Anti didn't know it was gonna be this stressful.

Not that he cared too much. He loved his brothers, don't get him wrong.

But now . . .. his apartment was a bit cramped and he had to try and explain to the landlord the situation. They were just visiting!

Yeah . . . . that's right.

At least he sort of hoped so.

Marvin kept bringing in strange plants and pieces of animals for his potions, Henrik wouldn't watch anything except for medical dramas and couldn't find a job as a doctor without experience.

Jameson was now using half of the living room as his sock puppet stage and helped Marvin in his dramatic home-magic shows. Jackie was content either lounging in Anti's couch or going off around town to check on Chase or to make sure Sean wasn't out against them again.

And Chase  . . . well honestly, Anti didn't know what he was up to but he was sure he was fine.

It had been a week since they've been living with him. Except for Chase.

Tonight was his big date with Gabriella and all the chaos his brothers were creating was NOT helping his nerves.

"You should wear a suit" Henrik suggested, "Would be classier"

"Ugh are you kidding me?" Marvin wrinkled his nose, "Definitely go for bad boy vibes with double the accessories! That'll get her reeled in!"

'Or perhaps just a nice bowtie?' Jameson suggested.

Anti was about ready to call everything off when Jackie interceded, "Guy, guys, calm down, alright? Geez" he chuckled, "Anti can wear what he wants . . . . . as long as it looks nice. . . no stains or anything"

Anti rolled his eyes but nodded, "Yeah . . . . uh . . . So I'm staying in what I'm wearing. Yeah . . . well I guess I better go pick her up!"

Marvin stopped him, shutting the door in front of him again, "Wha OH there, buckaroo! Not so fast!"

Henrik took something out of his pocket and 'discreetly' handed it to him.

Anti opened his hand and blushed red, "WHY THE HELL ARE YOU GIVING ME THIS?!"

"You know" Jackie pat his shoulder and winked, "Protection"

"Ugh" Anti groaned, "Fuck . . . whatever. I'm not even gonna argue with you guys. I'm leaving"

"CALL ON THE WALKIE TALKIE IF YOU NEED AN ESCAPE!" Marvin shouted after him.

Anti didn't even use the door. He just glitched out of the apartment and out in the alley.

'Wow . . . They're worse than actual parents' Anti shook off his nerves and took a few deep breathes, glitching on his way to the general store. He had agreed with her to pick her up from her work. They'd go out to a movie and then dinner and then home.

Sounds simple enough for Anti.

When he got there, she seemed to have changed out of her work uniform in the bathroom and into something nice. So nice, it made Anti self conscious but he pretended like it was nothing. She was all bubbly and excited and ready.

But since he didn't have a car. . . . . they'd have to walk and she tried not to show it but Anti could tell that kind of bothered her. She was in heels, after all.

"So" Anti tried to start a conversation, "What movie did you wanna see?"

"Oh, I'm fine with whatever! I'm just excited we're finally doing this!" she laughed, "I've been waiting for a while, you know?"

"Yeah sorry about that. Familial things . . . getting in the way." Anti cleared his throat, "Where do you wanna go to eat after?"

"Whatever you pick I'm sure will be good enough!"

Anti didn't know what to do with that, honestly but he tried to just smile it away.

"Oh . . sure."

From then, it just got more awkward for him.

He kept asking her questions but she'd just answer in a strange way that made it seem like what she hoped he'd want to hear. Give him all the decision making.

"Hm" Anti hummed to himself, "Oh, look! We're here!" they went inside the theater and looked around.

"So what movie?"

"I told ya you could pick" she just smiled, "I'm fine with whatever" she winked at him.

'Uh what did that mean? Why'd she wink? Am I supposed to already know what she wants to watch?' Anti went into deep-thinking mode and looked around at the movie posters frantically, 'Comedies are pretty cool but nowadays you never know if they're gonna throw in anything explicit and that's in bad taste. Horror is the staple for dates but I don't wanna scare her just so she might hug me. That seems weird to do anyway. Romantic Comedies are always pretty cute but usually always predictable. Sci-fi can just be downright weird and-'

"Um . ..  we're next in line, Anti!"

