Scene opens in the staffroom, midday.
Teachers are scattered about, marking, gossiping, . The ceiling fan whirs lazily, pushing warm air around.
Maya sits at her desk, staring blankly at a half-marked notebook. Her mind is elsewhere on Clinton, on his words, on the girl from the street. She shakes her head and forces herself to focus, but the doubt gnaws at her.
She wanted to believe him. And she did. Every word. Every smile. Every casual reassurance that the girl was "just a friend."
Still, something inside her refused to rest. Quietly, she leans closer to a colleague sitting nearby Mrs. Fadeke, a middle-aged teacher who often chats with Clinton.
Maya : [softly, cautious] Aunty Fadeke... can I ask you something?
Mrs. Fadeke : [raising an eyebrow, curious] Of course, my dear. What's troubling you?
Maya : [hesitant] Clinton... how well do you know him?
Mrs. Fadeke glances around, lowers her voice, and leans closer.
Mrs. Fadeke : [with a sigh] Clinton? He's a nice boy, respectful. His mother raised him well. But when it comes to relationships... hmm. He's not the kind of man you should trust with your heart.
Maya : [frowning slightly] What do you mean?
Mrs. Fadeke : [shaking her head] Let's just say... he has a way of juggling women. He charms them, makes them feel special, but he never commits. More than once, I've seen him with one girl today and another tomorrow.
Maya stiffens, her pen slipping from her fingers. She forces a small nod, hiding the storm brewing inside.
The truth hit her harder than she expected. She had believed him, trusted him, let herself fall. And now... all of it crumbled.
After a long silence, she picks up her phone and types a message.
Maya : [text] Clinton... I think I just want us to remain best friends. Nothing more.
She stares at the words for a long moment, her thumb hovering. Then, with a deep breath, she presses send.
[ She never told him what she found out. She never asked for explanations, never demanded the truth. She simply chose her dignity, even as her heart bled.]
Clinton's reply comes almost instantly
Clinton [text] : Bestie? You sure?
Maya swallows hard, blinking back tears.
Maya [whispering to herself] Yes... bestie. That's all we'll ever be.
Curtains falls out.