There was a few days left before Kansas could leave for the boarding house of her new school in the Cape. She is moving from KZN to the Cape. Maybe the isn't much of a difference between the two cities. Durban and Cape Town both have the ocean. But now she was forced to learn Afrikaans. She only did Zulu her whole life since she only attended public schools due to the financial situation at home. When her scholarship asked her what school she wanted to go to, without hesitation she said "Rooiland Hoërskool." She heard about the international school that is situated in South Africa, Cape Town when they made headlines when everyone's dirty deeds where aired in public. She ended up googling the school and found out that it wasn't the first time the school's dirty deeds were aired out in public. So she figured if she really wanted a social life this was the school to be in. But that's not the only reason the school has direct ties to Ivy League schools such as Harvard university, Cambridge university, Princeton university and Oxford university and many more. Well since Harvard university is her school of choice this was her best shot in South Africa. And since she got in this school Harvard University will be much easier. The school told her that she was accepted after twenty essays, five mathematics admission tests, 6 English admission tests and three interviews. And finally an EQ test. And this is not over exaggeration Kansas actually kept count. But it was all worth it. Her third and last interview with the school was with the Principal of the school. He was nice and patient unlike the other interviewer.
"New school vibes🎇" Kansas captioned her first ever Instagram photo. She was unsure whether she should post this mirror selfie she had just taken in her new full school uniform. She fought the doubt and posted it. She only created her Instagram account two weeks ago. She looked at the mirror and smiled and said…
"Time to make our dreams come true." She told herself.
Kansas stood there and waited for the school receptionist to finally make sense of her name. The receptionist looked at it and kept trying to pronounce it. Kansas tired of watching her make a fool of herself, helped her.
"Njabuloyami." She pronounced it for her.
"Just use my second name. Kansas." She said. Kansas's names are Njabuloyami Kansas Qoloqolo. Her second name was meant to be Candice but the nurse was not very good at English especially spelling. So she ended up writing Kansas on her birth certificate. Luckily for Kansas, Kansas is actually a word. She never used that name and neither did anyone around her. But when she applied for the scholarship they immediately started using her second name Kansas. Maybe because it is easier for them to pronounce. It was the first time ever anyone called her by her second name. And even though she'll never admit it she liked being called by her second name.
" Kansas." The receptionist said. Kansas grinned a little.
" Welcome to Redlands High." She said.
"Redlands?!" Kansas asked a bit confused.
"No one really used the Rooiland, most of the kids here are from New York."
"Oh."
"Here is your class schedule, a list of all the sports and cultural activities we offer. Remember that it is compulsory to do at least two sports and at least one cultural activity."
"I know." Kansas replied and took the papers.
"Kansas!" The receptionist called out. Kansas turned to her.
"Name tag."
"Oh, thanks."
Outside the front office Kansas didn't know where to turn to, to get to class.
"Hi?" She asked the boy who was standing just outside the front office. He turned around and looked at her.
"What?" He rudely asked. Kansas was a bit taken aback by his rudeness. Were all whites this rude?
"Um, I don't know where to go."
"Go to the assembly, just follow the crowd." He said quickly turning his back to her. Kansas did just that. Followed the crowd. She accidentally bumped into a girl and stepped on her shoe tattooing her foot print on it.
"I'm so, so, sorry" Kansas repeatedly said. The girl looked pissed. Her arms crossed around her chest she said
"Clean it." The girl ordered Kansas. Kansas looked puzzled.
"Are you deaf ?!" The girl shouted drawing everyone's eyes to them. Kansas took a deep breath and opened up her bag and took out her boning sock. She bent down and wiped the dust off the front of the girl's shoe. Kansas got back up again.
"It's not clean." The girl said. Kansas looked at the girl, she clenched her teeth and went down again and cleaned the shoe. The girl's three friends laughed at Kansas. The girl lifted her foot and it hit Kansas's face. Kansas fell to the ground on her butt.
"Bloody keffa." The girl said. Kansas looked up with anger written all over her face. She got back up.
"What did you call me?" Kansas asked. The girl came closer.
" Are you deaf keffa?" The girl asked whilst pushing Kansas. Kansas natural reflexes stepped in and Kansas slapped her. The girl slapped her back. Kansas grabbed the girl's hair and pulled it. The girl screamed "You bitch!" the girl managed to push Kansas to the ground and sat on Kansas's belly and started slapping Kansas. Kansas was able to hold the girl's hands, Kansas and the girl struggled as the girl tried to get her hands back. Kansas rolled her and the girl over and Kansas was now on top. Kansas continuously punched the girl in her face. The girl started screaming hysterically. When the girl's friends realised that Kansas was for lack of better words. Beating her ass up. They also started screaming to the crowd that now surrounded the two fighting girls.
"Stop them!" One of the girl's friend screamed.
"What's going on here?" The man asked as soon as he asked the crowd disappeared. The girls also stopped fighting.
"Principal's office. NOW!!" He shouted. The girls quickly jumped up and ran straight to the Principal's office.
"Term one hasn't even began yet." The Principal, Mr Jan Henrik Stenson said touching his forehead out of stress.
