My Turn [𝐙𝐄𝐄𝐍𝐔𝐍𝐄𝐖 FF]

ᴛʜɪʀᴛᴇᴇɴ

The lounge was buzzing with laughter and conversation as Zee sat with his friends-Max, Net, Mark, Jimmy, Tommy, and Poppy. It had been a while since they all caught up, and the room was filled with stories of what had been happening in their lives.

"So, how's work been treating you, Max?" asked Mark, leaning back in his chair.

Max grinned, shaking his head. "Oh man, you wouldn't believe the chaos. Just last week, I had to deal with a major client who decided to change everything last minute. Nearly gave me a heart attack!"

Jimmy laughed. "That sounds rough, man. But at least you managed to pull it off, right?"

"Yeah, somehow," Max replied with a shrug. "What about you, Jimmy? Still binge-watching those crime dramas?"

Jimmy rolled his eyes. "You know it. Although, I've moved on to something lighter. Tommy got me hooked on this new comedy series."

Tommy nodded enthusiastically. "It's hilarious! You guys should check it out. Perfect for unwinding after a long day."

Poppy jumped in, "I've been working on a new project, actually. It's been pretty demanding, but I'm excited about it. Should be launching next month."

Amidst the lively chatter, Net leaned back in his chair, his eyes subtly observing Zee. Usually, Zee was more reserved, preferring to listen rather than actively participate in the conversations. Tonight, however, Zee seemed different. He was laughing more, his eyes sparkling with an unusual brightness, and he even shared a couple of jokes that had the whole group in stitches.

Net's curiosity awaken as he noticed Zee's demeanor. He wasn't just passively engaged, he was genuinely present, his usual stoic expression replaced with a relaxed smile. It was a stark contrast to the Zee they all knew, who often seemed preoccupied or distant.

Net leaned in closer, his eyes narrowing suspiciously.

"Why do you seem so happy, Zee?" he asked, his tone light but with a hint of genuine curiosity.

Zee looked up, momentarily caught off guard.

"What do you mean?" he replied, trying to downplay his noticeable shift in mood.

"Come on, Zee. We all know you're usually the quiet one, just chilling in the background. But tonight, you're practically glowing. Something's up." Net's eyes sparkled with amusement.

Mark, who had been listening, nodded in agreement. "Yeah, Zee. You're actually joining in our conversation, which is not like you. What's going on?"

Zee just smiled, attempting to brush off their suspicions. But before he could respond, Poppy jumped in with a mischievous grin.

"So, what's up with you and Nunew?" he asked, his tone teasing. "Are you two officially together now?"

"Yeah, come on, Zee. Spill the beans. We're all dying to know." Jimmy leaned forward, smirking.

Zee couldn't help but smile more at his friends' teasing. "Nothing's up. What are you guys talking about? I'm always like this," he denied their teasing with a laugh, though he knew his friends wouldn't let him off that easily.

"Come on, Zee, you can't fool us. There's definitely something going on." Tommy leaned in closer, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

Zee sighed, realizing there was no escaping their curiosity. He finally gave up and admitted.

"I'm just happy because Nunew and I made up. We're not fighting anymore." He said this while glancing at Max across the table.

Max stood up from his seat and walked over to Zee, sitting beside him.

"You've really got some skills, bro. I didn't expect you'd tame the dragon this quickly." He patted Zee on the shoulder and teased.

Zee laughed and jokingly threatened, "I'll tell Nunew you called him that."

Max's eyes widened in mock fear. "No! I don't want to die yet."

The group burst into laughter again, enjoying the lighthearted banter. After the laughter died down, they returned to their drinks.

"So, what's everyone's plans for the weekend?" Net asked, changing the subject.

Poppy shrugged. "Probably just going to relax and maybe catch up on some sleep. It's been a hectic week."

Tommy nodded. "Same here. Might hit the gym if I'm feeling up to it."

Max grinned. "I'm planning to take it easy too. Maybe hang out with you guys if you're free."

Zee smiled at his friends' plans, feeling grateful for the camaraderie they shared. Eventually, he looked at his watch and excused himself.

"I need to go home guys, it's getting late."

They exchanged nods and friendly farewells as Zee announced his departure. The room was still filled with the remnants of their laughter and stories, creating a warm, familiar atmosphere. Max gave Zee a playful punch on the arm, saying, "Take care, bro. Don't let the dragon bite."

Tommy and Jimmy waved, calling out, "See you later, Zee. Don't be a stranger!"

Poppy added with a grin, "Catch you next time, Zee. Bring some more of that good mood with you!"

Zee smiled, appreciating the camaraderie. "Will do. Take it easy, guys." he said, making his way out, feeling grateful for the support and friendship they shared.

Now in his room, Zee had just stepped out of a hot shower, a towel wrapped around his waist. He held his phone, looking at the message he had sent Nunew before hanging out with the guys.

He was confused and slightly worried. Nunew hadn't viewed or replied to any of his messages. It had been two days since their date, and despite Zee's constant messaging, Nunew remained silent.

He sat on the edge of his bed, scrolling through their old conversations, trying to understand what might have gone wrong.

"Why hasn't he responded?"

----

It was a typical morning as Zee woke up and began his daily routine. After stretching and freshening up, he glanced at his phone, only to see no new messages from Nunew. Sighing, he decided to distract himself and not dwell on it too much.

Heading to his kitchen, Zee noticed that his food supplies were running low. "Looks like I need to go grocery shopping," he thought, making up his mind to head out and restock his pantry.

Zee got dressed, grabbed his keys, and started his car, driving towards the city. He navigated through the bustling streets, his mind wandering to various thoughts as he went. When he reached a traffic light, he stopped and casually glanced to his right.

There, inside a cozy café, he spotted a familiar figure. Squinting to get a better look, Zee's heart skipped a beat when he realized it was indeed Nunew.

But his initial excitement quickly turned into confusion and mild irritation as he noticed Nunew was with someone.

"You can't even reply to my messages, and now I see you smiling with someone else,"