Edits - Ch 5.1

Chapter 5.1 - He changes the mind of a boy he has known his whole life.

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Steven had been Tim’s best friend. They grew up on the same cul de sac and had palled around with each other for as long as either of them could remember. Most likely they would have remained close friends had Steven’s family not moved away to a larger house on the other side of town. They played together on the same soccer team for a season or two, but Tim lost interest in the sport as he got older and quit playing. Steven stuck with it and made many new friends over the years. Ultimately, there was never an actual moment of falling out between Steven and Tim. They had just drifted apart.

It was only during their last year of middle school that Tim started to come to terms with his sexuality. In retrospect, that deep connection Tim had always felt with Steven started to seem like something more than friendship. Tim wondered if trying to escape those confusing emotions had been the real reason he had given up soccer.

When they started high school, Tim found himself noticing Steven in the halls. His eyes would linger on his athletic former-friend, who seemed to grow stronger and more handsome every day. More than a few times, Tim had tried to work up the courage to speak with Steven again, but he feared where that conversation would lead. Who knows how Steven would react to Tim confessing his feelings? Whatever the response, Tim knew things would never be the same between them again.

However, now that Tim had the app, he could learn something about Steven before speaking to him. Tim snapped a secret picture of Steven and checked the caption that appeared when he selected his childhood friend and pressed “show more” once:

Steven Roberts is a 16-year-old boy. He enjoys athletic competition, including playing soccer and wrestling. He lives with his father, mother, little sister, and two pet dogs. Although he has only come out to a few close friends, he hopes to find a boyfriend sometime soon. (Show more.)

Tim smiled. It was better than he had hoped. Not only was Steven gay, but also he was intetested in starting a relationship with someone. Tim wondered for an anxious moment about what he might have been tempted to change about Steven if those two things had not already been true. Then, Tim considered what he should do with the information he had.

Tim could just go talk to Steven. They could catch up a little, maybe hang out together. Then, when the moment was right, Tim could share his feelings with Steven. While Tim could not predict how Steven would respond, he had reason to hope that Steven would be willing to start a relationship. Still, he could not be sure.

Of course, it would be easy to make sure how Steven would respond if Tim used the app. All he would need to do is add in a few words to Steven’s caption, saying that he found Tim attractive. It would make things a lot simpler for both of them. Steven would not need to search for a new boy to date. He would just need to get reacquainted with an old friend. They already knew each other and had gotten along well before. Why not again?

Still, Tim hesitated to make the change. Would he be tainting the relationship from the start if he altered Steven’s desires? Would that matter if they were both happy together? Soon, lunch would be over and so would this opportunity. Tim needed to make a decision.

What should Tim do about Steven?

Alter Steven’s thoughts to make him attracted to Tim. (5.1.1)

Just go talk to Steven, already.

Think it over some more after lunch.