Closets Aren't Just For Clothes...

Friday night we could go on that date…” he trails off.
    I nod, in a daze from his kissing. “I’d like that,” I say, letting a smile creep onto my lips. “Where?”
    Noah grins. “I can’t tell you that,” he says, causing me to frown. “But, you should be happy to hear that you that you don’t have to get all dressed up. Casual works,” he adds.
    “Define casual,” I reply.
    “Pants, a shirt, shoes--preferably without heals, maybe a coat,” Noah tells me, being a smartass. “A bra and underwear is only optional though,” he jokes.
    I shove his shoulder playfully. “You’re a perv,” I laugh. “I should be in class,” I remind him.
    “You’re so…good,” He notes and I don’t know whether to take it as an offense or as a compliment. “It’s cute though.”
    Definitely a compliment.
    
    At lunch, as I walk to sit with Matt and I see Hardy sitting at a table alone. He’s been alone all day. It’s like he’s been exiled from everybody because he’s gay. Even Matt’s been ignoring and avoiding him and they’re best friends, just when nobody’s looking. How can--
    Then it hits me that, I’m treating Noah the same way. If anything, I’m acting just like Matt. Not being seen around Noah because other people wouldn’t approve is a total Matt-Move.
    I stop in front of the table that Hardy’s sitting at, drop my stuff on the table and Hardy gives me a questioningly look as I sit down in front of him.
    “Em, what are you doing?” Hardy questions, then taking a bite out of his sandwich.
    “Well, Hardy, you said it yourself, I’m a Fag-Hag,” I joke, smiling. Hardy stares at me for a couple of seconds, like he’s trying to figure something out. “What?” I ask, getting self-conscious.
    “Emily, you’re awfully cheerful for somebody who’s normally stuck up,” He states, still looking at me funny. “Did you get laid?” Hardy asks nonchalantly.
    I feel my cheeks getting really red in embarrassment. “What? How can you ask that?”
    Hardy grins. “You did, didn’t you?”
    I shake my head. “No,” I state. “Gosh, even for a gay guy, you’re perverted.”
    He chuckles. “You can take the guy out of the perverted-ness, but you can’t take the perverted-ness out of the guy.”
    I laugh. “Oh, just shut up and eat your sandwich.”
    Suddenly, somebody sits in the seat next to me and I look over to see Noah. Of all the people, he was the last person I expect to see.
    “Hardy,” Noah says, acknowledging him.
    “Noah,” Hardy replies, doing the same.
    “Did Matt give you permission to sit over here?” Noah teases.
    I smile. “Nope. I’ve decided to rebel-it-up and sit where I want to.”
    Noah’s mouth drops open in shock and I can tell that he’s pretending to be shocked. “Well, I’m impressed,” he chuckles.
    “Great, now my lifelong dream of impressing Noah Fletcher has been fulfilled,” I joke and we both laugh.
    “Holy shit,” Hardy says, dropping his sandwich and staring at Noah and I.
    “What?” Noah and I ask confused, at the same time.
    A grin slowly spreads across Hardy face. “The two of you…” he trails off, thinking. “Wow…that’s…unexpected.”
    “Tell me about it,” I sigh.
    “Wait, you’re admitting it?” Noah questions, sounding shocked.
    I nod, slowly, just realizing that I said it out loud. “As long as neither of you ‘admit’ it to Matt,” I say quietly.
    Hardy shrugs. “Matt doesn’t even have time to hang out, so he won’t find out from me.”
    “He hates me, so he won’t hear it from me,” Noah chuckles.
    “Your brother does not hate you,” I state. “You guys are just…different,” I correct.