"Life imposes things on you that you can't control, but you still have the choice of how you're going to live through this."

*****

He stood completely frozen as the gorgeous brown-eyed brunette wobbly stooped to clear the mess from his shoes. He couldn't believe the same beauty he had been hopelessly crushing on since 6th grade was three inches closer to him than ever before. Just as Cecilia lifted her shaking fingers to clean his footwear, soft warm hands held her stiffly by her shoulders stopped her imminent movement.

There is no way she is gonna clean my shoes, He mumbled to himself as he lifted up her trembling frail body to stand upright in front of him.

Time seemed to still as she lifted her teary warm eyes to lock deeply and directly with his warm blue eyes which stared anxiously into hers. She wondered fearfully what unprecedented punishment awaited her.

He was quite infamous for his quiet but brittle nature which he carried about with obvious confidence. Even with his astute nature, his gorgeous physique and facials were hard to ignore as almost all the girls in East ridge troop for him. Most boldly, others from a distance while a few nestle him adorably in their cold hearts.

He was mostly surprised that the same girl who had never paid him any attention was standing stiffly before him. Her once smooth hair which usually looked like caramel chocolate whenever it glistened in the sun was apparently dull and in tangled locks which hung limply on her shoulders. Dust and dirt could be clearly seen littered on her hair and all over her face.

She surprisingly smelt good with the soft scent of apples which wafted slowly through his nostrils. She looked so weak and tired, perhaps, from all the assignments and workload dumped on her daily from other students who were too lazy to do theirs.

No wonder she neglected her looks, He thought. She was too stressed to worry about others opinion of her appearance. Moreover, they treated her as scum so they may hardly care to notice the difference even if she decided to look up to standard.

He was completely sick of how wicked and callous they treated her but his brother adamantly refused to heed to his pleadings. He tried vigorously to control himself when his brother and his crew perpetuated evil harshly on her. He breathed deeply as scenarios of her tear stained face and bruised battered body came strolling through his mind.

He remembered vividly the long weary nights he spent praying on bended knees and clasped hands as he kindly cried out to the Lord for strength and patience to endure the absolute torture and misery of seeing her in pains and agony. He also prayed for her daily for God's protection and healing upon her broken soul.

He rightly knew he could destroy his brother with a single blow for all the misery he had caused her but he resisted. Meanwhile the temptation grew stronger and more powerful everyday as he watched her weep in pains at the library from a distance. He looked down at his treasure and couldn't help smiling warmly at her in reassurance as his beating heart leaped happily with joy.

Cecilia wondered confused why John was smiling at her. She couldn't deny the warm feeling that coursed through her entire body though. She suddenly remembered the position they were encroached in and quickly tore herself away from his warm grasp. Cold ice shivers suddenly came crawling up her spine as her body hinted the loss of it's source of warmth.

She lifted her large brown eyes to watch his deep blonde brows furrow in confusion. She watched on steadily as he gazed down at his open arms and noticed his eyes widen in amusement as he seemed to finally understand her reaction.

The cafeteria seemed to resume its boisterous activities as what they so dearly hoped for wasn't happening anytime soon. John looked at the now confused beauty and couldn't stop the hearty chuckle that rumbled deep within his chest.

Do I look that horrible?

She unconsciously touched her hair. She was extremely surprised at herself because she was never one to care about her appearance.

This gorgeous male is making me do unbelievable things, She mused to herself.

"Hi, I am John and you're Cecilia. Yes, I know who you are, I'm not a stalker or anything but it is nice to meet you."

His blue eyes which seemed like the surface of a calm soothing ocean widened in surprise at the words that came rambled out of his lips.

Cecilia couldn't help but smile slightly at his cute demeanour. Both of his ears were bright red from embarrassment as he awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck with his slightly shaky fingers. But just then, she remembered that she wasn't permitted to associate with people of high social status so she simply bowed her head and made the attempt to move past him.

At that moment, fear enveloped him at the thought of losing her when he just got her. In his state of panic, he softly grabbed the tender skin of her chapped elbow to restrict her from moving further.

Cecilia's heart which was already pumping blood so hard and fast that the throbbing sound echoed within her abruptly stopped its motion at the warm feel of soft slender fingers grasping her elbow but the painful reminder of her situation presented itself which snapped her back to her back to the present.

She tried to tug her elbow free from his grasp but unfortunately for her, John's fingers curled firmly around her elbow though in a tender manner to avoid causing her more bruising. Realizing her attempt were futile, she decided to explain to him, her predicament for him to understand her decision better.

Just as the words were at the pointed apex of her tongue, the loud banging of the cafeteria doors rudely interrupted her well prepared speech.

"Hey Four eyes, what are you doing with my brother you leech?"

That sharp harsh voice sent a painful and fearful itch to her already tensed back. Her eyes looked up in reflex to witness a girl rested comfortably on Hudson's forearm, posing like an arm candy for the whole school to acknowledge. The girl looked very familiar but she couldn't place where she knew her from due to all the makeup and jewellery decorated on her.

The girl moved slightly to stroke Hudson's arm as Cecilia caught the glimpse of the diamond ring that reflected in the noon sun. Cecilia knew that ring anywhere and its rightful owner, she couldn't believe it.

"Pearl?"

*****

Hey guys, welcome back! I missed you all and this book. Well, while we were on break, Love from Afar achieved a feat!

We placed 3rd at the TheEmeraldGemAwards. I'm so proud of myself and I'm sure you are too because without you, this book wouldn't have been a success.

We hit 2k reads and 1k votes! You guys just light up my whole world.

Also, this book is undergoing slightly editing and all the credits goes to Alabihoney for her amazing help and assistance. The book will keep going through changes till the end cause we strive for the best. If you have time, you could review the book again and tell me what you like and dislike about the changes because you all are involved.

Cover was proudly made by vinita_cookie with a little help of Alabihoney

Headline image was made proudly by booyahwriter. Normal schedule resumes, new chapter every Sunday.

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Question for today,What did you expect to happen at beginning of this chapter from the last chapter you read, please be honest.

1. He hit her.
2. He ignored her.
3. Your personal opinion.

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Happy Sunday sweeties!❤