Chương 8: Virtual RoomMates

[Johan's POV]

'Welcome to Virtual RoomMates, Han_Frostii!'

The door opened, and a 2D animated landscape came to view. Three buildings appeared on the screen; a blue, a pink, and a rainbow-colored building. It doesn't take a genius to know what they represent. A text flashed on the screen below.

'Choose your dormitory, Han_Frostii.'

The cursor of his laptop hovered on the blue building, but after careful consideration, he clicked on the rainbow-colored one instead. It's an online platform, and he's using a fake identity. There's no need to be in denial.

The other two buildings sank, and the screen zoomed in to the one he selected. It's as if he's entering the lobby. Eight doors appeared for him to choose from, with each door bearing the letters/symbol of LGBTQIA+.

Another series of text appeared below.

'Select which room you feel like you belong to and meet like-minded individuals.'

Obviously, he's not a Lesbian, so he skipped the L.

Was he Gay? Err... maybe?

He's more attracted to guys, but there were times he found a girl attractive, so maybe he's Bisexual?

He never thought he's born with the wrong genitals, and he's not interested in cross-dressing and sex change, so he skipped Transgender as well.

Queer seemed more fitting because he's still a bit unsure, but he knew for a fact he's not Intersexual or Asexual. Last time he checked, he's only got a light-saber down his pants and he just fapped this morning fantasizing about a certain someone, twice.

And he didn't know what to expect inside the + door. Pansexual people, perhaps? He directed his cursor on the small exclamation point situated beside the + door.

'In order to avoid discrimination within the community while maintaining a sense of belonging in your selected room, everyone is welcome to join the + Room and interact with others regardless of sexual orientation and identity.'

"This website looked more impressive than I anticipated," Johan said as he clicked the door with the letter G. He could just join the + Room anytime if he wanted to meet others, but right now, he wanted to meet like-minded folks.

Johan gulped and crossed his fingers, hoping he wouldn't find guys jerking off in a webcam. While it's tempting to watch one, that's not what he came here for.

The view faded into a room-like background with double-deck beds, study tables, and arched-shape windows. They designed it to look like a school dormitory.

'You've entered the Gay Room.'

A text indicated he newly joined the chatroom. Johan typed a simple greeting.

Han_Frostii: Hello?

IveL_99: Welcome newbie Han_Frostii! Please feel at home!

Fr4ncisc0: Hi hon Han_Frostii haha welCUM

Im_A_Merman: Welcome Han_Frostii. Make an intro

IveL_99: Maybe he's still preparing a dance number lol

Han_Frostii: Hello! Thanks for the warm welcome, roommates.

BarVinny: I need to go to netherlands

IveL_99: Han_Frostii NASL please? Send a pic too

BarVinny: Hello to the newbie [smiley]

IveL_99: Let's gangbang the newbie lol

Al3xus: Welcome Han_Frostii [smiley]

Gre60ry: Welcome Han_Frostii

Johan stared at the series of chats from the members, hands trembling as he tried coming up with a reply. Wait, what does NASL mean? Nasal? Nose? And fucking hell who welcomed a newbie with a gangbang?!

Han_Frostii: What's NASL?

Im_A_Merman: Name, Age, Status & Location

Han_Frostii: Oh. Is that required? And pictures too?

The chat room went silent for a while. Johan scratched his head at the lack of response until username IveL_99 messaged again.

IveL_99: I'll PM you

Han_Frostii: Okay?

Johan clicked at the upper left corner of the website where a private message was sent.

IveL_99 wrote, 'Hey, roommate! Call me Levi. I'm the admin of this website. It's fairly new and doesn't have a lot of members yet, so feel at home and joke around with them. It's an open-minded group chat and can talk about 18+ topics, but please don't send nudes or porn videos. No pressure with the NASL and picture. However, we'd rather if we get to know members on a personal level. Also, we'd like to avoid trolls and make this website a safe haven for everyone.'

"How can anyone feel like this is a safe haven if you threaten them with a gangbang?" Johan said out loud, misbelief marring his face.

The conversation on the chatroom continued as he read the message. This person called Levi seemed like a nice person, but he's got quite a personality. But would he trust him? Them?

"That guy was a nice person too when we first chatted," Johan mumbled to himself. "Until he went crazy and shit."

