Chapter 426

Cecilia was difficult to pursue. In high school, she excelled academically and her wardrobe rarely ventured beyond black, white, and gray. Alston couldn't recall when he first started pursuing Cecilia. He had always been a free spirit, and his pursuit of her was no exception—brazen and unapologetic. He was the star of the school, admired by many, including Naomi. Alston knew when Naomi first made things difficult for Cecilia. It was after curfew when the dormitory doors were locked at 10:30 p.m. Naomi tricked Cecilia into waiting for their homeroom teacher in the office. She waited until the lights in the academic building were out, but no one came. The teacher had already left after the night study session. That night, it rained heavily, with thunder and lightning. Cecilia's pants were soaked as she stood on the first floor of the academic building. When Alston arrived, he found her sitting and crying. Holding a large umbrella, shielding her from the storm, he chewed gum and teased he