'Oh shit!'

"Uh . . .." he went up to buy them tickets, "Uh, the rom com, please. Two of us"

The man raised a brow at him but gave him the tickets Anti paid for and the two proceeded to the concessions.

It WAS odd, however, that Gabriella didn't even ask what movie they were seeing.

They got up to the concessions and Gab got a popcorn for them to share and some water.

Anti had the faintest suspicion that they were being watched but forgot about it when Gab dragged him to their theater.

The man watching them was curious. They'd never would have expected this. How strange. He followed them inside the theater even though it wasn't his to go inside.

Anti escorted Gab to her seat and slid in with her. The theater for this movie wasn't that full and at first, he thought he made the worst decision in a movie.

But the girl seemed happy with it, "So glad there's not so many people. This is perfect!"

"Oh . . I'm glad."

They small-talked for a while until the lights went down and the trailers started. Anti was completely invested until he got that weird feeling of being watched again.

But as the movie started, it went away and he locked his eyes on the screen.

He never thought Gabriella would be excited for a DIFFERENT reason. He felt her suddenly rub his thigh as if testing the waters and Anti blushed hard.

He flinched hard and pulled away but that was enough and Gab stopped, blushing as well.

For the rest of the movie, they just slowly shared popcorn and awkwardly watched the movie.

Afterwards, Anti led her out and rubbed his neck, "S-sorry . . .I uh . .-"

"N-no ..  I'm sorry" she stopped him, "It was  . . pretty weird of me to do that, huh?"

"No! No, not at all! I think . . I'm just . . look" Anti sighed, walking them out of the theater, "I've never been on a date before. Honestly, I have no idea what I'm doing. I probably should have asked my brothers for MORE advice but they can be so overwhelming"

"Oh really? Like that Chase guy? He was asking about you last week a while ago. Did you guys make amends?"

Anti's face fell, just thinking about his brother, "Uh . . . .not exactly. I have four other brothers aside from him. Chase has been a bit . . off on his own for a while"

"I see" Gab nodded, "I have two younger brothers. I get the overwhelming part. They can certainly be a handful!"

"You ain't kidding" Anti chuckled, he awkwardness slowly abiding once more, "So where you wanna go to eat?"

"Oh, I don't care! You pick!"

And there it was again.

But going by, he spotted a fast food joint he liked, "Hey how about the Wendy's?"

"Oh" she didn't seem all that enthused but nodded, "Sure"

And suddenly he felt like he did something wrong again but kept the feeling to himself. He was coming up to a point where he was starting to want to just go home and forget this ever happened. He was so bad at dating.

As they walked up to the server, Anti didn't even look at them as he started to order his meal, "Yeah, can I get a Dave's double with a large fry and a large Chocolate Frosty please? What do you want?" he asked Gab.

"Uh . ..  Anti?"

Anti froze and actually looked at the person in front of the cash register.

He went pale and nearly lost his breath, "CH-CHASE?! Y-you work here!?"

Indeed there was Chase with the Wendy's apron on and a confused look on his face.

"Yeah . . . Didn't expect to see YOU here, either"

"Uh . . same"

"Oh hi there!" Gabriella greeted him, "Anti's brother! Chase, right? No wonder he picked this place to eat! His awesome brother works here!"

Anti blushed for the millionth time that day, "Actually, I honestly had no idea he worked here!"

Chase shook off his own shock, "So . . your order. Right. What did you want, miss?"

Anti was a little disappointed that Chase didn't want to go beyond a customer and server talk at the moment but he understood. He WAS working, after all.

