"What?" Charlie frowned. "I can't go back?"

"This place isn't so bad," said Pace, stretching back on the bed with his java.

"Yeah, but-" Charlie stammered.

"It's not like you've never shared a room with me before," said Pace. "Now drink your coffee."

Charlie creased her forehead in confusion.

"He's being really nice..." she pondered as she took a seat at the desk and surveyed him from across the room.

Silently, Pace sipped on his coffee, staring out the window at the rain.

"He doesn't seem like a vampire..." Charlie thought as she continued to watch his gentle appearance.

"What?" he asked, finally noticing her stare.

"Nothing!" Charlie averted her gaze. Then, eyes landing upon the picture on the wall, she tried to change the subject. "Your girlfriend's really pretty," she said with a small smile.

"Huh?" Pace raised a brow.

"Your girlfriend. Delilah," said Charlie.

"Who?" Pace seemed confused.

"Delilah," Charlie repeated, nodding towards the photo.

"You mean Lilah?" laughed Pace, now looking at the picture. "That's Dez's daughter. Not my girlfriend," he added before returning his gaze to the window.

"Oh," said Charlie, an uncontrollable smile coming to her face.

~~~

When they had finished their coffee, Pace opened the closet and pulled out an extra pillow and blanket.

"There," he said, spreading the blanket out on the floor beside the bed and giving the pillow to Charlie. "It's late. I'm going to sleep."

"Oh. Yeah. Okay," said Charlie, nervously taking her place on the floor as Pace climbed into the bed and turned out the lamp.

"Uh, hey, Pace?" Charlie said after a moment. "Can I ask you a question?"

"What?" Pace replied.

"Well, there's something I've been wondering..." she began.

"What?" he said again.

"That day at the mall," Charlie paused. "When we all threw a coin into the fountain... What did you wish for?"

"That you wouldn't bother me when I'm trying to sleep," snarked Pace.

"Ugh. I can't believe I was starting to think he was nice," Charlie frowned and rolled over, but as another strike of lightning flashed outside, she spotted Pace's messenger bag, which was still lying on the floor, its contents half-spilling out.

"Hmm," Charlie glanced back at Pace, but his eyes were closed, and so she sneakily reached for the sketchpad that was peeking out of his bag.

Curiously flipping to a random page, Charlie saw a very well-drawn sketch of a tree, followed by their winter frost assignment. The next page, however, was nothing that she recognized. Staring up from the paper was the face of a very handsome, strong-jawed boy with dark hair and light eyes.

"What do you think you're doing?" Pace's hand was suddenly swooping the sketchbook out of her grasp in a very accustomed fashion.

"Pace! Your art is really good! Why don't you ever show it to anyone?" Charlie was still amazed by his talent.

"Because it's private!" Pace roared. "And you need to learn what boundaries are! I should have just left you out in the rain!" Pace's growl was more furious than Charlie had ever heard before, and with one more irritated groan, he rolled over, still clutching his sketchbook.

"Ugh. I wish he would have," thought Charlie. "I'd be safer out in the lightning than in this room with him!"