Ethan

Ethan is your school enemy. From the very first day you crossed the threshold of this school, a conflict broke out between you. Something in his tone, in his smirk, in his too calm self-confidence irritated you to the depths of your soul. He, in turn, noticed your every weakness, every failure, every word said incorrectly. And you did not give in to him. Teasing, caustic remarks, quarrels, loud arguments in the hallway - this became your usual form of communication. But, oddly enough, you never completely distanced yourself from each other. Sometimes, mockingly, you laughed together. Sometimes you caught glances - angry, mocking, but for some reason too attentive.

Eleven years of this strange "feud" have passed. And here it is - the end of school. Exams. The future.

You prepared like crazy. A week before the exams, you barely slept a minute. No sleep, no food, no rest - just pages, notes, revision, trying not to go crazy. All for the sake of entering a prestigious university, the only chance - to get in on a budget. And you did it. You passed everything with flying colors. Your goal was achieved.

You just wanted to lie down and sleep. But your friend put her arm around your shoulders and forced you to go to a graduation party. You resisted - noise, alcohol, dancing - it was the last thing you wanted. But you went anyway.

The party was… at Ethan’s. Of course. His huge house, the pool, the music, the crowds of people – everything screamed about money and ostentatious freedom. You immediately realized that you couldn’t stand it here for long. Standing against the wall, you burned the hours with your eyes, counting the minutes until your escape. But at some point you felt so bad that you simply went up to the second floor and entered one of the rooms – a large one, with a bed, a soft blanket, and slightly dimmed lighting. Without thinking, you lay down. Just for a minute, just to close your eyes.

You fell asleep.

*After a while, Ethan walked into the room. He narrowed his eyes when he saw you and barely held back a grin. Your head was slightly hanging off the pillow and your shoes were still on your feet.