"She started it!" The girl quickly defended herself.
" Rebecca Castle. Shut up!" The Principal shouted. The girl, Rebecca was stunned.
"Kansas what happened?" The Principal asked. Kansas was quiet for a while, trying to think back and recall what led her to hitting Rebecca.
"Um, I accidentally stepped on her shoe, she told me to clean it, I did she kicked me in the face and then called me the K word."
"What's the K word?"
"Keffa." Kansas replied.
"Rebecca go to Ms Biggs now." Mr Jan Henrik Stenson ordered Rebecca.
"What! You can't do that!" She screamed.
"NOW!" Mr Jan Henrik Stenson shouted. Rebecca almost falling stumbled out of her chair and ran for the door.
"I am so sorry." Mr Jan Henrik Stenson apologized. Kansas was confused by Mr Jan Henrik Stenson because he was not like all her previous principals. Mr Jan Henrik Stenson was not in control of his school the kids stressed him. This shocked Kansas she had never seen a principal so out of control.
"You can go to assembly" He said.
"I don't know where it is." Kansas said. The principal took a deep breath and said…
"Follow me" Kansas got up and followed him. They arrived through the stage of the assembly. Kansas was in awe. She had never seen anything so big in a school. She had never seen an assembly inside or a hall with built in chairs sought of like a cinema no a theatre. No one was standing the chairs were enough for everyone, the were students at the top. Kansas was used to standing in the sun for assembly this was new and amazing. On the stage there were chairs for all the teachers she guessed, they looked like teachers. Mr Jan Henrik Stenson gestured her to sit down. She left the stage and climbed the stairs and kept looking around for an empty chair. People looked at her and started whispering. Kansas didn't why. Was it because she had just gotten into a fight? Or because she's black? As Kansas looked around she realised that she was the only black person in this school. She finally saw an empty chair and sat there. Mr Jan Henrik Stenson started to address the crowd through the microphone.
"A peaceful year, a peaceful year is the only thing I asked for in the beginning of the year." Kansas wasn't here the first two days of term one because she had to get all things in order before coming to school.
"I stood here in front of all you and asked y'all, begged yella. Maar nie, niemand lester van Meneer Jan Henrik Stenson huh."
"Three days! It's only been three days!" He shouted.
"I've suspended more than 10 people! I need you to know that Ike sa'll suspend de yella Skool!"
"I'm not about to end up on the papers again!" The whole crowd remained quiet.
"It's the grade ten and twelves. What influence are you trying to be on the grade eights?"
"If you continue this behaviour I'll suspend you all. I've done it once and I WILL do it again!" He threatened. Everyone was dead quiet and Mr Jan Henrik Stenson was fuming with anger you could easily tell, he's white and his face had turned blood red.
"Do not test me!" He took a deep breath.
"To class." He ordered. The whole crowd was shocked and still.
"NOW!" He yelled. The whole crowd almost falling off their chairs stampede for the doors. Kansas now outside looked at her schedule.
"Yes, Math, room 123" Her favourite subject. She made her way there and knocked at the door. The teacher went up to her.
"How can I help you?" He asked.
"Hi, sir I am new here and they assigned me to your maths class." She explained.
"Oh, yes you are Kansas." He said. Kansas was a bit shocked that he knew her name. So she nodded.
"I was expecting you two days ago, come in. Sit." Kansas took a sit on an empty chair.
"Class, this is Kansas from?"
"Durban."
"Durban? Wow very beautiful place."
"Not really. It's no different from Cape town." Kansas said.
"True. Kansas please introduce yourself." He said. Kansas got up.
"Hi my name is Njabuloyami Kansas Qoloqolo. I'm from Durban from Mlazi High School."
"Wait what did you say your name was?" A forward white girl asked. Annoyed she answered anyways.
"Njabuloyami."
"So ghetto!" the forward white girl said.
"It's a beautiful name. It's Zulu and it means 'My happiness' you idiot!" The boy that sat behind Kansas came to her defence.
"And her surname?"
"Qoloqolo it's Xhosa." Kansas was shocked the white boy pronounced it perfectly way better than the Zulu's.
"She's definitely ghetto did you see her fight?" Someone said.
"That's enough." The teacher said.
"Sit down Kansas. I'm Mr Deneer." He said.
"Oh and Ms Clayton ghetto has a 100% average." Mr Deneer told the forward white girl. Kansas smiled a little.
"Books out."
"Kansas books?"
"They didn't give me books."
"Go to reception."
"I don't know where it is."
"Jason take her." Jason the white boy who just came to her defence is Jason. He was cute. Since Kansas had decided she was going to start dating she started seeing how beautiful boys could be.
"Jason." He said as they walked to reception.
"Kansas"
"I know. But can I call you Njabuloyami?" He asked.
"Please. No body! Literally no one has ever! Called me Kansas. This is soo weird."
"Really?" He asked and Kansas nodded and they both laughed.
"Like the fuck does Kansas even mean?!"
"It's a beautiful place." He said.
"A place?!" Kansas asked.
"Kansas city. The country side. With a lot of racism."
