Population: Sarah

There are two great constants in my life - religion and science. Most might think that combining them would be the tricky part, but it isn't. The trick is meeting other people for whom it makes as much sense as it does to me. Or just bugger it all and rely on football instead, whatever works. No point in denying I'm an insecure person, but I'm secure in my beliefs, secure in my knowledge and secure in the sensibility I see in the world at large. Fingers crossed it starts getting smaller, else I'll be tempted to replace football with alcoholism.

At least I can admit when I'm overwhelmed. Steve just denies it and withdraws further into his little world with its stupidly narrow set of beliefs. You might have thought the non-religious would be less likely to be intolerant. If Steve's anything to go by, they're more likely to mock what they don't comprehend. We had a big argument recently about political issues, which is weird, since none of the "romantic" stuff we've discussed pissed me off that much. His interest is more annoying than flattering nowadays. God I can't wait to strike out of this town. My boots wanna walk!!

It was Steve who introduced me to Kyle last summer, during one of his poker sessions with people from work, back when the benefits people made him try working. It was months after that that Kyle and I started spending some time together, alone. It was fun. Maybe it could have been more fun had we met under different circumstances, who knows? I'm not certain enough to risk anything and he doesn't seem interested anyway. But... but then nothing. I'm just being daft. Only sensible thing to do is ditch this place and get to the greener grass of elsewhere!

Population: Steve

My reason is an excuse, an anti-social ism to avoid work, contributions and the aggravations of a society that cracked long ago. Lock it up in a home, give it happy pills, maybe visit at birthdays. Meanwhile, I'll be free, reading books that reaffirm my imaginative creation of a faith to knock it all down and start again; listening to music that strikes the match of my soul, since sadly she never shall; watching harmless shows that cost plenty to make but I can see for nothing, because none of us can avoid stories forever. I live as I feel.

Kyle, on the other hand, lives in the hope that he might feel. He projects himself as a full glass when really he is half-empty and in need of a mixer. His silent sarcasm suggests he sees the world with bemused contempt too, though for some reason he's willing to let himself be pushed by it as he pulls on it. Why bother? Either way it ends in gravity, six feet under, waiting at the grand bus stop of choice... maybe. Sure, we could be mates if we put energy into it, but he's wasting his and I'm saving mine.

Besides, there's Sarah. For years we've gotten closer, me providing her with the companionship her boyfriend can't be bothered to give. She's everything. Part of me always hoped we'd end up together, that she'd finally tire of her older man and we'd do more than talk. All that happened was she stopped talking to me and turned to Kyle instead. Things are changing. The world is reacting to events I never initiated. Now Sarah'll move town with old faithful or stay here and flirt with Kyle. Meanwhile, I'll have my ism and routine. This life, it feels odd.