Reckless Charms (New Boy from Juvie)

Fractured Trust

Cleo stepped out of the elevator into the stark, sterile halls of the hospital, the sharp scent of antiseptic hitting her nose. Her steps were heavy, each one echoing the weight of the distance that had grown between her and those she once held closest. As she approached the waiting area, her heart clenched at the sight of Max sitting there, hands clasped, elbows resting on his knees, lost in thought.

Max noticed her first. His eyes flickered with something—regret? Guilt? He straightened, but the tension between them was undeniable, thick as smoke. For a moment, neither spoke, the air heavy with everything left unsaid.

Finally, Max sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as if trying to physically ease the tension between them. "Cleo," he began, his voice low and hesitant. "I've been thinking... about what you said, about me being impartial."

Cleo crossed her arms, her face hard, though her heart beat painfully in her chest. She didn't say anything, waiting for him to continue.

Max's eyes softened, but there was still something conflicted in his expression. "You said I always choose Luna," he continued, the words slower now, as if he were carefully piecing together his thoughts. "And I... I don't think that's fair. I've never tried to take sides—"

A bitter chuckle escaped Cleo's lips, cutting through his sentence. "Of course," she said, shaking her head, her voice dripping with irony. "You've never taken sides. You just always happen to land on hers." She could feel the sting of the past months, the exclusion, the constant second place she found herself in their trio, rising up with every word. "Every project, every time it's been 'Max and Luna.' And now again, with Kai."

Max flinched at her words. "It's not like that, Cleo. I—"

She cut him off sharply, her voice rising. "Don't lie to me, Max. You always choose her. Every single time."

Max's shoulders tensed, and he shook his head. "I'm not choosing Luna because of... whatever you think this is," he said, more forceful now. "I just—this time, I think she's right, Cleo. I don't support your... association with Kai. You know his reputation, and it's—"

"His reputation?" Cleo snapped, her eyes flashing with hurt and anger. "Is that really the excuse you're giving me? You don't care about my side of it. You've already made up your mind."

Max opened his mouth, but Cleo wasn't done. Her pain spilled out in a torrent, her voice shaking. "All these years, Max. Do you know how many times I've stood there, on the outside, watching you two? Do you have any idea what it feels like to always be the third wheel in our so-called trio?" Her chest heaved, the years of bottled-up frustration finally breaking free. "I always wondered if I was imagining things, but now—now I see it. You will always choose her."

Max looked at her, a flicker of guilt crossing his face. "That's not true, Cleo. It's not like that."

"Then what is it?" Cleo demanded, her voice trembling with hurt. "Because from where I'm standing, it feels exactly like that. Every single time, Max. And now, you're here telling me that once again, I'm wrong? That Luna's the one who's right, and I'm just supposed to accept that?"

Max's hands clenched into fists. "It's not about right or wrong, Cleo. I just don't think getting involved with someone like Kai is good for you, or your family."

Cleo's eyes blazed with fury. "Don't you dare bring my family into this," she hissed. "This isn't about Kai or anyone else. This is about you never having the guts to stand by me when it counts. I'm always second to Luna in your eyes."

Max took a deep breath, his voice softening, almost pleading. "Cleo, I'm sorry. I didn't mean for it to feel like that. But you know Luna... she's been through a lot too. I'm just—I'm trying to be there for her. You have to understand that."