A Rift Between Us

Chapter 29 - A Painful Confrontation

A light-blue Honda Civic squealed to a stop, halting inches from the bumper of the car parked ahead. Both doors opened simultaneously. A man walked out of the passenger side, sporting a dirty tank top and a prominent bald patch, shouting as he walked around the bonnet. His voice echoed outside the school gates. Alfie squinted as a woman timidly stepped out of the driver's seat.

Her head drooped. With every rise in his voice, her body jerked. Her cheeks were wet with tears, each one feeling like a hot burn against her skin. The man's grip on her hair tightened, his forehead pressed onto hers as he screamed in her face. Alfie's heart pounded in his chest as he watched the scene unfold, his feet carrying him forward at a dead run, hoping to get a better view. He skidded to a halt when he spotted Keiko outside the gates, her phone dangling from her hand as she took in the chaos with a detached expression. The man's rage erupted, his powerful shoves propelling the woman's body into the car door.

"You're such a stupid woman! You can't even park a car properly. Next time you're not driving my car. You either stay home or sit in the passenger side, do you understand?"

Fear etched on her face, she whimpered, tears falling onto the road. Her body shook as she nodded, her eyes pleading for help. The man's eyes shifted to Keiko.

"Keiko come on, quickly, get in the car. I've got a lot to do this afternoon, let's go."

Keiko ducked into the backseat of the Honda, the door slamming shut behind her with a metallic clang. The man grabbed the woman's hand and pulled her around the car, forcing her towards the other side as he climbed into the driver's seat. His venomous words continued to pour forth, a torrent of abuse that seemed to never end. The scene was gut-wrenching, sending a wave of emotional distress through Alfie's chest.

Wow...

A quick glance over his shoulder revealed Alara, her gaze fixed on the unfolding drama with crossed arms. Her face was unreadable, though an element of surprise lingered around her. He couldn't tell whether she was shocked, angry or disgusted, nonetheless, she was just as captivated as he was.

Oh, Alara is seeing this too?

Alfie's glare persisted on her a bit longer, his throat tightening with tension. The Honda's engine roared to life, filling the air with a low rumble. As he turned his head back around, the driver door slammed shut. Keiko's head was leaning against the window, her vision locked on something in the distance. The car reversed, its tyres screeching as the man turned the wheel. In seconds, they were gone, disappearing down the road. Alfie stood there as the car vanished, a single eyebrow raised in disbelief. The asphalt was marred by two dark lines, a clear reminder of their hasty departure.

So that has to be her parents. Her dad seems to be a bit of an abusive lowlife...guess that kinda explains her behaviour.

A tickle near his Adam's apple made him repeatedly clear his throat, his hand rubbing at his neck. A sweet, rosy scent wafted towards him, causing him to inhale deeply. It was laced with a hint of vanilla, instantly lifting his spirits. Alara strolled past, on her way home. As she approached, the scent intensified, leaving no doubt about its source.

Should I compliment her perfume? No, no she'll think I'm weird...

A text from his mum appeared on his phone screen, interrupting his thoughts.

Oh crap...I know what this is about.