History Shows Again and Again

Chapter 29

April 3rd, 2021

Ren had gone to the APEX faculty at Hong Kong in China for a few days after Madison made him realize his feelings and the other had been there ever since. It felt...weird not meeting up with Ren regularly if Zeek was honest. He had become so used to going out to the cafe, meeting the other man there and just talking about his theories and other things.

Ren didn't even say when he was going to be back and Zeek tried not to think about it much. They were friends and as such, he didn't need to know how long Ren would be gone, and he was fine with that.

It didn't help him with the loneliness he was feeling though as the other man was his only friend in the entirety of Florida.

And so, here Zeek was, in some bar on the beach, doing his best to be as social as he could. Which...wasn't as much as he was expecting. People usually kept to themselves like he was, and no one really came up to him as he sat at the bar, sipping at the beer he ordered and nibbling on some fries.

He had to admit that it was boring. Don't get him wrong, on the inside, he's thankful that no one was approaching him but...it was still boring and even lonely.

With a sigh, he put the money onto the bar, thanked the bartender before leaving the building and out into the cool air. He took a deep breath before going onto the boardwalk and began to make his way towards his apartment.

It didn't take him long, especially with his mind drifting. He was on autopilot at this point, going to his door, unlocking it and closing it behind him. What did bring him out was his phone vibrating in his pocket and he was quick to fish it out.

"Hello?"

"Zeek." came Ren's voice through the phone. "I am sorry I haven't had the chance to call."

"It's fine. You're busy with your projects, so it's understandable."

"Still... by the way, I won't be back in Florida until May."

"I figured, though I am surprised it isn't longer."

"What, do you want me to keep out of your hair?" There was a teasing note in the other's voice, making Zeek snort.

"I dunno, maybe, it's so quiet and peaceful here."

"Oh, if that's the case, then I will definitely come back to disrupt it."

"Oh no, anything but that." Zeek stated in a deadpan tone.

He heard Ren snort before there was a pause and Ren's voice changed to a more serious tone.

"I will make sure to be back home before the anniversaries, alright?"

"Yeah, okay. I will see you then?"

"Always. Now, I will need to go and for God's sake, get to bed at a decent time."

"No promises." Zeek grinned before he hung up and stared down at his phone, the grin slowly leaving his face after a moment.

The remainder of the month is going to go slow, he just knows it.