Reckless Charms (New Boy from Juvie)

Shadows of Truth

Cleo walked through the school gate with Luna and Max by her side, the usual hum of morning chatter surrounding them. Despite the lively atmosphere, Cleo felt a lingering heaviness from her dream. The vividness of the dream and the sense of urgency it had conveyed weighed on her, making her feel unsettled as she navigated through the crowd of students.

Luna, ever the dramatic one, was recounting the latest gossip with exaggerated gestures. "Did you hear? Apparently, Mr. Thompson's cat is missing, and everyone's saying it might have been abducted by aliens!"

Max chuckled, shaking his head. "Luna, you always manage to find the most outlandish stories."

Cleo smiled faintly, but her mind was elsewhere. The dream had felt so real—the danger, the escape, and Kai's presence. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was something significant about it. As she listened to Luna's dramatic retelling, she glanced ahead and saw Kai standing by his locker, his dark hair and sharp features unmistakable.

They both made faces, a mix of fear and exaggerated concern. Cleo watched them with a bemused expression, her curiosity piqued. The dream had felt so real, and seeing Kai in person now only made the feelings from the dream more intense.

As they approached their lockers, Cleo found herself glancing back at Kai, who was standing alone, seemingly indifferent to the commotion around him. Her friends continued to discuss him with an air of dramatic caution.

Luna elbowed Cleo gently. "Are you okay? You've been awfully quiet today."

Cleo shook herself from her thoughts, forcing a cheerful smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a bit tired, I guess."

Max leaned in, lowering his voice. "Are you thinking of talking to him? You know, given the rumors, maybe it's best to stay away."

Cleo hesitated for a moment, her gaze drifting back to Kai. The dream's intensity lingered in her mind, and she felt a compelling urge to understand more about him, despite her friends' warnings. "I'm not sure. I just have this feeling that there's more to him than the rumors suggest."

Luna's eyes widened, and she gave Cleo a dramatic gasp. "You're not thinking of talking to him, are you? Be careful, Cleo! The stories I've heard make him sound like a real danger."

Max nodded in agreement, looking at Cleo with concern. "Yeah, maybe it's best to keep your distance. Sometimes it's better to avoid trouble."

Cleo took a deep breath, her resolve strengthening. The dream had felt like a warning, and her curiosity about Kai only grew. She had to find out more, if only to dispel the fog of uncertainty left by her dream.

With a determined look, Cleo gave her friends a reassuring smile. "I appreciate your concern, but I think I need to talk to him. Maybe there's something I'm missing."

As she made her way toward Kai, her heart raced with a mix of anticipation and apprehension. The dream's vivid images and emotions seemed to guide her steps, pushing her to uncover the truth behind the enigmatic new student.

Kai looked up as Cleo approached, his expression unreadable. Cleo squared her shoulders and took a deep breath, ready to face the reality of her dream and the mysteries it had hinted at.

"Hi, Kai," Cleo greeted, trying to keep her tone light and friendly. "We haven't had a chance to really talk since the library, have we?"

Kai glanced at her with mild surprise but nodded. "No, we haven't."

Cleo smiled, trying to break the ice. "I figured since we're both here, it might be nice to chat a bit. How's your first week been? I know it's a lot to take in."