Chapter 1

Chapter 1

I usually spent my Friday evenings tucked away in my small room at my university residence, surrounded by textbooks, studying my life away because I want a bright future, as my mother says. She always tells me that education is my only way and that I can't afford to stay distracted. That's what I've been holding onto, no boys, just me, my books and Sibongile, my friend.

But today, things took a turn.

Sibongile burst into my room, rolled her eyes at my sight.

"Still at it?"

"Yeah, I ..I have to get these case laws. Exam season is soon and …"

"Girl, you've just written a hard ass test just earlier today. Don't you want to give yourself a break. Maybe…?" She pouts.

"I'm not going to a club. " Those are her vibes and sometimes I go but they drain the life out of me.

"Who said anything about a club?"

I stared at her expecting something.

"We're going to a spinning event. "

I widen my eyes. Those events are illegal.

"I don't have anyone to go with. You're the only one I was thinking of taking. Soweto is your home so…"

I sighed, not sure.

"Just this one time, please. Think about it. No, don't think. Just rock an outfit, it will be lit and honestly I'm there for Shakes."

Shakes is her situationship thing that I don't know where it's going. They are on and off.

"Just one afternoon, please?"

"Sure." Nothing would happen in one afternoon right? I'm just doing this for her.

—-

We took a taxi to the Soweto grounds, and immediately, the air shifted. It was packed. Massive speakers mounted on nearby vans. Kwesta, Ngud song blasting. There were marshals or bouncers near where Gusheshe cars were. One car was spinning, a red Gusheshe.

Crazy how it moves. My adrenaline levels spiked just by seeing and hearing the way it moves.

So, here I was, standing on the edge of the makeshift arena, feeling like a deer caught in headlights.

"Look, there he is," Sibongile shouted over the music, nudging my arm. She pointed toward the red Gusheshe car that was spinning.

Sibongile basically laid out who is who based on their cars. The girl knows her thing. She was disappointed that Shakes wasn't here yet.

"And that's Zuko. He's THE best spinner we've got." Referring to the red car

His car looks cool, it also has neon. Why am I impressed? It's just a car, what's wrong with me? Argh.

The car stopped and he came out of the car. God… he looks…

"Don't even look too long, girl. He's a heartbreaker. His body count could probably start a small country on some island or something" she laughed.

Great. Obviously the popular spinner is going to be a heartbreaker.

I looked, despite my better judgment. He was leaning against the driver's side door, wiping grease from his hands with a rag. He had a white bucket hat on and wore a fitted black t-shirt that clung to his broad shoulders and khaki pants, more so pantsula trousers, with all star takkies.

He locked eyes with me, I quickly looked away. I felt a heat rush to my cheeks and I immediately looked down at my sneakers.

"He's bad news," Sibongile warned, her eyes scanning the crowd. "Seriously, Ompie. Stay away from guys like that. From spinners even."

Suddenly, the music stopped for a bit.

The crowd roared as Zuko slid into the driver's seat. The engine growled. He surged forward, tires screaming, carving a perfect circle in the dirt. Smoke billowed up, thick and grey, swallowing the light. He spun with a reckless grace, the Gusheshe dancing on the edge of control. It was dangerous and mesmerizing.

People cheered on and on.

While the car was still rotating, he pushed the door open, whoahhhhhh, what? One hand on the steering wheel, the other waving dismissively at the screaming crowd. He then came out of the car, while it was still spinning, that caused another uproar, and they got on it,

While it's spinning then stepping on it before he got in on the sunroof and continued driving.

People were losing their minds, chanting his name. Zuks!!

Another car, a bright yellow one, drifted into the circle, clearly trying to bait him. The driver, a guy in a flashy jacket, revved his engine, trying to outshine the smoke. Zuko just tightened his spin, his car's rear bumper inches from the crowd, the smell of burnt rubber choking us.

As the cars finally screeched to a halt, the crowd surged forward to them. I stepped back, wanting to be anywhere but here.

"Babe!" A voice called out.

I watched as Shakes, vaulted from his car, looked like he's just arrived, he marched straight toward us. He grabbed Sibongile by the waist and planted a kiss on her that made me look at the ground in embarrassment. Shit, they don't care about anyone but them.

"Hey, hey!" Sibongile laughed, pulling away. "Keep it PG, Shakes. There's a child in the vicinity." She gestured toward me.

Shakes chuckled. "Ah, Omphile, is it?"

I nodded. "Sorry for that. I forgot we have a cocomelon around here."

The way they are so in love you'd swear I am a devil for advising her to leave him a thousand times coz of their on and offs. He can be idiotic sometimes.

I adjusted my hoodie, feeling small. "I'm nineteen, Shakes. I know how kissing works. I'm not a child."

"Sure, sure," he teased, not buying it. "Listen, there's a house party later tonight at the lounge. You two are coming, right? It's going to be wild."

Before I could decline. Zuko had walked over, his stride slow, he had brackets. I swear, his doing that on purpose. He nodded at Shakes then his eyes drifted to me, I held my breathe, sheeh, he smells like a manly plus a burnt tire.

"Tough race today," Shakes said, slapping Zuko on the shoulder.

"Tough," he sighed.

He looked at Sibongile, a small, knowing smile on his lips. "Sips. Looking good. My brother's wife."

Sibongile rolled her eyes while smiling. "Thanks, "brothers wife wasn't really necessary." "

Then, his gaze slid back to me. My breath hitched. He walked a step closer, closing the distance until I could smell the faint scent of manly cologne and burnt tire. He held out a hand for a handshake.

"Zuko Msingo," he said, his voice deep and smooth. "THEE local Xhosa Dyan, popular spinner yabo la way." I almost laughed at how arrogant he sounded.

I hesitated as I reached out to shake his hand. His skin was warm and rough against my palm. "I—I'm Omphile."

"Omphile," he repeated, testing the name. He didn't let go of my hand. "I haven't seen you around here before. You new to the hood? "

"I've lived here all my life," I whispered, pulling my hand away. "I just… I stay home. I'm a student."

He smiled, oh why does he have to look so good?

"A home buddy? Good girl." He leaned in, his eyes darting to my face, scanning me. " Then if that's the case. Don't hang around the wrong people. Stay a good girl, for me."

I felt my face heat up again. "For him?" What does that mean?

"I think I know how to make smart choices," I defended.

Shakes laughed, stepping between us. "Don't let him lie to you. This guy is trouble. You're better off finding yourself a church guy."

Zuko just smirked, his eyes never leaving mine. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a crumpled hundred-rand note. He stepped forward, tucking it into my palm. My skin prickled where his fingers brushed my wrist.

As he turned and walked away, disappearing into the chaos of the crowd, I looked down at the note. I unfolded it slowly, my hands shaking.

Scrawled on the back of the bill, in bold, messy black ink, was a phone number.

"You my friend have a death wish on a piece of paper." I knew what that meant. Don't mess with him.

I looked

at the number, then at the back of Zuko's head as he stood by his car, laughing with some other guys. Why is my heart beating so fast?