Chapter 11

Zuko's POV

I was six years old again, running on clouds that felt like spun sugar under my feet, laughing until my chest ached.
My father was there, his laughter booming as he swung me through the air. My mother stood a few feet away, her smile so bright it felt like the sun itself. Everything was perfect. Everything was safe.
Then, she reached into the pocket of her apron. She pulled out a single match.
Then tiny spark caught, a flicker of orange in a world of white. She looked at me, her eyes devoid of the warmth they'd held a second ago, and she dropped it the matchstick.
The second the wood touched the clouds, fire appeared everywhere. It was burning, I was going to burn alive. My father vanished. My mother disappeared into a wall of flame. I tried to scream for her, but the air was gone.
Smoke, thick and tasting of burnt rubber and old sins, surged down my throat. I was clawing at the air, my lungs burning, feeling the oxygen being squeezed out of my body. Everywhere I looked, there was nothing but grey, suffocating fog. I was dying. I could feel my heartbeat slowing, a heavy, dull thud in a hollow chest. I took one last, desperate gasp—
I slammed into reality, my body jerking violently on the mattress.
I was panting, my chest heaving as I sucked in the cool air of the room. My shirt was plastered to my skin, cold with sweat. I sat up, clutching my throat, convinced for a terrifying second that I could still taste the soot.
*It's just a dream. It's just a dream.*
I looked at my hands in the dark. They were shaking. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw that match falling. No one should ever see this side of me. Not even her.
Omphile's POV

It was the spinning event day. And I was definitely going to support.y babe... honestly, this thing..spinning cars is one of my favourite things to do. It makes me have so much adrenaline and everything is fast. I fan girl like I'm in high school again. I love it. It's freeing.

The spinning arena was packed, a chaotic symphony of screaming engines, cheering crowds, and the deep house music. I walked in with Sibongile, my heart already heavy. All in you started playing. I looked at sibongile.

"You're favourite gem" Sibongile said excitedly. I moved my body a little. I'm not a dancer but I loved this song. I'd seen the red Gusheshe parked near the pits. He was here.
"There he is," Sibongile nudged me, pointing toward a group of guys near a souped-up 325i.
Zuko was leaning against the car, looking a little distant. I loved how his bucket heart looked skewed, a matchstick on his mouth. I raised my hand, a small. He looked straight at me. He didn't smile. He just turned his head back to Shakes, acting as if I were just another face in the crowd.
"He didn't wave back," I whispered, my stomach dropping. Why is he not waving at me? Anger crawled over me.
"Girl, he's probably just in the zone," Sibongile said, though she didn't sound convinced. "Look, Shakes is coming over."
Shakes walked toward us, his stride confident. He was wearing a fresh kit, and his hair was trimmed in fade. He caught Sibongile's eye and gave her a slow, deliberate wink.
"You guys look cute," I muttered to Sibongile, trying to distract myself from the ice in my chest.
Sibongile scoffed, though she couldn't hide the tint in her cheeks. "Cute? Please. He's just a fling Don't get it twisted. In fact I was at another man's house just yesterday."
I blinked, "Why do you guys do that?"
"Because he does the same thing," she said, her voice turning sharp for a second. "And it hurts like a bitch if you let yourself care too much. I asked him why we don't just make it official, and you know what he said? 'I'm not ready.' Same old story."
"I'm sorry, Sibo," I said, reaching for her hand.
"Don't be. I'm standing on business and I know how to take care of myself."
Suddenly, the crowd roared. The engines moved from a hum to a scream. Zuko and Shakes jumped into the car, and the show began. It was a masterclass in controlled chaos. The car spun in tight, violent circles, smoke billowing until the vehicle was almost invisible. Then, the door flew open. Shakes climbed out onto the side while the car was still moving, hanging off the frame with a grin. Zuko was at the wheel, his face a mask of stone, pushing the machine to its absolute limit.
They swapped stunts interchangeably, a deadly dance that left the crowd breathless. When they finally stopped, the arena was a haze of white smoke.
People swarmed them immediately. I wanted to run in there. I wanted to push past the fans, kiss him, and show everyone that he was mine. My mood was good until I spotted her. Amanda was standing near the VIP barrier, looking effortlessly cool. Honestly she's a hot girl, pretty too. I feel a pang, am I jealous? No girl you can't. No jealousy around her. She saw me and gave a slow, taunting wave.
"There's Amanda," I hissed to Sibongile. I had told her what Amanda said to me.
Sibongile's eyes narrowed. "She's got some nerve and with Zuko, you need to face him. Amanda ulapha and he decides he wants to ghost you. You need to face him. Um confronte chomi coz why ezobane ntloni ngoku ngawe. He can't do you like that chomi yam. Asoze akalok. Right now. Ask him what's up. Stand on business." What she said made sense, why would he be ashamed of me when he wasn't when he met me?
Before I could move, a bright yellow car roared into the arena. The engine sounded meaner. The driver stepped out, and the air seemed to chill.

