"GOOD MORNING Pietermaritzburg! It’s the 20th of April 2048. For some, it’s just another Monday, back to work day. But for high school students, it’s the first day of the second term. Do you remember your school days?" Sanele asked.

"How can I forget my oversized uniform my mother bought me, saying I would grow into it!" Bianca replied.

"I remember being excited when I was in grade 10." Sanele said.

"Why?" Bianca asked.

"Labobantu. I had a girlfriend, Thandeka, my very first girlfriend, and I was expecting some PDA, if you know what I mean." Sanele answered.

"Yeah, near the tuck shop or behind the school." Bianca replied.

"Remember the people who got caught dating and had to do a whole speech in the assembly?" Sanele asked.

"Yoh! I remember. That was awkward." Bianca responded.

"The things we went through growing up. It’s the top of the hour, which means we have Themba with the headlines of the day." Sanele said.

"Thank you, Sanele. The biggest headline of the day is SAPS to be abolished and ARMS will replace the department. Talks between the government and ARMS started mid-June last year and there was a breakthrough before the end of the year. There will be an official ceremony where high-ranking officials from ARMS and Shield are expected to be present. The spokesperson of the president released an official statement which states that the police of the country have not only failed the citizens but the whole department has given power to criminals to the point that they run entire cities and had the police department under their thumbs. This move of disbanding the police is to show that we, as the government, are serious when we said that there will be zero tolerance for crime. ARMS have also released a statement saying that it is unfortunate so many people have lost their jobs, but the organization has taken the decision that the police officers that are being retrenched will have their pensions released in full by the end of the month. ARMS also said that they have set aside a 500-billion-Pounds severance package for the former police members and each of the former officers will be given 2 million on top of their pension funds. The package will also be exempt from taxes. ARMS also addressed the citizens of the country and have said that the safety of the citizens is their number one priority. Those are your headlines this hour. If you want to know the full details of this agreement, visit our page at www.PMFM34578.COM and click on the headlines tab to get the full story." Themba stated.

"ARMS replacing the police means no more 200 to look the other way, Bianca." Sanele replied.

"I guess, but we have the song that will relax you and prepare you for your Monday. It's called 'Oblivion." Bianca stated.

Elizabeth removed her earphones, the muffled music fading as the bus doors swung open. She stepped inside, the familiar scent of worn vinyl and metallic seats enveloping her. As she settled into her seat, she clicked on the link to the article, carefully reading each line but her mind started to wander about what color she should dye her hair. A few minutes later, a mysterious figure hovered above her and grabbed Elizabeth by her shoulder, shaking her. Elizabeth looked up to see her friend Pretty.

"So, you finally noticed me, Liz!" Pretty exclaimed before sitting beside Elizabeth.

Elizabeth twisted her face before replying, "You know it's a universal sign."

"What is?" asked a confused Pretty.

Elizabeth showed Pretty the article, "When someone is reading, it means they don’t want to be disturbed."

"You read?" Pretty asked in a sarcastic tone.

Elizabeth looked down at her tablet and then up at Pretty, "I read! But let's put that aside. Have you seen this article yet?" Elizabeth asked, showing Pretty her tablet.

It took Pretty a couple of seconds to read the first paragraph, but she noticed the publisher, "Seriously? PMFM?" Pretty asked.

Elizabeth was confused by her friend's response, "What?"

"An umbrella in a hurricane is more reliable than that radio station." Pretty remarked.

Elizabeth smiled back at Pretty, "I know, but read." She handed Pretty her tablet.

"Fine." Pretty rolled her eyes before taking the tablet and starting to read the article. As she read the first few lines, "You do realize they published a story about a 21-year-old man who claimed that he can talk to Jesus, only to find out he has schizophrenia… What! This isn’t right. What will replace the police then?"

"ARMS!" Gugu shouted as she got on the bus, surprising Elizabeth and Pretty.

"You know about this?" Elizabeth asked.

Gugu had a surprised look on her face, "YES! That’s what all the news outlets have been reporting about—the talks between the Government and ARMS that have been ongoing for months. A breakthrough has happened, and they're just finalizing the details. ARMS will officially replace the Police." Gugu sat beside Pretty.

Elizabeth cleared her throat before asking, "So, what does this new change mean for us?"

"What do you mean?" Gugu asked.

"We have the option of joining ARMS academy after we graduate this year. Does it mean we will study and be trainees, or nothing changes for us?" Elizabeth inquired.

