Losing Game

Chapter 9 - Art Gallery

The last "thank you and have a nice day" was heard from Zee before he put up the closed sign for the cafe. It would only be him and Tommy closing tonight and that made him dread it. Their other coworker had left due to a family emergency, which led to Tommy having to come in on his day off.

Ever since they found out who Saint was and Zee getting his line account, Tommy has made it his best friend's duty to tease him. Anytime he would be on the phone, the same question of "Is that N'Saint, tell him I said hi '' would come from either one of his friends but mostly Tommy.

He was in the middle of sweeping the floor and humming to some song when a chuckle came from the side of him. He turned to his right to see Zee leaning on his broom on his phone. For a second he was happy to see his friend having fun but then realized he was the only one cleaning. Tommy used his broom to knock on Zee's.

"I don't want to interrupt you having a good time but I also don't want to stay any longer than needed.

"Sorry. Let me just send this last message first and then we can hurry up." Zee typed as fast as he could before hitting send and putting his phone in the pocket of the apron.

"Planning the next study session with N'Saint?" Tommy asked

"No actually, umm he has tickets to an early art exhibit showing at the T&S Gallery tomorrow. He remembered I loved photography and just art in general and invited me to go with him..."

"You mean...a date." Zee looked to see the devilish smile on Tommy's face.

"No, he just asked me to simply go with him. No mentions of a date or anything of the sorts." He paused to think, is this a date? Is Tommy causing him to overthink this just a little? Yes.

"Mmhm. Wait the T&S Gallery? The one you tried to get tickets for in the summer?"

"That's the one"

It was Max who informed Zee of the upcoming art exhibit during June. He had gone back home and was out of the loop of events happening in Bangkok unlike Max who had to stay for school reasons. He sent Zee a picture of the ad that was placed around school about presale tickets. The night that they went live, he fell asleep and woke up disappointed that they were all sold out. The exhibit was going to have photography, sculptures, and paintings from Thai artists and even some from neighboring countries.

Zee thought about the last time him and Saint saw each other. It was a study session they had together a couple days after their run in at the canteen. It's not like they are avoiding hanging out more but Zee got caught up with his project and work while Saint needed to focus on his English paper's annotations.

The pair arrived back at their apartment complex at 8pm to Max sitting at their kitchen table eating pizza. Zee escaped to take a shower but when he was done he tried to go to his room before the chitter chatters demanded for him to sit with them.

"Tommy told me we are going to have to find a person to take your spot for basketball tomorrow." Max said as he stuffed a piece of pizza in his mouth.

One person's eyes shot wide open while anothers had a deadly stare. Clearly confused, Max looked at both of them wondering what went wrong.

"You weren't supposed to say anything" Tommy said very quietly that none of them heard him.

"Huh?"

He repeated what he said only a bit higher to be met with another huh from Max.

"You weren't SUPPOSED TO SAY ANYTHING"

"I wasn't supposed to- ohhhhh okay I get it now."

"It's okay Max. I should have figured blabber mouth was going to tell you but yes you do need to find a new person for basketball tomorrow. I'm going to umm go with Saint to an early art showing.."