be getting a new one for at least a year!" I cursed under my breath, slightly irritated with the Old Man for being old and clumsy.
"I truly hope you have an excellent reason that explains where you get the audacity to barge into my office without my leave." The anger in the strange deep husky voice from across the room sent chills up my spine. That is definitely NOT Principal Denner.
My head snapped up and landed on a pair of icy blue orbs that literally stopped my heartbeat for a millisecond. This fine specimen had dark unruly hair, dishevelled in the most delicious way possible. A frown was etched on his beautiful handsome face that was slightly littered with a dark stubble that made him all the more alluring. I must have been staring at him for too long because he suddenly bellowed with a loud voice,
"Well? Answer me. Right now!" He was annoyed, it was quite evident in his voice and face. My brain suddenly reconnected with my mouth again and I opened my mouth to speak, but was cut off,
"In fact, before you open your mouth to lie. Get out." He snapped. I meant to respond when he cut me off, again. "Rule number one; you knock before you enter my office. I will not repeat myself. Get out and practice that concept called good manners." My jaw dropped to my chest.
"No need to be rude." I snapped defiantly and crossed my arms underneath my bust. The stranger cocked an eyebrow and I shrunk before his glare.
"Excuse me?" He pressed, looking like he's about to burst at the seams, obviously holding onto every bit of control he had.
"I- uhm, so-sorry sir. I-I didn't mean it like that." I stuttered, shocking myself. I never stuttered, as in EVER.
"I am not interested in your excuses young lady. My patience is already running thin with you and I don't even know your name yet!"
"A-Azania. Azania Wyatt."
"Well then Ms. Wyatt, you best get to following my orders."
"Bu-"
"Get. Out." He said through clenched teeth, making me realize that arguing with him wasn't going to do me any good. Swallowing my swollen pride, I turned around and walked out of his office, closing the door behind me. Jerky Janice and her obnoxious face threw me a satisfied smirk as I turned around again and knocked. I felt so stupid. After a few moments he told me to come in and gestured for me to sit in one of the chairs opposite his desk.
And so, I sat there, waiting for him to start talking. I was too afraid to look into his eyes. He is too intense; I couldn't bare it. But after what felt like 5 minutes passed and not a single word spoken; I looked up. He was staring at me. The blue pools that were his eyes were piercing through me. The stare excruciatingly uncomfortable. Why isn't he saying anything? Does he expect me to start the conversation? Also, who the hell is he? He definitely couldn't be the principal. Mr Denner may be old and looking retirement in the face, but the governing body would never replace him with someone so young. He doesn't even look older than 25. I should say something.
"Uhm ... aren't you ... going to like – you know," what the hell am I even saying? "look, I uhm ... apologize for barging in like that. I just thought no one was here since it's assembly time. And uhm, I usually wait for the old man – I mean, Mr Denner in his office. Janice knows. I mean, Mrs Daniels." I added quickly when he lifted his eyebrow.
"Tell me, Ms Azania Wyatt. Why are you here?" he said, his voice softer than before. He has a great voice.
"I was late, sir. But it wasn't my fault and it won't happen again, I swear it." This is not the bad bitch energy that I pumped myself up with. That fled the second I looked at him. I felt so powerless.
"No, I mean why are you a pupil at this school?" his question had me opening and closing my mouth like a fish out of water.
"Uhm, apart from the obvious 'to get educated' reason?" I asked him instead, to which he answered with a tiny ghost of a nod.
"Westerbridge is the best school in the province." I stated simply, because it was that simple.
"But why does Westerbridge need a pupil like you?"
"I don't understand-"
"You've told me why you're here and now I want to know what you bring to the school. There is not much to be lost in that translation Ms Wyatt." I looked for teasing in his voice and found none.
"I'm the captain of the netball team." And I have brought us 3 championships for the first time in years ever since I was made captain. That feels like enough contribution to this hellhole.
"And why do you think you were made captain?" is there an end to this? He could save both of us a lot of time by giving me the warning and letting me be on my merry way.
"I am a great leader. And an even better player. I'm sorry but, is there any point to this?" I asked with an exasperated sigh.
"First of all, let me start by saying that you would do best by ridding yourself off all the bad habits that you've picked up over the years when it comes to anything in this school; especially in my office. I do not appreciate your behaviour. Nor do I care to address it more than once. Your sass, attitude or whatever it is you think is your most powerful weapon, will not be tolerated with me, do you understand?" He paused and cocked an eyebrow at me, and I nodded. This was his cue to continue,
"Second of all, I will not tolerate tardiness. You are almost a woman grown, and can surely understand the concept of time, and as of this day onwards will make sure that you are never late again. There is a standard that has been set at this school and that standard will be upheld. Or you can leave and go be a captain of a different netball team in a different school with different rules. At my school, you get here on time, you respect your educators and you respect yourself. And since you've taken a chunk out of my day to entertain you, you will pay me back by reporting to detention this afternoon." He stated and my eyes widened.
"Oh no no no no no! Sir I have netball practice this afternoon!" I argued. I couldn't. I would NOT miss the first practice of the new season. It's just not going to happen.
"Well then see this as an opportunity to showcase the great value that you bring to this school, Ms Netball Captain." He mocked. He was surely mocking me.
"I can't miss the first practice of the new season!" I ignored his stupid joke and argued back, and anger flashed across his face once more.
"You seem to think that this is up for negotiation. It's not. You have my leave to go and be sure to pick up your detention slip from Mrs. Daniels. And if you were thinking of slipping, don't. You would live to regret it." He added in dismissal and turned his attention back to his computer. I stared at him aghast, nauseated by the condescending jackass clad in a grey suit and matching tie sitting in front of me. He went back to typing on his keyboard and I stood up slowly, blood boiling and fists clenched.
"Its a pity Old Man Denner had to retire. He was a reasonable man, he would understand. But I will let you get back to your work Principal," I paused and searched for the name plate on the table then averted my eyes back to his, "Matthews. And oh, welcome to Westerbridge."
I added sarcastically and stomped out of his spacious office, absolutely fuming. Yes, he is uber hot, but he is also a jerk. And I had a feeling that he wasn't going to make this year an easy one for me.