The next day you woke up a little later then usual and stretched your limbs a little.

For some reason, you couldn't really rest easy with Alexs words ringing in your head.

Why would Aphmaus work be worrying for you?

You tried not to dwell on it for too long and got dressed.

Once fully clothed, you turned to the unfinished project.

The family tree.

You had every spot filled in except for the Dad part.

You couldn't think of not one person who could fit in that spot.

Maybe Aphmau'll help you!

You rolled up in project into a cylinder and went to Aphmau and Aarons room.

"Hey Mom? Can you help me with thi--Oh..."

She wasn't in here. Neither was Aaron. He did say he was running somewhere real fast. Funny how that's the only thing you managed to remember witin your haziness of sleep.

"Mm...Did she leave with Aaron or..." "I'm on my way out right now Zane!" "Huh?"

You walked downstairs and saw Aphmau grab a few things before heading towards the door.

"Uhh...Mom?" "Hm? Oh! Good afternoon Y/n! Have a good sleep?"

You laughed sheepishly at how late you slept in and nodded your head.

"Yeah...I was wondering...Could you help me with something?" "Ah...I wish I could but I'm heading over to Zanes house for a bit." "Oh...When can I come with and maybe you can help me there?"

"Sure! Right after me and Zane discuss a little of the maid cafés success."

"Thanks!" You grinned at the short woman and slipped on some shoes before heading over to the guys house.

It wasn't that far a walk considering it was only across the street but it did take a minute for someone to get to the door.

"So...The thing I need help with, Its actually about the--" "Aphmau...Hey."

"Hey Zane! I'm ready to hang out." Aphmau stepped in hand and hand with you before looking around in confusion.

"The guys aren't here?"

"Nope...Laurance went out for a bit and Garroth mentioned he was going to your house to speak with Aaron."

"Really? I didn't seem him." You grew bored of the conversation rather quickly and tugged at Aphmaus arm.

"Can you help me now?"

"Oh! I...Didn't see you there Y/n. Sorry, but we need to discuss about the maid café right now."

"You can wait a bit longer, can't you?"

"W-Well...I guess I can--"

"Great! In my room of Aphmau?" "Sure! I promise I'll help you right after this."
"Okay."

And with that the two departed into Zanes room, leaving you alone in the living room.

You sighed, not really bothered by the lack of attention but annoyed you had to do this project all but yourself now.

Maybe you could put someone else in the positon of Dad.

But who?

This was harder them trying to figure out who to take to the dance which you still have no answer to by the way.

Gene might do.

He said if you seriously can't think of anyone else, he'd be glad to go with you.

Maybe you could even put him in the Dad circle.

I mean, you know his Mom.

You know Dante.

You could fill in all three of those circles, no problem.

Yeah, Gene seemed like the way to go.

Even if it didn't feel completely right.

It's been a few hours now.

Aphmau and Zane still haven't come out of his room.

Zane came out once to grab Laurances mirror and when you asked if they were done talking yet he said no and they were up to important buisness things.

You didn't bother asking and just sat on the couch and waited like you were supposed to.

"Guess I really am doing this alone..."

As if on que, Laurance walked through the door with a sigh. You grinned and wagged your tail.

Finally, someone else to talk to besides yourself!

"Hey Laurance!" "Oh! Y/n! What are you doing here? Is Aphmau some where?"

"Yeah...Her and Zane are hanging out in his room..." "Your not with them..?"

"No...They told me they were talking about important buisness things and that I couldn't go in. So I've just been here. Trying to finish this stupid family tree...Aph said she'd help me but," You shrugged, "They haven't come back down yet." Laurance gave you a smile and sat down.

"Well, I have nothing better to do. Why don't I help you with your family tree?" That'd be awesome! Thanks Laurance!"

"Of course! Where do we start?"

"The Dad part..."

"Oh..." "I was thinking Gene..."

"Lets...Pick out a few more options." The brown haired man laughed while giving your head a little bit of a pat.

You wagged your tail and gave him a fanged grin as Dante and Gene came in.

"Hey Laurance!...And Y/n? What are you doing here." "Just chillin'..."

"Laurance is helping me with a school project." "We can help! But...I need something. Laurance, can we borrow your mirror?"

"Sure! But...Where is it?" "Oh! Zane grabbed it. He said he'll give it back."

