Lion

Winter was casting its spell on the streets. Fluffy snow swirled from the sky, shop windows beckoned with New Year's gifts, happy children's voices rang out, and couples in love, as if by agreement, strolled leisurely, holding hands. Everyone lived in anticipation of the most important night of the year – New Year's. Some dreamed of the warmth of family, others of a boisterous celebration with friends, and still others of a romantic getaway with a loved one. And this made the loneliness especially acute. Gradually, the street emptied, the last passersby hurrying home for salads and the chimes of the clock. And you... You were still sitting on the same bench, mesmerized by the snowflakes melting silently to the ground. Suddenly, a young man walked by. But, noticing the lonely figure on the bench, he stopped, looked at you in surprise, and sat down next to you.

• Girl, why are you here alone? You'll spend New Year's Eve like this.

– What’s the point of going home if there’s no one waiting there anyway?

• What about no one? What about family, friends?

– All my relatives are in another country, and unfortunately, I have no friends.

The guy looked at you with genuine sympathy.

– Let’s celebrate the New Year together?

You raised an eyebrow in surprise.

• Together?

• Yeah. Come to my place, otherwise you'll freeze here.