In these short few months that I've known Tristan, I've never once seen him mad. Even if he got dragged into classroom or field conflicts, he always maintained some air of confidence and composure. But as I gave a very small, very brief, and very vague rundown of what's been going on at home and with Josh, he looked furious.

Rosy looked calm and sympathetic. She must be where he learned to keep his usual composure but was probably better at it and been doing it for longer. Her hand was still resting on both of mine, distracting me from picking my nails anymore. This was a tough conversation to have, but at least I'd only have to do it once. They were the last people I'd ever tell. They could give me some advice, steer me in the right direction, and all would be well.

It honestly felt better afterwards. The more I spoke, the more weight seemed to shed from my shoulders. By the end of it, I had a little more life in me than when we first walked in. Tristan and I were back to normal, chatting and laughing the way we did before I dropped him like a biting rat with the bubonic plague. It made me even sorrier.

His phone buzzed and he looked down at it. "Liam's telling us to come watch his practice, then we'll go grab dinner or head to the arcade. Keen to come?"

"I didn't bring money," I said.

"We'll treat you," Tristan said, glancing into the review mirror where he could see his mum in the driver's seat. "Right mum?"

"Of course, honey," Rosy said. "Jude has been so brave today, Tristan will buy you a giant meal and all the pudding you want, hm? But first," Rosy said quickly, pulling the car over and scrambling for her purse. "Let me drop to the pharmacy very quickly and I will patch up your face, honey. We don't want people all worrying and asking you questions, hm."

I beamed. "Thank you, Rosy."

She dropped us to the match, where giant lights loomed over the field even though it was still light out. It'd probably be dark before they ended their game. Liam's friends were sitting down to watch his play, except for Charlie, who was sprawled out on Ben's legs looking up at his phone he held over his face. Tapping away at his phone, he couldn't act more disinterested in the game if he tried. I secretly hoped he dropped it on his face. I could also see Liam's bro–sister, Niko, sitting with a bunch of the popular girls.

Tristan's new friends were playing on the field with Liam, and the game looked exciting. Lots of parents and students were sitting or standing around watching and cheering. Like always, Liam was completely in his element, taking charge and ensuring the ball was always kept to his team's advantage. He was so tall, quick, and precise. I never felt bored watching him play, even if I didn't understand the first thing about soccer. He tricked his opposition so many times, pretending to kick one way then doing it another. His entire team seemed to work well together, too. No wonder they were going national.

Then I realised, as my eyes remained focussed entirely on Liam, not once had I noticed Josh scurrying around on the field until I saw the ball being passed to him. Tristan led me to Liam's group and sat down beside me, while a couple of his friends watching the game crawled over to sit with him, too.

"Sup, Bible lover boy," Charlie said disinterestedly, barely sparing a glance away from his phone. "Here to see your side piece?"

"What about you?" I asked, nodding towards his phone. "Here to completely disregard him?"

Charlie smirked and lowered his phone, then sat up to look at me. "Actually, I'm here for the free dinner. Your boyfriend's shout."

"Good on you for exploiting him," I answered with a roll of my eyes.

"Jealous that he spoils me and not you?" Charlie asked.

He and I stared at each other, but the longer we held up like this, the harder it became to keep a straight face. His sassy expression collapsed into a goofy grin before he crawled over and put his arm around me. I couldn't help but drop my guard, too. He turned the conversation casual and light while we watched the game continue.

Niko picked up her things and carried them over to where me and Charlie sat but scooted around us so she was closer to Tristan. Niko acted so disinterested in Tristan sitting beside... her, but I couldn't help but notice how he stole glances at her. He looked shy. Then, and only then, did I notice the way they actually looked at each other. Tristan liked... a trans... person? But he was Catholic, wasn't that way too weird?

Niko picked two lipsticks out of her bag and held them up in front of Charlie. "Pick one for my outfit."

Charlie carefully took them from her hands and looked down at them studiously. "This one," he said, handing one back first before the other.

Niko pulled out a pocket mirror and flicked her hair before applying the chosen lipstick, then she turned to Tristan and popped her lips. Tristan chuckled and leaned forward, shyly striking up a conversation with her. The atmosphere with everybody was so nice, different from anything that I'd experienced before. The conversations were dynamic, people were laughing and cheering for the teams, and Tristan looked so shy and flustered around the overly diva-like, confident Niko. I never thought I'd see this in a hundred lifetimes.

The game appeared to be wrapping up just as it was getting dark. Liam came jogging over with his hand outstretched, high fiving the multitudes of people reaching out towards him. His eyes set on me as he headed this way, and only seemed to notice exactly who I was sitting with as he came right up to us.

"Didn't know you're all friendly," he said with a toothy grin. He looked genuinely excited.

"We're not," Charlie said. "We're lovers now. You'll have to find someone else."

"With you two being lovers, I can no longer see Ivana," he said, nodding frankly.

"That's alright," Charlie said. "You've got all dinner for that. Break it to her gently."