"Zolani likes making a fool of himself yaz." Said Sibongile.

"Oh that's Zolani? "
Zolani looked straight at Zuko. The tension between them was thick enough to choke on.
"Yeah, he's been beefing with Zuko for the longest time."
Then, Zolani's gaze shifted to me. It was an intense, lingering look that made my skin crawl.
"What's the beef between them?" I asked.
"Zuko once took his girl...that's where it started but it seems deep," Sibongile said. "Listen, I have to run to the bathroom. Don't move."
As she disappeared, Shakes walked over to me, wiping grease from his hands.

"Whats up .. what's up."

"Hey." I said.

"Where's Sibongile?" He asked I loomed towards the bathroom as I told him where she was.
"You look well put together today, not wearing granny clothes anymore," he said, with a playful smile,leaning against a post. "Better than the last time I saw you at the tavern."
"Granny clothes Shakes?" I acted hurt. "Well, You don't look bad yourself, though that new haircut makes you look like someone's father." I teased.
He laughed, rubbing his head. "Eish, don't say that. I'm still young."
"If you're so young, why won't you commit to my friend? She says it's a situationship."
"It is, we're still young man, I'm not trying to get married." he said, his face turning serious. "She's free to do what she wants."
"So she can date around?" I challenged.
"No," he snapped, then caught himself. "Look, don't worry about me and Sibo. And don't worry about Zuko right now either. If I were him, I'd probably break up with you too."
"What?" I gasped. "Why would you say that?"
"Because you're a soft girl. Church guy type of vibe."

"Why do you think he's ignoring me?"

"He's an idiot, that's why." Hearing that made me feel validated. He is an idiot.
"Kaka yomntu Leya xa efuma. Man I'd say focus on your books. You'll never go wrong." I warm aura washed over me, a brotherly feel.
Sibongile came back then.

"What are you guys talking about?" She asked..

"You?" I smiled.

"What about me?" She asked curiously.

"I was just asking him what his intentions are with you." I watched her roll her eyes, grabbing the post, then she stared at Shakes. Her eyes went soft. Shakes stared back, his eyes went soft. Sibongile smiled and looked away.

"You two need to get a room, seriously," I muttered.
My eyes were on Zuko. He was packing up his gear. I marched over to him, my heart hammering.
"Zuko!"
He looked at me coldly. " First of, what are you doing here, I told you not to come?"
"What am I doing here? I'm here to see my boyfriend! And what's up with you wanting to control me?" He rolled his eyes, he did not. "Why are you ignoring me? I waved, and you looked right through me."
He didn't answer. He just kept stowing his tools.
"Is it because of her?" I pointed toward Amanda. "She's here, Zuko. She came to me yesterday on campus and said some bullshit, fucking bullshit things!" I emphasized on 'things' and he stopped on his tracks a bit before carrying on again. "Is that why you're acting like this? Because she's watching?"
Across the pits, I saw Zolani watching us with that same intense, dark stare.
Zuko finally looked at me with no warmth at all.
"I told you not to come here," he said, his voice flat.
"Why? Are you ashamed of me? Or are you afraid I'll see who you really are?"
He didn't answer. He just grabbed his bag, turned his back on me, and walked toward his car without another word. I stood there and watched him as he walked off.

Heeee...I can't believe this. Bullshit!