How To Survive A Calamity

There was anguish in her fluctuating voice. To be looked in fear like that by someone she cared for so deeply must have hurt her.

Hmmm... I hummed silently.

But Nicodemus too... Does this matter really go that far?

Some kind of trauma for those ranked higher than him...no. PTSD, perhaps?

Eventually Chelsea sighed and slumped back in her sit, looking exhausted.

"Nico won't tell me anything. He won't let me help."

"Have you told the instructor?"

Chelsea shook her head slowly in response.

"That won't work coming from me. What exactly am i supposed to say when the person himself isn't complaining, especially when i don't have enough proof of anything."

That made sense.

I glanced outside the window, some time had already passed by now.

"That's unfortunate, i guess, Chelsea. I can't say i understand nor offer any words of sympathy or advice to you or your friend... But i think Nicodemus...Nico is in a really sensitive stage of his life. One where he might need someone to talk to...a shoulder to cry on. You should stick around him."

I couldn't understand? Was that right?

I...i wasn't sure.

Hearing about Nicodemus had brought back some memories of a past i thought I'd already made peace with. Maybe it was why i could only say this words despite shamelessly denying any form of sympathy i might have held.

Yes, that's right. I have no sympathy. I wasn't supposed to.

I had already moved on from my past.

It's just...

I knew better than most...the anger, loneliness, and frustration of not being able to say anything. Often times, of being misunderstood.

I decided i had spent enough time with Chelsea and slowly stood up.

It sounded unfortunate, yes, but neither Chelsea nor Nicodemus were anyone i was particularly close to, so this wasn't an issue i was enthusiastic to get involved into.

'It would do me well to leave now.'

Even though i still had no idea why Chelsea chose to tell me all this.

"Wait, Victor."

"What?"

Before i could leave, Chelsea called out to me and i paused.

"I think everything you've said is true. But maybe it's also a matter of... approach."

I glanced at Chelsea oddly.

"Approach?" What does that mean?

"Yeah," Chelsea nodded with a small smile, "You know I've said this before, but i think Vic is an incredible guy who doesn't let anything drive him down. Even the way you dealt with the arrogant Don and Trise, and treated the prestigious Class representative nonchalantly is amazing—"

"Get to the point." I sharply interrupted.

No wait.

Then i frowned just a little.

"You want me to approach Nicodemus?"

"I would really appreciate that. I sincerely mean no harm, but you both seem to have a lot in common in terms of circumstances. Maybe the reason why Nico can no longer open up to me is because he thinks now we're different and far apart. But you..."

Similar in terms of circumstances...

Not meaning no harm, this girl was actually trying to pick a fight with me, wasn't she?

I could understand a little why Chelsea would suggest such a thing, but this was still flawed.

I shrugged indifferently.

"But i could also challenge Nicodemus to a duel...", i said, and smiled sinisterly, "And win." Explore more stories at empire

I straightened my back, and adjusted my tie.

"Wouldn't that just make him last place instead? Wouldn't that just make it much worse?"

Chelsea held my gaze deeply for a moment, her thoughts a mystery until she said evenly.

"Strangely, i don't think you're interested in that."

"What?"

"Hehe, I'm not sure either. But you don't give me that kind of feeling. You don't give me any type of feeling actually."

"..."

What a strange girl.

Then at the same time, Chelsea stood up from her seat like i did.

"Nico won't talk to me. I also think he's changed again very recently." Her expression became solemn.

"How?"

"Maybe he's hit some kind of break point or something. Nico has become more colder and gloomier. He was quiet before, but it's like he's become even quieter. Honestly, this new transition scares me. I'm afraid of what Nico could do like this."

"..."

"Vic... No, Victor," Chelsea called my name softly. Her bright eyes became dim and she lowered her gaze meekly.

"I know you might find me very annoying and irritating, you also have no reason to help me because we aren't even remotely close. Up until a few days we never even knew eachother's names... I also don't know why i feel like you're the only one i could talk to about this, but please, Vic..."

Chelsea grabbed onto the helm of my sleeve weakly with a trembling hand.

"Can you please talk to Nico just once...?"

I gazed at Chelsea silently without a response for a few moments then slowly pulled her hand away.

"Chelsea Harper..."n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Even if you say all that...

"It's like you've said, we aren't close enough to ask for favours. You know nothing about me, and neither do i you."

Chelsea weakly retracted her arm and looked down.

"Oh, i see," she laughed dryly. 'I kind of expected that from you."

I shoved my hands in my pocket and shrugged indifferently.

"And besides, the Exercise is just around the corner, i don't think i have enough time to spare for anything else at the moment. You understand that."

Chelsea forced a smile and stepped back away from me.

"Yes, yes, that's perfectly true. You're right, Vic- i mean, Victor. And this is our day off too, i shouldn't be stressing you like th—"

"Although, I'm not sure what I'd be doing after the Exercise. The smoothie from the last café has had me thinking about it ever since, who knows, i think i might visit one more time. Maybe with someone else too."

"Huh?"

I took a step forward and turned around to leave when i stopped and said suddenly without turning back.

"Strawberry milk... Does Nico like strawberry milk?"

At that point, i couldn't see what type of expression Chelsea was making with my back turned against her. But briefly, i heard her voice in a small laugh.

"Vic..."

It was fluffy, and sent a tingle in my chest.

"Strawberry milk isn't a smoothie."