I sidled through the gate, looking left and right to see if I could avoid the goose. I had seen violent geese before, but this one was something different. Adjusting my scarlet shoulder bag over my shoulder, I was startled by a loud honk from the bushes.

I walked a little faster, stepping over a bramble bush. The goose took that moment to rush out of the bush in front of me, I clutched tightly to my bag as the ground got a little closer. The goose let out another loud honk, grasping onto one of the tassels at the bottom of my back, pulling to drag it off to who knows where.

'Shove off!' I growled, making a shooing motion with my foot once I was sitting upright. It looked at me, beady eyes almost glaring, as it flapped its wings. Screwing up my face, I wrenched the bag out of its grip. 'Go away! Stupid Goose.' I muttered, stomping off.

It tailed me all the way up to the front door. As usual, I rang the doorbell and as usual, Dark opened it. He stepped aside to let me in, raising an eyebrow at the goose, who waddled off with a pitiful honk. Smiling in thanks, I tried to ignore the sigh and the eyeroll that he sent my way.

'Yan asked when you were going to arrive.' He drawled after shutting the door.

'Oh?'

'Yes. Just don't forget, your purpose here isn't to, well... The Host says you improve the house, however, I am sure that given the choice to return home, you would.' He said cryptically. I nodded, brows furrowed.

It did make sense, ultimatley we both wanted me gone from the house so it would be stupid to make attachments. But the look on Yan's face, the excitement, I couldn't say no to that. I had met every occupant of the house at least once. Some I certainly made a point to avoid, but Yan was not someone I could bring myself to do that to, I would feel too guilty. Yes there was something off, something dangerous, but she was still a kid.

Shouldering my bag, I headed off to my room, up the stairs. It was still bleak, modern, and a little small, but it was certainly less uninviting than it used to be.

Unpacking the jacket, shirts, jeans and chinos, hair products, I set them on the bed. The door opened a small crack and Yan peeked her head in.

'Are you still happy to help me get ready?'

'Really!? I thought you might have forgotten! Are you sure? Dad always says that I got my fashion taste from Papa. So, I'm not sure I'll be very good at picking things that aren't colourful and chaotic -'

'It's okay.' I smiled. Her face brightened up, and she rushed over to the two shirts, one of them was a red paisley shirt and the other was a green striped button up, I think it had been Laura's boyfriends' at some point.

She held up the red shirt and rifled through the small stash of clothes, pulling a denim jacket out. I took each of the clothes and set them on the bed, moving to pack the others away.

'Oh! I know what's missing, socks! I'll grab them!' Quick as lightning she was out the door.

Taking the opportunity while she was gone, I slipped on the shirt over the old t-shirt that I had on, buttoning it up. I should be happy and excited about this triple date, but I was nervous. The last thing I wanted was to meet the new person and have her ask so many questions.

Shaking my head, I combed the product through my hair as Yan barged back into the room. She was holding a pair of socks that had grey stripes and red polka dots. They were a little chaotic. Would it be too much with the shirt? Too loud?

With a smile, I sank down on the bed and turned away from her slightly, slipping the socks on. They were cute!

I slid on my heeled boots while I was still sitting and then stood, doing a mock spin in the small space.

'I love it! Thanks!' I smiled, hoisting my bag onto my shoulder. Yan was almost bouncing, though, she said nothing. It was going to be a long walk to the brunch spot.

Walking quickly downstairs, running down the garden to avoid the goose, it all blurred together. I couldn't be late! I ran to the closest bus stop and got off in the town centre, the main street.

Our brunch spot was close to the jewelry store and well, everything else. My heartbeat was in my throat, beating loudly in my ears. Was my chest tight from walking quickly? Or from worry? I swallowed, taking a deep breath, and walked over to where I could clearly see Reyna and Levi sitting.

'Hi guys' I waved awkwardly. Reyna bolted up from her chair, startling both her boyfriend and the only guy I didn't know at the table. She shoved me into the seat that she was just sitting in, between her boyfriend and mystery girl. I hated myself for thinking that. Before she sat back down in a different chair.

'Hey. How are you going?' Levi's boyfriend, Oliver, asked whilst Jameson gave me an awkward nod. He had never really opened up to any of us.

'Good. Good. Working, studying and that's about it.' I chuckled. Oliver nodded, a playful frown on his face.

'You need to get out more then!'

'Sure. Sure.' I tried to wave them off, glancing at the brunch menu.

'I'm Natalie. Reyna's cousin. So, what are you into?' The unknown girl leant uncomfortably close.

'It's nice to meet you I guess. And what do you mean?' I was hoping she wasn't asking what I thought she was. Otherwise it would have to be a short brunch.

'Like hobbies, your classes, some obscure interest?' She persisted.

'Uh, I like slam poetry? And predictably, a little bit of theatre. You?'

'Oh I really like heavy metal and painting. Slam poetry huh?' I nodded, 'Yeah, didn't peg you for such a stick in the mud. But, Reyna thinks that we've got a lot in common.'

I looked desperately at the others, trying to signal that I needed help. They were tied up in their own conversations and hardly noticed.

'Uh, hmmm. Should I go up to order?' I asked everyone else, trying to ignore the nervous voice cracking.

Everyone piped up in agreement, claiming that I knew their regular dishes and cocktails of choice. The only one I didn't know was Natalie's.

'Will I come with you?' Natalie asked, raising an eyebrow.

'Sure.' I smiled tensley.

We sidled past the tables to the counter, where the cashier looked me up and down.

'Hey, the usual for ya Evan? Got the others with you?' He asked with a smile.

'Yeah that would be -'

'Add on a BLT, with half the bacon, no sauce and add turkey. And careful bro, that's my date.' Natalie pushed in, leaning over the counter slightly. I could hear the implied he's not even gay. As much as her said statement was true, I sighed out of my nose, resisting the urge to roll my eyes.

'Paying separately?'

'Of course -'

'Not. It's my shout.' Another sigh, another attempt to not roll my eyes.

'Thirty Eight dollars.' That was odd, it was usually twenty five because of discounts. He must not like Natalie much either.

She handed over the credit card and I offered a small smile. Before I could understand why I was losing my balance, Natalie had pulled my arm back towards the door. Offering a meek attempt at a coy smile, she opened it for me, but failed to move out of the way.

Shoulder past, I hissed as my shoulder caught on the sharp hardwood edge of the door frame. 'Shit.' I whispered, slinking back to my seat.

I did my best to try and listen in to the other conversations, yet they were making no move to include me in any conversation, and yet, all I was met with was awkward silence. Tapping my feet, tapping my fingers on the table. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting for food or an escape or both.

My phone sounded and I excitledy checked the notification, even if I was from Dark, or was a threat. Surprisingly it was from Wilford, somehow.

And how is it that you're on this date anyway?

I simply replied that I had been invited.

Sounds fun. You made Darkipoo so unhappy, haven't seen them like this in ages.

I felt a little bit of fear return, perhaps having Dark angry at me was not the escape that I wanted. Now I had two things to escape from. I only sent back asking why.

The three dots flickered up, then disappeared and appeared again. After a moment, I was tapping my fingers on the table, ignoring the glances from Natalie, the dots disappeared again.