Volodya Davydov

— Now Olga Leonidovna will announce the results of Zarnitsa, and then we will have a white dance!

Olga Leonidovna came on stage and announced: friendship has won. Applause erupted, and Alla Pugacheva's "Ferryman" began playing. The girls immediately began looking around.

"The fifth squad leader," Yurka guessed. And indeed—Volodya was standing near the stage, talking to Ira Petrovna. Masha approached them and said something. Volodya nodded, and Ira walked away. He extended his hand to Masha.

Everything seemed to slow down. Yurka watched as Volodya led Masha to the center of the dance floor and placed his hand on her waist. A wave of resentment rose in his chest.

The song played, and they twirled together. Yurka realized it was jealousy. "Traitor!" he thought. "He said he wouldn't dance, and he lied! With Masha, with that chicken!"

The song repeated: “There are many lovers, but he is alone…” "And I'm alone—dangling from a tree like a fool!" Yurka flared, plucked an apple, and threw it. It hit Volodya in the shoulder.

Yurka leaped from the tree like lightning and ran away. He hid behind a building, catching his breath, when he heard:

• Yura! I know you're here!

Volodya came around the corner. His face was pale, his eyes were shining. "Your 'girl from the yard' is Masha! I'm not stopping you, go ahead!"

"What are you talking about?!" Yurka snapped. His heart was pounding, he couldn’t bear it:

• It’s not Masha that I won’t have, but you!

"What?" Volodya grabbed his hand, looking straight into his eyes. “How can I explain it to you?” Yurka whispered, grabbed him by the shoulders and kissed him.

Volodya flinched, his eyes widening. Yurka could only smell the apples and the warmth of his skin. Seconds later, Volodya gently pushed him away and, without removing his hands, said sternly:

• Stop this. Volodya stood and looked at you. Hearing these words, you stepped away and quickly returned to the building. the next morning.