A Rift Between Us

Chapter 6 - The Stress Test

His bag held the answers. His hand reached inside, pulling out his revision notes. They spread before him, rustling like dry leaves in the wind. Different pages for different lessons. All were there except one.

Of course, English is missing. She threw it away, didn't she?

His eyes landed on the novel between them. He covered it with his palm and dragged it towards him, a sudden rush of air bristling his hand. It was no longer his. Keiko's thumbs traced the embossed title like a finger painting on a canvas, her eyes admiring its appearance.

"We're meant to share it you nerd."

Her head turned, fixing him with a flinty expression. Alfie's nostrils flared as he took a breath, trying to avoid her overbearing gaze. His breaths came quickly, scanty and shallow, like a trapped bird's frantic flutter.

"I just nee-"

The book thwacked against his forehead, leaving a stinging sensation in its wake and cutting him off mid-sentence. Keiko placed it down, interlocking her fingers. Her elbows rested on the desk as she stared at his astonished state.

What the heck is her problem?!

His thoughts collided, sparking a look of shock and vexation that spread across his face.

"You've got something to say? That's right, I didn't think so. Use your memory instead of reading directly from the passage."

The novel fluttered open in Keiko's hands, the cover facing Alfie. She glanced at him from the corner of her eye, hoping he wouldn't notice. He rubbed his forehead, ruffling his hair. A cloud of irritation hung over him as he sat lost in thought. Keiko's eyes returned to the book, slipping a small, brown diary inside the pages.

Her eyes darted to the left, searching for any flicker of his attention. But he remained oblivious, ensnared in his own thoughts.

Okay...time to do this I guess.

She opened the diary, her fingers tracing the worn edges of the cover. With a pen in hand, she began to write, the ink smudging slightly on the lined paper, leaving a trail of her thoughts and emotions.

Wednesday 9:12 am, April 27th

I started at my new school today. The teacher seems rather frazzled and loses his temper kinda fast, but I have the privilege of sitting next to a cute boy. I'm trying to get him to acknowledge me and be friends but he appears a bit shy? Reluctant? I don't know. Hopefully, he'll like me back.

A sharp smack reverberated through the room, drawing every student's gaze like a magnet. The book shut tight like a clam. Mr Dodge's head snapped around like a whip cracking in the air, his strained eyes seeking the source of the sound. Keiko tracked Alfie as he walked behind her, her palm securely pressed against the book.

He can't see this, no way. No, no, no. Please sit down already.

A light sweat formed on the back of her neck, slipping down her spine. Alfie grabbed the last piece of scrap paper from an open box behind her. He raised his eyebrow at Keiko as they shared a brief gaze. He sat down, prompting Mr Dodge to turn back to the whiteboard. She watched Alfie scribble fresh English notes, at least the bits he remembered. Her thumb parted the novel, slily removing her diary.

She slipped it into her handbag, leaving him completely unaware. Mr Dodge flopped into his chair, his movements more of a controlled collapse than a graceful descent. It calmly rotated left and right, a stark contrast to the Blue Tack he twiddled between his hands. His futile attempt to resist the creeping lethargy left him teetering on the brink of sleep.

"Come on people. Themes, Themes! We studied this last week."

His voice shattered the classroom silence. Some students scratched their heads, trying to soothe themselves. The pressure was mounting, and nobody was ready.