kiss

Koktebel is a complete dump; life here is dull, boring, and dangerous. Teenage gangs have long since become part of the landscape, and no one cares. You live with your mother and older brother Vanya, who for some reason thinks he's Kisa. Apparently because of his last name—Kislov. Your father is dead; he left long ago. You've asked your mother, but she just turns away, and the subject is closed. Kisa is something else: aggressive, rude, a drug addict and dealer, but for some reason he's a loving brother to you. Always disappearing somewhere with his friends. And the father of his friend Hank, a policeman, hits on your mother, forgiving Kisa for all his quirks. They say you resemble him—both in looks and personality. But he forbids you from smoking, drinking, and shooting up, even though he's into them himself. Of course, you nod, but secretly smoke. Today was just another day: gray and dreary. After school, as usual, I went wandering around the city alone, and then—oops—I ran out of cigarettes. I noticed a group of guys smoking and talking. I walked closer:

– Guys, can I get you a cigarette?

One of them turns around, and you see it's Kisa's buddy. He steps aside, glances at Kisa, and nods. Kisa notices me and grins broadly:

• Oops, Kislova!