"I can't say for sure. I was talking to Penelope about this yesterday, but it was late, so I ironed my uniform and went to sleep without any answers." Gugu replied.

"Okay." Elizabeth said.

Pretty looked at Gugu before handing Elizabeth her phone.

Confused by the look, Gugu asked, "What?"

"Nothing really." Pretty replied.

"Just say what you're thinking." Gugu clarified.

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

"How was the date?" Pretty asked.

Gugu's face instantly turned red, "None of your business."

Pretty started singing, "Usemathandweni."

As the bus rolled to a stop, the girls gathered their things. Elizabeth slipped her tablet into her bag, her mind still processing the article about ARMS. She felt a sense of detachment, as if the news was just another puzzle to analyze rather than a source of anxiety.

“Okay, ladies, let’s make an entrance,” Pretty declared, flashing a playful grin as she hopped off the bus first, her confidence radiating like the morning sun.

Gugu followed closely, adjusting her backpack with a determined look. “Remember, today’s the day I finally take down Head Prefect,” she said, her voice laced with excitement.

Elizabeth smirked, shaking her head slightly. “You’ve said that every Monday for the past five years,” she teased. As they were about to walk into block C, Nkosi on his skateboard skated past them, stopped, turned, and smiled at Elizabeth.

Elizabeth's face turned red as she smiled back, "Hey you."

"Mamazi." Nkosi said as he hopped off his skateboard, embracing and kissing Liz, and then holding her hand as they walked to the school garden, leaving Pretty and Gugu standing with revulsion on both their faces. After a couple of seconds, they walked slowly toward the entrance of block C.

Gugu shook her head, "She got back with Hoe Majesty, huh?"

"She never learns." Pretty replied.

Gugu extended her right hand and tapped her wrist, "Maybe the stories about him having a tree trunk are true."

Pretty burst out laughing, "HEEEE! Maybe."

"Are you ready for combat training today?" Gugu asked.

"How can I forget the 7th and final lesson on a Monday, where you get folded like clean laundry by our Head Prefect? It’s the best way to start the week." Pretty replied while opening the doors leading into block C, with Gugu walking behind her.

Gugu replied confidently, “I will win.”

Pretty burst out laughing until she tears up, “Okay Gojo, I should remind you that you have been saying that for five years straight. Maybe it’s time to give up!”

Gugu pushed her chest out and deepened her voice, “No, why do you think I never challenged her in the last term?”

Pretty, puzzled by Gugu’s question, “Because you had finally accepted defeat?”

“Nope, I’ve been training, and today you will see how much I have improved!” Gugu replied.

Pretty sighed, “Look, I say this as your best friend, you finna get your ass beat.” Pretty turned to face Gugu, but while she was walking backwards with her arms out she bumped into Penelope.

“Pretty, Gugu, and where is your third wheel?” Penelope asked.

“She is with Nkosi.” Pretty said, grinding her teeth together and shaking her head.

“Oh! OOOOOH!” Penelope replied with a smug look on her face as she rubbed her thumb on her middle and index fingers, “You know what that means, pay up, Pretty!”

Pretty sighed and took out 200 Pounds from her pocket and handed the money to Penelope while slowly shaking her head.

“Easy money!” shouted a visibly overjoyed Penelope as she took the money, smelling it before putting it in her shirt pocket, “Pleasure doing business with you.”

Gugu cleared her throat, “Penelope!”

“Yeah!” Penelope said looking at Gugu.

“I can’t wait for combat training today, and Pretty, you know it’s wrong to place bets on your friend’s relationship?” Gugu asked.

“Yeah, right, but counterpoint: he cheats, they break up, after he grovels, they get back together. But this time around, it’s sex. He wasn’t just dating another person; he had sex with half a dozen women, so I really thought she would not get back together with him. I was extremely confident about this to the point when Penelope said bet money on it, I said ‘It is on,’ which makes me a good friend because I had confidence in my friend, and getting a little money for my confidence? Well, that’s a win-win situation.” Pretty explained.

Gugu shook her head before replying, “It was a rhetorical question.”

“Say what you will, it doesn’t change the fact that I won, and Gugu, you can’t beat me. I almost forgot to tell you both that there will be a meeting after school, which is mandatory for everyone in class. Before you reply sarcastically, Pretty, it’s about ARMS and the academy, which both of you are planning to enroll in next year, right?” Penelope asked.

“Not sure,” Pretty replied.

“Yes!” Gugu replied with assurance in her voice.

“Okay, but the meeting starts at 3 after school at the main hall. Don’t be late,” Penelope elucidated.

