A Rift Between Us

Chapter 43 - Keiko's Tears

"I put you guys here to keep an eye on you, yet you're still mucking about?!"

All eyes turned to Mr Dodge, whose booming voice filled the entire library. They waited anxiously, eager to know who he was referring to in yet another one of his outbursts.

"Alara, come here. Keiko, go and swap seats with her, now."

Alara's pen froze, her grip tightening on it. Keiko rose, her jaw clenched, and trailed a hand down her skirt. Her eyes locked onto Alfie, who mirrored her intensity. She walked past Alara, deliberately brushing against her shoulder, a silent yet hostile gesture. Alfie's eyes narrowed, a flicker of anger in his gaze.

Why is she bumping into Alara like that? She's getting on my nerves.

Alara turned her head, a glare burning in her eyes. She lifted her chin, huffing, and walked towards Keiko's former seat, her hands poised to pull out the chair. Her attention was fixed on Alfie, his face partially hidden by his long hair. Her eyes closed as she smoothed out her perfect curls, maintaining their flare. Her English book landed on the desk with a thud as she opened it and resumed her reading.

Alfie's cheeks warmed like one of his mother's herbal teas as his eyes roved around her delicate facial features. Mr Dodge suddenly stood. Alfie's head lifted, waiting to see his next move.

"11S, if you're finding revision tough, feel free to exchange ideas with each other. Remember to keep the noise down."

The pages whispered as they turned, their edges brushing together, while the hushed voices of students wove through the air. Sweat quickly formed on Alfie's scalp, a bead tracing a path down his spine. His heart pounded in his chest, its rhythm accelerating with each passing moment.

Alright...just ask her how she's finding this...it's perfectly appropriate.

"H-hey Alara...how's the revision going?"

Her head marginally raised as she glared at him from above her glasses. Alfie nervously licked his lips, adjusting his position on his seat. His heartbeat gave no sign of slowing down. The atmosphere thickened, almost pressing him back into the chair.

"Humph. I should be the person posing you such a question."

Her focus returned to her English book. It was covered with tidy handwriting and clear-cut paragraphs, all matching her elegant persona. Alfie rotated his notebook, sliding it closer to her.

"What d-do you think? Is everything, erm, well put together?"

He kept his gaze on the desk. Alara's fingers touched her glasses, pushing them up the bridge of her nose as her eyes worked their way down the page.

"Hmm...yes...yes...intriguing..."

His breath subconsciously hung in his lungs, anxiously awaiting her approval.

"It appears you've been paying close attention. Many of your notes are prevalent within my own jottings. Well done."

Alfie's lips parted, his heart pulsating with satisfaction at her words. She pointed to another section.

"Take a look. One thing I would add myself here is..."

Keiko's eyes narrowed to razor slits. Her jaw clenched and unclenched as she watched Alfie gleefully engage with Alara. The chatter in the library faded into a distant hum, her focus sharpening solely on them.

She doesn't like you, Alfie! She doesn't want to be your friend. Stop trying to impress her...

Tears welled up in Keiko's eyes as she glared defiantly at Alara. Alara's head snapped towards her, her expression neutral. Keiko quickly averted her face, her fingers trembling as she pulled out a pen and diary. Two teardrops rolled down her cheeks, landing on the leather cover as she fought to control her emotions.