Today was another practice

     and Zane, he was hungry,

     and very grumpy.

     This morning, he woke up to find that there were mice in his house and they got into the cinnamon rolls he had bought for breakfast. He  placed down mice traps all over the house and growled as he looked for another meal to eat,

He found absolutely nothing.

     His stomach growled as he checked the time. If he didn't leave then, he would've been late for practice, so left with an empty stomach. He then left the house to extremely hot temperatures and got really bad sunburn on his cheeks, leaving them a bright rose color.

     "Zane Kun.. are you sure you're okay?" Kawaii Chan asks, noticing the stressed look on Zane's face.

     "No! I am not okay! We can't dance to this! It's just not our style! It's just... gah! Second, it's Mr. Zane! No more Zane Kun! I swear you remember nothing! Ughhh!" Zane shouts, crossing his arms tightly and looking down at the ground.

     "Um.. M..Mr. Zane?"

     "What!"

     Kawaii Chan smiles and strolls over to a corner of the room where she had placed her dance bag. She takes out a box and opens it to find an assortment of multicolored cupcakes and donuts. She takes and seat and pats the ground to a place next to her, motioning that's it's okay for him to sit there.

     Zane doesn't hesitate before zooming over to the cupcakes, immediately sitting next to Kawaii Chan and taking out a cupcake. He can smell it. It's fresh, chocolaty, a vibrant color of pink, and when he takes a bite, his face melts. He swears he's never tasted anything like it. It's so rich and fluffy, but it's not overpowering with sugar and just like that, he's already finished the first cupcake.

     He immediately takes another without thinking and puts part of it in his mouth. What he didn't know what that Kawaii Chan was watching him. Kawaii Chan couldn't help but notice Zane's freckles that he always kept hidden. They make him look so different, but somewhat more approachable. They sprinkle on his cheeks and over his nose and they kind of highlight his eyes.

     She giggles and Zane stops eating the cupcake.

    "What?" He says, his mouth full of cake.

     "Oh! I didn't mean to laugh Mr. Zane! I've just never seen you act this way. Sorry sir," Kawaii Chan says, trying to keep herself from speaking in third person.

     "What? I'm hungry! I had a bad morning!"

     Kawaii Chan giggles again and shoved the rest of Zane's cupcake in his mouth.

     "Yeah yeah yeah! Keep eating Mr. Grumpy! Hehe!"

     Zane grumbles before finishing the rest of his cupcake and surprisingly,

     He chuckles.

     It's not crazy, but he seems somewhat amused.

     "Kawaii Chan, you seem happier than you've usually been."

     "Oh.. really..?" Kawaii Chan responds, noticing her trick of putting on a smile has worked.

     "Yeah. You have actually been more willing to listen and learn. I'm honestly impressed. Tell me, when did you become happy again?"

     Kawaii Chan freezes a little and looks down at the ground.

     " I didn't..."

       She hadn't thought before speaking and her response catches her off guard. She takes in a deep breath as she feels a ball in her stomach.

     "What?"

     "I'm not happy..."

      "What do you mean?"

     "I'm just not okay."

     Zane swallows and clears his throat, turning his head to also look down at the ground.

      "Oh. I just wasn't expecting that response..."

      " I just... I miss Damien! We found our differences b.. but he made me feel.. not alone! And.. and loved! And cute!"

     Zane snorts and rests his arms on his knee,

      "Sounds like you liked the idea of a relationship more than the reality of one. You might have liked him as a boyfriend, but what about as a person?"

     "Of course! He's a great guy!"

     "Okay, but even as a 'great guy' can you see yourself with him past that?"

     "I.... I don't think so."

     Zane sighs and looks over to Kawaii Chan.

     "Then maybe you should tell him and try keeping him as a friend."

     Kawaii Chan turns her head to look at Zane.

     "You really think he wants to keep me as a friend?"

     Zane shrugs.

     " I don't know. That's for you to find out. If you care about each other as friends, you'll find a way to work it out. Just.. be true to yourself," Zane says.

     Kawaii Chan smiles a bit.

     "Be true to myself!"

      "Okay!" Zane claps his hands together, "Lets practice!"

     "Zane.." Kawaii Chan says to herself in admiration.

     She thinks to herself,

    'Maybe he's nicer than he acts.. he's tried helping me which means.. he cares.. I have to be able to work harder!'

     "Okay! Mr. Zane! I actually found someone who will help us with the dance! Melissa Lycan! She's a great dancer!"

     "Really?" Zane asks.

      Kawaii Chan nods.

     "Alright."

———

     "Oooh! A romantic dance! I love romance!" Melissa says after Zane and Kawaii Chan introduce their song.

     "It can be a.. friend thing," Zane says in defense.

     "Yeah.. but romance is so much better! It has a better..dynamic? I think that's the word! It's just so strong and it moves people! I also love the song and think romance will fit better with it!" Mellisa explains.

     Zane groans.

     "Okay!" Kawaii Chan agrees.

     "What?" Zane asks in shock.

     "It's not like we're actually in love! It's just a dance!"

     Zane rolls his eyes and crosses his arms.

     "Alrighty! Let's get started!"

———

     "Aphmau! Thank you so much for coming for dinner!" Zianna says, smiling at Aphmau across the table. Aphmau smiles and nods looking over at a nervous Garroth. She lowers her brows and turns back to Zianna.

     "Um.. where's Zane?" Aphmau asks.

     "Oh! He had to work! Zuzu always works so hard! I love how determined he is!"

     "That makes sense. He really does work hard when he's not sitting at home scarfing down sweets!" Aphmau jokes, laughing.

     Zianna nods and laughs in agreement.

"How's school going Vylad?" Aphmau asks.

"Well! I'm graduating soon. It would be nice if you could come!"

"Of course Vylad! You've worked hard in college!" Aphmau responds.

"Thank you!"

"Alright! Eat up!" Garte says, bringing a large plate of chicken to the table.

After everyone eats, Garroth and Aphmau go up to Garroth's room. Garroth takes a seat on his bed and pats the spot next to him so Aphmau sits next to him.

     "Garroth, what's going on?" Aphmau asks, looking at him.

     "I have come to a.. realization about something... I.. I haven't told my family yet.."

     "Okay.."

     "Aphmau I.. I think I might be.. um.. g..gay," Garroth says, feeling embarrassed after saying it. His face goes red and he looks down.

     Aphmau lifts his head up so he can face her and she smiles.

     "That's okay!"

     "I think I have been for a while.. I feel like I just thought I had to date girls because... that's been expected, but... I.. I don't want girls."

     "It's okay Garroth! If you're happy, that's what matters!"

     "Thank you Aphmau!" Garroth hugs her.

     "No problem!"