The mention of Ivana's name sparked something in me. I'd forgotten she existed, let alone was a normal part of Liam's world. They'd been seeing each other all this time, yet my mind seemed to have completely disregarded that fact. I searched around the field, trying to pick her among the crowd, but didn't seem to have any luck. It was only when Liam turned and waved that I finally noticed her standing among some friends I didn't recognise, vigorously waving back. His attention turned away from me, and I felt a sudden, uncomfortable sinking feeling.

"I'll be right back," he said, scruffling my hair before making a move towards her. Ivana came running, too, and it didn't take long for them to meet and for Liam to pick her up and swoop her into a hug. I felt a jab in my gut and wondered if all this social interaction was finally turning into a anxiety.

The soccer players mostly dispersed, but I noticed Josh still standing in the centre with a couple of guys while they chatted and kicked the ball around, showing off tricks. He looked completely at ease, and I realised it'd be hard to notice what kind of guy he really was unless you knew him like I did.

Maybe the devil was working in him.

Could that be true?

Josh's head turned slightly, and his eyes met mine within that very moment. Did he catch me staring at him? I tried to turn my attention away, half-turning my body to face Charlie and pretend I was in conversation, but he was already close enough to hear that we weren't having a conversation. Still, I couldn't help myself from clutching Charlie's shirt and praying that it'd look like we were engaging in some sort of way.

Charlie raised his brow at me, glancing down at my hands that grabbed his shirt.

Then a large figure loomed over us, casting a shadow as it cut our source of light from the floodlights. We both looked up to see Josh at the same time. Even Niko went quiet beside me, and I looked over to see her glaring up at Josh.

"What are you looking at, you ugly motherfucker?" she asked him. "Does it look like anyone here wants to talk to you?"

"Shut up, tranny," he snipped back before leaning down and yanking my arm. "Can you not see my brother is right here?"

What brother?

"Bro don't call her that," Tristan piped up, putting his arm around her protectively. "What year are you living in?"

"Transsexualism is a mental illness," Josh said, glaring at them. His face was cast in shadow, looking like a Disney movie villain. "A full-blown sin that will have this guy burning in hell the moment God decides to neck him."

Josh was acting disgusting. I hated to think that up until recently, I actually thought of him as my brother.

"Her pronouns are she, you single celled abortion," Charlie said, slapping the side of Josh's head. "Does that mean mental illness is a sin?"

"Touch me again and you're dead, Rascal," Josh said, swatting his hand away. He actively avoided answering Charlie's question. If I didn't know any better, I'd say he looked more or less flustered by it and unprepared to answer.

Seeing them stand up against Josh gave me a little courage to do the same. Since Josh was still holding me firm with his free hand, I swiped it away. "You're being too mean, Josh," I said, almost choking on each word. It was hard to defy somebody like Josh, whose presence made me want to drown in a lake. "They made it clear they don't like it, so respect it."

"Huh?" Josh asked, face contorting with anger. He quite clearly couldn't believe his ears right now, and rightly so. Who'd ever think I'd stand up against him. "You're siding with the lady-man?"

I looked at Niko, who was being held protectively by Tristan. The thing I seemed to struggle to grasp was just how calm she looked right now despite the onslaught of insults from Josh. The only reason I could think of why, was due to the fact that she was used to it. Whether from Josh, me, or any of the Christian club members, she had to endure endless bullying and taunts just for being herself. Even as I looked at her now, if I hadn't known her as a boy before she came out a few months ago, then I'd never have known to begin with.

What business was it of anyone's what her original plumbing was? Did God make a mistake when He made her? Did God make mistakes? No way. She was fine. I had to think of a response that'd earn me brownie points. It's not like I could accept something that followers of Christ directly oppose overnight, but all of these new friends didn't need to know that.

I wanted to be as progressive and coolheaded as Tristan was right now.

"She's a chick, no matter what way you look at her," I muttered, refusing to look into his eyes. If I did, then I'd undoubtedly be met with complete and utter madness.

"Talking honky, are we?" he asked, making me look up at his cynical sneer. "Let's see what mum has to say about this, bro."

He grabbed my arm again, but I snatched it away harder this time and stood up to him. "I'm not your bro," I said, shoving him away from me. "I'm not even your brother. Go away."

Josh grabbed my shoulder and shoved me forward in the direction of the carparks, obviously prepared to drag me even if it meant blood. Tristan and Charlie both stood and watched with vigilance, but neither of them intervened. I was kind of thankful for that. Even though I wasn't a confrontational person, this was something Josh and I needed to address ourselves.

"Don't touch me!" I snapped, dodging his hands this time. "You can tell her by yourself. I'm going out with my friends."

"We'll see about that," he said, pulling his phone from his pocket, tapping in a number, and put it on loudspeaker. "Mum?"

I froze. Was he really going to do this right now? He was prepared to publicly embarrass me.

But a hoarse, fragile croak answered on the other line. "Josh." I could hear mum cough and gargle, and judging by Josh's terrified reaction, I could tell he knew something I didn't.

"We have to go back now," he said, looking me straight in the eyes. I'd never seen him look like this before. Somehow, I knew he wasn't messing with me.

I nodded. "Let's... Let's go."