“Okay, mom.” Gugu sarcastically replied.

“GIRLS!” shouts a figure as she enters the block before running towards Penelope and embracing her and lifting Penelope up.

Penelope tapped the girl on her lower back, “Miri! Put me down; you’re going to wrinkle my shirt!”

“Okay.” Miri said, putting Penelope down and hugging both Pretty and Gugu before turning around to look at Penelope and placing her arms over both Gugu and Pretty’s shoulders, “You don’t understand how much I missed the lot of you.”

“Okay, I don’t see Bella with you, though?” Penelope asked.

“Bella said she is going to be printing pictures for the history project due tomorrow in the red room.” Miri answered.

“Okay, Pretty, thanks for the money, and don’t forget the meeting at 3 o’clock in the main hall.” Penelope reminded her friends as she headed for the door.

Miri, puzzled by what Penelope just said, “WHAT’S HAPPENING AT the hall? Wait, Penelope?”

“There is a meeting; it’s mandatory for everyone in class.” Pretty explained.

Miri was more confused by Pretty's reply, “Why, though? What is so important that we need to wait a whole hour after… Oh, right, I forgot about it.”

“So, you aren’t going to tell us what it is about?” Gugu asked with a stern tone.

“Nope. And where is the love at, Gugu? Oh! I forgot, it’s Monday, the day you get folded for our amusement.” Miri replied.

Gugu shook her head before replying in a sarcastic tone, “I’m glad I have both your support.”

The first bell of the day rang, signaling the school assembly.

“It’s not that you haven’t won against Penelope; it’s the fact that you never looked like you could win.” Miri explained.

“What’s up with Yasmin?” Pretty asked, noticing Yasmin dancing slowly alone.

“YASMIN!” shouted a confused Miri.

Yasmin turned around slowly, “Sho.”

“What are you doing?” Miri asked.

Yasmin chuckled to herself, “Seriously, Miri? You don’t hear this fire beat!”

Miri sighed, “That’s the bell, girl; you’re higher than Mandela.”

“I’m not,” Yasmin said.

“Then why are your eyes red? Let’s head to the main hall.” Miri said.

A minute before the bell rang, Penelope ran to the red room to meet with Bella. She composed herself before she quietly entered the red room, the soft glow of overhead lights illuminating the scattered papers and photographs strewn across the table. The air was filled with the faint scent of ink and paper, a comforting reminder of creativity and late nights spent in collaboration.

Bella stood at the table, her back to Penelope, completely absorbed in her work. The gentle curls of her hair framed her head, cascading down her shoulders like dark waves. The way she leaned over the table, focused and determined, made Penelope’s heart race.

Penelope couldn’t help but admire the curve of Bella’s figure, the way her shirt hugged her shape just right. The thoughts that raced through her mind were intoxicating; the things she wanted to do with Bella felt both thrilling and tender. Imagining the two of them curled up together, laughing and sharing secrets—it felt like heaven itself couldn’t look this good.

Penelope placed her bag on the floor and walked over to Bella, embracing her from behind. Bella turned around and pulled Penelope closer before kissing her. The sound of the bell made Penelope pull away, “The bell just rang.”

Bella gently pulled Penelope close and started kissing her neck, “Come on, let’s stay right here, just you… and me.” Bella said as she started kissing Penelope again.

Penelope pulled away, “As tempting as that sounds, we are going to be late!”

“Okay.” Bella replied, slowly releasing Penelope from her embrace. But as Penelope turned around, Bella grabbed her by the waist.

Penelope pulled Bella’s hands off her waist, “Stop it, Bella. Can I ask you something?”

Penelope cleared her throat and picked up her bag. “Shoot.” Bella said.

Penelope lowered her tone and turned around, “Why do we always meet in the darkness?”

Bella sighed and shook her head, “Not this again. It’s the 5th time this month with this question, and the answer is still the same: it is because I am royalty.”

Penelope's body started to tighten up, and her palms started sweating, “I’m royalty as well, but still, I feel that—”

Bella cut Penelope off midsentence and replied in a condescending tone, “Yeah, but you are just a mermaid.”

Penelope stood there emotionless, shocked by what Bella had said, “Wooow!!”

Bella stretched the back of her neck, “I didn’t mean it like that.”

Penelope stormed out of the room. She walked for a couple of seconds before stopping, as she was tearing up. Penelope closed her eyes, wiped her tears away, and took a few deep breaths to compose herself, then headed to the assembly hall.