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  After a few more minutes of idle chatter, the waiter arrived to take away Edgar’s empty cup. Edgar asked for the bill, offering to pay for his friends’ refreshments, and everyone smiled in thanks. But when the waiter returned and tried to swipe Edgar’s credit card, a look of panicked embarrassment appeared on his face, and he adjusted his collar as he said to Edgar: “I’m sorry, sir, but your card has been declined.”

  Edgar’s face contorted, and he wasn’t sure what to make of the situation. “That’s impossible. Please try it again.” The rest of the table were looking at the scene with a clear mixture of bewilderment and schadenfreude. After Edgar’s card was declined for the second time, he handed the waiter a different card, trying to laugh off the experience and saying, “There must be some problem with that card. I’ll call my bank later.” But none of the three other cards Edgar handed to the waiter would process a payment.

  Finally, in an act of mercy, Hein took out his own wallet and dropped two R200 notes on the table. “Don’t worry about it, Edgar. I’ll get it this time, and you can buy us drinks again after the law ball.” Hein barely looked at the waiter as he waved him off and said, “Keep the change.” The waiter beamed and thanked them profusely for the very generous tip before walking off, but Hein paid him no attention. Edgar felt his cheeks flush with embarrassment, and knew that he was probably completely red.

  “I don’t know what happened there, Hein, but thanks for covering me. It’s just not my day, it seems.”

  “Don’t worry about it. You’re always paying for us anyway. It’s nothing.” Hein put his hand on Edgar’s arm again, but the icy-blue eyes didn’t meet Edgar’s in the same way they had before.

  “Okay,” Edgar said, trying to diffuse the situation, “let’s go to the law ball and party the night away! It should be fun!” Sylas clapped jubilantly and the guys planned their outfits as Edgar sat in dismay. His cards had never been declined before. He would have to get in touch with his father as soon as possible to find out what the problem was.

  Chapter 6

  The main hall of the Law Building at Ridgemont University was dazzling; thick blue curtains with the university’s emblem were hung across the hall’s main windows, the tables were decorated with black tablecloths and striking protea centerpieces. The suits and evening gowns that the guests wore only added to the grandeur of the evening’s festivities. The annual law ball was one of the most prestigious events on the Ridgemont calendar, a way to honor the final-year law students as they prepared for their final few months of the academic year. Tumi saw the resplendent green gown that Prof. Nkuna was wearing, again realizing how much he admired his Constitutional Law professor for her grace and poise. His classmates were chatting excitedly as he entered the hall with Neville, each of them holding a flute of sparkling wine and looking like they were right at home in their surroundings. Tumi took a glass from a server who passed him, and as he sipped from it he felt the bubbles go straight to his head. It had been a challenging few weeks, and even though he was apprehensive about the law ball, he was glad that Neville had persuaded him to go.

  Tumi’s tux was fitted perfectly. He hardly ever got the chance to dress up, but his father had a tailor who was always on call for the Moketla family, and Tumi decided to take advantage of it. Lying to Neville about renting a tux was a defense mechanism; Tumi hated unnecessary displays of wealth. He wore a simple black bowtie and black leather pointed shoes, and felt self-conscious with how the pants fit around his ample butt. He took another sip of the sparkling wine and decided to forget about his discomfort and just enjoy the evening. Neville had told Tumi that he would be leaving in less than a week, and had already started packing earlier in the day. It was an emotional rollercoaster to think that someone Tumi cared about so much, someone who had made his life at Ridgemont a lot more bearable, would no longer be around. But Neville and his girlfriend Kelly had been together since freshman year, and had been deeply in love since their first date. Tumi couldn’t think of a more perfect couple. If Kelly was going to Joburg, Tumi knew that Neville had to follow her there. Tumi saw the law ball as a type of early goodbye to Neville; despite all of his concerns about meeting Angela Ngcobo, the woman Tumi had worked out had to be his mother, and despite the pressure of performing at mock court and the upcoming final exams, Tumi was determined to have a good time at the event.

