The Revel Heart || Ni-ki

09

It had been a week since Ni-ki had stormed out of the bar, and Celine felt like she was losing her mind. Every day, she watched him further and further away, like their broken conversation had never even happened. He avoided her in the hallways, in class, and even at lunch. When their eyes met, he would look away quickly, his jaw clenched in that way that said more than words ever could. He was angry. But Celine wasn't sure if it was because of her or because of everything else that weighed him down.

And that was the problem. She was tired of guessing. Tired of being on the receiving end of his moods. He was always so quick to shut her out, to dismiss her. And for the first time in her life, Celine was done waiting for answers. Done letting people walk all over her.

The school meeting was scheduled for the afternoon, a forum where students could present issues or proposals for changes to the school's administration. Everyone gathered in the auditorium, sitting in neat rows, waiting for their turn to speak. Celine sat toward the back, staring at the empty stage, fuming. Ni-ki was supposed to be presenting today, and she had a feeling it would be his usual speech about improving student life something safe, something that wouldn't make waves. Something that would please everyone.

But Celine wasn't in the mood to let him get away with it this time.

As the minutes passed, students filtered up to the microphone, voicing their concerns about the new cafeteria menu, the broken gym equipment, the stress of upcoming exams. And then, it was Ni-ki's turn.

He stood up slowly, adjusting his jacket as he made his way to the microphone. He looked calm, composed, but Celine could see the tension in his shoulders, the way he swallowed before speaking. He glanced at her for a moment, but quickly turned his gaze back to the crowd.

"Uh, hi everyone," he began, his voice smooth but distant. "I know it's been a tough year for everyone, and I've heard some concerns about student life. The administration has agreed to work on more extracurricular programs and provide more support for those struggling academically. But... um, I think that's all I need to say for now. If anyone has any questions, I'm happy to answer them after the meeting."

Celine's blood boiled. That was it? That was his big speech? It wasn't like him to be so... so detached. It was as if he was going through the motions, not even bothering to put any real thought into what he was saying. It was the same speech he'd given in the past, with no real heart behind it. No real effort.

She couldn't take it anymore.

Without thinking, she stood up, pushing past the students seated in front of her. Her shoes clicked sharply against the floor as she made her way toward the stage. The room fell silent, and she could feel the eyes of everyone in the auditorium turning toward her.

"Actually, I have something to say," she said, her voice ringing out clear and strong. "Ni-ki, you can't just sit there and pretend like everything is fine. You've been avoiding everything, and you've been avoiding your own problems. You can't just sweep everything under the rug and hope it will go away."

A murmur rippled through the room. Ni-ki's expression tightened, his eyes narrowing as he looked at her, his face turning slightly red with anger.

"Excuse me?" he asked, his voice sharp, cutting through the silence.

"You heard me." Celine stood her ground, feeling the weight of every student's gaze on her. "You act like everything is so easy for you, like you have it all figured out, but I know it's not true. You've been running away from everything, from yourself. And it's time you stopped pretending."

Ni-ki's jaw tensed, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. "Celine, you don't know what you're talking about. This isn't the time or place for-"

"Oh, I think it is," she cut him off. "You can't keep ignoring everything just because you don't want to deal with it. You're not the only one who's struggling, Ni-ki. We all have our shit to deal with. But the difference is, I'm not hiding . You are."

The room was dead silent now. Ni-ki's breathing had become shallow, his chest rising and falling rapidly. He glared at her, but there was a flicker of something hurt, maybe, or fear in his eyes.

"Maybe you should keep your nose out of my business," he shot back, his voice low and dangerous. "You don't know anything about me, Celine. And you don't get to tell me how to deal with my life."

Celine's hands shook with frustration, but she didn't back down. "Maybe I don't know everything, but I know enough. I know you've been pushing everyone away, and I know why. You think if you keep people at arm's length, you'll never get hurt. But that's not living, Ni-ki. That's just... existing. And you're better than that."

"Better than what?" he spat, stepping closer to her. "Better than someone who doesn't understand the pressure I'm under? Better than someone who thinks she can just waltz in and fix everything with a few kind words?"

Celine's heart hammered in her chest. "I'm not trying to fix you," she said through gritted teeth. "I'm trying to get you to stop hiding behind this cold, distant mask you've put on. You think you can keep everyone out and that you'll be fine, but you're not. You're falling apart, Ni-ki, and you don't even realize it."

His face darkened, and he took another step closer to her, his voice rising with anger. "You don't know anything about me. You think you can just tell me how I feel, but you're wrong. You don't get it, Celine. You're just like everyone else-looking from the outside and thinking you know what's best."

Celine felt her anger flare. "You know what? Maybe I don't get it. Maybe I don't know everything that's going on in your head, but I do know that you don't get to treat people like this. you're the one who needs help."

Ni-ki's face flushed with rage. "I don't need help," he growled, his voice thick with emotion. "I don't need anyone. I'm fine on my own, I've always been fine on my own."

"Clearly, you're not," Celine snapped. "And if you keep pushing everyone away, you'll end up with nothing."

For a moment, they stood there, breathing heavily, the tension crackling between them like an electric current. Ni-ki's hands were clenched, his body trembling with the force of his anger. Celine could see it in his eyes-he was breaking, just like she'd said. And the more he tried to deny it, the more he hurt.

"You think you know me so well, don't you?" Ni-ki said, his voice low, almost dangerous now. "You think you can just walk into my life and fix everything. But you can't, Celine. You can't fix me."

"Maybe I'm not trying to fix you," Celine shot back, her voice raw. "Maybe I just want you to stop running away from everyone who cares about you. I know you don't want to hear this, but you're not the only one who's been hurt. You're not the only one who's been under pressure."

Ni-ki's eyes widened slightly, as if he hadn't expected that response. For a moment, he said nothing. But then, the tension seemed to drain from him, leaving only exhaustion behind.