The bus rattled, its engines having been used for decades. Much like it, its surroundings clung to an older time. Most of the town really looked old, rusty and rural. It would not be an issue for it to be that way… if it weren’t for the fact that its inhabitants wished it to stay stagnant.

Samantha had been leaning on the glass, comfortable on her seat. But the moment she saw those signs, she looked away with a sigh. Five miles away from the intersection where they halted, stood an old church. And yet, all gathered here, in the busiest crossing, in order to be seen by as many vehicles and passersby as possible.

“I do not understand why their religious figure hates bundles of sticks.”

“They do not mean that.”

She looked at him. For once, he was not staring blankly at her, but at the men and women yelling in the street. After some seconds the bus moved again, and while it did so, he leaned his head to peek out, until he could not see them any longer. He stayed in that position for a while, surely pondering deeply, as he used to.

She smiled nervously when he admitted in his curiousness.

“I’ll give their books a read again. Some of their signs are contradictory to them.”

“I do not advise you do so, but you do you, Michael. Maybe then you’ll be left alone by Kyle!”

“He does go to that congregation often. Once a week. Should indicate a better character. His way of being is abnormal.”

“Not that strange around here, believe me…”

The bus crossed the town, until they reached the opposite edge. On its way, rows and rows of houses and old businesses, five churches. Political signs everywhere.

As she descended the steps and stared at her college, she could not avoid frown and remember the waving flags she saw at some lawns. Though not many, they were never frowned upon by anyone.

She had always felt unwelcome.

————————–

Classes were over. At last, she closed her notebook and laptop, standing from her seat. She turned and sent him a glance, while she packed her stuff.

“I’m going to fetch a book I need from the library, want to come?” He had taken something there before class. She had not seen what book, but he had been glued to it all through the lecture. When he looked up from it, and she caught a glance of what it was, she was honestly surprised. “A bible? My, you were not kidding, were you?”

“No. Needed to research. Understand.” He closed it, seemingly done with the last verses. “So many. Too many. Need more details, more insight.”

He stood sharply, a movement that was rare in him. As well, she blinked when he pushed the book into her hands, asking bluntly for a favor.

“Can’t go with you. Since you are headed to it, please return it in my place. I must consult and gather information elsewhere.”

“Oook. I guess I’ll see you later at-” He had already moved away, and soon out the door. “Or tomorrow morning. That’s fine!”

With a small shrug, she packed the book and went her way. She was used to him being entranced by many subjects and terms. Factual and scientific ones settled better in his mind, while complex philosophical ones made him freeze and ponder for days. She did as asked, never worrying of his whereabouts.

She would, if she knew where he intended to gather insight.

———————————-

The words that echoed through the classroom were important. She should have been writing rapidly in her notebook. Everybody was fixated on the blackboard, no one batting an eye, not even the more relaxed students.

And there she was, staring blankly at it. Her eyes moved softly, looking back.

He was not there at all, for the first time, he had missed class.

She had not seen him get out of his home in the morning. He always did as soon as she closed her door behind her. Perhaps, she thought, he would catch up later.

But he never did.

It kept her distracted all day. Never having exchanged numbers, she could only get out of the building and head through the patios towards the bus stop, hoping he just had a cold. She kept her head low with a frown, books held tightly against her chest. She never looked around and left her own mind… until she heard him.

“Hey, Sammy.” Her head whipped up, her eyes opening in realization. Before Kyle kept calling mockingly, she already knew he had something to do with Michael’s absence. “Did your boyfriend break up with you?”

Kyle’s friends snorted when she let her books drop, marching strongly towards them. She ignored his comment, in favor of inquiring.

“What the fuck did you do this time, Kyle.”

“Oh, you are not going to defend your lifestyle today?” He pouted in fake disappointed, having taunted her sexuality in the past. “Your friend looked interested in talking yesterday. I think he’s really thinking about what we argued. Maybe that’s why you are alone now?”

She trembled in anger. She could not believe Michael was silly enough to ask a bigot about religion.

“If you hurt him, you’ll pay for it. I’ll-”

“You’ll what, Samantha.” He smiled softly, glancing subtly at the main wing of the college. A cross hanged from its side, signaling it as a traditional institution. “You will claim discrimination? Homophobia? You will out yourself to everyone?”

She snarled with impotence and backed off, while he shrugged with a lean of head. He had a point. As much of a douchebag he was, he and his two lackeys had never pointed out to others what they knew.

“Look, for your information, Michael started it yesterday.” Kyle was frowning now, seeming to be thinking seriously. He looked uncomfortable. “He really got into it…I just laid it how it is. You two do you, I’ll keep to myself. Do not judge, lest you be judged.”

Kyle shook his jacket and walked off, saying nothing else. Samantha bit her lip, wanting to yell at him and demand a clearer explanation. But she stayed still and said nothing, knowing she could find more trouble than she could handle. Kyle could have gotten her expelled the moment they both joined college, because he knew her from years ago. But she guessed he  thought that would be no fun. She hopped that his faint show of self- control and sudden reluctance meant nothing happened to Michael. Kyle has always been bark and no bite, only words. It was strange for him to back off, like if he feared going too far off.

What could they have said for both to act so out of norm, she did not know.