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Chapter 3 - A Love Story

Shantel is clearly outmatch on Herny, that why her eyes are set on (Hunk on Silence) as they call him, Simone. Simone organised a free-welcome party (a small gathering with friends), no alcohol is allowed and Zoete helped her brother with the preparations. Three hundred students are invited guests; there's pizza, cakes, juices, drinks, braai meat. The party was to be on Friday evening amongst invited guests, Zoete and friends came.

The dance floor is packed and Zoete is jealous of it, as she doesn't have a partner but she keeps her cool. Simone sees this and set out to be matchmaker and whispers to Herny to request a dance. Shantel thought Zoete is going to be a laughing stock so she announce that Herny and Zoete are going to be start-off dancers, so everyone is going to do what they do. Zoete is scared but when her friends vowed for her in French, so she agrees.

Herny took her off to the dance floor.

Together, they were magic, Shantel got bitter but she didn't care as she is dancing with Simona. After the dance, Herny and Zoete started talking, they talk of studies, sports, music and beliefs. Zoete enjoyed her talk with Herny but is she going to admit that she's over the moon about him. Let's await the mid-year, this friendship between them is developing to more but they don't see that.

Herny tells Simone that he is afraid of telling Zoete how he truly feels, where else Zoete told Simone of how she really feels about Herny. Simone was at crossroads but he never told the next party of the other, as he had enough to deal with as Shantel is falling for him when he's not keen. Bonang and Dineo plan to stay behind on Easter break and on Monday they will go to Melmoth to visit Dineo's family.

Zoete offers Kristen and Samantha a visit to her grandma in the rural areas of St. Lucia. Although they are not eager, they say yes. Simone and his friends plan to visit on Kruger's National Park. The Easter break started and for these two acquainted; Zoete and Herny it is a lonely, longing week. They miss each other's company so much that they text every day, though neither one has declare love but it's slowly getting there.

The urban teenagers are finding a little difficulty in adapting in rural, as one day Kristen was feeding the chickens and she fell on a muddy paddle. Samantha laughs at her, so she pulls her in too, they both laugh at how dirty they are. Although this break isn't of high quality, they so enjoy doing chores on daily basis. The break was soon over, time to haul back to varsity. Zoete has never felt like this before, she is in love it no question.

The university schedule progress as planned, luckily there is no strike this year, the classes proceeded and students are improving though some are lacking. The Mitchell siblings are closer than ever, maybe Michael's plan to bring them together works after all. Zoete has extra classes in learning to drive, fighting, swimming, musicals, she always depart to the tennis court and that's where she will not worry of her friends, family or and Herny.

Oh! Herny, the girl cares for him dearly but she is afraid of what will happen if he finds out about her. One day Zoete walks with Bonang to the library, at the library entrance they meet Herny; he greets them, Bonang formally introduce Herny to Zoete as he helped her the other day but they both smile. Zoete reminds Bonang that Herny is in the class with her, they also dance together last week, as Bonang was thinking of how they know each other.

Zoete asks him to buy them lunch, he lends Bonang a hundred note, before she goes to buy food she ask of what is going on between them. They both state nothing is going on, after she goes Zoete asks him of what's going on, he doesn't answer clearly but assures her they are just friends. The girls thank him for buying them lunch and they leave for class. The fact then remains they are just friends but will they stay forever friends?

Zoete called her father to check up on him, but he was to call her to inform her about the sad news he just received. Her older cousin (Alfredo's daughter) passed away the last day, she is sad, she wants to cry but she can't. Zoete decide to take a walk; she met Herny, he can sense something is wrong so he asks. Zoete's mute but Herny persists, the she weeps and tells him about her cousin's passing. Herny got close to Zoete, hugs her shoulder on, he comforts her.

Zoete; let all emotions out, she weeps more and look at Herny in the eyes for the first time. She outlooks him, their eyes meet but before they can say anything; Simone and Samantha with friends (Kristen, Bonang and Dineo). They come to send their condolences, one would say they interrupted a love moment. Herny asked Simone, how do they know and he told him that their family is close to Zoete's but Herny suspects more.

Day after Zoete gets over her cousin's passing as mid-year exams are soon, she has to keep her mind focus and study to pass well. All the Mitchell siblings and friends started their exams, it is a panicky focusing moment for all students at UPE. The mid-year vacation is soon to start and Michael is planning to take his children to London but they aren't eager to go.

Zoete is ready to start handling the office as she is done with her certificate, but she wants to finish her degree first. The board members of Mitchell Corp. are keen to meet their mysterious boss. Zoete gets cold feet and she sent her apologies to the board, everything on her behalf, or needing her as the acting CEO, Simone still handles them. Before departure from varsity, students living in residence are given a day to stay after their last exam.

On the day of the final exam, Herny worries of losing his love to friend-zone, so Simone tells him to speak up. Herny didn't have a clue of how to declare his love and he fears Zoete will reject him. He calls Zoete to ask her out, but he tells her have dinner with his family before leaving for vacation. She approves and the girl informs her friends, so they come to help her get ready, that's to beautify her because she knows nothing of makeup.

The girls chose a dress for Zoete, wedged shoes and a sling bag to carry. The girls offer her earrings, she does not wear them.

Although they want to put her makeup, she refuses. Herny is shaking in his bedroom about tonight, he goes downstairs to inform his mother about the guest they are having tonight, but before she can say anything, he exclaims that they are not dating of which that was his mother's thought.

Samantha requests Tome to take Zoete to Herny's house, she is scared to meet the Smiths'. Dinner at the Smiths' goes well, but no progress is made so Herny and Zoete continued as friends. After dinner; Herny escorts Zoete to her residence on foot. This walk becomes memorable to them as it reflect to their feelings for one another per thoughts. Even though it doesn't progress them to reveal their love it is well comforting. Zoete felt cold, so Herny warms her up and being so close to him made her feel loved and secure.