10 heart to heart

Luna’s POV

Max’s words in the music room echo as he leaves, his vow to uncover my pain lingering like a weight. My heart pounds, torn between relief that someone sees me and dread that he’ll dig too deep. Why am I worried? He’s new, oblivious to the cafeteria incident, to Tyler, to Rory’s betrayal. If he learns the truth, will he turn away like everyone else? No one’s been different—why would he be?

I clench my fist on the piano, sighing. Staying here, drowning in these thoughts, won’t help. A warm bath at home might dull the ache. I take deep breaths, steadying myself, then stand, slinging my backpack over my shoulders. But as I reach the door, I freeze. Rory stands there, bag slung across her shoulder, grey eyes locking onto mine—angry, sad, a storm of emotions I haven’t seen in a year.

“Rory?” I stutter, stepping closer, my voice barely a whisper.

Her lips tighten, grip white-knuckled on her bag. “I need to talk to you,” she says, voice cracking. “About my birthday party invitation.”

My heart sinks, tears pricking my eyes. “I admit it was shitty,” she continues, “leaving you off the list. I wanted you anywhere but there.” Her words cut, raw and honest, and I fight to keep from breaking.

“Still,” she says, softer, “it’s been a year. Last year, I didn’t even celebrate because I was too heartbroken. It took everything to show up at school after… after you and Tyler in the cafeteria.”

The memory floods back—Tyler’s public confession, Rory’s horrified gasp. It broke us both, but all I could think of was her pain. “I should’ve talked to you sooner,” she rasps, “but I wasn’t ready to forgive you.”

Tears spill down my cheeks, her brokenness mirroring mine. “Why didn’t you tell me?” she snaps, voice trembling. “Why weren’t you honest about everything?”

“I couldn’t hurt you,” I choke out, voice raw. “I couldn’t bear it.”

“You hurt me more by hiding it,” she fires back, and it’s a slap. “I felt so stupid when Tyler confessed to you, knowing you’d heard me gush about him while you kept quiet. You made me feel like the dumbest person alive.”

I step closer, desperate to close the gap. “I’m sorry, Rory. So sorry. What can I do to make you forgive me? Please, tell me.” My tears stream, unchecked. I’d do anything to fix this, to undo the betrayal of not being her true friend.

Her next words stop my world. “I miss you,” she rasps. “I miss my best friend.”

I choke on a sob. “You… miss me?” My voice is a whisper, disbelief flooding me. She nods, and I lunge, pulling her into a tight hug. Tears soak her shoulder as I sob, overwhelmed. Is this real? Her shaking tells me she’s crying too, and I hold her tighter, afraid to let go.

When we pull back, she wipes her eyes, a small smile breaking through. “Does this mean you’ve forgiven me?” I ask, voice thick with tears.

She sighs, another smile softening her face. “Just promise you’ll never do that again.”

“I promise. I promise,” I blurt, and when she nods, I hug her again, startling her. I don’t care if I’m a mess—this is everything. After a year of walls and silence, Rory’s back. Thank you, Rory, for this second chance.

We pull apart, and she asks, hope in her eyes, “So, you’ll come to my birthday party?”

“Of course,” I say firmly. “I’d go even if there’s a world war.”

Her laugh, tearful but real, is the sweetest sound I’ve heard in forever. It’s like coming home.

Max’s POV

The cafeteria incident with Luna’s fall replays in my head, her trembling hands, the spilled food, Tyler’s eye-roll, my teammate’s grip holding me back. No one helped, and the whispers—Lunatic, always Lunatic—gnaw at me. I’m starting to see it: Luna’s not just aloof; she’s a target. The school’s atmosphere is toxic, and I’m done ignoring it.

In the music room, her Clair de Lune was a gut-punch, dripping with sorrow. I pushed her, maybe too hard, to admit she’s hurting. Her tears, her silence—they confirmed what I suspected. She’s not okay, and this school’s to blame. “I’m going to find out who did this to you,” I promised, and I meant it. Tyler’s hatred, the team’s warnings, Rory’s party snub—there’s a story here, and I’m unraveling it.

As I leave the music room, I feel her eyes on my back, but I don’t turn. She’s scared, worried I’ll turn on her like the rest. I won’t. I’m not them. I’ll dig until I know why Luna Klein’s an outcast, and I’ll make sure she’s not alone in this fight anymore.