  “It looks amazing, doesn’t it, Tumi?” Neville asked, looking around at the room in wonder. Neville looked dashing in his suit, but went without a tie. He was always a bit of a rebel, and even in the highly formal setting of the law ball, Neville’s own unique style won out. Neville’s short, faded crew cut and caramel skin made him look both laid-back and highlighted his self-assuredness. Tumi felt proud to be walking into the room with such a stud, even though Neville was (mostly) straight.

  “It’s great,” Tumi said, scanning more of the stunning decorations and well-dressed students. “They really go all-out with these things. Look at Judy’s dress!” Tumi pointed to one of his best friends from class, one of the students who was on the prosecution team alongside Tumi in mock court. She wore a magnificent blue vintage-inspired cocktail dress. Her thick brown hair was styled up, and the neckline of the dress plunged low to reveal her silky skin. Tumi waved at her, and she gave her usual goofy double-hand wave in greeting. Tumi smiled at seeing Judy. Even though most of the law students could be very pompous and arrogant, Tumi had managed to find great friends like Neville and Judy who were exactly the opposite of that. Judy walked over, leaving behind her date, who Tumi recognized to be her cousin on the swim team. Judy had a very troubled dating life, and had sworn off men a few months before after another disastrous Tinder date. She was now throwing herself into work, determined to be a human rights lawyer and to prove that she didn’t need a man to define her. Even though Tumi knew that she still desperately wanted a stable boyfriend, and that she never really deleted the dating apps like she claimed to, he knew that Judy took dating way too seriously, and supported her in taking a break from the complications that go along with men.

  Judy hugged Tumi and Neville tightly, her thin, gangling arms poking into his sides as she squeezed him. Tumi said, “It’s so good to see you. You look fantastic! Have we missed anything dramatic so far?”

  “Just the outfit that Prof. Nkuna is wearing. Have you seen it?” Judy said, her animated gestures and wide eyes amusing Tumi.

  “I saw it!” Tumi responded, theatrically widening his own eyes.

  “Anyway,” Judy said, “speaking of gorgeous outfits, the two of you are absolutely the most handsome guys in the room. Without a doubt. Tumi, where did you get those cufflinks? I’ve never seen you dressed up like this before. You’re almost making me regret letting you get away in freshman year.”

  Tumi winced at the memory. During his first few months at Ridgemont, when he was still finding himself, he had experimented with dating girls. While Judy was very gracious when Tumi finally told her that he was definitely into guys, and while it was the start of their great friendship, it was still a reminder of an awkward time in his life. “Ah, yes, my two months of being straight. What a disaster,” he said, and Neville and Judy both laughed in response.

  “You were still the best guy I’ve dated at Ridgemont, so that’s something,” Judy responded, and Tumi felt sorry for her all over again.

  Neville touched Tumi’s shoulder and said, “Let’s take a turn about the room, what do you guys say?”

  “Definitely,” Tumi smiled, and the three friends strolled to the far end of the room, chatting jovially and greeting a few friends along the way. Tumi was even happier that he had decided to go to the law ball. Over the past few months, his life had become nothing but studying and doing research about his past. It felt like Tumi had always been on a quest to find himself, and like he never really fit in anywhere. But with his friends, he felt at home. When he could just be himself around people who really cared about him, he knew that everything would be okay.

  Tum
i walked absentmindedly, in the middle of telling a story about the night he and Neville had first gone to Hunters, when he bumped into someone. He turned around quickly to apologize, feeling flustered, but he bit his tongue when he saw whom he had walked into. Edgar Boatwright’s perfectly groomed red hair and green eyes were right in front of Tumi’s face. He took a step backwards.

  “No need to be sorry, Tumi. I quite enjoyed you bumping into me,” Edgar said, smiling that same smile as when they went up against each other in mock court.

  “Don’t be gross,” Tumi said, annoyed. He wiped the front of his jacket instinctively. On either side of Edgar were the guys he often hung out with who all lived in Nova: Leo, Hein and Sylas. “So you’re all a pack now, eh?”

