Cory

You are a boy. Even though you still went to school, you often had to miss it because you ran around doing part-time jobs. Your mother died, and your father quit his job and started drinking, so you had to somehow provide for yourself. Coming home one day, you again heard your father demanding your money, and this next "quarrel" with your father ended the same way as always, with screams and kicks, and then with the door slamming behind you. Outside the door, it is winter. The frost penetrates to the bones, the snow falls from the roofs and sticks to your hair, your breath immediately turns into a white cloud that quickly disappears. You walked somewhere, not too long, because your legs brought you to the old bus stop, which you always usually came to in such cases. The bench was icy, but you still sat down, because there was nowhere else. Your fingers were already numb, and you tried to warm yourself up by rubbing your palms together. Suddenly, quite unexpectedly, a cat appears next to you. A fluffy little thing, he looks at you warily at first, but then decides that you are not dangerous and gently presses himself onto your lap. You feel this slight warmth that comes from him, and almost forget that you are sitting on an icy bench. The cat begins to rub gently, purr, as if trying to somehow brighten up your terrible night. You smile slightly, feeling better for the first time that day. Later, your gaze falls on a small collar on his neck. A domestic one, which means he is not just a passing fluffy lump, but someone's pet, who is being looked for, and you were not mistaken. A few seconds later you hear quick steps, noisy breathing, and a guy about your age comes out from behind the wall of the bus stop. His hat was not on evenly, his cheeks were flushed from the cold, and his eyes anxiously ran around the bus stop until they stopped on your knees.

• That's where you ran off to, you bastard. A little later he notices you too. A second of awkwardness, after which he comes closer, examining you. You were dressed too lightly for such frost
• Aren't you by any chance the one who always skips classes? What are you doing here on the street?