The Revel Heart || Ni-ki

15

The sky was painted with soft hues of pink and orange as the sun began its descent, casting a gentle, warm glow over the city. The evening was quiet, peaceful the perfect backdrop for what felt like the beginning of something new, something important. And for Ni-ki and Celine, that “something” had been slowly but steadily growing between them.

It had been a week since Ni-ki had stood outside Celine’s classroom, waiting for her to come out, asking her for a chance to be something more. In that time, they had spent more time together than they ever had before sharing long walks, quick coffee breaks, and quiet moments between classes, just being. It felt right. Easy. And yet, in the quietest moments, there was still a palpable tension something that they both couldn’t quite name, but they could feel tugging at them, a new layer of connection forming.

Today was no different. After school, as the bell rang and the students poured out of their classrooms, Celine found herself waiting by the front gates, her backpack slung over one shoulder, her phone in her hand. Her gaze kept flickering to the entrance, watching for Ni-ki’s familiar figure. She wasn’t nervous at least, she didn’t want to admit she was but there was something undeniably exciting about the idea of spending time with him after school.

A soft breeze tugged at her hair, and she pulled it behind her ear, glancing at her phone again. No messages.

"Is he late?"

Just as she was about to call him, she saw him.

Ni-ki was walking toward her with his usual easy stride, his hands shoved in his pockets, but there was something different about him today. The way he held himself was relaxed, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled at her from across the yard. His gaze softened the moment he saw her.

“Hey,” he said, his voice low and warm, almost as if he had been waiting all day just to say that word.

“Hey,” she replied, her lips curving into a smile before she even had a chance to stop herself. There was an effortless quality to the way they greeted each other now like they’d both fallen into a rhythm that felt natural. Like they’d always known each other, in a way.

Ni-ki stopped in front of her, his expression softening as he looked her over, his eyes lingering on her face for a second longer than necessary. “How was your day?”

Celine shrugged, her gaze meeting his. “Same old, same old. You?”

“Busy,” he said with a sigh. “But I’m glad it’s over now. And I get to spend time with you.”

Her heart skipped a beat at that. He said it so casually, but there was a sincerity in his voice that made her cheeks heat up.

“Yeah?” she asked, teasing, “And what makes you think I want to spend time with you, huh?”

He grinned, stepping closer with a playful glint in his eye. “I guess I’m just that charming.”

Celine snorted, shaking her head, but the smile on her face was unmistakable. “I’ll let you think that if it makes you feel better.”

Ni-ki chuckled, then gestured toward the street. “Come on, let’s get out of here. I was thinking we could grab some food. What do you say?”

Celine’s stomach growled at the mention of food, and she grinned. “Sounds good. You buying?”

“Of course,” he said with mock confidence. “I wouldn’t dream of letting you pay. But” He raised a finger, a mischievous glint in his eye. “only if you agree to be on your best behavior.”