"It was supposed to be Candice but the nurse was terrible in English don't even get me started on spelling!"
"Luckily for you it's an actual word."
"Yeah." They both laughed. They arrived at reception.
"Hi. You didn't give me my books."
"No, they are in your locker."
"My locker?!" She has a locker.
"Yes. The pin is your first name letters numbers in that order, does that make sense… like a=1 b=2 you know exactly in the order of your name." The receptionist said.
"Oh thanks."
"Do you know where the lockers are at?" Kansas asked Jason.
"Yeah."
"Do you really have a 100% average?" Jason asked.
"Yeah." Kansas answered.
"Like your whole life?"
"Um, in grade eight I had a 97% average in the third term." Her voice got low as she said that.
"Why?"
"My mother died that term and I couldn't focus." Kansas said. That was the last time she let her emotions take control of her. That 97% close to killed her. So she made the decision to never let emotions take control of her again. But this year was going to be different everything was going to change even her.
"Sorry." Kansas smiled at him.
"So what's your locker number?" He asked after what felt like hours of silence. Guess he touched a sensitive spot.
"I didn't ask."
"Name tag." He ordered. Kansas took it off her chest and gave it to him.
"225"
"How did you know?" Kansas asked.
"This small number at the top."
"Oh." They arrived at her locker. She punched in the pin number and it popped open. She saw a stack of covered books a full length mirror on the door a Rooiland Hoërskool hoodie, a sweatshirt and gift bag that was full of pens, pencils, rubbers, colour pencils and rulers.
"Who covers these books?" Kansas asked. Jason shrugged. They went back to class.
"Did you like go to Anne Matilda Prep school."
"What is that?"
" It is a school for future Einstein's or some shit."
"Well I've never heard of it." They went back to class.
"Jason that was a very long time to fetch just books." Mr Deneer said. Jason paid no attention to him. Jason tapped Kansas's back, Kansas turned around.
"I'll take you to all your classes till you get acquainted with the school."
"Really?!"
"Yeah" He said.
"Thank you." She smiled.
"Jason!" Mr Deneer reprimanded.
"Sorry sir." Um. Whites weren't rude after all!
The next day Kansas was determined to have a drama free day. Her day wasn't as bad yesterday. Regardless of the fact that she got into a fight with a white girl and got her suspended for three whole weeks or the fact that there is a video of her fighting doing the rounds on social media which could seriously jeopardise her scholarship. The fact that it's on twenty six million views and counting is really scaring Kansas. She stayed up all night watching the numbers grow. She wouldn't have found out about the video if it wasn't for her first EVER friend Jason. Oh gorgeous Jason. His teeth are so perfect, his smile is inviting, his eyes are sweet. Ncoo Kansas's first crush. Her phone rang, her important people phone rang. It was her scholarship coordinator, Genevieve. Hesitant she picked up anyway.
"H… hel… hello" Kansas stuttered.
"Kansas. Hello. How was your first day of school?" Genevieve asked. You could hear a sarcastic tone.
"It… it… it was fine." Kansas stuttered.
"Really I can tell because your video is on thirty million views!"
"What!!!"
"Yeah your famous Kansas!"
"I'm so sorry." Kansas apologised.
"No need. I can get you out of this one."
"Really. I'm not gonna loose my scholarship?!"
"No. You did perfect. You listen to me. If you're gonna get into trouble you should be able to talk your self out off. Never incite violence. Most importantly have evidence." Kansas was so relieved. Genevieve continued
"Plus your sponsors are more worried about you. They are impressed by the way you handled the situation. I got to give it to you because I would've never wiped that shoe." Kansas didn't know what to say next. She should really work on her phone conversation skills.
"Anyways I have damage control to do. Have a great day."
"Damage control for me!"
"No your situation was easy. Another scholar."
"Oh. Have a great day."
"Thank you." Genevieve chirpily said. Kansas took a deep breath. She still had her scholarship. Wait was that video really on THIRTY MILLION VIEWS!!!!! Kansas quickly checked the video on YouTube. 35 million views 20 million comments 29 million likes 15K dislikes. She went through the comments. 70% of the people in the comments section where on her side. Thank God! Instagram! Is it trending on Instagram too?! Kansas quickly got on Instagram. Her phone started buzzing like never before! She checked her activity. "liked your post" "Started following you" Instagram told her. She clicked on her post. 25k LIKES!!!! Go Kansas 💃💃👏👏👏. 300 comments lets check them out. "Beautiful." "Welcome" why thank you. Fire emojis! You go girl 💃💃. 10k new FOLLOWERS!!!! Kansas you're the man👏👏.
Social life ☑️
Crush who could soon be a potential boyfriend ☑️
Scholarship still intact ☑️
Okay seems everything is going as planned for Kansas. Rooiland Hoërskool is proving to be a great place after all.
"Hey." Jason said. Kansas was waiting outside her English class for him.
"Hey." She answered.
"Still unfamiliar with the school I see."
"It's only my second day."
"So where to next?" He asked. Jason had promised to take Kansas to all her classes till she got acquainted with the school. All she had to do was wait outside the classroom when she was done and he'd be there to pick her up. So far today he's kept his promise.