  Edgar shook his head, seeming slightly embarrassed. “Listen, Tumi, I don’t know what your problem is with me. I’d really like to talk to you in private if you have a moment. Maybe we can straighten all of this up.” Edgar’s eyes seemed sincere, but the looks Tumi was getting from the guys next to him made Tumi close off even more.

  “I’m enjoying my evening with my friends. I don’t have time for this.” Tumi turned on his heel, and led Neville and Judy away from the group of guys. In honesty, his annoyance with Edgar Boatwright didn’t really have any basis, but Tumi imagined that if Edgar could hang out with people like Hein and his lot, he must be just like them. Besides, Tumi just had a sense about Edgar, and the way he acted clearly showed that he was spoiled and pompous.

  Tumi went to stand at a table a few feet away from Edgar and his friends. He couldn’t let them get to him on the night when he was meant to be having fun with Neville before he left Ridgemont. Judy turned to Tumi and said, “He’s really not that bad, you know.”

  “Who, Edgar?” Tumi asked, his voice raised. Edgar turned to look in his direction, clearly having heard his name, but Tumi pretended like nothing had happened.

  “Yes, Edgar. I worked with him on the short assignment for Prof. Nkuna’s course earlier in the semester. He was really friendly and helpful, and super smart. Like insanely smart. I know he was a bit intense during mock court, but I really think you’d like him if you got to know him. The way he thinks about the law kind of reminds me of you, actually.” Judy leaned against a wall, watching Edgar as she spoke.

  “He rubbed me the wrong way since the first time I met him. He came up to me after our first class and asked me if I’m Koena Moketla’s son, trying to butter me up. You know how much I hate it when people only want to get to know me because of my family. And I don’t think we have anything in common when it comes to the law. The way he argued in mock court, he seemed to only care about winning, even when he was obscuring the truth. The law is about justice, not about winning.” Tumi’s breathing was speeding up, and he had no idea why he was getting so worked up just talking about Edgar.

  Neville spoke in his gentle voice, saying, “You never really know someone from first impressions, Tumi. The three of us should know that better than most. The way you and I were judged when we first moved into Nova… But I think you might be right about this one. Look at what they’re putting that poor server through.”

  Tumi looked over to see Sylas laughing hysterically as Leo sipped on a glass of wine, made a face of disgust and spat the wine back into the glass, making a show of demanding that the server bring him a new glass. When the server came back, he did the same thing, even smiling as he spat out the wine. It was disturbing to watch. Edgar stood to the side, saying something to Leo. Was he encouraging the rude behavior? Tumi couldn’t stand to look at it. This time, there was nothing standing in the way of him saying something about the spoiled guys who treated everyone else like dirt. He marched towards where the Dean of Law was standing and chatting with Prof. Nkuna. It was time to make sure that those guys got what they deserved.

  Neville followed Tumi towards the dean, and clearly knew exactly what his friend’s intentions were. Tumi could see that Judy was walking over to Hein and the others to try and stop what was happening. Tumi felt proud in that moment that he had friends like the two of them.

  But as Tumi reached the dean, he heard a voice over the loudspeaker. The speeches had begun, and the dean was being called to the stage to deliver his speech and officially welcome the guests. Tumi stood in place as the dean walked away from him, barely able to contain his anger. His brown eyes were fixed in a scowl, and he put his hand on his closely-shaven head in defeat. He would have to wait until the speeches were done before letting the dean know how the guys were acting. But his anger didn’t allow him to stay in the same room as them.

  Tumi turned to Neville, and said, “I need to get some air, Neville. I’m going to take a walk for a few minutes, okay? I’m just a bit upset right now.”

  “I get it,” Neville said. “Don’t worry about it. It looks like Hein and the other guys are leaving now anyway. Judy must’ve said something to them.” Tumi looked over to see that Sylas, Hein and Leo were making their way to the exit, expressions of annoyance on their faces. They turned to look at Tumi as they left, almost threateningly. Judy was still animatedly talking to Edgar, who seemed completely perplexed as he listened to her. But Tumi couldn’t think about any of that. He walked away, towards the law library at the far end of the hall. He needed some quiet. He failed to notice that someone was following him as he went.