"Oh, I'll have the Avocado Salad and a small vanilla frosty"

". . . .sure" Chase rang up their order and Anti gave him money for it. Chase looked at it strangely but ran it through, "It'll be a couple minutes and we'll get it right over to you"

"Yeah . . . . .uh . . can we talk later?"

Chase nodded behind him, "There's a line, Anti. If you don't mind, I'd like to do my job"

"Oh . . yeah sure. S-sorry"

Anti led them over to a table as they waited for their meals but he couldn't be less interested in what Gab was saying to him. He was worried about Chase. He looked so . . . . sad. Then again, he ALWAYS did.

And then . . there was that feeling again.

Anti looked over at the window but couldn't see anything. It was dark out by now, not that he was worried. He just couldn't tell if he was being watched and that was the hardest thing to put up with.

"Hey, you listening to me?"

Anti jolted out of his thoughts, "UH . . .Yeah?"

"No, you weren't" Gab snorted, "Hm . . . . . Look, Anti. You're cute and all. I really wanted this to work, you know?"

Anti felt his heard dip, "What?"

"I mean! Wow, that sounded rude. What I mean is . . . I don't know if you're READY to date. You know? You just seem so distracted and I don't think you're all that interested in this date"

Anti sighed. He couldn't look her in the eye, "Well . . . .  I don't know. Maybe you're right. Truth is, my brothers put me up to this. They wouldn't shut up about it"

"Sounds about right" she giggled, "Look, this doesn't mean I don't wanna hang out with you. Can we still be friends?"

Anti smiled, "Of course. I'd like that"

"Good" she smiled back.

Finally their food arrived and they ate happily with some small chit-chat here and there.

When Gabriella was done eating, though, she called a taxi and told him good-bye. They'd see each other again when he wanted ice cream from the general store.

And now that left Anti on his own in the booth . . .. by himself.

He couldn't help but feel sad about it. He really did want it to work.

"Guess it just wasn't meant to be"

"Yeah but that's alright"

Anti flinched and looked over.

"Uh . . . "

The guy smiled at him, "HI! I mean . . . I guess that was sort of weird of me to budge in on your mental conversation, huh? Sorry about that"

"Do I . . . know you?" he sure did look familiar.

"Nope!" he chuckled, "But I've seen you around. Mostly at the furniture store. Imagine my surprise when I ran into you at the theater with that chick! Honestly, I didn't peg you as . . . well . . straight"

Anti closed his mouth, looking around in case he needed to run.

The man just slapped his own face, though, "Sorry! That was stupid of me! Sometimes, I'm stupid. My name's Zane, by the way! I was the guy you locked eyes with at the furniture store that one day. I've been kind of . . . . watching you. I'm not a stalker, I swear! I just . . . can't seem to keep my eyes off ya"

"Wow. . . I mean" Anti didn't know what to say to that, "Sorry but it IS kind of weird. No offense but you DO come off as sort of  . . stalkerish"

"Yeah. . . .  hey, can I sit here?-"

"Is there a problem over here?"

Anti was saved when he recognized Chase's voice and his footsteps getting closer.

"No, I don't think so!" Zane smiled, "Hey, can I get an order of fries-"

"I heard what you said." Chase came closer and damn near stood directly in front of Anti, "And honestly, I think you should beat it. You don't just come up to someone and start saying weird shit like that to them especially after they just finished a date with someone else."

"Well let's be real here" Zane laughed, "It was obvious she wasn't the right person for him anyway, man. But I understand. You're his brother, right? We met at the furniture store last week, remember?"

"Oh I remember" Chase glared at him, "Now if you don't mind, I need to speak with my brother . . . . alone"

Anti's heart lifted but didn't say anything. Zane looked to Anti for any backup but found none.

"I'll uh . ..  maybe see you later? I'll save you an extra cookie at Sherry's store"

Anti couldn't have been more confused with that interaction but just watched as he left.

Immediately, Anti felt himself breathe again but he tensed once more when Chase sat down at the booth with him.