"My basics of Afrikaans class. My teacher is Mr Lundqvist. Whatever that means."
"You do basics of Afrikaans!"
"Yeah. The principal suggested I take Afrikaans as my main home language instead of Xhosa or isiZulu. And I've never done Afrikaans before."
"Ever?!" He asked looking shocked.
"Yeah. Anyways why is there only languages on my time table today?" Jason made a gagging gesture.
"Language day."
"Language day?!" Kansas asked.
"Yep. Monday is numeracy day all the subject that include numbers and tech. Tuesday is Language day. Wednesday is Earth day all the subjects that have to do with the earth like Chem, bio, physics, geo. Thursday is History and You day all those stupid subject like history, LO, sex ed, life ed. Friday is sports day remember to bring your gym clothes. And on Saturday is Arts day all those cultural activities they force us to do."
"I didn't know that. Thank you."
"Sure. I should start a welcoming committee and be it's president. Don't you think?" Kansas laughed.
"Here we are." Jason said.
"Dankie."
"See ya at break." Kansas got into class. The bell rang.
"I'm hosting tonight just a small get together with some of my friends." Jason said.
"Okay." Kansas said.
"Want to come?" He asked.
"Me?!" Kansas asked. Kansas! Her first party?!! Oh my God!!!
"No." He sarcastically said.
"Yes you Njabuloyami! So are coming?" He asked. Her first party! My God…
"Yes!"
"Good. Where do you live?" He asked. Kansas was supposed to be boarding but it turns out that the kids here are so rich they'd never stay inside the boarding house. So the scholarship got her a fully furnished apartment 20 minutes away from the school. And I must admit it looks like an A-listers apartment.
"Oceans view. Number 59b"
"Oceans view! Cool. I'll pick you up there."
"Great!" Kansas smiled. Her first party. Yay!
The music was on blast. Kansas could barely hear herself think yet alone hear others try to talk to her. Jason gestured her to come to him. She squeezed her way through the overly packed room of drunk and high teenagers. The music slowly disappeared as she got closer to Jason. They walked into another house in the backyard. The was only 30 people inside. The counter was full of the most expensive bottles of alcohol. She could tell, she Googled alcohol in the beginning of the year. Well she Googled a lot of things. After all she does want to fit in.
"Guys listen up." Jason called out. Everyone stopped and turned to them.
"This is Njabuloyami AKA Kansas. She's with me so be nice."
"Mingle." He whispered in her ear. And left. Kansas awkwardly stood there while everyone went about their business. She felt a tap on her back, she turned.
"You're the new friend?" A girl asked her. Not knowing what to say she nodded.
"Let's go." Kansas followed the girl outside by the swimming pool.
"People this is Jason's new friend." The girl said as she sat near the edge of the pool and put her feet in it.
"What's her name?" One girl asked.
"Don't know." The girl who brought her to the pool answered.
"What's your name?" The girl asked.
"Kansas."
"Honey, I can't hear you." Kansas cleared her throat and projected her voice.
"Kansas."
"I freaking hate Kansas City!" One girl exclaimed.
"You hate everything from Missouri!" Another girl commented.
"Kansas city is in Missouri?" A girl who was in the swimming pool in a red bikini asked shocked.
"DUH!" They all exclaimed.
"Hi. I'm Alex and all these people are crazy. Run while you still have the chance." Alex said and they all raised the middle finger on him.
"Hailey." The girl who brought her here introduced herself.
"The one who hates you is Kylie!" Kylie immediately came to her own defence.
"I don't hate her! You want Jason to kill me. I swear to God I don't hate you."
"You hate the name." Alex commented.
"The actual city." Kylie defended herself.
"Names Tatum. How do you know Jason.?" Just as Kansas was about to answer Hailey interrupted.
"They're a thing!" They are not a thing. Wait are they a thing. Kansas is terrible at reading signs.
"He's into girl's now." One guy commented. They all bursted out in laughter.
"She's the new girl." He said.
"As in the one who beat the crap out of Rebecca Castle. Girl you are my new best friend sit down!!" Kylie said.
"First you hate her now she's your BFF!" Alex said.
"I hate Rebecca Castle more than anything and SHE got her suspended! I love her!!"
"Who doesn't hate Rebecca Castle?"
"Mr Deneer!" Hailey commented. And they all laughed.
"Anna." The girl in the red bikini said.
"Nice to meet y'all." Kansas said.
"Oh yeah. That guy who's busy on his phone is G. Don't ask." Hailey said. G waved at Kansas and she waved back.
"Where is the bathroom?" Kansas asked.
"Get in the house go up the stairs pick any room and pee." Kylie answered. She squeezed her way through the overly packed room of drunk, sweaty and high teenagers. She quickly closed the door of the room. The room was nice it had no pictures either than a painting of a rose. She headed for the bathroom. She heard what sounded like someone crying.
"Are you okay?" Kansas asked the girl.
