TW: Fictional piece that explores identity, faith, and family dynamics.

Interpret them however you like, if you have any feedback, this is my first try at dialogue focused subtext :3 it took awhile to write and edit this lol

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System message: Welcome to the app TRUTH. You are connected. Speak freely, words are not recorded, only heard by your [companion].

[electronic buzz]

[Voice call transcript. Mark’s lines in bold.]

Mark: “Yo, how’s it going Sam?”

Sam: “Hi, fine. Or not fine, since I’m here. I guess you’re here to talk about secrets, too?”

Mark: “Yeah. Secrets. Funny, how they call us companions, huh? I see a confession app poorly disguised as group therapy.”

Sam: “I think it’s a good idea. Just to open up to a stranger who’s like you. Same age and all.”

Mark: “You’re fourteen?”

Sam: “No, oh. I’m not—I’m seventeen.”

Mark: “Figures. System’s already wrong.”

Sam: “Maybe you’re just mature? I don’t know how this stuff works… it’s—how you sound”

laughs

“I like it, you’re cute.”

Mark: “Cute. I’ve never heard a guy use cute before—am I that funny?”

Sam: “Oh no, no, no, you’re not. I meant how straightforward you were. And um, I’m not a guy... my full name is Samantha.

Every—Everyone just calls me Sam.”

Mark: “Samantha… yeah. Makes sense, people shorten everything.”

Sam (Samantha): “Yes, they do. I love my little town, but you won’t see much changing happening around here.”

Mark: “Sounds nice. Change isn’t as cracked up as it sounds. What’s it like there?”

Sam (Samantha): “Uhh, well the usual things you’d expect. Two gas stations, a Walmart, church on Sunday. American things.”

Mark: “At least you’re self aware.” laughs

Sam (Samantha): nervous laugh

“You think? I think that’s good.”

Mark: “Most Americans aren’t. How’s life when you know everyone? Must be pretty boring. No offense.”

Sam (Samantha): “Well, um—yeah. I almost got my nose pierced yesterday, if that counts for anything. My dad would’ve killed me for it—he’s a pastor.”

Mark: “It’s just for jewelry. Like earrings. Why even go if you were already regretting it?”

Sam (Samantha): “Well, funny story, mom spent days convincing him to let me get my ears pierced. It was a whole thing. I didn’t really want a piercing—it was mostly for Aaron. My boyfriend.”

[static hums]

Mark: “I see.”

Sam (Samantha): “What?”

Mark: “Nothing. Your parents are just—involved.”

Sam (Samantha): “I—it’s normal. I’m close with my mom. Yours aren’t?”

Mark: “I never said that. My parents are busy like everyone else. Work. Is that why you’re on here? Family issues?”

Sam (Samantha) “No, It’s not even that. Aaron thought it would be “metal”. He’s in a band. And my dad is super Christian. He has his reasons… it’s about preserving the body God gave us, you know? Tattoos are taboo, piercings… they’re the same.”

Mark: “Are they… I’m not religious. But good to know, I guess. Should be clearer with your bf, Sam—with your beliefs and stuff.”

Sam (Samantha) “I am! I mean—oh you know, stupid stuff for boys. I was kinda scared of the pain anyway. We’re working on it. Don’t you have a girlfriend?”

Mark: “No. Why, does it matter?”

Sam (Samantha) “Huh, no I was just curious.”

Mark: “Right. I don’t have too many friends. We travel a lot. Bunch of Walmarts. No time for people.”

Sam (Samantha): “Oh, I’d love to visit a foreign country someday. Have you been to Italy? Japan? What is the culture like? And the people?”

Mark: “The same as always? There are some rich people and some poor ones. Everything’s the same. Just have to look at them for a while.”

Sam (Samantha): “I don’t think so, there’s a lot we can’t see. It’s not all surface.”

[static]

Mark: “Doubt it. It’s judge and be judged. There’s no time for mushy stuff like feelings and biology.”

