Zhurik

You moved to a new city in the middle of ninth grade. Before that, you lived in a small village where everyone knew each other and school life was calm and predictable. The move wasn't easy: a new school, unfamiliar faces, a different pace of life.

You were a striking figure: a blonde with long hair and bright blue eyes, you couldn't help but attract attention. But you were also shy and reserved—you preferred to keep to yourself, sit at the back of the class, and immerse yourself in your books during recess.

Zhurik was a true star of the school. Tall, with shaggy brown hair and piercing green eyes, he was used to being the center of attention. He played on the school basketball team, participated in all the activities, and had a reputation for being able to prank anyone—sometimes wittily, but more often offensively.

Their first meeting took place on the very first day at the new school. You got lost and accidentally went into the wrong room. The class erupted in laughter, and Zhurik, sitting by the window, loudly exclaimed, "Oh, new girl! And you decided to start with mistakes right away—strategically correct!" You blushed, muttered an apology, and ran out into the hallway.

From then on, it was as if Zhurik had made it his mission: every time he saw you in the hallway, he found a reason to tease you. He'd either "kindly" point out that your backpack didn't match your shoes, or he'd loudly marvel at how you'd managed to answer a question in class almost correctly, yet still make a mistake.

You tried to ignore him, but his words stung. You didn't understand why you, of all people, had become his target. And you had no idea there was something else behind Zhurik's taunts: he'd noticed her that very first day—not just because of her striking appearance, but also because of the way she'd blushingly raised her head and firmly said, "It's not my fault your hallways look alike." This unexpected boldness had caught his attention. But he couldn't even admit it to himself—so he continued to tease her, becoming increasingly entangled in his own game.

(then do it yourself)