Expelled After One Night Stand

Lerato's betrayal

Anna's POV

I'm on my way to work. I'm not looking forward to working today, as most children like to come to where I work and make fun of me, especially Lerato and her friends.

The mine bus does not leave until four in the afternoon. Many of the children in town will do their homework in class while waiting, but Lerato and her friends do not do that. They usually like to go out and make trouble in town for everybody they can. I am the usual victim. I have to go and put my backpack in the boarding room and get dressed in my uniform for work before I leave.

I got to my room and put my books down. I only take a few books with me because I know that I will have to do my homework and learn while working as I want to use the time we have in the study hall of the boarding room to study for the exams. It will be my final exam, as this is my last year of school.

Lerato does not like that I am always first in the class, making her hate me even more than she already does. I hate this place, and I hate my school years. I wish I could get a bursary and go away, but I know it's not meant for poor people like me. Only those who have connections will get a bursary.

I have applied for a cleaner job at the hospital on the mine, and Doctor Mothlamme, the doctor in charge, agreed. She also decided that I could use the computer at the hospital to study after hours, and I am very thankful for that.

However, I wish I could get away from the mine. I have always been in love with Charlie, the owner of the mine's son. I wished I did not have to be around when he got engaged to Lerato. She does not deserve a good man like Charlie. But I am nothing. I am nobody. I am the daughter of a w***e who almost break broke up Rose's parents. The children in school called me a bastard, and at first, I did not know what it meant as I was young and stupid. Over the years, I have learned what it means. What they say about children being cruel is true.

I have long given up on anybody that will love me. The only person that loved me passed away, and I still miss her. She was the only friend I had in this life. I miss Grandma Lerato. She cared for me and loved me without any conditions.

I look at my watch and realize I must hurry to work. I almost forgot the few books I needed to do my homework. The people I work for are also not very friendly, but at least they pay me enough so I can put away a little bit of money for myself without my grandparents knowing.

I dare not buy myself any new clothing, or my grandparents will shout at me as they expect me to give them all the money I get from working in the cafe. They expect me to pay them for everything they have done for me. I laugh at myself as I know they never did anything for me. They drink the money they need to send on food, and I hardly get any food from them when I go home some weekends. If I am not working, I must go home as the boarding house only allows me to stay on weekends when I need to work. I will buy food for those weekends or have nothing to eat.

It will be hard for me to remain on the mine, work, and study, but I am willing to do anything as long as I can make a better future for myself. After I get my degree, I will leave the mine, and I will never see me again. No one from the mine or my grandparents will see me again. Not that anyone will remember me when I leave. I hope Lerato will go and study so I do not have to see her and Charlie daily after they get engaged.

I am deep in thought as I walk to my job. I can only dream about a future where I can be a business owner. I want to go and study business economics. Many children I attend school with will not believe I can do it. They will laugh at me and make fun of me if they know about my dreams. So I do not tell anybody about them.

I am sick and tired of being made fun of, and if Lerato finds out about my dreams, I bet she and her friends will make fun of me every day about how I'm going to be a business owner and that I don't even have money to study. I'm not afraid of Lerato, but I know I cannot touch her. She is the daughter of the mine manager and Doctor Motlhamme. If I defend myself against her, she will run to her mother and father and tell them I am bullying her. I can forget about the hospital job then and will most likely be chased off the mine. Charlie will hate me, and Lerato's brothers and friends will bully me even more.

I always take a shortcut behind the school. As I turn the corner, I am shocked, and for a moment, I do not know what to do. I can only stand here looking at the two people kissing. I cannot believe my eyes. One of them is someone I help with his exams, and the other is Lerato. Is she betraying Charlie?

Charlie is not here. He is at a university in Italy. He should be back after we graduate. I know he will return, and then he and Lerato will get engaged. Why is she cheating on him with Kagiso? I always liked Kagiso as he is one of the few people still talking to me.

Lerato looks up and sees me. She comes storming towards me, and I know I need to get away or she will beat me up, but I am rooted to the ground and can only stare at her. Lerato slaps the living s**t out of me, and Kagiso tries to stop her, but she pulls me by my hair and pushes Kagiso away.

"If you say anything about this, I will kill you!" Lerato shouts.

"I will not say a word besides. You know no one will believe me." I say as I get up from the ground, dust myself off, and walk away to get to work.

I am still shocked that Lerato is having an affair with someone else. Kagiso is holding Lerato, so she does not come after me. I am glad I am helping Kagiso with his studies. Otherwise, he would not have helped me.