For a long time, the reserve team was restricted from communicating with the rich colonialists who bought one-way tickets, but the leadership, making sure that the young people did not feel hostility towards the kidnappers, allowed us to meet in common rooms and in dining rooms.
"How boring!" Jamien drawled with quiet annoyance, picking at the packaging of a freeze-dried protein bar. "Food is rationed to the point of despair. I want to eat all the time!"
"I'm used to it now," I said, having already finished my meager portion. "The rich people probably eat better."
"Half of them will die on the way, look how many are elderly. And what do they hope for in forty years... but then there will be more food..."
"You're such a cynic, really. I didn't even think about it."
"I'm not a cynic, and I'm still uncomfortable wondering if we'll reach our destination," Jamien shared. "What's there at the other end? The fewer people left, the fewer problems there will be. After all, anything can happen to us, despite the fact that the ark was created using the latest technologies. Experts assure that the equipment is designed for a hundred years of uninterrupted operation. Let's check it out! In fact, it is crazy to board such a ship into the unknown. We are not immortal, and almost our entire lives will be spent in a confined space. What also angers me is not only our disgusting diet, but the lack of sex. How do you manage your libido?"
"Trivia… It doesn't bother me too much."
"Lucky. I wish I didn't feel the pressure of hormones. But unfortunately, I really want to... There are women and girls here who will later grow into nice ladies, God willing."
"Do you think anyone will want to accept our advances? We are just their servants."
"Where will they go? You are handsome, unlike me... passengers often stare at you, I have noticed many times."
"What!?" I was surprised, looking around.
A tall guy, who was standing with his parents at the rationed distribution of food, suddenly turned away from us. I didn't have time to really look at him, but his appearance seemed attractive.
"Just a curious boy and that's all! Nobody is looking at me… you are such a prankster, Jamien!"
"He is cute, like a girl, with white hair, gay, for sure... According to statistics, there should definitely be one in three hundred people."
"Stupid," I laughed. "How do you know? He's so young!"
"It's the right age to decide what orientation you have... This is definitely a gentle bottom! I have got a gay radar!"
"Come on, you, idiot, you keep annoying me! Still… I'm not interested in guys!"
"Ha-ha... well, it's hilarious... Tell me, who do you have your eye on?"
"If our captain wasn't such a bitch, then I would have been courting her!"
"Oh, ok, right… " Jamien winced. "Not in my life! She's so skinny for lovemaking. A woman should be soft, so... cozy, and not dry and wiry like a teenager. Your tastes make me uneasy."
"Oh, don't start! I know who you think I am! This is wrong! I'm just an esthete and I appreciate everything elegant. Pretty and round with soft sides really doesn't attract me sexually."
"Inadequate though... And that lad is looking at you again... ha ha... he is interested on you… it's obvious… let's get out of here! I'm feeling nauseous from indigestion..."
"Stop mocking me!" I growled back at him.
I had already forgotten about the blond guy's attention, but somehow he ran into me in the corridor.
"Ah, sorry!" He squeaked awkwardly, rubbing his shoulder. "I'm so clumsy... Are you a pilot?"
"Mmm… yes... Spare team. You want to ask something, as I understand it? You looked at me in the dining room."
"Wow, you noticed... Sorry... You are my age... and I have no one to communicate with, so I follow you."
"Ah... well, I'm Denris! By the will of fate I ended up on this ship. Not by my choice."
"I know... My name is Tiren!"
We froze in a confused pause, not daring to continue the conversation. Several passengers rustled past, looking at us.
"I... would like to…" the young man continued timidly, hiding his eyes and nervously fiddling with his fingers. "To get to know you better... I like you!"
And how should I respond to such confessions? Tiren with a stupid shy smile clearly hinted at a very close relationship. A very sharp start! I began to look around perplexedly.
"Tiren... this is probably not the place for such statements."
"Shall we go to your place then?"
I whispered indignantly in his face:
"To me!? What are you up to, kid?"
"I'm not a kid by the way… as it seems… I already hinted at what I want..."
"Crazy! I don't do that!"
"Do you have a partner? Is it Jamien?"
…oh my God, he supposed me gay and how to get out of it now…