I stayed with Nana for a little while the next day, chatting about any topic that came to mind. We were passing time and just enjoying each other's company. I liked it this way. It's how I preferred our relationship to be. 

I cracked a silly joke and watched her laugh hysterically. She occasionally snorted which caused me to chuckle with her. It came to an abrupt stop once we heard footsteps coming down the stairs. 

" Ugh! Can you guys not  laugh so loud!? It feels like summer and I wanna be lazy~!" Katelyn whined from behind us. I rolled my eyes playfully, wearing a smirk. 

"It's already almost April. What do you expect?" I said to her. She pouted at me and headed to the kitchen. Most likely to get some ice cream. 

"Oh! Katelyn~Sama, can you get me some sherbet please?!" Kawaii~Chan shouted. I found myself lost in a sudden daze just looking at her. 

With Katelyn out of sight, she turned back towards me; a puzzled face obvious. Her light gold eyes lit up, a small smile appearing on her face.

I adjusted my scarf so she can see me smiling at her. She beamed back brightly. 

I found myself under gravity's pull (if that made any sense) and leaning closer into her. I placed my hand on top of her own softly. 

Nana leaned in closer to me and pressed her lips against mine. I kissed her back as my eyes fluttered closed. 

"Aww~!" A voice announced as we quickly pulled apart, a blush evident on both of us. We turned around to see Katelyn gawking at us. I pouted as Nana buried her face in her hands. 

"Don't be like that! C'mon, I saw the whole thing. It was so cute~!" Katelyn gushed, placing the ice cream bowls on the coffee table. I glanced at her slightly upset but not too bothered.

"I was enjoying that..." I whined to myself as I dusted myself off. The blush on Kawaii~Chan's face grew worse. 

She must've heard me. 

I know she did. 

I sighed and waved goodbye and headed out the door. They waved back and began to enjoy their ice cream. 

....

I went home to freshen up a little before heading out. I wanted to get my mind off some things and just clear my mind a little. 

I traveled to the local park in town and just watch the pedestrians do...whatever they do. I guess. 

I sat down on a park bench and relaxed as a large willow tree provided me shade.

I watched as people walked their pets, flew kites, and overall just thrive in the warm weather. I couldn't help but smile a little under my scarf at the peacefulness around me. 

I let my mind roam and drift me away from reality. 

But something brought me back into reality. I saw someone over yonder. 

...

Aph...mau?

She sat there staring into nothing. Her face bare and at rest. 

On my way over to her, I accidentally bumped into a pet owner. Their dog growled at me; which, to be honest, kinda spooked me. 

Just a bit though!

"Oh my Irene! I-I'm so- SO - sorry about that! I should have been looking watching where I was looking!" she apologized. She repeatedly  stumbled on her words trying to apologize to me. 

"It's fine. I'll live." I shrugged. "But I am sorry! I didn't notice you because my phone keeps getting filled up with notifications from my ex." She groaned. 

"Here, look for yourself." She handed me her phone and showed me all 84 messages!? And all from her ex?! 

Man, this guy is desperate. 

"Desperate, I know. I can tell by your face." She said with a hint of humor. I chuckled at her remark. "But I hope that you can forgive my friend's dog over here." She pointed to the dog. 

The dog was white and black with specks of dark brown. Its brown eyes glared at me with  a menacing aura. "Intimidating, I know." She retorted. 

"But hey! It's nice to meet you...?"

"Zane. Zane Ro'Meave."

"Call me Ro. It's simpler that way. Haha!" 

She beamed at me brightly. Ro had a nerdy look to her. She wore her hair in an ombre-curled hairstyle. She wore black rounded glasses and wore a sherbet orange summer dress. 

"Here's my phone number. You seem like a nice guy. And very hipster at that!" She beamed. 

"Wow, that's probably the first time I've ever been called hipster before." I said. She cocked an eyebrow in confusion. "I usually get called 'emo', 'angsty',  or 'try-hard'." I joked. 

Ro's dark brown eyes looked at me in curiosity. "Hmm..." She sounded as she surveyed me. "You don't seem like any of those words. Very hipster though." 

"That's because I'm not wearing black!" I defended. I decided to lighten up on it and wear multiple grays.  She laughed lightheartedly as her phone buzzed again. "I'm honestly going to just block him by now..." She mumbled in frustration. 

Her eyes rolled at her screen as the dog tugged on its collar. "Oh! Sorry boy, just hold on a minute! We'll get back so walking really soon!" Ro cooed at him. 

"If you don't mind me asking..." I began. She stopped patting the pet's head and looked up at me. "What did your ex do to you, anyways?" 

She froze. 

"I'll....I'll tell you another time. We recently broke up and it's kinda hard to talk about it right now." Ro explained, flicking a hand dismissively. 

I nodded. "Welp! I'll see you around, Zane." We shook hands, which was a little odd to me. It really showed how pale I was in contrast to her milk chocolate skin. 

As we said our goodbyes; with the dog basically dragging her along the pathway; I noticed Aphmau had disappeared. 

I decided to head home after that encounter. I held a tiny slip of paper that had Ro's phone number on it. "What a truly intriguing character." I thought to myself.