A Rift Between Us

Chapter 1 - A New Face

Boisterous laughter consumed the classroom as members of 11S poured in, their voices bouncing off the walls like echoes in a theatre. Alfie wove through the crowd, rushing to his assigned desk. He slid his backpack in front of him as the babble grew louder, mingling with the swooshes and footsteps of everyone gathering.

I don't understand how they can all be so laid back right now.

A stone-faced expression settled on Mr Dodge's face as everyone came in. Heavy bags hung under his eyes, making it seem he hadn't slept in days. The heat from his coffee mug was the only thing radiating any warmth. As the influx of students thinned out, the last of them took their seats, and an irregular set of footsteps caught Alfie's ears.

Please, not again.

Nathan's slap sent Alfie's head jerking forward, the sharp clap echoing through the room. Thick strands of brunet hair flew in all directions, offering no protection. Nathan doubled over, clutching his abdomen as he burst into laughter. Others quickly joined in, unable to contain themselves.

Alfie's glasses slid up his nose, using both his hands to adjust them as his head remained low. The faint scratching sound of his bag being dragged closer to his chest was almost drowned out by the continued giggles of the class. Nathan's back straightened, a huge grin on his face as he looked ahead.

"What's up, Mr Dodge? You alright, yeah?"

He wandered from table to table, his trousers drooping lower than they should have as he searched for his seat.

"Just sit down. You know exactly where you need to be."

Everyone was in. A murmur flowed through the class as some students whispered conversations under their breath. The previous frolic had died down. A ceramic clank echoed from Mr Dodge's desk as he set down his mug. Two successive claps drew most people's attention, though some continued their idle chatter. Alfie glanced left and right, still keeping his head down.

"Everyone stop talking...I said stop talking now, please. You've all got another busy day ahead of you."

As he spoke, his voice cracked and rose, creating a mixed tone that some of the more headstrong students dismissed. Several knocks echoed through his desk, oddly muted by the cheap particle board. Constant whispers disturbed his ears.

"Cut the chitchat. It's not hard to understand."

He pinched the bridge of his nose, his skin papery and dry. One hand slipped a pen from its holder, flicking the register open to the right page. The pen's tip hovered over the first student's name, freezing in place at the sound of the door. Mr Dodge's eyes lazily glanced over. Heads turned in unison like a school of fish, eyes firmly on the door. Alfie's head flipped before quickly returning to its lowered state.

A weary sigh spilt from Mr Dodge's mouth, disrupting the fumes from his coffee. His pen clattered as he tossed it aside.

"Alright, as I told you all yesterday, we'll be having a new student joining our tutor group," his right hand hung in the air like a dead fish. "She's one of you now."

Alfie kept his focus on his backpack. Closing his eyes, he listened intently. Intrigued faces flashed towards each other, exchanging meaningful looks about her.

Not here. Don't sit here. Please don't sit here.

"Her name is Keiko Higashi. Feel free to speak to her during your break or at lunchtime. Whichever one. I don't care. Now back to the register."

Keiko scanned the classroom like a hawk, her eyes narrowing as they landed on Alfie. They caught sight of his tight grip on his bag, a small smile playing on the corner of her mouth.

That's right. You're the one. Let the games begin.