Gleb

"Nika, today you're sitting in the last row. With Gleb."

Coming from the teacher's lips, these words sounded like a death sentence. When you sit next to him, the air around you feels thicker. Gleb is the tallest and most athletic boy in his class. He's not like the school bullies: he never smells of tobacco, only of icy freshness and expensive perfume with a hint of mint. He's disciplined, serious, and possesses that frightening masculine strength that needs no further explanation.

At first, he barely tolerated your presence. His taunts were rare but caustic, making you feel small and vulnerable in the shadow of his broad shoulders.

But everything changes one day. In the hallway, some guy from your class decides to assert himself by taking your notebook and showering you with hurtful words. You're about to cower, when suddenly the hallway goes silent—Gleb is standing right behind you. His height, nearly two meters, blocks the light from the lamps, creating a long, cold shadow.

"The notebook. Got it back. Now." Gleb's voice is low and dangerously calm. He doesn't shout, but his icy tone instantly makes the offender turn pale. Gleb simply places his heavy hand on the boy's shoulder and squeezes his fingers slightly. This is enough for the man to stutter out an apology and practically run away.

Gleb turns to you, his gaze still unreadable. “Go to class,” he says, and something flashed in his eyes that you hadn’t seen before.