"What the hell happened to you?"
That was the first thing Norman had said to his daughter's ex-boyfriend as soon as he opened the door and found the young man standing on the porch. He almost questioned whether or not he even saw the right person. It had been at least two days since Norman's daughter had broken up with eighteen-year-old Isaac. And since then, the forty-two-year-old father didn't know anything about Isaac's new appearance. And on this warm Saturday afternoon, he finally saw everything.
The young man had completely changed in terms of appearance. He used to have the look of a nerd, since his expert knowledge of math and history made him more of an outcast in the twelfth grade. But now, it appeared that he gave himself a complete makeover. His long blond hair looked as if it belonged on a young pop star. His black tank top and blue jeans replaced his usual shirt and tie. And luckily, his short and slender figure didn't change at all. His overall appearance gave off a slight feminine appeal that only Norman may have detected in the midst of such a radical shift.
Norman had to ask, "Is this some sort of dare?"
Isaac gave an innocent little laugh. "I guess you're wondering why I'm looking this way."
"I'm not complaining. I'm just curious as to why you look like this."
Isaac smiled as he brushed away a few strands of blond hair from his face. "I've decided to stop worrying about how I want to look. I felt worried that I'd lose a few friends, but so far, I've only lost my girlfriend."
"So that's why she broke up with you?"
"Yeah, I'm sorry. She couldn't stand the way I look now. She said that she didn't like guys who tried to be more feminine. No offense, Norman, but it's HER loss and not mine."
Norman couldn't look away from the new and seemingly improved Isaac. "And this is how you wanted to look all along?"
Isaac didn't stop smiling. "I'm not ashamed. I feel great. I never felt this free for a long time. I've always wanted to be this way."
Norman still couldn't believe who he stood in front of. Isaac had never looked so girly. The nerd he used to know now had the freedom to be himself. But for some odd reason, Norman felt at little transfixed at Isaac's makeover. He never expected the young man to look even more handsome than before.
"So what brings you here?"
Isaac handed him a Blu-ray case. "I forgot to give this movie back to your daughter. I was borrowing it for a little while."
"Thanks. I'll give this back to her as soon as I see her. It's just too bad that it didn't work out for the two of you."
Isaac shrugged his shoulders. "Well, I don't feel too bad. At least I don't have to worry about what other people think of me anymore."
Norman wanted to say goodbye, but he failed to do so. He didn't know what else to say. He could only stare at the newly reformed Isaac. A strange sensation overwhelmed his mental state. It became an odd feeling. He didn't want Isaac to leave. He wanted to see more of him. Norman couldn't help it, but the younger man looked absolutely astonishing.
Isaac raised an eyebrow. "Are you being hypnotized or what?"
Norman asked, "Why don't you come in for a moment?"
Isaac didn't turn away. "I'd love to."
Once he stepped inside the house, Norman leaned over for a few seconds to smell his visitor. Isaac's new aroma made Norman shiver for a moment. Everything about his daughter's ex-boyfriend made him vulnerable to this new magnetic pull. He knew the feeling. It came alive whenever he saw a beautiful woman. But this time, the feeling was for a man in the twelfth grade.
He led Isaac into the living room. Once he placed the Blu-ray case on the coffee table, he asked if Isaac wanted anything to drink. When the answer was no, Norman sat next to him on the couch.
He asked, "How long have you looked like this?"
Isaac replied, "For three days, and so far, your daughter is the only one who complained about it."
Norman shook his head. "It's too bad, though. You look really good."
"Thank you."
Isaac's smile made Norman experience a side effect from today's eyesight. He tried to repress the feeling, but it continued to grow to the point of almost losing its control. He couldn't stop looking at this fine creation. And then, he realized he felt a bulge forming in his pants.
"Could you excuse me? I'll be upstairs for a few seconds."
Isaac sat comfortably on the couch. "I'll still be here. Don't worry."
Norman left the living room and walked up the stairs. Despite his mental attempts, he failed to make the bulge in his pants disappear. He entered his bedroom and took a seat on his bed. He rubbed his palms together as he took a deep breath. He never expected to feel this way, especially towards someone that his daughter used to hang out with. He had known so much about Isaac. As a matter of fact, they had so much in common. Both men had been born in Southern California, and both currently resided in the city of Fullerton. They were diehard fans of the Los Angeles Clippers and the Anaheim Ducks. They enjoyed music made by Beethoven and Dvorak. They had read all of Tolstoy's books. And they would never dare to miss an episode of Rick & Morty. It was like they were made for each other. That is, if Isaac had been a woman. Norman now wished that Isaac belonged to the opposite sex. This way, it wouldn't be as strange.
Sighing, Norman stood up from his bed. But then, he stopped as soon as he spotted Isaac standing at the open doorway. It didn't startle him. The sudden presence made him want to touch Isaac. Hold him and never let go. Or better yet, hold him and bring him to bed.
Isaac remarked, "I think I know what's happening."
"Oh, you do?"
Isaac stepped closer, his charming little smile forcing Norman to stay on his unintended path. "I guess it's inevitable. I knew you'd want me."
Norman remained composed, even if his brain needed a little more time to process the rationality of the situation. "How can you tell?"
Isaac now stood just a few inches in front of him. "You can't stop looking at me. That's such an easy way to tell."
"Well, there's just one problem. I don't know if I should feel this way."
Isaac suddenly gave him a long hug. "Don't be afraid."
His soothing embrace made Norman wrap his own arms around the young man. Now, he officially viewed Isaac as a delicate figure targeted by a newfound appetite from within. Their embrace marked the beginning of a new relationship that had nothing to do with a platonic approach.
Isaac whispered, "You're not seeing anyone, are you?"
"I haven't been seeing anyone since my wife and I separated four years ago."
"Then you must be one lucky guy."
Norman let go of him. "Are you sure?"