"I'm fine." The girl got up and passed Kansas. She washed heCHAPTER TWO
There was a few days left before Kansas could leave for the boarding house of her new school in the Cape. She is moving from KZN to the Cape. Maybe the isn't much of a difference between the two cities. Durban and Cape Town both have the ocean. But now she was forced to learn Afrikaans. She only did Zulu her whole life since she only attended public schools due to the financial situation at home. When her scholarship asked her what school she wanted to go to, without hesitation she said "Rooiland Hoërskool." She heard about the international school that is situated in South Africa, Cape Town when they made headlines when everyone's dirty deeds where aired in public. She ended up googling the school and found out that it wasn't the first time the school's dirty deeds were aired out in public. So she figured if she really wanted a social life this was the school to be in. But that's not the only reason the school has direct ties to Ivy League schools such as Harvard university, Cambridge university, Princeton university and Oxford university and many more. Well since Harvard university is her school of choice this was her best shot in South Africa. And since she got in this school Harvard University will be much easier. The school told her that she was accepted after twenty essays, five mathematics admission tests, 6 English admission tests and three interviews. And finally an EQ test. And this is not over exaggeration Kansas actually kept count. But it was all worth it. Her third and last interview with the school was with the Principal of the school. He was nice and patient unlike the other interviewer.
"New school vibes🎇" Kansas captioned her first ever Instagram photo. She was unsure whether she should post this mirror selfie she had just taken in her new full school uniform. She fought the doubt and posted it. She only created her Instagram account two weeks ago. She looked at the mirror and smiled and said…
"Time to make our dreams come true." She told herself.
Kansas stood there and waited for the school receptionist to finally make sense of her name. The receptionist looked at it and kept trying to pronounce it. Kansas tired of watching her make a fool of herself, helped her.
"Njabuloyami." She pronounced it for her.
"Just use my second name. Kansas." She said. Kansas's names are Njabuloyami Kansas Qoloqolo. Her second name was meant to be Candice but the nurse was not very good at English especially spelling. So she ended up writing Kansas on her birth certificate. Luckily for Kansas, Kansas is actually a word. She never used that name and neither did anyone around her. But when she applied for the scholarship they immediately started using her second name Kansas. Maybe because it is easier for them to pronounce. It was the first time ever anyone called her by her second name. And even though she'll never admit it she liked being called by her second name.
" Kansas." The receptionist said. Kansas grinned a little.
" Welcome to Redlands High." She said.
"Redlands?!" Kansas asked a bit confused.
"No one really used the Rooiland, most of the kids here are from New York."
"Oh."
"Here is your class schedule, a list of all the sports and cultural activities we offer. Remember that it is compulsory to do at least two sports and at least one cultural activity."
"I know." Kansas replied and took the papers.
"Kansas!" The receptionist called out. Kansas turned to her.
"Name tag."
"Oh, thanks."
Outside the front office Kansas didn't know where to turn to, to get to class.
"Hi?" She asked the boy who was standing just outside the front office. He turned around and looked at her.
"What?" He rudely asked. Kansas was a bit taken aback by his rudeness. Were all whites this rude?
"Um, I don't know where to go."
"Go to the assembly, just follow the crowd." He said quickly turning his back to her. Kansas did just that. Followed the crowd. She accidentally bumped into a girl and stepped on her shoe tattooing her foot print on it.
"I'm so, so, sorry" Kansas repeatedly said. The girl looked pissed. Her arms crossed around her chest she said
"Clean it." The girl ordered Kansas. Kansas looked puzzled.
"Are you deaf ?!" The girl shouted drawing everyone's eyes to them. Kansas took a deep breath and opened up her bag and took out her boning sock. She bent down and wiped the dust off the front of the girl's shoe. Kansas got back up again.
"It's not clean." The girl said. Kansas looked at the girl, she clenched her teeth and went down again and cleaned the shoe. The girl's three friends laughed at Kansas. The girl lifted her foot and it hit Kansas's face. Kansas fell to the ground on her butt.
"Bloody keffa." The girl said. Kansas looked up with anger written all over her face. She got back up.
"What did you call me?" Kansas asked. The girl came closer.
" Are you deaf keffa?" The girl asked whilst pushing Kansas. Kansas natural reflexes stepped in and Kansas slapped her. The girl slapped her back. Kansas grabbed the girl's hair and pulled it. The girl screamed "You bitch!" the girl managed to push Kansas to the ground and sat on Kansas's belly and started slapping Kansas. Kansas was able to hold the girl's hands, Kansas and the girl struggled as the girl tried to get her hands back. Kansas rolled her and the girl over and Kansas was now on top. Kansas continuously punched the girl in her face. The girl started screaming hysterically. When the girl's friends realised that Kansas was for lack of better words. Beating her ass up. They also started screaming to the crowd that now surrounded the two fighting girls.
"Stop them!" One of the girl's friend screamed.
"What's going on here?" The man asked as soon as he asked the crowd disappeared. The girls also stopped fighting.
"Principal's office. NOW!!" He shouted. The girls quickly jumped up and ran straight to the Principal's office.
"Term one hasn't even began yet." The Principal, Mr Jan Henrik Stenson said touching his forehead out of stress.
"She started it!" The girl quickly defended herself.
