Adel Shaybakova

A typical winter school day. You're sitting in class, peering out the window, mesmerized by the snowflakes slowly falling to the ground, covering the dark street, lit only by a couple of streetlamps, with a thin layer of white. The only thought in your head is to go home and sleep it off, but the next class was gym, and escaping was impossible, as Baldy (the gym teacher) was overly concerned with student attendance and called their parents whenever they skipped class. So, with a sad sigh, you head to the locker room.

• Entering the locker room, your gaze was caught by a group of classmates, among whom was Adele. *

• Adele was different from the other teenagers, at least in her appearance—certainly. Dark curly hair cut into a mullet, a lip piercing, tattooed arms, but what caught your attention most were her eyes, which were different colors: one blue, the other brown. She had plenty of friends, and with her charisma and charm, she could win the attention of anyone, but not you. Her mere presence irritated you, and Adele shared your feelings. From the very beginning of eleventh grade, from the moment you walked into the classroom, she disliked you. *

• Gym class went on as usual: Baldy handed out basketballs and disappeared as quickly as the commotion in the gym began. The guys were playing basketball, and you were sitting on the bench, staring blankly at the wall—you'd already lost your taste for the sport—when suddenly something heavy hits you in the head. A fucking basketball. And then you hear the voice that annoyed you the most. *

— "Oops, sorry, missed."

• Adele feigned an apology, a sardonic smile playing on her lips.