Midnight escapades

Grahamstown is a small town, geographically and socially. There isn’t exactly much to do, and you will not believe the adventures someone can get up to if they’re bored enough.

“Okay finish up your drinks,” Retha said with gleaming eyes as she rubbed her hands together. “It’s time to go.”

“Kylie hurry.” Tshiamo giggled and grabbed Vinesh’s hand. Waving them away I downed my drink and stood on shaky legs.

“Ready!” I announced, and we clambered downstairs. The night was cold, but our blood ran hot, ignited by the drinks we consumed and the overly competitive game of 30 seconds we played. It was the type of night that was eerily dark. The waning crescent moon offered a gentle light, illumining just our faces.

In other words, it was perfect. We grinned at each other and raced up the street towards the admin building. Racing after each other and giggling as we stumbled along.

“Mama Ru!” I called and swung my arm around Rumbi’s shoulders. “Ready to lose?”

“You’re full of shit Kylie.” She laughed and pushed me off her.

Grinning- honestly, I don’t think a smile left my lips that night- I raced off to irritate Mbali.

We stood in a circle, hidden by darkness and trees, and played black shoe.

“Black shoe black shoe change your foot!” Mbali yelled and we all jumped to change our feet, unfortunately Retha lost the match.

“Okay,” She started, “You guys know the rules. You have to run and touch this pillar and say ‘one, two, three, I block myself’. Got it?”

“Got it.” We nodded and as she turned around, we ran away like bats out of hell.

Yes, we played hide and seek around midnight, a week before finals started. Drunk as skunks.

“This is terrifying.” I whispered to Tshiamo as we crouched behind two pillars in the courtyard, shifting so out shadows wouldn’t give us away.

“Shh!” Tshiamo hissed. “Do you want to get caught?”

I stuck my tongue out at her and shifted around the corner to have a look. “I think the coast is clear.” I turned around to look at Tshiamo only to see her braids whip around and leave me.

“Wha- Tshiamo!” I hissed as I watched her almost slam into the wall.

“One, two, three I block myself!” She screamed triumphantly.

A loud fuck was heard across the quad.

Inching my way and jumping to hide behind the next pillar I heard footsteps behind me.

“It’s just me,” Rumbi whispered. “Relax, I can see your butt clenching.”

Together we peered around the corner. “Go! Go!” Rumbi ordered pushing me towards the safety wall.

We ran across the quad like possessed being because behind us was a determined Retha.

“Shit, shit.” I said with every step and prayed that this night wasn’t the night I finally broke my ankle.

“One, two, three I block myself!” We yelled just as Retha crashed into us.

“Damn it!” Retha swore and looked at the group. “It’s just Mbali left.” Turning her head Retha stalked off while we caught our breath.

Now, Mbali is a short woman. Retha is a tall woman. Leg length, Mbali may be at a disadvantage. Not. At. All.

As soon as Retha was across the quad Mbali came from around the corner and sprinted. Retha immediately turned around and dashed after her. I held my breath as I watched the two girls run but Mbali jumped up, blocked herself, and turned around with a cocky grin and an attitude in her hips.

The rest of the night followed in the same fashion but when Tshiamo was on and she damn nearly caught everyone, Vinesh came out of nowhere and yelled “One, two, three I block everyone.”

“You son of a bitch!” Tshiamo shouted and pointed a finger at the smug man. “I’m breaking up with you.”

Some nights aren’t as exciting as hide-and-seek at midnight. Most nights are filled with drives up to Monument to sit at the cliff’s edge and look at the town below.

“It’s like we’re at sea,” Mirren said one night. “There’s so much darkness around the town, it’s like there’s nothing else.” There was music playing in the background from the car as we sat on the grass outside, knees hugged to our chests, simply breathing in the cool night air.

“There’s one street with robots.” I laughed and pointed. “Seriously look, it’s like only one whole street has robots.”

“There is more than one street with robots.” Myticia pointed out.

“There are three.” I huffed. “But from up here you can only really see the one.”

We would spend hours up there, just talking amongst ourselves while drinking and relaxing. If it wasn’t a trip up to Monument it would be driving around town to find the nice houses.

“Whose house is that?”

“I think the St Andrew’s principle lives there.”

“What? No way! The place is massive.”

It really is massive, I’m not lying.

More often than not though, because we are students and petrol is expensive, we curled around in each other’s rooms and watched series after series on Netlfix.

“Don’t we have an essay due tomorrow?” Tshiamo asked while munching on popcorn.

“Yeah, due at 9:35.” I answered while blindly reaching for the chocolate.

“You printed it and everything?” She continued.

“Nah, I’ll do that tomorrow.”

To the two students whom I flashed my left boob to as I was running down the street to the English department. I overslept, my bra didn’t fit me well, and I am truly so sorry.

Perhaps my favourite way to pass time is my ongoing pool tournament with my friend Josh, although it does leave my ego bruised.

“How many is that now?” He asked, his smile wide and smug.

“Shut up.” I grumbled.

“Five Kylie,” He laughed while holding up his hand. “I’m a whole five games ahead of you, I don’t think I’ve ever been this far ahead.”

“Joshua, stop.” I begged while burying my face in my hands.

“I thought you were supposed to be good at this.”

“I actually hate you.”