" Rebecca Castle. Shut up!" The Principal shouted. The girl, Rebecca was stunned.
"Kansas what happened?" The Principal asked. Kansas was quiet for a while, trying to think back and recall what led her to hitting Rebecca.
"Um, I accidentally stepped on her shoe, she told me to clean it, I did she kicked me in the face and then called me the K word."
"What's the K word?"
"Keffa." Kansas replied.
"Rebecca go to Ms Biggs now." Mr Jan Henrik Stenson ordered Rebecca.
"What! You can't do that!" She screamed.
"NOW!" Mr Jan Henrik Stenson shouted. Rebecca almost falling stumbled out of her chair and ran for the door.
"I am so sorry." Mr Jan Henrik Stenson apologized. Kansas was confused by Mr Jan Henrik Stenson because he was not like all her previous principals. Mr Jan Henrik Stenson was not in control of his school the kids stressed him. This shocked Kansas she had never seen a principal so out of control.
"You can go to assembly" He said.
"I don't know where it is." Kansas said. The principal took a deep breath and said…
"Follow me" Kansas got up and followed him. They arrived through the stage of the assembly. Kansas was in awe. She had never seen anything so big in a school. She had never seen an assembly inside or a hall with built in chairs sought of like a cinema no a theatre. No one was standing the chairs were enough for everyone, the were students at the top. Kansas was used to standing in the sun for assembly this was new and amazing. On the stage there were chairs for all the teachers she guessed, they looked like teachers. Mr Jan Henrik Stenson gestured her to sit down. She left the stage and climbed the stairs and kept looking around for an empty chair. People looked at her and started whispering. Kansas didn't why. Was it because she had just gotten into a fight? Or because she's black? As Kansas looked around she realised that she was the only black person in this school. She finally saw an empty chair and sat there. Mr Jan Henrik Stenson started to address the crowd through the microphone.
"A peaceful year, a peaceful year is the only thing I asked for in the beginning of the year." Kansas wasn't here the first two days of term one because she had to get all things in order before coming to school.
"I stood here in front of all you and asked y'all, begged yella. Maar nie, niemand lester van Meneer Jan Henrik Stenson huh."
"Three days! It's only been three days!" He shouted.
"I've suspended more than 10 people! I need you to know that Ike sa'll suspend de yella Skool!"
"I'm not about to end up on the papers again!" The whole crowd remained quiet.
"It's the grade ten and twelves. What influence are you trying to be on the grade eights?"
"If you continue this behaviour I'll suspend you all. I've done it once and I WILL do it again!" He threatened. Everyone was dead quiet and Mr Jan Henrik Stenson was fuming with anger you could easily tell, he's white and his face had turned blood red.
"Do not test me!" He took a deep breath.
"To class." He ordered. The whole crowd was shocked and still.
"NOW!" He yelled. The whole crowd almost falling off their chairs stampede for the doors. Kansas now outside looked at her schedule.
"Yes, Math, room 123" Her favourite subject. She made her way there and knocked at the door. The teacher went up to her.
"How can I help you?" He asked.
"Hi, sir I am new here and they assigned me to your maths class." She explained.
"Oh, yes you are Kansas." He said. Kansas was a bit shocked that he knew her name. So she nodded.
"I was expecting you two days ago, come in. Sit." Kansas took a sit on an empty chair.
"Class, this is Kansas from?"
"Durban."
"Durban? Wow very beautiful place."
"Not really. It's no different from Cape town." Kansas said.
"True. Kansas please introduce yourself." He said. Kansas got up.
"Hi my name is Njabuloyami Kansas Qoloqolo. I'm from Durban from Mlazi High School."
"Wait what did you say your name was?" A forward white girl asked. Annoyed she answered anyways.
"Njabuloyami."
"So ghetto!" the forward white girl said.
"It's a beautiful name. It's Zulu and it means 'My happiness' you idiot!" The boy that sat behind Kansas came to her defence.
"And her surname?"
"Qoloqolo it's Xhosa." Kansas was shocked the white boy pronounced it perfectly way better than the Zulu's.
"She's definitely ghetto did you see her fight?" Someone said.
"That's enough." The teacher said.
"Sit down Kansas. I'm Mr Deneer." He said.
"Oh and Ms Clayton ghetto has a 100% average." Mr Deneer told the forward white girl. Kansas smiled a little.
"Books out."
"Kansas books?"
"They didn't give me books."
"Go to reception."
"I don't know where it is."
"Jason take her." Jason the white boy who just came to her defence is Jason. He was cute. Since Kansas had decided she was going to start dating she started seeing how beautiful boys could be.
"Jason." He said as they walked to reception.
"Kansas"
"I know. But can I call you Njabuloyami?" He asked.
"Please. No body! Literally no one has ever! Called me Kansas. This is soo weird."
"Really?" He asked and Kansas nodded and they both laughed.
"Like the fuck does Kansas even mean?!"
"It's a beautiful place." He said.
"A place?!" Kansas asked.
"Kansas city. The country side. With a lot of racism."
"It was supposed to be Candice but the nurse was terrible in English don't even get me started on spelling!"
