A Rift Between Us

Chapter 4 - The Pressure Is On

A monotonous chime echoed through the speakers embedded in the school's ceiling, signalling the start of period one. The shuffling of bags and shoes filled the air as a large portion of 11S sauntered out of the room. Alfie watched their departure, realising half the students remained. Keiko stayed put, glued to her seat like a cat to its scratching pad.

Oh great, she's still here. As if it wasn't bad enough during registration already.

A sharp crumple startled Alfie. His notes were yanked from his open bag with great speed. Two pages remained stuck, leaving a single sheet in her hands. His torso jerked back, facing her properly for the first time.

"H-hey...that's not...that's mine," he looked at her as she scanned his revision note, unsure how to proceed. His fingers wiggled as if wanting to say something. "Please give that back."

Keiko's hands moved closer to her face, an eyebrow raised as she absorbed the well-crafted information.

His writing...It's even more organised than I first thought. Hmm...maybe he'll talk to me more if I do this.

She huffed, scrunching the paper into a ball. Alfie's face fell, shocked by her actions. She raised her hand above her head and flicked her wrist towards the door. The note circled the rim of the bin before settling inside.

Did she just do that?!

Alara made her way to the door, stopping beside Keiko. They both glared at her. She looked down at Alfie with an air of snootiness in her gaze, holding it for a moment.

"Alfie. I have every confidence that you will not disappoint on the final examination, as you did during the mock exam we took a few months ago."

A longing glare painted his face, his cheeks flaming red with avidity. His lips parted, but no words came out. Alara cradled her bag closer, her demeanour exuding a sense of snit. She shifted her attention to Keiko, who was still watching her.

"I hope you find the rest of your time at this prestigious institution most fulfilling, my dear Keiko."

Alara complemented her welcome with a curtsy before exiting the class. Alfie's eyes followed her until she disappeared from view, a lump rising and falling in his throat. Keiko's head snapped back towards him, her eyes scanning him like a bar code. She read the longing in his eyes, a look Alfie tried to shake off. He opened his backpack further, pretending to search for something. She disdainfully examined his body language, stroking one end of her ribbon bow tie.

No Alfie, Alara isn't important. Only I'm important.

"Forget about it. She doesn't like you. Nobody likes you. No wonder you're so quiet, isn't it?"

Alfie adjusted his blazer, keeping his head down. New students from other tutor groups walked in, books clasped in their hands. Others held timetables depicting their next lessons. Alfie's eyes caught sight of one book. '1984' by George Orwell, the text everyone was studying for the upcoming English exam.

Oh damn. Did I bring it?

His hands dug deep into his backpack, pulling things out as he searched.

Did I forget it at home? This isn't good.

Keiko slumped over the wooden desk, her folded arms resting beneath her head. Her long hair sprawled out in all directions. She scrutinised him as he kept digging, a whimsical smile on her face.

"Awww, what a shame, looks like the nerd forgot something crucial. How stupid can you be?"

Her words cleaved at his self-esteem like a well-honed blade. Alfie's chest deflated, warm air rushing out of his lungs. His hands dangled in his backpack, knowing there was no point in searching any further. The book wasn't there. Straightening his back, he timidly raised his hand. Mr Dodge was turned, facing the whiteboard.

"S-sir?"

A crinkle and pop came from Mr Dodge's back as he twisted towards Alfie, a brief expression of discomfort crossing his pale face. His bloodshot eyes stood out, evidence that the coffee he drank earlier hadn't done much, if anything at all.

Oh, man. I hope he doesn't give me a detention for this.