Reckless Charms (New Boy from Juvie)

Cleo's Concern

Cleo trudged through the front door of her home, her shoulders slumped with exhaustion. The day had been long and draining, with the lingering tension from her interactions with Luna and Kai weighing heavily on her. She dropped her school bag by the door and headed straight for her room.

Her room was a refuge of calm, the soft glow of the lamp casting a gentle light over the neatly arranged space. Cleo sighed deeply as she sank onto her bed, her body feeling the weight of the day's stress. She reached for her phone, hoping that a brief conversation with Luna might ease her mind.

Scrolling through her contacts, she found Luna's name and tapped on it. With a few swift movements, she composed a text.

Cleo: "Hey Luna, are you okay? You seemed really off today. Just checking in."

After sending the message, Cleo set her phone aside and lay back on her bed, staring at the ceiling. Her thoughts wandered to the events of the day—the argument in the medical room, Luna's unsettling behavior, and Kai's mysterious presence. She hoped that Luna would respond soon, and the tension between them could be eased, even if just a little.

Minutes ticked by, and Cleo found herself growing more anxious as she waited for a reply. Her phone buzzed, and she quickly grabbed it, her heart skipping a beat as she saw Luna's name on the screen.

Luna: "I'm fine. Just a bit of a headache. Sorry if I was weird earlier. Thanks for checking in."

Cleo read the message, feeling a mix of relief and lingering concern. She texted back quickly.

Cleo: "Glad to hear you're okay. If you need to talk, I'm here."

She placed her phone on the bedside table, still feeling a bit unsettled. Cleo hoped that Luna's response was sincere and that things would smooth out between them. For now, she closed her eyes, hoping that a good night's rest would bring clarity and peace.

As she drifted off to sleep, Cleo couldn't shake the feeling that there were still unresolved issues lurking beneath the surface, but for the moment, she chose to focus on the hope that their friendship would weather the storm.

---

Luna sat alone in her dimly lit room, her gaze fixed on her phone lying on the bed. The screen glowed with Cleo's last message:

Cleo's Message: "Glad to hear you're okay. If you need to talk, I'm here."

Luna's eyes narrowed, and she let out a contemptuous scoff. Her lips curled into a sneer as she muttered under her breath, "Bitch."

With a frustrated swipe, she tossed her phone onto the bed, the screen still displaying Cleo's message. Luna's disdain was palpable, her anger simmering as she turned away, the phone's glow casting a faint, accusatory light on her wall.

---

Cleo was sprawled comfortably on her bed, her thoughts still occupied by the day's events and Luna's strange behavior. The quiet hum of her room was interrupted by the buzz of her phone. She glanced at the screen and saw Kai's name flashing.

Surprised but intrigued, Cleo answered the call.

Cleo: "Hello?"

Kai: "Hey, Cleo. I hope I'm not bothering you."

Cleo: "Not at all. What's up?"

There was a brief pause on the other end before Kai's voice came through, calm and gentle.

Kai: "I just wanted to check in. I know things were a bit awkward today, and I thought I'd call to see how you're doing."

Cleo smiled at his thoughtful gesture. The warmth in Kai's voice was comforting, a stark contrast to the tension she had been feeling.

Cleo: "That's really sweet of you. I'm doing okay, just a bit tired from the day. How about you?"

Kai: "I'm alright. It's been a bit of a rough transition back, but talking to you is nice. You seem to have a knack for making things feel a bit more normal."

Cleo's smile widened. The sincerity in Kai's voice was reassuring, and she felt a sense of calm wash over her.

Cleo: "Well, I'm glad I can help. If you ever need someone to talk to or just hang out with, I'm here."

Kai: "Thanks, Cleo. That means a lot. It's nice to know there's someone who doesn't judge me right away."

They continued to chat, their conversation flowing easily. Kai spoke about his experiences and adjustments since returning, while Cleo shared a few light-hearted stories about her day. The exchange was filled with laughter and genuine connection, offering a reprieve from the day's earlier tension.

Kai: "I'm really glad we talked. It's been a while since I felt this comfortable with someone."

Cleo: "Me too. Sometimes, it's nice to just have a normal conversation."

As they said their goodbyes, Cleo felt a renewed sense of hope and ease. The conversation with Kai had been a breath of fresh air, providing her with a welcome distraction and a glimmer of positivity amidst the day's chaos.

She placed her phone back on her bedside table and settled under her covers, her thoughts now focused on the pleasant conversation she'd had. For the moment, the challenges with Luna and the unsettling events of the day seemed a little less daunting.