A Rift Between Us

Chapter 14 - The Battle For The Book

Her hand spread across the book, marking her territory. Alfie shook his head at her possessive behaviour, sick and tired of her antics.

I just don't get this weirdo!

The thought rattled in his mind with confidence, yet his voice failed to cooperate.

"Hey, could you move your hand...please?" His throat felt dry. He rubbed it, keeping his gaze fixed on the textbook. "I need to...kinda revise now."

Alfie kept his face turned away, his focus now fixed on the ground. Keiko's eyes shifted to Mr Dodge, who was once again pinching the bridge of his nose. His swollen eyelids fought to stay open; his head bobbing forward at regular intervals, mimicking a pump jack. He'd jolt back to his senses, only for the cycle to repeat. Her eyes returned to Alfie. She moved closer to his face, causing him to back away.

"I need this book more than you, nerd. I'm new."

What a load of crap!

His thoughts were clear, but they wouldn't come out as intended, diluting until they morphed into something entirely different.

"Can't we...share it instead?"

Small veins protruded from Mr Dodge's eyelids. His body desperately needed sleep. He snapped awake, the chair creaking from his sudden movements. His squinted eyes glared at his lit phone screen.

"Can whoever is talking be quiet please?"

Alfie turned as soon as Mr Dodge spoke. Keiko seized the moment to pull a small ruler from her handbag, whacking it on Alfie's hand. The high-pitched smack caused heads to turn. He pulled his hand away from the textbook, rubbing the tender spot.

Stop it! Urgh, so annoying!

Keiko pulled it towards her, avoiding the puddle of water on the desk. She slid her finger through it, then raised it in the air. Two drops fell back down, merging with the existing plash. She tutted.

"You'd better clean that up, nerd. Not much revision can be done with water all over your side of the desk."

Alfie clenched his fists. That stupid smile was plastered on her face again, causing him to squirm on his stool. Mr Dodge lifted his head.

"I said can whoever is talking sto-"

He ceased speaking mid-sentence, gently sliding his phone away from him.

"Alfie, why didn't you clean up the table?" His fingers interlocked, legs crossed, with his gaze slightly angled. "You can't leave things in that state, we're in a lab. Is this what you do at home?"

His energy levels, both mentally and physically, were at rock bottom. He uncrossed his legs, lowered his head to the table, and cradled it in his folded arms. The class watched as a mumble permeated the air. He lifted his face and dragged his feet towards the paper towel dispenser on the wall. A boom resonated as his foot hit a storage box under the desk.

His body buckled as he lost his balance, spinning and twisting in a desperate attempt to grab onto something. A crash shook the walls as his nose and lips flattened against the glass strip of the door, leaving a smear of saliva on its surface.

Explosive laughter filled the air as the science class roared. Alfie's jaw dropped at the sight of the accident. Mr Dodge's fist shook as the class continued to laugh.

These kids have no respect. They have no idea how exhausted I am. No more playing around—it's time to put my foot down.