"Luckily for you it's an actual word."
"Yeah." They both laughed. They arrived at reception.
"Hi. You didn't give me my books."
"No, they are in your locker."
"My locker?!" She has a locker.
"Yes. The pin is your first name letters numbers in that order, does that make sense… like a=1 b=2 you know exactly in the order of your name." The receptionist said.
"Oh thanks."
"Do you know where the lockers are at?" Kansas asked Jason.
"Yeah."
"Do you really have a 100% average?" Jason asked.
"Yeah." Kansas answered.
"Like your whole life?"
"Um, in grade eight I had a 97% average in the third term." Her voice got low as she said that.
"Why?"
"My mother died that term and I couldn't focus." Kansas said. That was the last time she let her emotions take control of her. That 97% close to killed her. So she made the decision to never let emotions take control of her again. But this year was going to be different everything was going to change even her.
"Sorry." Kansas smiled at him.
"So what's your locker number?" He asked after what felt like hours of silence. Guess he touched a sensitive spot.
"I didn't ask."
"Name tag." He ordered. Kansas took it off her chest and gave it to him.
"225"
"How did you know?" Kansas asked.
"This small number at the top."
"Oh." They arrived at her locker. She punched in the pin number and it popped open. She saw a stack of covered books a full length mirror on the door a Rooiland Hoërskool hoodie, a sweatshirt and gift bag that was full of pens, pencils, rubbers, colour pencils and rulers.
"Who covers these books?" Kansas asked. Jason shrugged. They went back to class.
"Did you like go to Anne Matilda Prep school."
"What is that?"
" It is a school for future Einstein's or some shit."
"Well I've never heard of it." They went back to class.
"Jason that was a very long time to fetch just books." Mr Deneer said. Jason paid no attention to him. Jason tapped Kansas's back, Kansas turned around.
"I'll take you to all your classes till you get acquainted with the school."
"Really?!"
"Yeah" He said.
"Thank you." She smiled.
"Jason!" Mr Deneer reprimanded.
"Sorry sir." Um. Whites weren't rude after all!
The next day Kansas was determined to have a drama free day. Her day wasn't as bad yesterday. Regardless of the fact that she got into a fight with a white girl and got her suspended for three whole weeks or the fact that there is a video of her fighting doing the rounds on social media which could seriously jeopardise her scholarship. The fact that it's on twenty six million views and counting is really scaring Kansas. She stayed up all night watching the numbers grow. She wouldn't have found out about the video if it wasn't for her first EVER friend Jason. Oh gorgeous Jason. His teeth are so perfect, his smile is inviting, his eyes are sweet. Ncoo Kansas's first crush. Her phone rang, her important people phone rang. It was her scholarship coordinator, Genevieve. Hesitant she picked up anyway.
"H… hel… hello" Kansas stuttered.
"Kansas. Hello. How was your first day of school?" Genevieve asked. You could hear a sarcastic tone.
"It… it… it was fine." Kansas stuttered.
"Really I can tell because your video is on thirty million views!"
"What!!!"
"Yeah your famous Kansas!"
"I'm so sorry." Kansas apologised.
"No need. I can get you out of this one."
"Really. I'm not gonna loose my scholarship?!"
"No. You did perfect. You listen to me. If you're gonna get into trouble you should be able to talk your self out off. Never incite violence. Most importantly have evidence." Kansas was so relieved. Genevieve continued
"Plus your sponsors are more worried about you. They are impressed by the way you handled the situation. I got to give it to you because I would've never wiped that shoe." Kansas didn't know what to say next. She should really work on her phone conversation skills.
"Anyways I have damage control to do. Have a great day."
"Damage control for me!"
"No your situation was easy. Another scholar."
"Oh. Have a great day."
"Thank you." Genevieve chirpily said. Kansas took a deep breath. She still had her scholarship. Wait was that video really on THIRTY MILLION VIEWS!!!!! Kansas quickly checked the video on YouTube. 35 million views 20 million comments 29 million likes 15K dislikes. She went through the comments. 70% of the people in the comments section where on her side. Thank God! Instagram! Is it trending on Instagram too?! Kansas quickly got on Instagram. Her phone started buzzing like never before! She checked her activity. "liked your post" "Started following you" Instagram told her. She clicked on her post. 25k LIKES!!!! Go Kansas 💃💃👏👏👏. 300 comments lets check them out. "Beautiful." "Welcome" why thank you. Fire emojis! You go girl 💃💃. 10k new FOLLOWERS!!!! Kansas you're the man👏👏.
Social life ☑️
Crush who could soon be a potential boyfriend ☑️
Scholarship still intact ☑️
Okay seems everything is going as planned for Kansas. Rooiland Hoërskool is proving to be a great place after all.
"Hey." Jason said. Kansas was waiting outside her English class for him.
"Hey." She answered.
"Still unfamiliar with the school I see."
"It's only my second day."
"So where to next?" He asked. Jason had promised to take Kansas to all her classes till she got acquainted with the school. All she had to do was wait outside the classroom when she was done and he'd be there to pick her up. So far today he's kept his promise.
