A Rift Between Us

Chapter 13 - A Mischievous Splash

Mr Dodge collapsed into the unfamiliar seat, crossing his legs. His back slid down the chair, as if in the comfort of his own home. He slipped his phone out of his pocket, thumbs aggressively tapping on the screen, before suddenly stopping. Items on the desk rattled as his hand swept through, searching for something. He turned his head, eyes darting around the wall behind him.

Old pieces of sellotape littered the bedraggled wall where posters had been torn off, along with a few pins, stickers, and some unknown brown substance that had long since dried. Amidst this lay small pieces of Blu Tack, which he peeled off, twisting his torso like a pretzel.

He quickly rolled them into a single ball, continuing to play on his phone with the other hand. Alfie shot brisk glances at him before resuming his focus on the revision sheet. Moving through the questions, he answered them sequentially, straining his mind to recall whatever he could from previous lessons. Keiko rustled through her handbag, disturbing the otherwise silent room. She retrieved a fragile plastic water bottle, the kind that would crumple easily under pressure. She opened the lid and tilted her hand, causing water to splash all over Alfie's paper.

"Oops...what a shame. How did I do that?"

Alfie's jawbone pressed sharply against his face. The look on her face said otherwise, a look he recognised all too well. His stool screeched as he moved away from the desk, mumbling angrily under his breath. He tried picking up the wet paper, only for it to disintegrate upon contact. His fingers gripped another corner, only for the same thing to happen.

I hate her so much.

"Sir...can I have another revision sheet please?"

Mr Dodge's head sluggishly lifted away from the glowing screen of his phone. He stared at Alfie with the same bloodshot eyes from before, moments before they fell towards the watery mess on the desk.

"Why are you drinking water inside the lab?" His voice grated on the ears. "Don't you know the rules? Look, see? No eating or drinking in the science lab."

His index finger repeatedly tapped the 'No Food or Drink' sign. It was prominently displayed on the wall, visible from any spot in the room.

"Sir it wasn't me, I ju-"

"There's no more papers. I was given a specific amount based on the number of students that would be here."

Mr Dodge pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to steady his breathing. The ball of Blu Tack he had rolled was now flattened all over his thumb.

"But sir, I need to be able to revise to pass science in the final exam."

Mr Dodge rubbed his weary eyes, his skin sounding like leather as he looked directly at Alfie.

"You should have thought about that before drinking water in a lab."

Oh my days, he won't listen!

Alfie sighed, following his thought. He adjusted himself back on his stool, looking at Keiko as they made eye contact. Her smiles were beginning to weasel under his skin.

She's so bloody annoying. I gotta stand up to her but...

A student further down the row of desks slid a thick textbook with a soft thud, its momentum halting right in front of him. The smooth surface of the science tables absorbed most of the sound. He glanced at the book, then quickly shot his eyes up at the student, who responded with a subtle nod.

"Huh? Oh, thanks."

Keiko's brows furrowed as she turned to look at that same guy.

You think you can help him? No. Not with me around you can't.