"What are you doing here!" Avery hissed.

"I was here to-"

"Mija?" A demanding voice came from downstairs.

"Quick!" Avery hissed, her eyes widened, "You have ninety seconds to hide. If you are found, you die!"

Alex gave a playful grin, not sharing the same urgency as Avery's, "I didn't know I was dealing with criminals!"

"Alex!"

"Alright! Alright!"

He darted for the closet and was greeted by an ultimate fashion fiasco. Clothes slid off the hangers, landing on him like a fabric Avalanche. Boxes tumbled in an excellent attempt to recreate Jumanji. The hangers clashed against each other as if to applaud the chaotic show. Hang on a sec- WERE THOSE POCKET KNIVES?

"Mija are you up there?" The footsteps grew closer with every second, loud and ominous.

There was no way he could squeeze in there without being skewered.

"Below the bed, hurry!" Avery bit her lip.

He dove for the bed like he had never before... and an army of dust bunnies awaited his arrival, prepared to charge. He stifled a sneeze and held his breath, praying his dusty companions didn't betray him.

"If I survive this, I am so gonna teach you decluttering!"

The door opened revealing a tall figure. Playing Hide and Seek was never scarier.

“Ah, mama!” Avery’s voice was filled with mock surprise, “Didn’t hear you… hehe…”

Mrs. Fernandez stood at the door. Despite the chill running up his spine, he felt warmth in her deep eyes. A warmth almost welcoming.

“I called for you many times.” Mrs. Fernandez’s voice was firm, but not unkind. “Were you on those headphones again?”

“Sorry Mama…”

Alex cautiously slid back, he heart pounding. He doubted the warmth in her eyes would remain the moment she laid eyes on him. Also, there were good chances he’d be toasted alive if the gaze turned hot.

Something hit his elbow. He froze. Slowly, he turned to his side, careful not to make a sound in his cave of unknown horrors. The carpet rubbed against him, sending another generous wave of dust. He wrinkled his nose, and held back another sneeze.

Something poked him in his ribs. It took all the power of them universe to stifle his yelp.

He wondered how many more artifacts he’d find if he lead an excavation team under Avery’s bed.

“Okay, but don’t stay up too late.” Mrs. Fernandez instructed. “Good night”

“Good night, mama…”

The door closed. Avery’s feet neared the bed and the mattress above him creaked faintly. She let out a huge sigh before calling out to him.

“Come out now, you idiot_. _I swear, you almost gave me a heart-attack" she grumbled, her voice still recovering from the close call.

Alex wriggled out, covered in a generous amount of dust."Had I been down there any longer, I would've witness a dust bunnie propose somebody!"

He looked up at Avery sending a heated glare in his direction. The bandage over her nose crinkled.

"What?"

"What What?" Avery got off the bed, dangerously tall over him, "You just sneaked into my room!"

Alex scrambled up to his feet. He wasn't looking forward to his funeral under Avery's bed, his grave laden with dust, instead of flowers of course.

"Relax..." Alex walked to her desk, "forgot to take my earpods from our last night's movie"

"Where did you leave them?" Avery said in a low voice, with an edge of annoyance.

"I remember leaving them at the table..." He pulled open a drawer runmaging through the items.

"Could've just texted me, ya know?"

"C'mon, where's the fun in that?" Alex grinned. "And what's with those pocket knives in your closet?"

"Those are my dad's. He let me have them." Avery glared, "Wanna see how they work?"

Alex gulped, picturing the words YEAH! carved on his tombstone under her bed. "Yeah, no. I'm good."

Her lips cracked into a grin, her facade falling off.

"Aha!" Alex raised his EarPods like a WorldCup Trophy.

"Alright, now get outta here before my mom decides to check up on me again."

"Aye aye, Captain!" He slipped his EarPods in his pockets and gave Avery a mock salute before retreating back to her window.

"You seriously took the ladder?" Avery shook her head in disbelief as Alex flung his one leg over the window. The cold air outside whooshed last them.

"It was laying around in the backyard."

And with that, Avery watched him disappear into the night before collapsing onto her bed, letting out a relieved sigh.

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