We had walked around the mall for three hours, eaten lunch, got Kendall a haircut and we were looking through the last store for other things that Kendall might need. I was searching through cute tops when James walked up to me.

"I don't like the look of Kendall," he said simply. I turned to him and sighed.

"You don't even know him."

"And you do?" he raised his eyebrows at me. I sighed again and stared at his hazel eyes.

"No, I don't. Not really. But I'm not judging him. I'm helping him. You would understand if you knew how he was when I found him yesterday."

"It just seems he is perfectly capable of doing this on his own." I turned to look at Kendall and I saw Carlos shoving a beanie on his head. I smiled, happy that one of my brothers had taken to Kendall so well.

"He does, but he can't afford it. I can. I'm going to help him. Because he needs it." James looked at me funny. "Remember, I'm a secret millionaire and all I do is help people with that money." I saw a wave of remembrance wash over James's face. "Trust me."

"I trust you; I'm just looking out for you." I smiled at James and he returned the smile. I walked over to Kendall and Carlos and bought the beanie for him. We walked out of the store, each of us was carrying at least one bag stuffed full of new clothes for Kendall. We got to the apartment, and James and Carlos stayed for a bit. Kendall just sat awkwardly in the corner, not really saying much. Carlos had tried all day to get him out of his shell but Kendall had put up an invisible barrier which kept all three of us out. He only said a few words at a time, except for when he said that he enjoyed himself today, and thank you when James and Carlos left.

"Thank you so much, Carlie. I'd stay longer, but I don't really think you have enough space for me here and I don't want to be a problem." I looked at Kendall with my eye brow raised.

"You're not a problem. Feel free to stay as long as you want. I don't mind sleeping on the couch, and space really isn't a problem." Kendall nodded, and asked if he could sit on the couch.

"I don't care. Do what you want." A few minutes later I knew that Kendall wanted to ask me something, but he didn't speak up. Eventually, curiosity took over and I have to find out what he wanted.

"What is it?"

"Oh. Nothing, umm…I just wanted to know if maybe I could call my sister and meet up with her here. I haven't seen her since…" as his voice trailed off I jumped into agreement.

"Yes of course," I tossed him the phone. "Go right ahead."

Kendall's sister, Katie, came over the next day, which was Christmas eve. She hugged me and thanked me for looking after her big brother. She tried to pay me for the clothes but I wouldn't accept the money. It defeated the purpose of helping someone. She left a few hours later, and then James and Carlos came over. I thought that they both wanted to say hi to Kendall, but I was so wrong. When Carlos had gone to hit on my neighbor, Lucy, James asked Kendall if he could talk to him for a minute. Curious, I tip toed over to the bedroom door and held my ear against the door.

"Don't take advantage of my sister."

"What?"

"I know you are perfectly capable of doing all of this on your own."

"I don't have any money! Do you even-"

"No! I'm sure you are loaded. You just put on a show to suck money out of Carlie. She has good intentions. She is a good person. She might be oblivious to what you're doing, but I'm not." James yelled. He threw the door open and stormed out, saying to me as he walked by, "He's not worth it. He had better leave you alone or I'll make him". James walked out of my apartment, shouting, "Carlitos! We're leaving!" I missed the elevator so I ran down the stairs after James. I reached him just as he was getting into his car.

"JAMES, HOW DARE YOU!" I screamed. I walk up to him and slapped him in the face.

"He's using you!"

"HE ISN'T! YOU WANT TO KNOW WHY? I FOUND HIM SLEEPING ON A PARK BENCH IN CENTRAL PARK TWO NIGHTS AGO AFTER WORK! HE IS HOMELESS!" I yelled even louder. I watch as his face turn apologetic.

"Shit. Shit shit shit I'm so sorry Carlie!"

"Whatever. I'm going to see if he is okay." I raced back up the stairs and into my apartment…

…to find it empty

"Kendall!" I called. I searched the apartment block and I took my car out and roamed the city streets, leaning out of my window screaming his name. My heart was in my mouth and I was so stressed about Kendall. He could have gotten hurt. The only person I could think he was with was his sister, but I didn't have her number. I pulled up in a parking spot and ran to a payphone. I searched through the phone book, looking for Katie knight. I found her and dialed the number. Katie picked up.

Hello, Katie Knight speaking,

"Katie? Oh my god Kendall ran off" she must have thought I sounded like a mad woman

What? What do you mean he ran off?

"He got into a fight with my faux brother, and he left. I can't find him anywhere. Do you know where he might be?"

Yes, I think I know. Have you got pen and paper?

"Yes," I fished through my bag and got a pen to write on the paper near the payphone

Write down this address: 32 43rd street

"Isn't that-"

Yes, it's the cemetery. He goes there quite often. Hurry! He might be leaving soon.

The line went dead. I sprinted back to my car and drove quickly down the road and around the corner to 43rd street. Luckily I was close to the cemetery. I speed up the drive to the cemetery and found a parking spot. I got out, not bothering to lock my car, and ran around calling for Kendall. I was scared for him. I had to find him. This was only a small cemetery and it didn't take long for me to race around trying to find Kendall.

"Kendall!" I yelled. No reply

"Kendall!" I yelled even louder. Still no reply.

"KENDALL!" now I was screaming. All of this screaming made my throat hurt. He was lost on Christmas Eve.

"Kendall…" I started to tear up. It just seemed so horrible, that he went missing the night before Christmas. My heart leaped into my mouth each time I sobbed, each one was harder and harder than the last. I fell to the snow covered ground, letting the falling snow cover me. All I felt now was cold and sadness. My heart ached for Kendall. In the few short days I knew him, I hadn't realized until now that I had developed feelings for him. I couldn't believe that I let him go. I cried harder and harder, until I felt something on my shoulder. I turned my head and looked with two tearful eyes, to see a gloved hand resting on my shoulder.

"Don't cry," I looked up to see an angular face with piercing green eyes staring down at me.

"Kendall!" I screamed and threw my sodden arms around him. He wrapped his warm arms around me.

"Hey…" he answered with a smile. "What are you doing out here, on Christmas Eve?"

"Looking for you," I mumbled into his chest

"Oh, that's right. I'm supposed to stay away from you," he loosened his grip on me and started to walk away.

"NO!" my scream shattered the quiet night. It tore threw me, and I would have fallen to my knees once again if Kendall hadn't caught me.

"It's okay; I can stay if you want…"

"Don't leave." I buried my face in his chest. Kendall opened his coat and tucked me inside; covering me with the warmth of the wool coat I bought him. I led him to where I parked my car, to find it won't start. Kendall led me to the nearest café that was still open, took $20 dollars out of his back pocket and paid for hot chocolate for both of us.