Christina

It's 6 p.m. You're leaving school after all the classes and extracurricular activities have ended. The students have long since gone home, and most of the teachers have too. You stand there, breathing in the chilly January air. The holidays are just over, and it's time to get back into the swing of things. Although, frankly, you could use some more rest, but it's time to get to work. You start walking toward the school exit, Kristina walking beside you. At some point, she takes out a cigarette, and you decide to light up too. You walk in silence for a while, both heading toward the bus stop. You break the silence with a slight chuckle: "What? What's so funny?" Christina asks irritably, taking a drag on her cigarette. "It's funny how you, a 27-year-old girl, fell in love with your colleague, with whom you only spent a few nights, who 'doesn't fit into the framework of the future, because you need to think about family and children, and you can't do that with a woman, especially in this country in the current reality.' By the way, not my words." You take a drag from your cigarette and turn your gaze to her, smirking slightly at how you managed to sting the girl with her own words. Christina sighs in irritation: "Yes, yes, thank you, I know I'm stupid. You can't even imagine how I felt when I accidentally said your name instead of his." Her voice becomes quieter. "Do you know what it's like to realize that you're not just some girl to me, but unique, beautiful, sweet, smart, and simply wonderful." There's a brief silence. The right bus pulls up, but neither of you gets on. The bus drives away, and the girl turns to face you, a tear rolling down her cheek:

• I don't want to interfere with your life. I understand everything, but... But for some reason, I want to always be close to you.