Reckless Charms (New Boy from Juvie)

Bathroom Confessions

Cleo pushed open the heavy bathroom door, the familiar echo of her shoes clicking against the tiled floor as she walked in. She glanced in the mirror, checking her reflection briefly before her gaze landed on Luna. Her friend stood by the sink, her arms crossed tightly against her chest, staring blankly at the floor. The usual confident gleam in Luna's eyes was replaced by a shadow of panic, and her face looked pale.

"Hey, Lu? You okay?" Cleo asked, her voice soft with concern.

Luna snapped her head up, her lips twitching into a forced smile. "Oh, you know... just a little... disaster," she said with exaggerated drama, her voice trembling beneath the bravado.

Cleo frowned, stepping closer. "Disaster?"

Luna let out a shaky laugh. "I—I misread the subject of the test," she stammered, rubbing her temples as if trying to erase the memory. "I was so freaked out that I thought it was history, and I answered all the questions like it was a history exam! Cleo, it was math!" Her voice cracked, and she threw her hands up in mock despair. "I messed up the whole thing!"

Cleo blinked, taking in Luna's frantic energy. "Oh no, Lu..."

"I'm doomed! My dad is going to kill me—Chief Justice, remember?" Luna half-joked, but Cleo could hear the real fear in her voice. "I can already hear his speech about responsibility and how I represent the family, and ugh! Cleo, he'll never let me live this down!"

Cleo moved closer and placed a hand on Luna's arm, giving her a reassuring squeeze. "Hey, calm down. It's just one test. You're one of the smartest people I know. One mistake doesn't define you, and your dad will understand. You're always acing everything else."

Luna's lip quivered. She shook her head quickly, biting her lip as if fighting back tears. "You don't know him, Cleo. He has... expectations, and if I mess up like this..." She trailed off, looking away.

Cleo stepped in front of her, gently tilting Luna's chin up so they were eye-to-eye. "Luna, breathe. You're not going to get disowned for one bad test, okay? I'll help you come up with a way to talk to your dad, and we'll fix this together. You're not alone."

Luna took a shaky breath, some of the tension easing from her shoulders as she met Cleo's kind eyes. "I'm just... I don't want to disappoint him. You know how he is."

"I do," Cleo replied with a small smile, "but you've got this. He loves you, Luna, even if he doesn't always show it the best way. Trust me, I know how intimidating parents can be."

Luna gave a small, grateful smile. "Thanks, Cleo... I don't know what I'd do without you."

Cleo pulled her friend into a tight hug. "You'll never have to find out."

As they stood there, the harsh fluorescent lights of the bathroom flickering slightly above them, the weight of Luna's panic slowly dissolved in Cleo's comforting embrace.

"I'll talk to him," Luna murmured. "Maybe he won't be as mad as I think."

"That's the spirit," Cleo said with a soft laugh, pulling back and giving Luna a confident grin. "Now, let's get out of here before people start wondering why we're hiding in the bathroom!"

Luna chuckled, wiping her eyes. "Yeah well you go I will wash up my face."

Cleo gave Luna one last reassuring smile. "Alright, if you need anything, I'll be outside. Don't take too long, okay?"

Luna nodded, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I'll be fine. Just need a minute."

Cleo hesitated for a moment, sensing something was still off, but she trusted Luna to come out when she was ready. With a final nod, she left the bathroom, the door swinging shut behind her.

As soon as Luna was alone, her fake smile dropped. She walked slowly to the sink, turning on the water, and stared blankly at her reflection. The fluorescent lights above buzzed faintly, casting a harsh light on her pale features.

She cupped her hands under the cold water and splashed it on her face, trying to shake off the weight that had settled on her shoulders. As she wiped her face with a paper towel, her gaze hardened, and a bitter scoff escaped her lips.

"Yeah, right," she muttered to herself, her voice low and mocking. "My dad will scold me? Please."

She threw the paper towel into the bin with unnecessary force, her frustration bubbling to the surface. She leaned against the sink, gripping the edges tightly, her knuckles turning white.

"And sure," she continued, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I definitely misread the test. That's the problem."

She stared into the mirror, her icy gaze reflecting the anger she tried to hide from everyone else. Her father, the Chief Justice, had always set the bar high, demanding perfection. But this wasn't just about a test or disappointing him. There was something bigger—something heavier weighing her down.

Luna clenched her jaw, trying to push the thought away, but it lingered like a dark cloud.

With a deep breath, she shook her head, pushing herself off the sink. "Get it together, Luna," she whispered to herself, her voice firm, almost commanding.

She turned off the faucet, dried her hands, and plastered a more convincing smile on her face. But behind that smile, the cracks were beginning to show. She would keep up the act for now, but the storm was brewing inside her, and she knew it was only a matter of time before it would come crashing down.

With one final look at her reflection, Luna steeled herself and walked out of the bathroom, ready to face the day—though her mind was far from at ease.