A Rift Between Us

Chapter 18 - Into The Shadows

The darkness enveloped him, the oppressive silence broken only by the sound of his own ragged breaths. A narrow band of light coming through the door gleamed on a row of metal trolleys laden with boxes, revealing the thick layer of dust upon them, explaining the tickle in his nose. His ears strained, his body tense, anticipating the slightest sound to come from somewhere in the room.

Alfie's eyes darted around; nothing, not a single sound or hint of movement. He looked at his arm; it wasn't even visible, yet the grasp remained. A section of someone's face advanced into the narrow light, unveiling a familiar grey eye. It stopped inches from his face.

"So, you finally left class. I've been waiting for you. You see, I've noticed you've been a bit disrespectful towards me. I don't like that. Care to take a wild guess as to what I'm talking about?"

Alfie's body trembled as he adjusted his position on the ground, trying to conceal his apprehension. A quick scurry in the far corner of the room heightened his unease.

"W-what are you talking about?"

Keiko's single, discernible eye narrowed in the light, a squint suggesting a smile. Alfie immediately pictured her expression, though he could only see a sliver of her face in the darkness.

"The revision papers. The ones you had after you came back from the toilet. I asked you what they were, didn't I? But you just looked at me and ignored me."

A stuttered exhale escaped Alfie's mouth.

"I didn't mean to...I must have...not realised."

Keiko's head tilted as she locked eyes with Alfie, her fiery, piercing gaze unwavering.

"Don't lie to me, nerd. I know you heard me."

Her grip on his forearm tightened. He instinctively pulled back, but she yanked it to its previous position.

"O-okay, I'm sorry. I was lying and...and I'm sorry," his voice hitched as if his vocal cords had malfunctioned. "I'll answer you next time."

Her eye narrowed again, followed by a snicker. She withdrew her hand from his forearm. He pulled it back, rubbing the sore area with his other hand.

"Good. Apology accepted. Remember, I'm the boss, and what I say goes. Now go and enjoy your lunch break while you can."

Alfie nodded in agreement as the small part of her face visible to him, including her eye, retreated into the shadows. He stood up and fumbled for the handle near the glass slit in the door. Finding it, he swung the door open, momentarily flooding the room with light. He glanced inside—nothing but rows of trolleys. He pulled the door shut, and once closed, nothing could be seen from the outside. He then barged out of the science corridor, making a beeline for the canteen.

The lunch hall buzzed with conversation, a refreshing contrast to the stifling room he had just left. He stopped running, finding himself surrounded by students. Catching his breath, he looked up to see the queue already long. He walked towards a cart full of trays, picking one up as he lost himself in thought.

Damn it! I need to toughen up...What the hell is wrong with me? She's just a girl. This is a joke...I can't be like this. I can't let people walk all over me. She's not my boss. Never was. Never will be.