"Ugh...Course he did." "Just go ask for it! I'm sure he wouldn't mind letting you borrow it for a bit!"

"Nice idea Y/n...Maybe they'll let us join their hangout."

"No, they said it was strictly buisness things. That's why I'm not in tbere."

"Wait, they didn't let you in?" Genes brows furrowed.

"Nu-uh...That's why I'm here with Laurnace. He's a better substitute anyway."

"Ha! I'll be sure to let Zane now that. He'll be livid, I bet." Dante laughed.

"Come on Dante. Let's get that mirror."

"Huh? Okay! Coming bro!" "You to Y/n. I wanna see something."

"Huh? Okay." You stood up and dusted your pants before following Gene and Dante upstairs to Zanes room.

The younger brother didn't bother knocking and just barged right in making you wince a tad.

Zane hates being walked in on.

"Hey, Zane? Y/n said you took Laurances mirror sooo..."

Dante paused and you made a face of confusion when noticing Zane styling Aphmaus hair while rocking a man bun.

It didn't look very buisness-y to you though.

"Is that a man bun?" You asked. "No!" "This is weird..." "Riiight...Either way, it looks nice on you! Now, can I have Laurances mirror? He said I could use it." "Ugh! HERE!" Zane growled, tossing Dante the mirror.

"Mind if we join you guys?" You gave Aphmau a begging smile and she reciprocated with a nod of her bead towards you.

"Sure! Lets--" "NO! NEXT TIME, KNOCK! NOW OUT!" Zane yelled.

He pushed the three of you out and went to slam the door beforr you wedged your foot in it.

"Uhm...You guys aren't doing buisness stuff anymore so, can I joi--"

"I said no! That means you too Y/n. We'll let you in when were ready. Now move your foot." Your ears fell a little but you moved your foot as the door slammed in your faces.

"Sheesh! Rude much?" Dante scoffed as you looked at the ground with a downcasted expression.

His voice was softer then when he was yelling at Dante and Gene bit it still felt like you'd gotten in trouble for no reason.

Gene growled and turned to his brother.

"Dante, you can't tell me that isn't weird." "What isn't weird?" "ARE YOU BLIND--He hogs Aphmau all to himself!"

"You jealous she isn't your best friend~?" "No!...Look, I just happen to...I've known people like Zane. And either he likes her or...I don't know."

"Huh?" "RGH--Y/n, you know what I mean right?"

Gene looked dowb only to see you mess with the hem of your shirt, tears welling up in your eyes.

It seemed you didn't take scolding so lightly.

"Kid?" "Did I...Do something wrong? Why's Zane mad at me?"

Though comforting wasn't his best skill, Gene gave you a sympathetic smile while rubbing the side of your ear.

"No, you didn't do anything wrong. It's just...Here, lets ask Laurance. Okay?"

You nodded and took Genes hand.

You three walked downstairs as you wondered what you could've possibly done to make Zane upset and not let you into his room.

You, him, and Aphmau have always spent time together!

But recently, its like you've been by yourself. Its almost making you feel...Just a little left you.

But, the three of you now looked to Laurance for an answer so, maybw there is a solution to this problem.

"Laurance!" "Ah, found the mirror?" "Yeah, but I need to ask you something cause' while I love Dante...He can be dumb as rocks sometimes."

"Hey!" "And also...I think skmeone else would like an answer." You looked up at Laurance with sad puppy eyes and he frowned.

You held his arms out to you and you leaped into them for a hug. He held you before turning to Gene again.

"What is it?" "Laurance, don't you think Aphmau and Zane are too close? He hogs Aphmau all to himself and acts like he's her boyfriend."

"Or maybe...they're just really good friends? They don't need to be intrested in eachother to be close..."

"But he even shut Y/n out. Isn't that strange?"

"Well...Yeah. That is kinda weird. But friends can spend some time without the other friend, right?" You nodded and wiped your eyes.

"Yeah...That is true..."

"Exactly. So there's no need to be sad anymore." You gave Laurance a smile and hugged him again as he laughed when noticing your tail wag.

"No one seriously sees a problem?"

Its almost like you could hear crickets chirping about the room as Genes statment.

"Does anyone pay attention?" Right on time, Aaron and Garroth walked in.

"Hey Laurance!...Wow...Is there a party going on?" "Nope. Just Gene being paranoid about Aphmau and Zane." "I'm not!" "This again?" Aaron scoffed. You beamed.

