Secrets and Lies || Hoonki/Nikihoon

Chapter 15: After the Storm

Ni-ki sat on the cold bench outside the principal's office, his leg bouncing nervously as he waited. The ticking of the nearby clock only made the silence heavier, each second dragging on like an eternity. His mind wouldn't stop racing, replaying yesterday's events on an endless loop. Was this about the fight? Did someone report it? He didn't want the situation to escelate this far. "Why couldn't it have just ended yesterday? This is ridiculous," he thought, silently cursing the person who started all of this.

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway, and Ni-ki's heart rate spiked. He didn't need to look up to know who it was - the suffocating air around him was proof enough. Sunghoon, Jake, and Jay had arrived.

Ni-ki kept his eyes fixed on the floor, refusing to meet their gazes. Jake, of course, leaned casually against the wall, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. It was clear he wasn't taking this seriously, and it made Ni-ki's blood boil. Sunghoon cast a brief glance in Ni-ki's direction, his expression unreadable, before turning his attention elsewhere. Jay stood stiffly with a scowl, as though he was bracing himself for whatever was to come.

The silence between them was deafening, filled with tension thick enough to cut with a knife. Ni-ki felt small, trapped in their presence, like there wasn't enough air to breathe.

Finally, the door creaked open, and the secretary peeked out. "You four, inside now."

Ni-ki swallowed hard, his palms sweaty as he stood up. The others followed, and together, they stepped into the principal's office, the weight of what awaited them pressing heavily on their shoulders

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They stepped into the principal's office, Ni-ki's chest tightening as his eyes darted around the room. His gaze landed on a boy standing beside the principal's desk, someone he recognized from a few shared classes. He glanced briefly at Ni-ki before looking away. His stomach churned as the realization hit him - this was the person who had reported everything.

Ni-ki glared at him briefly before turning his attention to the principal, who sat behind her desk with a deep frown etched onto her face.

"Take a seat," she said sternly, gesturing to the chairs in front of her. The four boys sat down accordingly.

The principal began. "I've called you all here because of a serious incident that was reported to me. Fighting, destruction of personal property, and inappropriate conduct in school. I don't need to remind any of you how unacceptable this is."

Jake rocked back in his chair, arms crossed, and smirked. "With all due respect, ma'am, I think this is being blown out of proportion."

Ni-ki clenched his fists, biting his tongue to avoid snapping. The principal's glare cut through Jake's nonchalance. "You think this is a joke, Mr. Sim? Because I assure you, it's not."

Jake shrugged but didn't respond further.

Sunghoon, sitting beside Jake, spoke up, his tone calm but defensive. "I don't think everything being said is entirely accurate. There are two sides to this story."

"And we'll hear both," the principal replied coldly before looking at the boy. "Hyunjin, you were the one who came forward. Can you explain what you saw?"
(I'm using the SKZ members as a part of this story)

Hyunjin shifted his weight slightly but spoke with clarity. "I was walking past the hallway yesterday when I saw...well, an arguement. Sunghoon and Jake were mocking Ni-ki, and then it escalated. Ni-ki's book was taken, and torn apart. I don't know what caused it, but it was clear that it wasn't a friendly argument."