VV
Chapter <b>233 </b>
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 neverined. In fact, she even went out of her way to ask the Tates to sign her up for every ss 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 orfort.
It was Parrish who first noticed something was wrong. After the third call from Alessia’s teacher about her falling asleep in ss, Parrish stormed <i>into </i>the school, pulled her out, and told Jade to make sure she rested. He even forced her to drop some of her courses.
It was the first time Parrish had ever put his foot down like that. Alessia wanted to push back, but in the end, she shrank away.
Of course, by the time she hit middle school, Alessia’s rebellious streak arrived right on schedule.
She started skipping every after–school lesson and extracurricr. On her very first test, she turned in a nk sheet. After ss, she’d wander the alleys, picking fights, and before the Tates came home, she’d dye her hair in every color of the rainbow just out of spite.
But the Tates barely nced 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 ditched ss 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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Alessia didn’t say a word. She just looked away, refusing <i>to </i>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 <i>to </i>match hers,” he told the stylist.
“Are you crazy?<i>” </i>Alessia tugged at his sleeve, but Cole ignored her, making her sit
down.
“You’re not afraid Mr. Whitley’lle after 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 time they were done, it was already eight or nine at night.
When Cole came down his hair was just as wildly colorful as hers. Alessia was so stunned, she couldn’t find the words.
“Weii?” he asked.
<b>213 </b>
“It’s… something,” Alessia muttered, finishing off her milkshake and tossing the empty cup straight into the trash.
Cole flicked his bangs out of his eyes, checked himself in the mirror, and–judging by the little smirk–seemed pretty satisfied with the result.
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