You had known Tristan since you were children. He had been your closest friend for as long as you could remember, the one person you could always count on. You never imagined that things would change when high school started.

It was the first day of ninth grade when you noticed Tristan seemed different. You caught him glancing at other boys with a soft smile, and it hit you. He liked them.

Tristan laughed with his friends in the hallway, and you approached him.

“Hey Tristan,” you said casually. “Do you really like boys?”

He looked surprised, then shrugged. “Yeah. I guess I do.”

You froze. “That is wrong,” you said sharply.

Tristan frowned. “Wrong? How is it wrong? I like who I like.”

“No, I mean it is not normal,” you said, trying to keep your voice steady. “You should like girls, like me or other girls. That is how it is supposed to be.”

Tristan stared at you for a moment, his brown eyes wide. “You want me to change?”

“I mean, yes,” you admitted. “I thought maybe I could help you like girls instead. You are my best friend. I want what is best for you.”

So you tried to change him. You spent more time with him, hung out at your house, fixed his clothes, adjusted his hair, and gave him advice about girls.

One afternoon, Tristan came over, and you were sitting on the couch together.

“You know what I love,” you said, leaning back casually.

“Biceps, backs… stuff like that. Ugh, I want to see yours.”

Tristan’s eyes widened, then he smirked. “You mean like this?”

He rolled up his shirt just enough to show a lean, toned stomach. Not overdone, just athletic and strong for a high schooler who played soccer regularly.

“Woah,” you said, teasing. “You actually have nice abs.”

He blushed faintly. “Want to touch them?” he asked quietly.

You laughed and lightly ran your fingers along his stomach. “Not bad at all,” you said, teasing.

His ears turned red. Before you could react, he gently caught your hand and playfully bit your finger.

“Tristan,” you said, giggling. “Stop.”

Instead, he pulled you closer and wrapped his arms around your waist. Your laughter stopped immediately.

He leaned down toward your ear.

“I guess you win,” he whispered. “You did make me change.”

You froze.

He smiled softly. “You made me fall in love with you instead.”

Your heart raced as his words sank in. You had wanted to change him, but instead, everything between you had changed.