"Aaron!" "Huh?"

You leaped onto his torso and gave him a hug while staring up at him.

He smiled softly back and hugged back before looking at Gene again.

"Bro, I think you're just paying too much attention to them." "Mhm...You overthinking this a bit." You nodded.

"You were just cryi--Okay...Maybe I am crazy or...Maybe there is something you guys know that I don't. But just...Think about it. Okay?"

And with that, Gene took his leave.

"Sorry about that guys. Gene is a little sensitive sometimes."

"Well, I'm gonna be honest here, but sometimes Zane does act overprotective Aph. Member' when she and Y/n were sick?" You pondered for a moment.

Zane did go as far as to try and take Aphmau to the hospital just because of a little cold.

"Right...I've never seen him do that for anyone! Or the time she tried to kiss him!"

Now that was what arose some red flags for you. But you didn't think on it hard.

No matter how into it Zane looked or seemed to be.

"They...Are making some points..." You muttered to yourself.

"That was because of a potion!"

"Right...But then he--"

"Dressed up as her Dad to stop Aaron from kissing her."

"Mhm..." Dante nodded.

Aaron looked at the floor with furrowed brows.

You frowned and patted his torso to bring the man some form of comfort.

Just then, Aphamu and Zane came downstairs with Aphmau giving a bright smile towards you and Aaron.

"Hey Aaron! Y/n! You guys talking about something?" "Its nothing, babe." "Wha!? But--" Aaron was quick to cover your mouth.

"Don't worry about it."

"Hm...Ah! Like my hair?"

"It looks great!"

"Wish I could've gotten it done..." You remarked against Aarons hand.

"Thanks! Zane did--Uhh...Eep! I mean...I did it!"

"Well it looks good on you. What were you guys talking about?" "We've just been chilling in Zanes room."

"Doing...?" "Hanging out? Like we always do? Ehe!" "But you said it was buisness stuff..." "Yeah...We decided to do that another day."

"What? But...Why didn't you tell me? I wanted to hang out with you guys too."

"Sorry Y/n. We just forgot is all. It's nlt that big of a deal, right?"

You avoided eye contact and only nodded.

"Good!" "Come on Aph. We've got dinner soon."

"O-Oh! I - Uhm - Got something to take care of at the Maid Café! Buisness stuff came up and since I'm the owner and everything...Heh..."

"Alright. I'll have dinner ready when you get home."

"Thanks Aaron. Come on Zane!" "Right."

Before the two could leave, you grabbed onto Aphmaus hand.

"B-But you said you'd help me with my project! Its due soon." "I know. But this is important. I'll help you when I get home."

"How long will that take?" You snapped.

You'd been waiting patiently this entire time only to have Aphmau blow you off?

It was starting it get aggravating.

Aphmau gave you a look of shock as you drew back with a sigh.

"Sorry. I shouldn't have raised my voice like that. It-It was not needed. But you did make a promise Aphmau."

Though slightly baffled by the change of attitude and the reference of Aphmau instead of 'Mom' or just 'Aph', the shorter woman smiled.

"I know I did. I'll keep it to you! I'll help you out the moment I get home."

"...Okay." You nodded.

"....Let's go, Y/n." Aaron lifted you up onto his shoulders with your project in one hand.

You slumped onto his head before he looked up at you.

"What do you want me to make for dinner?"

"Can we have F/F?" "Sure. Whatever you want, Y/n." You smiled, albiet a bit tight, and nodded.

---

It was around 8:00 now.

Dinner had been cold, quiet, without Aphmau.

You had school tommorow and drowsiness was slowly taking over you.

"Aaron? Where's Aphmau..." You yawned.

Aaron turned to you from the table and gave a smile.

"She's...Busy with work. She doesn't have time for dinner."

"Oh..." You sulked.

The familiarity of the situation was just too much for Aaron to take and he walked over to you.

He sat down and you instinctively layed your head down on his lap while he began to rub patterns onto your back.

"I miss her..." You spoke suddenly.

"I know you do." "Do you miss her too?"
"...More then you could ever know."

So you and Aaron sat.

Waiting for Aphmau to come home in tbe painfully quiet living room.

Genes suspicions and Alexs warning still dancing circles in your head.

Then, you went to sleep.