A Rift Between Us

Chapter 42 - Last Day, Last Chance

Mr Dodge hunched towards a table some distance from everyone else. Alfie followed him as he gestured to one edge of the table.

"Sit on that corner."

He pointed a dry, cracked finger at a chair tucked under the desk. Alfie grabbed his backpack and plopped down, watching Mr Dodge beckon Keiko over.

"Keiko, come here."

Alfie's gaze shot between her and Mr Dodge.

What the heck is he doing? Why is he calling her here?

Keiko strode towards Alfie with a silent trot, her confidence radiating like heat. Alfie's lips curled down in unspoken protest as he averted his eyes.

"Sit there."

She pulled the chair out from under the desk and sat down, her gaze fixed on Alfie. Mr Dodge dragged a chair from behind him, its legs scraping loudly against the floor. He positioned himself between them, his eyes narrowing as his jaw set in a firm line, highlighting his chin.

"You're both here for a reason. I can trust the rest of the class enough not to mess about here, but not you two."

A sigh rolled from his lips as he ran his fingers through his raggedy, blonde hair. His mind raced, replaying his earlier words about trusting the class to remain quiet.

These kids have pissed me off too much. I'm tired of this.

"Listen, it's the final day, yeah? Just focus on revising all you can."

He crossed his arms in front of him before folding his right leg over his knee. Alfie reached deep into his bag, pulling out his notebook with all the themes from George Orwell's '1984'. As it slid across the desk, it scratched the surface and flipped open. Keiko stared at the pages full of notes as Alfie diligently read to himself. His lengthy strands of brunet hair covered his eyes, leaving only narrow gaps that allowed him to see. Her hand pulled out a creased paper from her handbag. It had rough scribbles about the themes that were barely coherent. Her lips glistened in the light as she licked them, trying to copy a sentence or two from Alfie's notes. Her eyes snapped directly at Mr Dodge, his droopy eyelids battling the urge to close.

I better write him this note fast.

Her fingers rummaged through her bag, the clinking of objects echoing in the muted library. She pulled out a crumpled piece, and placed it on the desk. Her pen danced across its surface, scribbling furiously. She glanced at Mr Dodge, his eyes closed in a quiet slumber. Desperate, she quickly scrunched the paper in her fist, driving it to the tips of her fingers, ready to throw. She checked Mr Dodge a final time before flicking it over. It zipped past his face, landing in the middle of Alfie's notebook. Alfie huffed at the sight.

Oh my gosh, leave me alone!

He raised his head and glared at Mr Dodge. He was conked out. Alfie's hand tensed as he positioned his middle finger behind the paper ball. It flicked right back to Keiko, hitting her thumb. Her head leaned in closer to the table, her chin almost touching the wood.

"Read it, you nerd!"

Her voice was faint as she glided her hand across the table, sliding the note back to Alfie. It skidded halfway before a loud slam resonated through the library, startling the entire space. Her eyes widened, realising the note squashed under Mr Dodge's palm.