Sam (Samantha): “I didn’t mean emotions or organs.”

Mark: “Whatever. Why are you so fixated on that? I travel with my parents, end of story.”

Sam (Samantha):

“I’m not fixated. I just think people are more than what they show. You don’t?”

Mark: “No. People are predictable. They say one thing, mean another. You learn to read the patterns.”

Sam (Samantha): “That’s not reading. That’s guessing. You sound like you’ve never actually asked anyone.”

Mark: “I don’t need to. I see enough. You smile at someone, they smile back. You cry, they look away. It’s all reflex.”

Sam (Samantha): “That’s not true. Some people stay.”

Mark: “Not in my world. In my world, people leave. Or they work. Or they forget you were even there.”

Sam (Samantha): “Mark…”

Mark: “What?”

Sam (Samantha): “You sound like you’ve been hurt.”

Mark: “I sound like I pay attention. That’s all.”

Sam (Samantha): “Yeah, okay… You said you were fourteen right? Ever taken a physics class?”

Mark: “That’s random. No, you like math or something?”

Sam (Samantha): “Well, kind of. I mean it’s a high school class. I like it.”

Mark: “It’s just math. What are you studying? Biophysics? Geophysics? Electromagnetism?”

Sam (Samantha) “You know—wow you’re smarter than I was at fourteen. It’s something like that, yes. I haven’t decided—I need to make time… for me.”

Mark: “Sure. But not as much as you think. It’s just math… Why physics? Why not something that fits your world—faith, morality, whatever you believe in? Aren’t there plenty of subjects that focus on religion?”

Sam (Samantha) “Not everything in school fits in with the Bible. Even physics isn’t—“

Mark: “Do you read the Bible a lot? How doesn’t physics fit in?”

Sam (Samantha): “No, I don’t, not really. But my dad—“

Mark: “Sounds like you don’t even know what’s in there. Not much of a “Christian,” are you?”

Sam (Samantha): “I do! I am… I go to church, they read verses all the time. My dad tells me what’s important.”

Mark: “I don’t understand why you go to church If you enjoy studying physics but think it goes against your deity.”

Sam (Samantha): “My family has always gone. They’re religious, like I said. It’s not easy okay? I have to balance a lot, like trying to be Christian with everything on social media.”

Mark: “Is it? Do _ you _ believe that?”

Sam (Samantha): “I mean—yes I do. Not everyone gets it, that’s okay. It’s okay. I’m somewhat popular, I have a social life. It’s just not me.”

Mark: “Why… be confusing then? Why do you lie about who you are? Even your weird nickname.”

Sam (Samantha): “Why are you so judgmental? Jeez, it’s not my fault. People aren’t statues you know. All stone and nothing inside. Don’t you see all kinds of people? Since you travel so much,

I… I thought you’d know.”

Mark: “I already said I don’t have time for friends. Why bother understanding what’s inside? And I’m not judging! I’m focused on myself—something you can’t do. I’m changing. Even if you—or anyone else can’t see it!”

Sam (Samantha): “Okay, sorry. Sorry. I didn’t mean to label you. Um, do you speak to your mom or dad a lot? I don’t really tell them anything about my life. I don’t think they even know I have a social media, honestly.”

nervous laugh

Mark: “Whatever. My parents? They work all day. One of their employees stays with me. We don’t talk.”

Sam (Samantha): “Who? Your parents or the employee?”

Mark: “It’s late. I’m heading to bed.”

[silence]

Sam (Samantha): “Hey, don’t just hang up and leave… like that, hello?”

Mark: “Me? What? You aren’t even sure who you are. We’ll talk when you stop trying to be three different people. You’re weird. I know who I am—you don’t. That much is clear.”

[silence]

Sam (Samantha): “W-well, fine. I never said I knew who I was. But I know who other people are, unlike jerks who think the world’s made out of rocks.”