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Waking up in Bells’ room always disorientated him a bit. He was still getting used to the concept of having a girlfriend. It had been two years since he last had one. He still felt some excitement when he turned over to see her laying next to him. He watches her sleep for sometime then gets out of bed. He puts his boxers on and walks out into the passage towards the bathroom. As he reaches out to open the bathroom door without thinking to knock he hears the sound of a shower turning on. His hand shoots back and he whispers “Shit!” to no audience. Thinking about the awkward disaster that could have taken place he makes his way back into Bells’ room sticks himself into the black skinnies he wore last night. Walking out into the garden he fights his tight fit pockets for his I-pod. As he lays back on the grass he pops a cigarette in his mouth but doesn’t light it. He stares at the cloudless sky. The violin and rhythmic dreams aid him into the forgotten memories of last night. Dancing on stage, the roar of the crowd, the compliments afterwards. Closing his eyes he sees and hears Jerry screaming “We’re doing it!” The tequila shot. The taste

. “I’m willing!” One of Nthabisengs friends shouts into his ear on the dance floor.

“Willing to do what?!” He screams back into her ear.

“Willing to take it as far as you want me to!”

He laughed and she walked off in a huff. He tries piecing together getting back to Bell’s place. How did he get back here? Wandi? Yes he vaguely recalls Wandi’s voice telling him to get the fuck out the car. Ringing the buzzer, staggering into Bells’ room her helping him out of his clothes. Shit. It’s barely been a month and I’m already fucking up. He thinks. He feels a shadow block out the sun and the unlit cigarette is pulled out of his mouth. An insignificant piece of the skin on his lower lip is ripped away with it. Before he gets the chance to respond to the sting he feels lips press against his and hair tickling his ears. When she lifts her head he finds himself staring at the cleanest nostrils he has ever seen. He expresses the thought and receives a slap to his bare chest for it. She says something which he misses for having been to slow to take out his headphones.

“ I’m surprised you’re still kissing me after I was such a mess last night.”

“ You were fine. I found your closed performance funny actually. Stumbling over your clothes and all.”

She giggles. He sits up to rests his head on his forearm and hides his face.

Mumbles: “That bad huh?”

“That entertaining.”

He raises an eye to look at her place next to him and catches the spark in the light brown eyes that always makes her seem excited. Short brown hair covering one eye. It blows a bit in a gentle breeze.

“ So wild show huh?”

“Huh?” Confused at the sudden question directed at him.

“ That’s all you could say about it last night.” She imitates him and the fears of the mess he had been last night are confirmed.

“Wild. Oh my God so wild. Oh My God that shit was wild! It was wild. Wild. Wil…” she dramatically drops her body onto the grass. “…And you passed out.” She finishes with shutting her eyes.”

He tries to hide his face again but she gets up ,moves his arm and presses him down to comfort her hand and head on his chest.

“ So how’s the hangover?” she asks, tickling his chest.

“It’s not. I’m still drunk.”

“ Oh boy. That means you’re going to feel like shit the rest of the day.”

“ Yep! Which is perfect especially cause I’ve got studio from four today."

What time is it?”

“ Its eleven, you owe me brunch and two hours at the market.”

“Hmm…”

He begins weighing up what she’s just told him in his head. He knows that she’s using last night’s antics against him. He doesn’t mind it.

“ There’s nothing to think about. You know you’re in debt.” She tells him; as if reading his thoughts.

“ I almost walked in on Nadia showering this morning.”

“ Well that could have been awkward. I can just imagine the speech I would’ve gotten.”

“What would that have been?”.

She speaks in a high pitched monotone and puts on an Afrikaans accent. “ Bellie I know that you have not accepted the lord into your life and that’s okay. It’s your choice. I really don’t mind that Kolani can stays over, but please tell him to at least try to be decent. This morning he just walked into the bathrooms while I was showering and I really don’t like that. I pay rent here and he doesn’t, he can’t just walk around here like it’s his mother’s house, just opening doors and no knocking. I know he is your boyfriend en al but please you must tell him dat hy moet meer sensitive wees to the fact that jy bly saam met iemand.”

“ Jeez! Who are you and what have you done with my girlfriend? Really is that what you have to put up with? How the hell do you do it?”

“ Don’t worry about how I get on with my flat mate and get your shit together while I go take a shower.”

She pecks his lips and pushes herself up onto her feet using his chest and stomach.

“AWW!” he breathes out.

“Don’t be a baby!”

He sits up and watches her walk back into the flat. Her night dress hugs her small frame and reveals enough of her long and tanned legs to make his mind race a little. As she reaches the glass door she turns around.

“Stop perving!” with one eyebrow raised accompanied by a impishly crooked smile. She disappears behind the glass, he looks at himself in the reflection. Mouths

“ Screw this up and it’s official Xolani. You’re a fucking idiot!”

Bell pops her head back out the door. She shouts out to him.

“Can I leave my car at your place?”

He tilts his head and takes his chance to cock his eyebrow. She blows him a kiss and vanishes. He smiles and slowly gets up, moving at a slugs pace to her room.