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Recently, 007n7 is quite troubled by something– someone, actually.
If you ask him what he thinks about men, he would just force a laugh and awkwardly avoid the question, because he's not ‘queer’ or anything like that. Or that's what he thought, at least.
007n7 has always been a ladies man, something that he always bragged about when he got the chance. He keeps talking about how he dated a lot of girls and about how much “bitches loved him”.
He was the kind of guy who hated those ‘homo’ jokes or whatever you call them. For some reason, he felt weird and sometimes even acted mad when someone joked about him being gay.
Yet he never truly denied anything.
Noli, his roommate, was the total opposite. Sometimes he called Noli ‘too woke’ or even made jokes about his sexuality. But at the end of the day they didn't mind being called by those things, it's not like it's an insult– at least not to them.
They were... Radical, to say at least. One of those students who doesn't really care much about studies, though he obviously would prefer not to fail his exams; especially at this point where he's just a few years away from finishing college.
007n7 thought they were 'fun enough' to be his friend. Noli, on the other hand, admired 007n7 quite a lot since college started and they genuinely liked his company. They found the way 007n7 acted cool, even though he had a bad reputation between the teachers and some students.
But what does this have to do with 007n7's problem, you might be wondering?
It all started two weeks ago, after some stupid invite to watch an amateur drag competition.
Noli left their room early in the morning today for some reason. 007n7 even offered to help but they refused, saying it was a 'special day' and that he couldn't miss the chance. Before they left though, 007n7 tried to ask his roommate about this so-called 'special day' at least one more time.
“If that's so important, why can't I go with you?”
“I don't think you'll like it, that's why”
Noli shot back almost immediately, putting on their shoe.
“Well, I can't be sure if I'll like it or not if I don't know what it is! Just let me go with you and I'll leave you alone.”
“Stop insisting, Seven”
007n7 huffed in annoyance as he already gave up on trying to convince Noli. He didn't have anything to do this weekend in the first place; but now? ... Yeah, he still has nothing to do this weekend. He would be bored to tears if he was left alone.
It's not like he didn't want to party tonight or to meet with his other friends and the girls but something about this day specifically made him want to stay in his room just to spend some time with his roommate.
Now it looks like it won't be possible after all the things he planned.
“I'll be right back! And don't be so dramatic about it”
Noli shouted before closing the door behind him with a loud thud. Looks like 007n7 will have to wait to see what is Noli's so-called 'important thing' they have to do without him by their side.
He sighed and threw himself on his bed. Thinking about something to do was really hard, since he didn't even want or plan to get out of his room today.
“He left me alone in our dorm... How great”
007n7 spoke to nothing as he looked at the ceiling.
“Who do they think they are?”
‘You shouldn't care about it, seven! You're the coolest man in the world!!!!!!’
A high-pitched voice said.
“Of course I am! I'm irresistible, I know”
‘What does Noli know?? Nothing! They're not as cool as you’
“Uh-hm, uh-hm”
...
“God, what am I doing...”
007n7 lowered the hand he was using to talk to himself, placing both of his hands on the blanket and pulling it over himself. A tired sigh escaped his lips as he felt his body relaxing.
Maybe he should just sleep for now, the weekend is full of free time so can feel mad and embarrassed over stuff later.
------
The door of the room creaked open and closed quickly after.
“Seveeeeen~”
The sound of Noli's voice echoed through the place in a singing tone. Just by the sound anyone could tell they were really excited because of something.
The sound woke up 007n7 from his nap, who lazily sat up on the bed the moment he heard Noli's voice. He was, indeed, not in the mood to deal with his roommate right now.
The next door to be opened was the door of the room they shared together. Noli entered and rushed over to 007n7, showing him a paper with something that he couldn't quite comprehend since he had just woken up.
“Look, Look!”
Noli said with his voice full of excitement, almost jumping around the room as if he was a little kid.
“What Is that?”
007n7 took the paper in his hands, examining the content carefully. Once he read what was written on it he looked up at Noli in front of him, feeling a little bit disappointed.
“Drag competition? Seriously”
Noli smirked at the question, gently taking the paper from 007n7's hands and laughing quietly.
“Let me go straight to the point. I wanted to invite you to see me on stage tomorrow!”
007n7 didn't know what to answer Noli at the time, so he thought for a moment; he didn't have anything to do this weekend, right? No plans with his other friends and no parties to attend. He would like to hang out with Noli though... But a drag competition?
He was conflicted to be honest. A drag competition didn't seem the best or fun place to go, especially when 007n7 gets bored easily. After some time thinking, he decides that it's good enough for him.
