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Zane never liked being in public places.

Honestly, he never liked being around people in general.

But because he had a job that revolves around interacting with others, there was no avoiding it unless he wanted to move back with his parents after college. Since he wanted to prove he can be independent without their help, it was better for him to just suck it up and think about it more positively.

Being a waiter there was helpful in improving his social skills at the very least. Zane found himself not always having to rely on someone else to interact for him when in a large group of people.

Plus, as much as he disliked the job, it did pay the rent of his apartment with the addition of Vylad paying his share of it too.

And as always, someone managed to make him less stubborn and forced him out of the house. In most cases, it would be done figuratively. But if you were someone like Garroth, it would be a matter of literally shoving him out the door.

He should try to loosen up a bit. It had been quite a while since they all went together as a group.

However, simply walking into the IHop was enough to set him off; the place was loud and quite packed for a late Saturday morning. Even a wild Karen was there with her lovely demon spawn let loose around the establishment while the employees tried their best to get them under control.

Zane had his own fair share of working with such difficult customers in the few months he's worked at the coffee shop. Most tend to make a big deal out of nothing, so he was a little more sympathetic towards them.

Garroth had managed to find them a booth to sit at while Zane continued to survey the place. Vylad followed the two to their booth while looking down on his phone.

"What are you up to, Vylad?" The blonde asked once they sat down.

"It's just some business work; a few emails from different clients about designs and whatnot." He explained, pocketing his phone and picking up the IHop menu. "Oh, and Zane, your painting got a lot of good feedback on it!"

"Really?" He asked, puzzled. "It wasn't even that great nor is it a finished work."

"Ehh, social media is full of works in progress that are just waiting to be finished! Some people really enjoy seeing how someone does whatever they're working on. Plus, you're painting isn't all that bad!"

"Wait, you started picking up painting again?" Garroth asked before he started to crack up. "I thought you stopped because you got all emo towards it and swore to never pick up a paintbrush again."

"Well, I need a hobby other than-"

"Being emo?" Vylad blurted out, making the eldest brother and himself laugh out loud. Zane was a little vexed by the interruption, but let it slide. For now.

"No. I mean other than staying inside all day and working. Painting seemed like a good creative outlet, but maybe I should experiment more with something else."

"That's fine and all, but you really could be doing another hobby right about now," Garroth said.

"Like what?"

"Finding a girlfriend."

"I- Shut up." He grumbled, burying his face into the menu as his brothers burst into laughter once more.

Zane looked over the menu at what he should order, but he had a sneaking suspicion that something was up.

Although Garroth's questions were common and always done in an annoyingly intrusive way, why would he bring it up now?

It also wasn't uncommon for Vylad to want to go out somewhere and drag someone like him along. Not only that, but IHop was one of the last places he would ever want to go because of the previously mentioned overcrowdedness at times.

While the other two were busy choosing what to go for, Vylad peaked his head over the side frame of the booth, looking around to see if he could spot a certain someone here. After the conversation he had with KC and Aphmau, he was going to try his best to get them together.

But with Zane being Zane, it was going to be more difficult than he originally thought.

"I didn't think all three of you guys would show up!" Their waiter, Katelyn, said. "I never thought I'd see the day that a vampire would be out during the day."

"Oh great," Zane muttered, rolling his eyes at the comment.

"Oh, loosen up Zane!" Garroth flicked a hand towards him. "But anyway, how've ya been?"

"Eh, been doing alright, I would say. What would you guys like to order?"

As they gave in their order, Kawaii~Chan happened to be on the other side of the restaurant taking orders as well. She had noticed them from afar but was already too nervous to head over there, even if there were customers waiting in the area.

All she had to do was stay low and not find a way to accidentally embarrass herself. Which was better said than done considering there were quite a few kids running about the restaurant while their parents gossiped over what was "new on the Facebooks".

Once she noticed Katelyn walk away from the table, she went over to catch up with her. And with a short chat with her, it confirmed her suspicions of it being them.

"Y'know, it's been one of the first times I've ever seen Zane with Garroth and Vylad." She told her. "Normally, it's just Garroth and, on rare occasions, Vylad whenever he was in town."

"Well, that's good to know!" Nana replied.

"Why would you be so interested in knowing anyway?"

"Well, I thought that since I'm fairly new in town, it would be nice to get to know new people. He just happens to be one of them."

"I see. Well, if anything, I'd advise you to stay away from him. If he's anything like the Zane I remember, you'd have better off making friends with a rock."

"I'm sure it wouldn't be that difficult." She said with a smile.

"Psh, good luck with that one," Katelyn told her, walking off to continue serving customers.

Despite what her friend said, Nana didn't let her comment discourage her. She instead saw it as some form of motivation to get to know him and not let her nerves get the best of her.

But in order to do so, she was going to need luck on her side. And lots of it.

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