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?"

everyone at school knew Leo's family was "totally broke." That's when Andre finally

that was the year Leo lost his need to save face. No matter how anyone tried to

show up first-unusual, since his dad was always

thought he'd get jealous over something so silly at his

pretty close. Did they tell you where they hid that night?" If they did, maybe

obvious. "Those two ran off with my kid sister again. I tracked them

you know where

Leo nodded. "I do."

ready to go get her.

my place,"

surprised.

nodded again. "My sister's with her. I came here first to check things

to take his side-what

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

work when Leo headed

now, his dad wouldn't

to school and found Mia and Molly sipping big bowls of