"My basics of Afrikaans class. My teacher is Mr Lundqvist. Whatever that means."
"You do basics of Afrikaans!"
"Yeah. The principal suggested I take Afrikaans as my main home language instead of Xhosa or isiZulu. And I've never done Afrikaans before."
"Ever?!" He asked looking shocked.
"Yeah. Anyways why is there only languages on my time table today?" Jason made a gagging gesture.
"Language day."
"Language day?!" Kansas asked.
"Yep. Monday is numeracy day all the subject that include numbers and tech. Tuesday is Language day. Wednesday is Earth day all the subjects that have to do with the earth like Chem, bio, physics, geo. Thursday is History and You day all those stupid subject like history, LO, sex ed, life ed. Friday is sports day remember to bring your gym clothes. And on Saturday is Arts day all those cultural activities they force us to do."
"I didn't know that. Thank you."
"Sure. I should start a welcoming committee and be it's president. Don't you think?" Kansas laughed.
"Here we are." Jason said.
"Dankie."
"See ya at break." Kansas got into class. The bell rang.
"I'm hosting tonight just a small get together with some of my friends." Jason said.
"Okay." Kansas said.
"Want to come?" He asked.
"Me?!" Kansas asked. Kansas! Her first party?!! Oh my God!!!
"No." He sarcastically said.
"Yes you Njabuloyami! So are coming?" He asked. Her first party! My God…
"Yes!"
"Good. Where do you live?" He asked. Kansas was supposed to be boarding but it turns out that the kids here are so rich they'd never stay inside the boarding house. So the scholarship got her a fully furnished apartment 20 minutes away from the school. And I must admit it looks like an A-listers apartment.
"Oceans view. Number 59b"
"Oceans view! Cool. I'll pick you up there."
"Great!" Kansas smiled. Her first party. Yay!
The music was on blast. Kansas could barely hear herself think yet alone hear others try to talk to her. Jason gestured her to come to him. She squeezed her way through the overly packed room of drunk and high teenagers. The music slowly disappeared as she got closer to Jason. They walked into another house in the backyard. The was only 30 people inside. The counter was full of the most expensive bottles of alcohol. She could tell, she Googled alcohol in the beginning of the year. Well she Googled a lot of things. After all she does want to fit in.
"Guys listen up." Jason called out. Everyone stopped and turned to them.
"This is Njabuloyami AKA Kansas. She's with me so be nice."
"Mingle." He whispered in her ear. And left. Kansas awkwardly stood there while everyone went about their business. She felt a tap on her back, she turned.
"You're the new friend?" A girl asked her. Not knowing what to say she nodded.
"Let's go." Kansas followed the girl outside by the swimming pool.
"People this is Jason's new friend." The girl said as she sat near the edge of the pool and put her feet in it.
"What's her name?" One girl asked.
"Don't know." The girl who brought her to the pool answered.
"What's your name?" The girl asked.
"Kansas."
"Honey, I can't hear you." Kansas cleared her throat and projected her voice.
"Kansas."
"I freaking hate Kansas City!" One girl exclaimed.
"You hate everything from Missouri!" Another girl commented.
"Kansas city is in Missouri?" A girl who was in the swimming pool in a red bikini asked shocked.
"DUH!" They all exclaimed.
"Hi. I'm Alex and all these people are crazy. Run while you still have the chance." Alex said and they all raised the middle finger on him.
"Hailey." The girl who brought her here introduced herself.
"The one who hates you is Kylie!" Kylie immediately came to her own defence.
"I don't hate her! You want Jason to kill me. I swear to God I don't hate you."
"You hate the name." Alex commented.
"The actual city." Kylie defended herself.
"Names Tatum. How do you know Jason.?" Just as Kansas was about to answer Hailey interrupted.
"They're a thing!" They are not a thing. Wait are they a thing. Kansas is terrible at reading signs.
"He's into girl's now." One guy commented. They all bursted out in laughter.
"She's the new girl." He said.
"As in the one who beat the crap out of Rebecca Castle. Girl you are my new best friend sit down!!" Kylie said.
"First you hate her now she's your BFF!" Alex said.
"I hate Rebecca Castle more than anything and SHE got her suspended! I love her!!"
"Who doesn't hate Rebecca Castle?"
"Mr Deneer!" Hailey commented. And they all laughed.
"Anna." The girl in the red bikini said.
"Nice to meet y'all." Kansas said.
"Oh yeah. That guy who's busy on his phone is G. Don't ask." Hailey said. G waved at Kansas and she waved back.
"Where is the bathroom?" Kansas asked.
"Get in the house go up the stairs pick any room and pee." Kylie answered. She squeezed her way through the overly packed room of drunk, sweaty and high teenagers. She quickly closed the door of the room. The room was nice it had no pictures either than a painting of a rose. She headed for the bathroom. She heard what sounded like someone crying.
"Are you okay?" Kansas asked the girl.
"I'm fine." The girl got up and passed Kansas. She washed her face and looked into the mirror like she was trying to convince herself that everything was okay. She tried to hold the tears back but they just came falling down. Kansas went to the girl and hugged her.