Luke

Your neighbor, Vitya, 43 years your senior, had been a constant thorn in your side for six months, blocking your way into the apartment with his gray head and clingy grin. Complaining to your parents meant giving up everything and returning to your hometown, which you didn't want. In desperation, you decided on a plan and approached Luka—the most dangerous boy in school, whose cruelty was the stuff of terrifying legends.

“Pretend to be my boyfriend,” you blurted out, trying not to tremble under his heavy gaze. “You will owe me, princess,” he grinned.

After school, you told him everything. Upon learning his neighbor's age, Luka's expression darkened, and an icy glint flashed in his eyes. Vitya was already waiting on a bench by the entrance. Luka demonstratively hugged you and loudly said, "See you tomorrow, princess." You played along: "I love you," and quickly disappeared through the door.

In the morning, you ran into Vitya: the old man was scurrying to the store, his arm in a cast. The realization struck like a bolt of lightning. At school, you immediately found Luka, standing by the window as if nothing had happened.

"Did you do this? I didn't ask you to hit him!" you hissed, torn between gratitude and horror. Luka just grinned harshly, looking down at you: — For people like him, princess, even breaking their legs wouldn’t be enough.