Reckless Charms (New Boy from Juvie)

Whispers from the Rooftop AKA SUICIDE

The cafeteria buzzed with its usual chatter, but at Cleo, Luna, and Max's table, an awkward silence had settled. Cleo pushed her salad around her plate absentmindedly, while Luna picked at her food, her usual energy noticeably absent. Max, sensing the tension between the two girls, remained quiet, unsure of how to break the uncomfortable atmosphere.

The sound of approaching footsteps broke the stillness, and Petra Stephens, with her flowing auburn hair and perfectly polished look, sauntered up to their table. She flashed a dazzling smile, her presence commanding attention as always.

"Hey, guys!" Petra's voice was bubbly, effortlessly drawing attention to herself. "I wanted to give you this." She handed each of them a cream-colored card with golden edges, the unmistakable mark of wealth oozing from even the smallest detail.

"My birthday's in two days," she announced, as if they didn't already know. "It's going to be at my place, and it's going to be huge. You better not miss it!"

Cleo smiled politely as she took the card, muttering a quiet "Thanks." Luna, however, only nodded curtly, her thoughts clearly elsewhere. Max gave Petra a friendly grin, but his unease hadn't fully lifted.

Just as Petra turned to leave, her eyes caught sight of something-or rather, someone-across the room. Kai sat at the far table, quietly eating by himself, his dark, brooding presence stark against the lively atmosphere of the cafeteria.

A mischievous, almost flirty smirk curled on Petra's lips as she watched him, her gaze lingering just a moment too long. Her eyes gleamed with curiosity, or maybe something more, as if she had already decided that Kai was her next challenge.

With a flick of her hair, she tossed the group one last smile before strutting off. Cleo noticed the exchange, her eyes briefly darting toward Kai, but she didn't say anything. Max, too, caught Petra's lingering look and raised an eyebrow.

The moon hung low in the night sky as Cleo slipped into her hoodie, zipping it up against the cool evening air. She cursed under her breath, realizing she had left her history book in her locker- the one she desperately needed for tomorrow's test. Her mind was still swirling with the tension between her and Luna, but she pushed the thoughts aside as she quietly made her way back to the school.

The campus was eerily quiet at night. The familiar hallways that bustled with students during the day now felt cold and deserted. Cleo's footsteps echoed as she reached her locker, the metallic clank of the door breaking the silence. She grabbed her book, clutching it tightly to her chest.

As she started making her way back through the dark corridors, a strange sense of unease settled over her. The shadows felt longer, darker than usual. She quickened her pace, eager to get out and head home.

But just as she reached the main door, her heart stopped at the sudden sound of a thud-a heavy, sickening noise that reverberated through the empty courtyard outside. Cleo froze, her breath caught in her throat. Slowly, she turned around, her blood running cold.

In the dim light of the courtyard, she saw a figure lying crumpled on the ground, motionless. Cleo's stomach dropped. Her legs moved on their own as she rushed toward the figure. When she got closer, her breath caught in her throat. It was Petra Stephens. The auburn-haired girl lay in a heap, groaning in pain, her eyes half-closed, but she was alive-barely.

"No... no, no, no..." Cleo whispered in disbelief, her legs shaking as she stumbled forward. Kneeling beside Petra, she reached out, her hands trembling as she checked for a pulse. Nothing. Petra's half open eyes stared up at the night sky, her once vibrant face now pale and ghostly.

Cleo's gaze shot upward, her breath catching in her throat. The rooftop. It loomed high above her, dark and foreboding. Petra had fallen... from there.

"Oh my god..." Cleo's voice trembled as panic surged through her veins. She clutched her phone with shaking hands, dialing for an ambulance, her heart racing. "Please, hurry!" she cried, barely able to form the words. "There's... there's been an accident at the school! Someone's hurt!"

As she waited for the sirens to approach, Cleo knelt next to Petra, holding her hand and trying to calm the rising panic in her chest. She glanced around, her mind racing. The night felt colder, the shadows longer, and the feeling of being watched gnawed at her.

Her breath came in ragged gasps as she sobbed, fear gripping her entire being. The weight of what she had just witnessed crushed her, her mind spinning with questions she couldn't answer. What had happened? Why was Petra there at night?

Cleo's eyes flicked upward, tracing the height of the building behind them. Her heart raced as her gaze landed on the rooftop, high above. The edge loomed ominously, dark against the night sky.

From where Petra had fallen.

She felt a chill run down her spine, her breath catching in her throat. Had she... jumped? Or worse-had someone pushed her?

The silence pressed in on her, the shadows around the school growing darker, thicker. Cleo's hands trembled as she knelt beside Petra, her gaze still locked on the rooftop, her mind spinning with questions.

Petra let out a faint, pained groan, her eyes fluttering open. "H-help..." she whispered, her voice weak, barely audible.

Who was up there?

And why did this feel like more than just an accident?