Chapter 8: Fake Friends & Real Guns
The next morning, Kgosi couldn't stop thinking about the bullet in his locker.
Whoever left it wasn't just threatening him — they were promising something. A message in metal.
He kept it in his blazer pocket. Just in case.
---
First Break – Back Fence Spot
Kgosi leaned against the fence where he and Lethabo usually hung out. Lethabo walked up, chip packet in hand, acting like nothing was wrong.
"Bruh, you look like you ain't slept since Grade 6," Lethabo joked.
Kgosi stayed silent.
"You good?" Lethabo asked.
"Where were you yesterday during the assembly?" Kgosi asked, straight-faced.
Lethabo blinked. "I told you — I went home early. My stomach—"
"You always lie when your voice goes high like that," Kgosi cut in.
Silence.
Lethabo looked down. "You think I'm the one messing with you?"
"You tell me, Rethabile Molefe," Kgosi said, using his full name for the first time. "Because if you know something and you're hiding it... you're putting both of us in a coffin."
Lethabo tossed the chip packet to the ground and leaned in close. "I'm your boy, man. Don't forget that. But you're playing a game that's bigger than school now. And people are getting scared."
"Good," Kgosi said coldly. "They should be."
---
After School – Science Lab
Kgosi met Mr. Radebe again. This time, the teacher wasn't smiling.
"You're not safe anymore," Radebe said. "Ngwenya's pushing for your expulsion. Says you've been smuggling stuff through your schoolbag."
Kgosi shook his head. "He's covering tracks. He's scared of what I might find."
Radebe pulled something out of his drawer — a USB stick.
"This came from an anonymous source. It's CCTV footage from last Friday night."
Kgosi plugged it into his burner phone.
There, grainy and dark, was footage of the school corridor... and Lethabo, walking into the admin block after hours.
He had something in his hand. A black plastic bag.
---
Later – Street Corner near Block R
Kgosi waited. Hoodie up. Hands deep in his pocket. And then Lethabo showed up, as expected.
"You followed me?" Lethabo asked.
"No. I watched you," Kgosi replied. "From the moment you lied about your stomach, I knew."
Lethabo sighed. "It's not what you think."
Kgosi stepped forward. "Then what is it?"
Lethabo's eyes flicked left. A black Toyota Avanza was parked nearby. Tinted windows. Engine running.
"You working for Ngwenya?" Kgosi asked.
"No," Lethabo whispered. "I'm working against him. I was supposed to plant the gun in your locker... but I couldn't do it."
Kgosi blinked. "What?"
"I thought I could protect you from the inside," Lethabo said, voice shaking. "But I'm in too deep now, bro. They have dirt on me. They threatened my sister."
Kgosi took a deep breath. "We're gonna fix this. But from now on? You ride with me. Fully. No more lies."
Lethabo nodded. "Bet. Let's end this."
But from the Avanza, a phone camera clicked quietly.
Somebody was watching.
---
That Night – Naledi's Message
Naledi texted him.
Naledi: Meet me tomorrow behind the library. I found something. It's about my dad.
Kgosi: What is it?
Naledi: Just come. And bring the bullet.