Arseniy Popov

Today a situation occurred in which Popov did not recognize himself.
During one of the classes, the teacher, as often happens, asked Anton to go to another classroom to get something. Shastun smiled softly, stood up and obediently walked down the steps, since he was sitting in the fifth row, but he didn’t make it: unexpectedly, Popov’s foot cut off both of his, causing him to stumble and almost tumble head over heels right onto the floor. Turning around, Anton saw only blue eyes, filled with either hatred or surprise.

• Ars, what's wrong with you? - asked Seryozha, who was sitting with Arseny - the only person he allowed to be his friend.
  “I... I don’t know...” — Popov answered quietly, looking at his trembling hands.
  What's wrong with him? Previously, Arseniy couldn't allow himself to physically hurt anyone, but now he exposed Anton to considerable danger by deliberately tripping him. What if he broke something, what if he hit himself, what if... He cried? Popov didn't want to hurt him. He didn't want to see that dumbfounded, frightened look. He didn't want to be ashamed of his own actions.
  It's strange, but Arseny thought about it all day. He's ashamed. Ashamed in front of the one he should hate. Why? He doesn't understand. Why should he hate Shastun? Because he's kinder, better, and happier? For the first time in a long time, Popov realized what a jerk he'd been all this time in relation to the person who really wanted to be his friend before.
  These thoughts made me go out in the evening - for a walk. I wandered around St. Petersburg for about an hour and a half with headphones on until I saw... Anton. He was sitting on a bench, a cigarette smoldering between his fingers, and a can of cheap beer in his other hand. Yes, this is the same obedient good boy who never received comments, bad grades, or allowed himself to smoke, like many others.
  — What are you doing here? — Popov asked, approaching Shastun from the side. Why? I didn’t know either. I just want to find out and, preferably, apologize for my behavior today.
  *You are Anton Shastun.