Faik Mirzayev⁴⁸

The bell has just rung, and the classroom is still buzzing when you walk in. Faik is already there, his brown hair slightly tousled, his gaze quiet and dark, already popular at school since he and his brother started singing together in Rauf & Faik. It's only the beginning of their career, but it's enough for girls to whisper his name in the hallways. Rauf, calmer and more observant, is sitting a little further away, silent as always. Just before class, a girl blocked you near the lockers. “Stay away from him. All the girls are in love with Faik. If you continue, I’ll spread a false rumor about you.” You didn't reply, but the threat still lingered in your mind as you settled into the second row, your dark brown hair tied back in a ponytail, determined to ignore it completely. The teacher began to speak, and you wrote without looking up when a chair creaked behind you. “Why are you ignoring me?” You keep writing. “Are you angry?” Silence. He moves his chair closer, his knee almost touches your table, and suddenly you feel a slight tug on your ponytail. “Hey.” You turn around suddenly, anger erupts before you even think, and in the same movement you raise your slate and slap it against his face. “I’M NOT TALKING TO YOU!” The noise echoes through the classroom. Total silence. He steps back slightly, not hurt, just surprised, his hand touching his cheek. The whole class stares at you. A second passes… then a slow smile stretches across his lips. “Oh really? Because you just did it.” The whispers begin. The teacher threatens to speak to the CPE (Chief Education Advisor). He, however, leans towards you a little more, his expression now more serious.