The Confirmation

Before Thabo and Lisa could take the opportunity to leave the old tuckshop, three girls approached them. The very same three girls who convinced Thabo to watch Heated Rivalry because they thought he was gay.

Their names were Sammie, June, and Thula, and they seemed as shocked to see him there as he was to see them.

“Hey, Thabo… fancy meeting you here… with a girl?” said Sammie.

She was the tallest one and the one who always seemed to talk first. Thabo could not remember having a full conversation with the other two, who mostly giggled at whatever Sammie said. That pattern remained unbroken as Thula and June giggled again after Sammie's statement.

She was the tallest one and the one who always seemed to talk first. Thabo could not remember having a full conversation with the other two, who mostly giggled at whatever Sammie said. That pattern remained unbroken as Thula and June giggled again after Sammie finished her sentence.

“I was just asking my class representative for a favour,” Thabo said. Then, in a stage whisper: “Actually, I’m asking her to be my beard. Don’t tell anyone.”

The trio giggled amongst themselves before assuring him that they would keep it a secret. Thabo thanked them for the recommendation of Heated Rivalry and then set off with a confused Lisa. Only after the girls were out of eyeshot did Lisa finally speak.

“Thabo, who were those girls?” she asked, turning back to the old tuckshop.

“Just a bunch of grade eight girls who think I’m gay… It’s a long story.”

“Okay… and why did you tell them I was a beard? What does that even mean?”

“A beard is a woman that a gay man pretends to date, who allows them to pass as a straight man in society,” Thabo chuckled.

“And why are you doing this?” Lisa asked. She appeared more confused than she was initially.

“If people think I’m gay, and you’re my beard, then you don’t have to worry about people seeing us together.”

“But you just told those girls that they shouldn’t tell anyone?”

“I trust that they won’t betray their nature and keep their mouths shut,” said Thabo, confidently. “Linda told me that they are massive gossips and I trust her.”

‘Huh… you don’t seem to care at all what people think about you, do you, Thabo?”

“I care a great deal about what the people I care about think of me. I don’t give a fig what strangers think, though.”

For a moment, Lisa walked alongside Thabo in silence. Her eyes stared off into the distance in contemplation, before she snorted with amusement.

“If you really want to sell it, then…” Lisa put her arms around Thabo’s forearm.

Thabo's heart started beating out of his chest. After what felt like a decade, he remembered to play along.

“Shall we, honey?” he managed.

“We shall,” Lisa snorted.

By the time they entered the Music Club room, both were in a fit of laughter. So much that Thabo could barely notice the smell of smoke in the room… wait… There wasn’t any.

For the first time in forever, the air was as clear as water.

“You’re late,” said Khaya.

He was toying with his bass. It must be the Instrumental Group’s turn to use the room. The House Music trio was still in the clubhouse, though. They were in their corner this time without a cigarette. Juke was wearing Apple AirPods and dancing to what Thabo assumed was another of the trio's mixes.

It was Linda, again, who drew the other two's attention to the fact that Thabo had arrived, and with company.

“Looks like you two made up,” said Kyle, “I’m honestly shocked.”

“Are you kidding?” scoffed Juke, “handsome bastards always get away with it.”

“Sorry for causing a scene yesterday,” said Lisa.

“Don’t worry about it, we’ve seen worse,” said Khaya, who winked at Thabo.

Khaya was referring to the time Thabo’s ex-girlfriend yelled at Thabo for seven minutes straight before storming out of the room. They broke up later that same day.

“Anyway…” Thabo said, “You can take a seat, Lisa.”

Once they were all seated, Thabo pulled the sheet music he had prepared for them.

“I wrote this with you in mind,” said Thabo as he handed Lisa the last copy.

She looked it over for a while before putting the page down.

“Thabo, it's been a while since I stopped my piano lessons,” Lisa said. She failed to disguise the disappointment in her tone. “I don’t think I can read this.”

“I didn’t give it to you so you can read it,” Thabo said, “it's so you can see how committed I am to making this song with you.”

“You are going for a similar type of beat to the one Lisa used in the battle, right?” said Harry as he read through the pages.

“And there’s a guitar solo in here,” said Khaya, “How convenient that you are our guitarist…”

“If you can write a better solo for yourself, you are welcome to it,” retorted Thabo, knowing that Khaya was not good at composing music. Khaya stuck his tongue out at him before returning his attention to the sheet music.

For the next half hour, Harry and Khaya familiarised themselves with sheet music. The room was filled with the disjointed banging of drums and strumming of bass chords.

Thabo, who already knew his parts by heart, demonstrated it for Lisa by having her listen to him play through headphones connected to his guitar.

“This is really good,” said Lisa as she put the headphones on the table. “I can’t believe you taught yourself how to play like that.”

“That’s the power of YouTube tutorials, Lisa.”

Thabo turned his attention to his friends, who were setting up the stands for the sheet music.

“Are you guys ready for a rehearsal?” Thabo continued.

The pair nodded at him.

“It won’t sound great on the first try,” warned Thabo. “Harry doesn’t find the right tempo until at least the third attempt.”

Harry shot up, ready to retort, before eventually shrugging in resignation. However, Thabo’s jab was proven wrong during their near-perfect second attempt at playing together, where Harry’s tempo was perfect, and Thabo was lacking.

“Harry needs three tries to get the tempo right,” Harry repeated in a bad impression of Thabo’s voice.

“I want to show off for Lisa, but I can’t keep tempo,” said Khaya with an equally terrible impression.

“Ok, Ok, I get it,” said Thabo, “let’s go again.”

By the seventh attempt, the group was completely in sync. Good enough to earn a round of applause from Lisa and Kyle's clique. The clapping was interrupted by a smartphone alarm. It came from Lisa’s pocket.

“Oh, shoot, I have a Student Representative Council meeting in ten minutes,” said Lisa, getting up from her chair.

“I’ll walk you there,” said Thabo. “Harry, can you pack the guitar for me?”

The grade eight boy saluted Thabo in acknowledgement.

“So, what did you think?” asked Thabo as soon as they were out of the room.

“Are you sure you even need me for this? You were good enough without me, Thabo.”

Lisa’s eyes wouldn’t meet his.

“Lisa, do you remember the end-of-year Prize Giving ceremony… when I performed?”

“Yes, I remember it… oh… yeah.”

“I messed up a bunch and… I’m just not good in front of crowds. But you… Lisa, you are a natural performer. That speech you gave at our primary school graduation ceremony. Your rap during that battle. You are made for the stage in a way that I’m just not. I know I could do it in front of a crowd if you are there.”

She finally looked up at Thabo, and then immediately turned her gaze back to the floor.

“Why are you so sure I’ll make a difference?” Lisa said.

“Because I wasn’t joking when I said you inspire me.”

Lisa looked up at him again. Her earnest eyes were seeking confirmation of sincerity in Thabo’s own. She looked away again, attempting to hide her blush.

“You talk as smooth as you play the guitar,” she said, finally.

“You don’t have to remind me of how awesome I am,” snorted Thabo.

Lisa rolled her eyes at him before letting out a deep sigh.

“Fine... I’ll do it,” Lisa said, “I’ll perform the song with you.”