Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Chapter 1414

Eventually, his uncle caught on. Andre knew that once kids hit their rebellious phase—especially in a fancy private school-they started comparing themselves to everyone else. That meant showing off, and Andre was determined to put a stop to it.

So, Leo spent three months in a $10 T-shirt, three more in a pair of $8 jeans. When fall rolled around, he wore a $15 hoodie. Winter meant a puffer jacket for under $30. No matter the season, Leo's closet was filled with budget clothes and shoes.

He'd wash his outfits at night, wear them the next day, until the colors faded and the fabric turned thin and tired.

Mia and Molly couldn't help but worry. "Leo, is everything okay at home?" Mia asked, concern painted on her face.

Leo looked pretty down on his luck. Mia even slipped her big piece of fried chicken onto his lunch tray. "You eat up. Gotta keep growing, you know?"

Leo didn't waste a second-he picked it up and took a big bite. "Home's fine. I'm the problem. My uncle won't let me buy anything over a hundred bucks."

Mia rolled her eyes. "Tell your uncle to meet me outside I'll give him a piece of my mind."

Leo just shook his head and smirked. "Nah, if you beat him up, he'll come home and take it out on me."

Molly even tried sneaking some of her brother Chad's clothes to give to Leo, but she barely made it to the door before Chad caught her. "Hey, where do you think you're going?"

family was "totally broke." That's

matter how anyone tried

that evening, Leo didn't show up first-unusual, since his

over something so silly at his

Mia and Molly are pretty close. Did they tell you where they hid

with my kid sister again. I

you know where

Leo nodded. "I do."

ready to go get

my place,"

surprised. "Your

I came here first to check things

his

couldn't say. If it were him, he'd have told Ms. Anya everything,

was still at work when Leo

wouldn't have to worry about his

and Molly sipping big bowls