Carlton Lassiter lives in a world of white walls. Everything is clean, neat and perfect, just the way he wants things. The way he needs things. He needs everything to be perfect and pristine. He needs total control. Everything matches, and Carlton is almost happy with his little world. Now all he wants is someone to love.
First up is Victoria. She comes in through the front door, and Carlton is pleased with what he sees. She wears a white dress and matches perfectly with his white world. They're different yet somehow compatible, and Carlton finds himself falling in love with her. She is slightly offbeat, but Carlton does not mind. He finds it slightly endearing.
But as time goes on, Carlton begins to see how different they are. They fight over the smallest of things, and he begins to think of her as a jerk. He wants someone who is sweet to him. Still, Victoria makes him look good. He is about to invite her into his vanilla world when she leaves of her own accord. Carlton is sad, but does not mind much.
Next is Lucinda Barry. Like Victoria, she is dressed in all white, but she wears a business suit without a single wrinkle in sight. They're the same, collected and calculated. Carlton is beginning to warm up to her, but then realizes that she is too stiff, almost too perfect.
He doesn't want someone who is more perfect than he is. Lucinda is all work, no play. Carlton wants someone to keep him company, to love him for who he is. Lucinda does not understand him at all. He kicks her out without a second thought.
Juliet O'Hara doesn't stand a chance. She comes in through the back door, taking him by surprise, and immediately apologizes. Repeatedly. She's dressed in a pretty pink dress, like a little girl, and Carlton can't help but sneer at her.
She's too young, too innocent and naive. He doesn't want some doll. He wants someone who can rival him in intellect and tenacity. He's wants to make her leave but she grows on him, and it isn't too long before he loves her like another little sister.
Carlton becomes convinced that he's destined to be alone forever. He's about to give up and accept his fate when Shawn Spencer comes in. He enters through the window, crashing through it without a care. Carlton does not like Shawn. He is too weird, too loud and reckless. He doesn't fit in his world.
Carlton watches in horror as Shawn splatters bright, bold paint all over his walls. He watches as he throws everything out of order. Soon nothing is white anymore, and Carlton's blood boils. He worked so hard to get everything perfect and it has just been destroyed maliciously.
He scrubs angrily at the stains, but they won't come out. He whirls on Shawn and yells at him to get the hell out of his home. Shawn looks at him, but does not leave. Carlton repeats himself, but Shawn stays put. He yells and screams and rants until he finally breaks down and cries. His world is not perfect anymore and he cannot handle it.
Shawn stays there for many years, persistant as anyone could ever be. Carlton recognizes that this is a battle he can't win, and gives up. He allows Shawn into his white world and he does not care.
In reality, Carlton Lassiter has become quite attached to Shawn. He is sweet and kind, and knows exactly which buttons to push to make him smile. Shawn likes him for who he is, and provides company for him when he feels lonely. He frustrates him on a daily basis, but Carlton finds that he sort of likes it.
Carlton realizes that all the years Shawn had been in his house had been the best he'd ever known. He'd taught him how to live and given him a taste of freedom. Shawn had set him free from his white prison.