“Okay then. You just have to promise me that it won't be boring, I guess
Noli scoffed before responding.
“Don't worry, it won't be as boring as you think it'll be. Just trust me with it, okay?”
007n7 nodded as he watched Noli leave the room right after. He was still a little bit confused with that drag competition Noli was going to participate in. Was that what Noli was so excited about? He was expecting something more thrilling.
When did Noli start planning this, anyway? He knew they were interested in that type of stuff but he never thought Noli was being 'for real' when telling him they wanted to participate in those events.
Even if 007n7 thought this 'drag competition' was stupid, it wouldn't hurt to support his best friend, right? That's what friends are for, after all.
-----
It didn't take too long for the day to come. In a short time 007n7 was sitting on one of the chairs in front of a stage. It looked like a stage that you would see at a casual fashion show; there were lights on the vertical parts of the stage too. Perhaps they were there to make everything look nicer? It's an amateur competition, after all. He's not the type of person who goes to those events.
Ever since Noli and 007n7 arrived at the place, Noli started talking about how much he was excited and how he was hoping to win and bla bla bla... 007n7 found it entertaining, cute, even. Even though a part of him wanted to deny it a thousand times if necessary.
Deep down, 007n7 didn't know why he went along with this. It's really not his bag; he just thought that it might be funny to see Noli in drag. The wait wasn't long, although 007n7 felt like two hours had passed. What boredom can do, right?
Once the event finally began... Nothing much, really.
They were pretty– in some way, but 007n7 didn't think much of that. The only reason he was sitting in this damn chair right now is to see his best friend competing! Everything 007n7 wanted to do was to get out of this place as soon as possible and go home.
He dazed out for a second, time felt like it was passing really quick; he even stopped to pay attention to the show at some point. When 007n7 finally 'woke up' from his thoughts, Noli was standing in front of him, on stage. And he looked– oh. That was NOT what he was expecting to see.
Suddenly, 007n7 forgot everything. His name, his age, why he was here– everything around him froze all of sudden, the sounds stopped and the only thoughts that appeared in his head were about how pretty his best friend was at that moment. Noli looked absolutely majestic in his opinion– Like, really *really* beautiful. A little too much even!
007n7 didn't understand this new feeling. Why does his heart feel like it is about to explode? Why does he feel so warm inside? Why–
No time to question it now. In a blink of an eye, Noli was already leaving the stage. And after that? He can't remember what happened at all.
-------
The walk back to their dorm was silent, 007n7 couldn't even lift up his head to see how Noli looked after that in the show! That's not what he was expecting to feel, not on this occasion, at least.
The door opened and Noli yawned as he stretched, still in the drag costume.
“Soooo...?”
Noli spoke suddenly.
“So what?”
“Did you enjoy it? How do I look?”
The last question took 007n7 by surprise. What was he going to say?— 'You were so pretty and I think I'm in love with you now, let's kiss!!!'
Not even in his entire life.
“You were... Uh... Nice, I guess.
007n7 looked away from Noli, hoping they don't see his flustered face when saying such a thing.
“Oh, so you liked it! I was honestly hoping for you to say it was boring.. heh.”
The silence that took care of the room wasn't the most comfortable one. There's not much to say after that, so both of them stayed quiet, not wanting to even open their mouths to say something.
After a good minute of silence, 007n7 broke it suddenly, starting to walk towards their room and opening the door quietly.
“I'm going to bed. If you need anything just wake me up.”
Without any more words he closed the door and left Noli standing in front of the dorm's front door. There is a thing that not exactly 'bothered' them, but it was weird somehow.
Seven has never said something like that to them before.
-----
That night 007n7 couldn't fall asleep. Too many thoughts were inside his head, screaming his name to try and get his attention somehow– thoughts that were too hard to ignore.
Is it okay for him to love his best friend like this?
That was just for the competition, he thought.
He shouldn't think about them like that, they're just his roommate, nothing more, nothing less.
A *girl* stole his heart that damn night— Something that he thought could never happen. But it happened! He's officially in love with his best friend. And that's BAD.
What would people think if they discovered it?
Embarrassment and anxiety took over 007n7's body as he kept thinking about it— He's not queer, it would be weird for his image if he was. He didn't understand why he felt like this towards Noli— why he felt so... Weird, in a good way, when thinking about *her*?
007n7 secretly hopes that maybe he'll see that girl again, the same girl he saw that night, standing on that stage, looking glamorous. It's a pity she does not exist, a shame that he probably won't be able to see her again in a long time.
Because the only girl he ever truly loved was Noli in drag.