Sure enough, some people just look good no matter what–they could dye their hair every color of the rainbow and still pull it off.


    Cole pulled out his phone, draping an arm casually over Alessia’s shoulder. With a quick snap, the two of them–now proud owners of matching parrot–colored hair–were immortalized in a photo.


    Alessia stared at the picture, equal parts speechless and amused. After a second nce, she couldn’t resist a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. By the third look, they both burst outughing.


    They strolled down the street, their vibrant hair practically glowing under the city lights. Hand in hand, they walked home, utterly unbothered by the stares they attracted from passersby.


    Back home, though, Jade was far from rxed.


    She kept ncing from the ticking clock on the wall to the window, waiting anxiously for Cole and Alessia to return. Even her favorite over–the–top soap opera ring from the TV couldn’t hold her attention.


    “Honey, what’s taking Cole and Lessie so long?”


    “Didn’t Cole say he was taking Lessie out for dinner first?” Parrish set a steaming mug of water in front of Jade, then sat down beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and giving her a reassuring squeeze. “Don’t worry, they should be


    back soon.”


    Jade frowned. “The teacher said Lessie hasn’t been to school all week. She won’t answer calls, she’s skipped dinner, and even though she texts once in a while…”


    “Didn’t Cole send a photo earlier?” Parrish tried to keep his tone calm. “Kids her age go through rebellious phases. We need to guide her, not just scold her the moment she walks through the door. If wee down too hard, it’ll just make things


    worse…”


    “I know, I know!” Jade cut him off before he could finish. “When have I ever been


    harsh with Lessie?”


    Parrish arched an eyebrow. “Rememberst time, when she had a fever of a hundred and two? You’lectured her the whole morning.”


    “That’s different!” Jade crossed her arms. “She was acting like nothing was wrong!


    If Cole hadn’t noticed something was off, who knows what could’ve happened? No


    <b>12:34 </b>


    wonder she suddenly wanted to go to school early to ‘catch up on homework‘.”


    She shot Parrish a look. “And don’t act all innocent–you marched straight to the teacher the very next day and changed the emergency contact to us.”


    Parrish widened his eyes in protest. “Well, I am her godfather, aren’t I? Lessie’s practically my daughter. The poor kid was burning up and her own parents didn’t even answer the phone, not even a text to check in! Someone’s got to step up, and if her parents won’t, I will.”


    Their bickering was interrupted by a pause.


    “Lessie’s always bottling things up,” Jade muttered, frustration etched across her face. “If you don’t notice, she’ll hide it forever. I just don’t know where <i>we </i>went wrong.”


    “I talked to Xander,” Parrish said quietly. “He thinks even if kids can’t remember what happened when they were little, it still shapes who they are. Lessie’s always been mature for her age, remembers everything, just doesn’t want to be a bother.”


    Jade shook her head. “No way. She’s got to learn to tell us when she’s safe, at the very least! I don’t care how rebellious she is a quick check–in isn’t too much to ask.”


    She pped the table for emphasis, sending ripples through her mug of water.


    Just then, the front door clicked open.


    “You’re back! Did you eat?” Jade’s tone was suddenly sweet as honey, as if she hadn’t been ready to scold everyone in sight a minute ago.


    Parrish, despite mentally preparing himself, couldn’t help but sigh and close his eyes at the sight of their kaleidoscopic hair. Jade, on the other hand, looked positively delighted, her eyes sparkling with excitement.


    “Mr. Whitley, Ms. June…<i>” </i>Alessia ducked behind Cole, tugging her cap further down as she greeted them in a quiet, uncertain voice.