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Chapter 233
Young Alessia understood that Parrish and Jade meant well. She also knew that if she worked hard enough,
maybe her parents would finally look at her-so she never complained. In fact, she even went out of her way to
ask the Tates to sign her up for every class they could find.
Sometimes, she’d sleep only three or four hours a night. But even then, not once did the Tates offer her a single
word of praise or comfort.
It was Parrish who first noticed something was wrong. After the third call from Alessia’s teacher about her falling
asleep in class, Parrish stormed into the school, pulled her out, and told Jade to make sure she rested. He even
forced her to drop sof her courses.
It was the first tParrish had ever put his foot down like that. Alessia wanted to push back, but in the end, she
shrank away.
Of course, by the tshe hit middle school, Alessia’s rebellious streak arrived right on schedule.
She started skipping every after-school lesson and extracurricular. On her very first test, she turned in a blank
sheet. After class, she’d wander the alleys, picking fights, and before the Tates chome, she’d dye her hair in
every color of the rainbow just out of spite.
But the Tates barely glanced at her, never sparing even a single word.
After a full week of skipping school-and avoiding the Whitleys-Alessia finally got caught by Cole, who'd also
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtditched class that day and tracked her down in a back alley.
Her first instinct was to run, but Cole was waiting for her at the exit, arms wide. He caught her in a tight hug.
“Busted, Miss Truancy. You're under arrest-so just give in already.”
Alessia sighed and wriggled out of his arms.
Her neon hair practically hurt Cole's eyes, but Alessia was pretty enough to pull it off. On anyone else, it
would've been a disaster.
“Look at you, Alessia. Really grown up, huh?” Cole grinned, half amused, half exasperated. He almost never used
her full name-when he did, it meant he was right on the edge of losing his temper.
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Chapter 233
Alessia didn’t say a word. She just looked away, refusing to meet his eyes.
Cole sighed, too. He probably guessed what had happened. His mouth opened, closed-he couldn’t bring himself
to lecture her. Instead, he quietly took off his cap and settled it on her head, buckling the strap with extra care.
When he was done, he set his palm gently but firmly atop her head-a not-so-subtle show of authority.
“Go back to your natural color.”
“No.” For once, Alessia was stubborn.
“Really?”
“Really. Not a chance.”
Cole sighed again, full of helpless affection. He twirled a strand of her hair between his fingers, thinking. Then he
took her hand and started walking, pulling her along
with him.
“Where are we going?” Alessia made a token effort to break free, but gave up quickly and let him lead her.
Somehow, even though they'd grown up together, Cole was now a head taller than
her.
He didn’t answer. Instead, he led her straight into a hair salon.
“Dye mine to match hers,” he told the stylist.
“Are you crazy?” Alessia tugged at his sleeve, but Cole ignored her, making her sit
down.
“You're not afraid Mr. Whitley’ll cafter you with a broom for this?”
“Wait here.” Cole pressed her shoulders down onto the sofa and headed upstairs with the stylist.
Before disappearing, he ordered milkshake and snacks for Alessia, making sure she had something to eat while
she waited.
By the tthey were done, it was already eight or nine at night.
When Cole cdown his hair was
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“Weii?” he asked.
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Chapter 233
“It's... something,” Alessia muttered,
finishing off her mieekeer mM
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Cole flicked his bangs out of his eyes,
checked himself in the iro m
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novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
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