"What - Wh - what have you done with my clothes?" I stammered, staring wide-eyed at the sparse space, the brown oakwood floor - none of my boxes, none of my magazines. Carter leaned out and pulled back a false wall revealing an inner room. "Look what I found!"
I looked into it, the space was smaller by only half a room. My clothes hung in a crude color sequence, contrasting neatly with the black paperback wall. I looked back at Carter who nodded briefly.
"How did you find this? Who told you to move my stuff in here?" I said harshly.
He shrugged his bony shoulders. "I was kinda going through your stuff when I came across it. And since your belongings took up most of the space in here, I just had to utilize it. Why deny me much space when there's more than enough room to spare? I arranged your stuff in there and here we are. Do you like it?"
I sighed aloud - overwhelmed. "No, I'm not. You're evading my personal space"
"I wouldn't think of it like that, you could go ahead and thank me if you want. It's not like you can't make use of the space yourself" he wrigged his brows, eyes flashing with mischief.
Well, he was right. I could update my journal in there without getting disturbed or worried about anyone seeing me. A lot had been going on these days. I needed an outlet.
I smirked at my guest. "Looks like you've got work to do. Take them all out"
His smile slowly morphed into a frown. "Is this some kind of a joke? Cause I'm not buying it"
"This is not your room or your house so you'd have to do as I say, no questions" I stated
"What makes you think I'd go along with your petty little rules?" he shot back hotly.
"You could leave if you don't want to"
"You suck"
"Get a life"
"Eat a dick"
"Leave this minute!"
"I thought you needed my help"
"Not anymore"
"You're confused. I'm important"
I scoffed. "I wouldn't think so"
"I can help you. I mean to help you. Aren't you tired of living like this? When are you going to get fed up enough to do something about this life of yours"
I paused for a minute. "I could start by kicking you out"
"You need a new look. You need to do things differently"
I admit that my life was lame, it wasn't great because I had no friends. I'm not a social butterfly. But hearing that from Carter was like taking how things were to a whole new level.
"I wouldn't go even if you wished hard" he bit his lower lip, smug. "But don't be such a prick, go ahead and tell me everything that happened at dinner"
Charlie's face instantly flashed through my mind. I blushed in respite. "Nothing worth knowing. It was just a simple meal"
"I'm afraid your cheek says otherwise. Come on, when would you choose to trust me"
"Whenever you choose to leave. That's when" I deadpanned.
He rolled his eyes. "If so then don't. But I still need to know what happened. I'll help you"
I internally groaned at this. Do I need to tell him? But he's crazy! Word would get out. But I needed to pour out my thoughts. "Charlie's homophobic"
"Oh, but it might be mild"
"No, it's not" I felt the stream trickle down my eyes. I shouldn't be crying, I somehow expected it. Everyone guy I've known in my life were as straight as a stick. "We both happened to share an accidental kiss and then he said hurtful things to me. It was terrible" my throat felt lumpy as I partly turned my face the other way. It was embarrassing to be seen crying.
"Now now dear, take it easy. Sit on the bed" he cooed at me. Can't believe I did obey. "Now you've got to take deep breaths and handle this more responsibly"
I wiped my eyes over and over then calmed. The storm passed.
"Who's Charlie? The guy who kissed your sister last week on the front steps?"
I felt a pang at that. "Yes. They're dating"
He kept silent for a minute or so. "What did he say? Try to make it a bit more detailed so I'd know how to help"
So I recounted everything that transpired, every little detail of the cursed evening. He listened patiently, not interrupting it even once. I was amazed by how much it helped to finally get things off my chest. But still, I was worried. What if he told on me. "You'll not tell this to anyone. I mean it" I warned him when finished.
"You don't believe me? I have no friends, you idiot"
"I know but that doesn't matter. You could get high and go spill in town. Besides, how did you get all wet?"
"I took a dip into the river. My baptism before I came here. It was fun!" his eyes lit as he reminisced his stupidity. "But let's not get off track"
"I'm not surprised. You're originally crazy" I said half-heartedly.
"So you found out today that the guy you always dreamed about is homophobic. Why does it feel like you're cursed or into tough luck?"
"Just go ahead and say something meaningful already" I rolled my eyes at him.
He kept silent for a minute. "I've had that experience once. But it didn't end well, I mean it only brought me heartbreak"
I flinched at the word. Heartbreak. As if I wasn't broken already. I don't stand a chance then. He was very clear enough back there, There's even a chance we won't be speaking to each other anymore.
"Why should I take advice from you?"
He looked incredulous. "Maybe because I'm more experienced in this than you are?"
"That's not a point. I'm older than you" I pointed out.
"But not experienced. Have you gone through this before?"
I looked at him now, hard. Trying to figure out why in the world should I take his words seriously. He beamed at me, then winked. I groaned aloud.
He's such a flirt. And he's younger! Kill me now.
"But I'm not sure the same fate goes for you. But still, I think you should keep being yourself. He may not be the right one eventually and if you're lucky you'd meet your prince charming one of these days. Just leave him alone. Let him be"
I snorted. "Some good adviser you turned out to be. I never said I was holding onto him"
"You never did so physically, but your heart says so. Now you've been indirectly rejected, how about you go out and meet someone interesting?"
"You don't get it, no one turns me on like Charlie" oops, can't believe I just said that. "But he's dating my sister. Sidney hasn't met anyone in years"
"Then get your eyes off him. Do it for her"
She might be talkative and annoyed the hell out of me but she was still my sister. I felt she liked Charlie a lot. And he likes her too. Carter's right, I needed to forget about him.
"Alright, what plans have you got in mind? It better not be something dirty" I propped myself up on my arms to listen.
"Oh, but I'm dirty" he cooed.
"Glad you know. Now shut up!"