A Rift Between Us

Chapter 61 - A New Dawn

"I...ever since I joined this school, I wanted to be your friend. I don't know why I'm telling you this but..." She paused. "...I've never really had friends before."

Her hands pulled away from her face, wet with tears as she fidgeted with her fingers.

"I-I thought you were being difficult with me on purpose."

The initial awkwardness between them eased as Alfie felt a growing sense of empathy. His hands moved up and down the pocket flap of his blazer, catching Keiko's eye as she spoke.

"In the end, I realised you didn't want me around so...although it hurt, I left you alone." She rubbed her tear-riddled palms on her skirt. "Look, Alfie, erm..."

Alfie's eyes crept up to her face, hoping she wasn't looking at him. Her fingers interlocked like the pieces of a puzzle.

Okay...just apologise to him.

"I'm..." Wrinkles covered her eyelids as she tightened them, her hands balling into fists with a heavy quiver. "Alfie, I'm sorry! I'm sorry for putting you through all that. I didn't realise I was doing anything bad. I was...desperate. Desperate for a friend."

Her head rose gradually, their eyes meeting under the spring sun. He smiled, his hand sliding into his pocket as he looked at her.

"It's fine."

A wave of satisfaction washed over her, accompanied by a shy smile as she hunched forward, clumsily trying to hide behind her arms. Tears of joy flowed down her face.

"I'm guessing you passed your exams judging by how you reacted earlier..." She stood up, avoiding eye contact as her lips did their best to restrain another smile. "...I can't imagine you would have failed anyway."

Alfie scratched the back of his head, attempting to conceal his own smile as he pondered on her words.

"I'm surprised I passed everything with straight A's."

Keiko chuckled. The pinkish hue from her face now restricted solely to her cheeks.

"I could tell you were smart from all the studying you were doing. So...what are your plans for now? Still wanna get into college?"

His glasses slid down his nose, touching the fringes of his hair as she spoke. He slid them back up.

"Well yeah, I'm gonna apply to Westminster Kingsway. It's in London but with these results, there's no way I won't have a chance."

Keiko's head tilted back like a pigeon, gazing at Alfie in shock. He blinked twice, trying to understand her reaction.

"That's the same college I was looking to apply to as well!" Her foot playfully nudged his. "I guess you haven't seen the last of me just yet, hehe..."

They shared a hearty chuckle, like old friends reuniting. Alfie thought of his mum making him a celebratory meal.

Ah yeah...maybe she might wanna come along to that?

"Hey erm...my mum, she's making me this meal to celebrate passing my exams. She believed I'd pass even before either of us knew the outcome. Her intuition was strong. Anyway, wanna come over and celebrate with us?"

Her handbag jingled as she bounced in front of Alfie.

"Really? I'd love to, but I'd need to inform my parents. They can be a little...well, you know how parents can be."

Alfie flicked his eyebrows, fully comprehending what she meant.

"I'm still in shock...I'm so happy right now. I honestly thought you hated me."

He turned to look at her as they began to walk, the line for results collection having greatly diminished.

"I guess there was a rift between us." He waved his hand. "Come on, let's go. Knowing my mum, she'll welcome you as her own daughter. Oh by the way, that pigeon you drew in the tree, it was quite nice."

Her head spun towards him, unable to help but smile. She gave him a soft slap to the shoulder.

Keiko trailed behind him like a shadow on a sunny day, a certain pep in her steps, catching Alara's eye who smiled as they both approached the school gates.

At last, you have obtained the ally you have been earnestly seeking. May the next act in the saga of your existence prove to be most fruitful and prosperous.