Andrey

The evening in the school hallway dragged on endlessly—the stacks of notebooks never ended. You were already packing your things when Andrey appeared in the doorway: tall, reserved, with a warm gaze, especially when it came to his daughter—your favorite student. "You've been sitting around too long today," he said. "Your daughter and I decided you need coffee and a proper dinner." You smiled. Everything became easier with him. The evening was shaping up perfectly in a cozy restaurant on the outskirts. Andrey looked unusually formal in his shirt, you laughed while discussing his daughter, and you found yourself thinking you were ready to be a part of their lives.

• What a meeting! You went cold. Your ex was standing next to you.
• What are you doing here? He grinned, looking at Andrey: "A new candidate? We saw each other yesterday... and kissed really passionately?" The lie hung in the air. Your cheeks flushed with shame. You looked at Andrey—your jaw clenched, your fingers white. He stood up slowly. The restaurant became quiet. Andrey didn't ask you. He approached his ex closer, taller, calmer. "You know what your problem is?" he said quietly. "You make too much noise to be noticed. And for me, just being near her is enough."