"So" Chase started, "Date gone wrong, huh? Didn't think that girl was right for you anyway. Especially after she ordered the Avocado salad and frosty. I mean who orders a salad at a fast food joint and then an ice cream? If you're gonna be unhealthy then you might as well splurge!"

Anti chuckled, "Heh . . y-yeah . .. we're still gonna be friends, though"

"And as for that Zane creep. You can do better" Chase sipped on his own soft drink, "Thought he was weird when I first met him."

"I don't know. He's KINDA cute"

"Please don't date him"

Anti chuckled, "Why the sudden interest? I mean . ..  I thought you didn't want anything to do with me for a while?"

Chase shrugged, "I needed some time to myself. I got a job and a new apartment of my own . . . .  it gets lonely. I'll admit. How the others doing?"

Anti smiled, "You can come with me back home to see them. They'd be happy to see ya again"

"Nah" Chas shook his head, "I'm still processing some things. It's a miracle I'm even talking to you to be honest. I mean I've worked a few things out but I'm still not used to  . . . being face to face with you. And you NOT trying to kill me"

Anti nodded, "I get it . . . they're doing fine. It's a little chaotic at the moment but I think Marvin's gonna make something happen to give them all a new home. Marvin wants to do magic shows. Jameson wants to open a little tea and antique shop. Henrik wants to be a doctor but I think he's gonna partner up with Dr. Iplier for a while until he can open his own clinic. And Jackie . ..  I think he's still figuring it out. I'm trying to help him, though"

Chase nodded, smiling, "Yeah, Jackie's the odd-ball. Maybe he can work at a gym or something"

"Huh, that's a good idea. . . . what about you? I'm sure you don't WANT to work here?"

He shrugged, "It pays the bills . . . . and I'm still vlogging on the side. No biggy."

They were silent for a bit and Anti munched on a couple fries when Chase spoke again.

"I'm sorry, Anti"

He nearly choked but swallowed just in time, "H-huh?"

"I said I'm sorry." Chase looked away, "I should have known something was weird with Sean. I mean I spent EVERY DAY with him and never saw it. But you did. I should have trusted you. I mean it should have been obvious at the store when we ran into each other grabbing the same ice cream, you know?"

Anti shrugged, "You had a lot to be wary about. What Sean had told you and made you believe and all that"

He nodded, "Look  . . . . I'm not really good at this. And I don't think you are either.  . . . but I'm willing to try.  . . .  you wanna hang out at the furniture store this Sunday? Get free cookies and lemonade and chat?"

Anti slowly smiled and he felt his heart fill up but he thought of something wicked, too, "Wait. . . do you just wanna watch out for me in case that Zane is there?"

Chase ignored him, "So I'll see ya then. I'll talk with  the others soon, too. I gotta get back to work. See ya later, dude"

"S-see ya" Anti didn't know what to think.

Chase was still stand-offish, that was for sure but he did seem like he was trying. He wanted to get away as soon as possible but he spoke to Anti, making the first step.

To be honest, Anti was still a little wary of being around him after getting shot. He could still feel the bullet-wound sometimes even if it was no longer there.

But more than anything, he wanted to know Chase and this was his chance.

'I guess this wasn't such a bad date after all. . ..  it led me to Chase!' he gulped down the rest of his frosty, 'I can't wait to tell the others I saw him! They won't be happy about the date but I'm sure they'll like that Chase is trying to make amends!'

Anti finished with his dinner and walked home. He could have glitched but he didn't feel like it. It gave him more time to think to himself.

'At least he spoke to me . . and he doesn't seem to hate me anymore. . . Maybe'

Anti smiled goofily, walking down the street to his apartment. He could hear his brothers arguing and jeering amongst themselves from down there.

'Maybe we can be one big family sooner than I thought! After all, there's nothing stopping us now!'

He went inside to his apartment, ignoring the nagging emptiness he felt at his own words.