But it's not like everyone's a psychopath like him, and that gangbang thing was more like a dirty joke. Still, he can't just trust strangers online. Not without precaution. Maybe joining a Virtual RoomMates wasn't a good idea, after all.

Johan shook his head. "I'm not going to let him affect me. I've moved on. And he doesn't know where I am."

Placing the laptop on his pillows, Johan jumped out of bed and stalked towards an antique makeup dresser his grandmother used to own. He combed his hair down to his face and the side-whiskers that had grown a little.

"This should do it." He went back to his bed and grabbed his phone, taking a side view photo of himself. After syncing the picture to his laptop, he sent the photo with a caption of his fake NASL. Okay, the name's the only fake one. He lived in the town of Subic, but it's a part of the province of Zambales.

Han_Frostii: I'm Hansen Frost, 21, Single, Zambales [attached photo]

Gre60ry: I'll go with the bangs

BarVinny: Nice hair [thumbs up]

IveL_99: That hair!

Han_Frostii: My hair's the only good thing about me. Btw, Thanks BarVinny

IveL_99: Not really. Almost every member here is handsome and cute like you [wink emoji]

BarVinny: Yeah, except for Levi

IveL_99: Shut up Barbie

Im_A_Merman: You're from Zambales Hansen?

Han_Frostii: Yeah

Im_A_Merman: Hmmmm I see. Me too!

Han_Frostii: Really? Which town?

Im_A_Merman: Iba.. Haha

Han_Frostii: Hmmm interesting

IveL_99: You have a fancy name Hansen hahaha sounds like a rich kid

Han_Frostii: Haha I wish

They didn't seem to question his fake name or why he's facing the side instead on the photo, which was a good thing and the conversation went smoothly after that. Everyone started sending their pictures of when they had a hair styled similar to him. Soon, it became a contest of who had the best hair of all.

And he had to agree. These people were good looking. No, they looked like fucking models! Especially Al3xus who had the best smile he'd ever seen.

IveL_99: Everyone! Let's gangbang Al3xus lol

Gre60ry: All tops! Come out! Haha

Johan rolled his eyes and typed a reply, mumbling. "What the hell is wrong with this guy?"

Han_Frostii: You seem to like gangbang a lot. That your fetish, Levi?

Al3xus: LOL! Levi, not me... I'm a top...

IveL_99: Oh, okay haha. All bottoms, ass up!

Gre60ry: You first Levi [laughing emoji]

Al3xus: Why don't y'all gangbang Levi instead? 7 days trial lol

IveL_99: Sorry I'm 102% virgin. And my fetish is nipples Han_Frostii

JustMe1234: Lies! You've been used 102%

IveL_99: Haha shut up JustMe1234 your dick is small

JustMe1234: [middle finger emoji]

Johan stopped responding and just read through the funny conversations, only responding from time to time. These people were quirky and seemed comfortable with each other to throw insults and dirty jokes.

"It's not too bad, I guess," Johan said, putting the website of Virtual RoomMates on his bookmarks.

A distraction. That's all he needed. A new outlet to relieve boredom and forget about the fallout between him and Adrian. Soon, his feelings will fade, just like how his feelings for Raymond disappeared.

It was past seven in the evening when a low knocking pulled him out of his thoughts, prompting Johan to venture into his living room. The rapping on the wood intensified as he neared his front door. Was he expecting a guest today? Or a delivery from an online store he made an unconscious purchase?

Frowning, Johan peered through the door hole. And his gut tightened upon seeing the silhouette of his unexpected visitor. Twisting the doorknob to unlock it, he pulled the door open.

Adrian stood dressed in a beige zip-up hoodie with dark brown stripes. His eyes subconsciously swept down his boxer-clad body, giving a soft smile when they locked gaze again.

"Hey."

Cursing under his breath, Johan hid his lower body behind the door as if burned by the stare he received. "What brings you here?"

"I was..." Adrian pointed randomly behind him, his arms swinging by his side. "I was nearby, so... I thought I'd... stop by?"

"O... kay?" Johan was about to invite him inside, but a whiff of cognac made him think otherwise. "Nice to see you around."

"Yeah."

The silence that followed made the side of his neck itch. Johan didn't know what to say, and Adrian only stood there teetering between his heels and the balls of his feet.

Just when Adrian's about to turn around, he snapped up his fingers like a brilliant idea just struck him. "Would you... like to go on a walk with me?"