Feeling the unusual crusty chill of dawn creep up my arm, I drew the sheets apart and groaned, wwohite feathery frost laced against the window. It's here already? I wished autumn could have lasted a bit longer.

I parted the curtains and with one quick peek at the resort town below decked in a shimmering white blanket; I ran across the floor, then drew the huge closet doors open. Okay, Carlie, this is supposed to be a two-minute thing. I reached for the light switch in the dark and drew it down when found.

The small bulbs fluttered to life, banishing the darkness. In my wake, I caught an abrupt movement on the floor.

I screamed, jumping out of my own skin.

"Oh please," the gobsmacked boy chimed, his gray alluring eyes fixed on me. "Don't have a cow, "

I blinked, taking a step back. I knew those eyes. "Carter Gepetto?"

He huffed. "Tell me something I don't know,"

From down below, the housekeeper's shoes scraped the floor as she made her way upstairs. "Carlie?" She brawled in that thick French accent of hers. My name had taken her ages to learn. My intruder click-clacked his tongue over the roof of his mouth, his orbs widening as he pleads. "Please don't tell her I'm in here"

I bristled, then found it best to whisper back. "What are you even doing here? Hope you didn't steal anything??" I scanned his ruffled appearance.

Dorian was close by now, her steps quickening.

"Oh please, we'll discuss that later," he stretched his arms out and banged the closet door shut, right in my face, simultaneously with Dorian's entry.

"Sir" she queried, glancing around. Her large eyes strayed about as she looked for something out of place. I sighed, turning to her. "Is anything the matter? I heard you scream,"

"Oh, Dorian it's nothing," I raked an unsure hand through my hair. A dark habit. "Just thought I saw a roach in my closet,"

She pursed her thin lips, unconvinced. "Well, should I take a look in? Should I call the pest control?"

More like burglar control.

I shook my head. "No, no, that won't be necessary. I'll take care of it myself," She turned to the door reluctantly. "Well if you need anything, sir, I'll be downstairs," She exits.

I opened the closet door once more, took a step back, and pointed. "Fuck out,"

He sat cross-legged on the closet floor, leafing through my journal. "No,"

"I said out!" I pointed more fervently before adding. "You thief,"

He looked up at this, sadness drowned in his eyes before a twisty smirk graced his lips. "You don't make a nice scene in the morning. Seriously, look at that wild hair"

I grunted, patting my flustered curls down. "You don't seem any better yourself," I looked him up and down.

His once angelic golden ringlets were straightened, dyed red, and cropped with a bit of blue at their tips. His face was streaked white, something I assume to be tear streaks. He'd been crying. The plaid white silk shirt he had on was ripped roughly at the shoulders and he generally smelt of riverine water. "Goodness knows where you've been," I clumped my nose tightly together.

"I need a place to hide," he stated simply.

"And of course my closet was the first thing that came to mind,"

"It's comfy," he admits then snapped the journal shut, raising it up towards me. "And speaking of discoveries, look what I found! Obviously, you've not been spending your leisure hours very wisely, writing naughty silly fantasies of you and your.... mailman? Don't you think it's a bit too much?"

Heat rose to my cheeks as I bent forward and snatched the thick books away from him. "These are meant to be private! If you're looking for news, try the press but right now I need you to leave this minute,"

"No,"

"No? I see you're very stubborn. Do not force me to call the police!"

I couldn't give up my secrets. I couldn't give out my space to someone who'd become reckless. Carter meant danger and a risk I didn't want to take.

"I can't leave. I need a place to hide," he repeated.

I scoffed, then crossed my arms across my chest. "From what exactly?"

"From you, from them, from everyone,"

I didn't find this detailed enough. "I'm afraid You have to be more specific than that,"

"I have to figure a few things out first," his eyes held calm - bordering on mystique. "And you'll help me," he smiled.

I rolled my eyes. "Helping you is the last thing on my to-do list,"

"How about this for a deal Debaun," he bargained, seeming professional. "You let me stay here for as long as I want and I won't reveal what I just read in there or I leave and go spill, disrupting your little crush. How does that sound? Fair enough??" He wriggled his brows.

It took me a minute to process this. "That's blackmail,"

"Give or take,"

"I don't see how this is gonna work out between us" I sighed at last. "But I do hope you don't get caught. Fine. You can stay here for the week. One week!"

He chuckled. "Oh Debaun, were you even listening? I said for as long as I want. One week doesn't live up to the price at all,"

I eyed him, begrudgingly. "Just think about it," he coaxed.

"Fine! You can live here if you want, but one more thing. Do NOT touch my stuff! okay? I mean it!!" I stomped my feet hard to emphasize how serious I am.

"I can't promise that though,"

"Carter!" I warned.

"Fine! Fine!! Quit ranting already,"