  Chapter 7

  Edgar was careful not to make a sound as he crept into the law library. Tumi had stormed off from the law ball a few minutes earlier, looking distraught, and Edgar’s plan to talk to Tumi one-on-one seemed ruined. The moment Tumi had bumped into him in the main hall, when he was casually walking with Hein and the others in deep conversation, Edgar was completely caught off guard. He had prepared an entire speech, trying to finally befriend Tumi after the months of tension between them in the Constitutional Law class, but he hadn’t prepared for Tumi looking so pissed off at him. All he could do was revert to his usual overconfident persona, trying to act like he wasn’t flustered by running into Tumi. Inside, he knew that he was only making things worse.

  He had been casually watching Tumi for the rest of the evening, trying to plan his next move. For some reason, everything Edgar did seemed to be the wrong thing. Normally, he would have just given up and thought that winning Tumi over was a lost cause. But there was something about Tumi Moketla that drew him in. Edgar had even tried being especially aggressive in mock court, thinking that it would win over a guy with a background like Tumi’s. All he accomplished was pushing Tumi even further away.

  So when Tumi stormed off from the law ball, Edgar had to follow him. He couldn’t risk letting the chance to talk to him, after months of awkward and tense interactions, slip away. He was relieved to see that Tumi wasn’t leaving, but was just heading towards the law library. As Edgar walked through the door, Tumi was nowhere in sight. The door was slightly ajar as he pushed it open, and as he closed it behind him he heard a loud click. He jumped at the sound; he hadn’t prepared how he would explain the fact that he had followed Tumi into the law library.

  “Is anyone there?” Tumi’s voice called out from behind a shelf of books.

  Edgar cleared his throat, and as he spoke his voice came out high-pitched: “Hi.”

  Tumi walked out from behind the bookcase, and his expression immediately showed his irritation at seeing Edgar. “What are you doing here?”

  Edgar was taken aback. He hadn’t really gotten a good look at Tumi when they had bumped into each other earlier – his mind was too frenzied with embarrassment. But now, standing in front of him, he saw how breathtaking Tumi was. His broad shoulders filled out the tailored jacket, his chin lifted in a confident stare. Tumi’s velvety, dark brown skin looked radiant and mysterious in the dim nighttime lights of the library. His sharp, light brown eyes scanned Edgar’s profile, making him feel vulnerable and exposed. Tumi was tall, intimidating, but strikingly attractive at the same time.

  “I just wanted to talk to you. About earlier. I hope you didn’t g
et the wrong impression. I wasn’t trying to be an ass. I just sensed all of this tension between us, and I don’t really think it’s warranted. I’ve done nothing but try and be cordial with you. I hope you don’t hold what happened in mock court against me…” Edgar felt his voice shaking, clearly nervous at finally being so forthright with Tumi.

  Tumi seemed genuinely surprised by Edgar’s words, and said, “Are you kidding me? You’ve been nothing but condescending since we met. You think you know everything about South African law, and treat the rest of us like we’re amateurs. You’ve clearly done your homework, but there’s a lot about this country, about our history, that you’ll never understand. A lot of things have played a part in making our law what it is, and you think you can just swoop in from England and try and school the rest of us? Of course you’re rubbing me the wrong way. And then you choose to hang out with snobs like Hein and his pompous crew. You know what they say about the company you keep…”

  “What are you talking about?” Edgar demanded, feeling himself shrinking in the face of Tumi’s onslaught. He knew that it would be tough to finally talk to Tumi, who clearly saw himself as an outsider at Ridgemont and treated almost everyone else like they were his enemies. But he hadn’t expected this much anger. Edgar did his best to get the words out over his shaking voice: “You have a problem with them too? What have they ever done to you? They told me that you’ve been treating them terribly since freshman year. Just yesterday they mentioned that you scolded them about something silly again.”