A Rift Between Us

Chapter 7 - Stealing The Spotlight

Squiggles persisted on Alfie's paper. His hand moved gracefully, like water. Keiko continued to scan the notes, her eyes flickering discreetly as she attempted to remain subtle in her approach. Words and phrases like 'The Proles' and 'Society' popped up in her sight. She kept moving her head, peering nearer at what he was writing. Her efforts at finesse failed miserably.

Does she think I'm blind or something? She's so annoying.

He pulled the paper closer, adjusting his arm to block her view. Her hand darted through, fingertips pressing hard enough to turn her nails white. A crisp, sharp noise pierced the air as the fresh English notes were torn in half, narrowly missing Alfie's words. His hands shot up, shoulders half-raised, mouth agape in stunned silence, as if frozen in time.

Why is she doing this??

He balled up his fist, teeth biting into his knuckle as if ready to strike. Adrenaline surged through his veins. Keiko's head turned calmly towards him, her imperious grey eyes reflecting the morning sun. She didn't blink, her gaze piercing into his soul. He lowered his fist, the adrenaline stalling, fruitless in its quest to give him courage.

"Let's see what this nerd has written..."

Her attention returned to the ripped note, a mocking tone knitted into her voice. Alfie's eyes swung to the right as she kept reading, her mind swallowing up the information at record speed. A light draft skated by them, causing the smaller slip of paper to rock to and fro. Her hand shot up like a firework, exaggeratedly stiff as she sought Mr Dodge's recognition.

The rolling Blue Tack in his palms stopped. Hundreds of minute strands stretched out as he parted his hands, resembling the spines of a sea urchin. His back detached from his chair. Sitting up straight, he picked Keiko for an answer. Alfie observed her with a degree of apprehension, his fingers and nose twitching in suspense.

"The novel contains a theme about people known as 'Proles'. They're the ones that make up the lower levels of society."

Her smirk, accompanied by a side glance, landed in Alfie's vision. She was proud of what she had done.

This girl! I swear I'll...

He looked away, unable to conclude his thought. His head shook in disbelief at the audacity of his new desk-mate. She had just stolen his idea and used it as her own. Mr Dodge briefly raised his eyebrows, an unusual brightness had externalised on his face—something Alfie hadn't seen since he started year seven. He stood up, grabbed the marker, and jotted Keiko's words on the whiteboard. The class focused on him with curious faces.

"Yes, yes that's one of the themes. Well done Keiko, especially since you're new."

She leaned back in her chair with a smug smile, flicking her hair over her shoulders with casual elegance. Some of it slapped Alfie's glasses. He puffed out a rapid breath, almost spitting, as a few strands glided along his lips.

Really?? I don't need your hair anywhere near my mouth!

"Alright people, at least someone could come up with a theme. Is there anyone else tha-"

A light-hearted melody disrupted his voice. Heads across the room tilted up as they awaited the message from the tannoy. A croaky voice eventually came through.

"Will Mr Dodge please report to the school office promptly, that's Mr Dodge to the school office, thank you."

His face fell. Unintelligible words spat out of his mouth. Loud thumps, like an elephant, took over the room as he marched. He forced the lid back onto the marker, tossing it onto his desk. His fingers tore a fresh piece of Blue Tack away from the pack, followed by a ceramic screech as he pulled his mug towards him. Everyone's eyes followed him as he bitterly approached the door.

"Make sure you all behave while I'm gone. This nonsense can't take any longer than a few minutes."