Inspired by the wonderful fic "Just Shut Up and Kiss Me," as well as by finals week at school. (Shout out to Dragonmactir because I choose to accept "Rear View" as canon.) Obviously AU

~ 1994 ~

Carlton Lassiter did not want to be at this party.

He understood that graduations were considered important, despite the fact that both of his were not. He also did not understand why he had to come. Well, or really why his mother wanted him to come. He had to go because she guilt tripped him about permanently moving down to Santa Barbara in the summer. Their old neighbor, John, lived down there. John had always been there for Carlton, so he went to work for the man as soon as he could. He knew that the SBPD would be his permanent home from then on. Though he had only been working there since '91, he was rising quickly. John had been encouraging him to take the Detective's Exam for some time, but he wanted to finish his Master's program first. He was all set to graduate in two weeks as long as he passed his finals.

Therein came the problem. While Carlton wanted nothing more than to use this time to study for the many tests coming next week, his mother refused to take "No" for an answer. He couldn't wait to move out on his own. In the meantime, though, he had to deal with a party for the graduation of his mother's friend's son from high school. High school. She had not shown up to either of his graduations, so he figured it was okay for him to be bitter about the situation.

For the first 30-40 minutes, he tried very hard to socialize with the middle-aged women and plethora of teenagers. He simply didn't fit, though, and gave up soon after. Luckily, he drove himself to the party venue. He went out to his car to grab his notes, then headed to a quiet upper floor in the large venue. He opened the first door he found, and was not at all surprised to find half-naked teenagers making out on a large bed.

He cleared his throat, smiled at their shocked stares, then closed the door.

"Well, that won't work."

He walked to the farthest room possible and opened the door. At first, the room appeared entirely empty. It seemed to be some sort of a library, though the books looked as though they had not been touched in decades. Upon closer inspection, though, he saw a blonde girl with her nose in a book tucked into a small nook.

"How did you fit in there?"

She started, then laughed. "I'm not entirely sure. I saw a good reading spot, so I took it."

"I didn't mean to scare you," he told her.

She shook her head. "No, it's fine. I get a little lost sometimes when I'm reading a good book."

"What are you reading?"

"White Fang," she replied with a smile. "It's my favorite."

He looked at her in surprise. "Mine, too. Have you ever read The Call of the Wild?"

She nodded. "I love that book, too."

She closed the book and crawled out of the nook. "So, what brings you to my humble library?"

"You live here?"

She laughed. "No, I was just kidding. I'm here for a graduation party for my stupid cousin. I escaped as soon as I could. I can think of a million things I would rather do than watch people fawn over stupid Johnathan."

"Not a fan?"

She shook her head. "I don't think he has a shred of human decency in him. Luckily, he's learned not to cross me. And not just because I have older brothers."

He laughed. "You talk a big game for someone so small. An intelligent one, too. How old are you?"

She brushed her hair out of her face. "Fourteen, and don't think I've forgotten that you never answered my question."

He looked at her in genuine confusion.

"What are you doing up here?" she clarified. "Not that I mind."

"Oh, I have finals next week."

"What are you studying?"

"I'm finishing my Master's in Criminology."

She smiled widely. "That's awesome! I'm gonna major in Criminology. I want to be a police officer."

"It's hard work to be an officer. You have to know the law and be ready for anything."

"I have three older brothers; I'm already ready for anything. Trust me."

He laughed. "Alright, I'll trust you."

"My name is Juliet, by the way," she told him, holding out a hand.

He shook the proffered hand. "Carlton Lassiter."

She smiled, still holding his hand. "You have really pretty eyes, Carlton Lassiter."

He blushed and tried to let go.

She kept hold of his hand while she studied his face.

"Juliet, I need you to let go of my hand."

She sighed, but let go. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable." She shrugged. "I just think you're cute."

His blush deepened as he moved to stand up. "And I just think you're fourteen."

"So?"

"So, I'm 25. I can't think anything of you; it wouldn't be right."

"So, you're saying you think I'm cute, too?"

He shook his head and turned toward the door.

"Wait," she called, grabbing his arm. "I'm sorry. I won't say anything else. Please, just stay in here? I'm always fine on my own, but it's a little less lonely with you here."

He looked about ready to bolt, but sighed and nodded.

She smiled and led him to a bench at the back of the library. "I'll read, and you can study."

As soon as he sat down, she was directly next to him.

He gave her a curious look, but went back to his notes.

After a few minutes, she scooted a little bit closer.

He looked back up, but she was innocently reading her book.

A few minutes later, she was nearly on top of him.

"Why are you sitting so close?"

She smiled. "Because you smell nice."

"Juliet, I thought you said you wouldn't-"

She rolled her eyes. "I'm allowed to say you smell nice. People say that kind of stuff all the time. It's called a compliment, and it's supposed to be a good thing."

She looked up at his face and realized he wasn't going to laugh.

"Look, I know I'm making you uncomfortable. I swear I'm not trying to, but I can tell I am. Do you want me to leave?"

He sighed and shook his head. "No, it's fine. I just don't really get it. Is it just that I'm an adult?"

Her eyebrows scrunched up. "What are you talking about?"

"Why you said I'm cute. Is it just because I'm an adult?"

She shook her head. "No." She poked him in the chest. "It's because you're hot. And you can't get mad at me for saying it because you asked."

He scratched his head. "I don't really get it, but I guess you have a right to your own opinion?"

"You say that like it's a question. I have strong opinions and it's really not a question. Neither is that other thing that I said. Not a question."

He laughed. "You're certainly a unique one, Juliet. Aside from my little sister, I think you're the only teenage girl I've ever talked to that I didn't want to shoot."

"I'm taking that as a compliment."

"I suppose it was meant to be one."

He turned back to his notes, and she put her head against his shoulder.

"Ju-"

"Shh," she shushed, putting a finger over his mouth. "I heard your protests, and I respect them. I'm too young; I know. I'm just curious about Criminology, and this is the easiest way for me to look at the notes."

He nodded, though both knew it was just an obvious excuse. "Okay, but don't forget that you're too young."

"I know. I won't be forever."

He gave her a look. "But I'll still be eleven years older than you. It would just never happen."

"Anything can happen." She looked him straight in the eyes with an evil grin. "Besides, your notes have been upside-down this entire time."

I'm not sure if it came out in words how it did in my head, but I hope you enjoyed :)