Page 49 - The Mending Season

one side, looking at the teacher like she was about to address a child.‘Tm KB. I’ve been here since primary school.”Everyone seemed to be anxiously waiting for more, as they all stared at her expectantly, but she picked up her book again and started reading. I was disappointed. I wanted to hear more about her, what she liked and what sort of things she was good at. I had enjoyed hearing her speak earlier - she had an accent so close to the teachers that I thought it was flaw­ less.“Or Kebone, depending on who says it,” Veronica said to no one in particular. KB slowly moved her eyes from the book to Veronica and raised her eyebrow, and then went back to her book. Someone shifted a foot. The class had been so quiet that its sound was all we heard. Mrs Addis cleared her throat, seeming nervous.“Yes,”said Mrs Addis, looking at Dirusha, who sat in front of KB. I could feel the dampness on my palms and under my arms. ‘Tm Tshidiso Masemola,”I kept rehearsing in my head. What else was there to say? I didnt play any sport, I was not a “socialite” - whatever that meant - and unlike Laura, the nervous, red-haired girl with the soft voice, I did not love horses and my father was not a veterinarian.When it was my turn I said, “Tshidiso Masemola”, with my fingers pointing at my left breast.“Would you like to tell us something about yourself?”Mrs Addis said, her voice rising like she was speaking to me through a glass pane.“Ah ...” I cleared my throat and rubbed my palm on my dress, a pencil slipping onto the floor. The class was dead silent.“I am new,” I said finally. No one said anything, and Trish handed me my pencil. I could hear the echo of my wrong accent ringing in my head. I felt everyone take note ofit like49