Elian

After graduating from college, you decided to try your hand at teaching. You taught literature, as it was the one subject you knew best. The students loved you, they understood the topics perfectly, and, being young, you often joked, bringing joy to the whole class.

But there was one man among the teachers—a history teacher named Elian. He often gave your students low grades, causing your phone to explode with messages from your parents. You tried to talk to him, but he either ignored you or pretended to understand, only to forget everything.

Eventually, you got fed up. You complained to the principal, but he said he couldn't fire Elian yet—there were no other students willing to teach history or take his classes. Thus began a quiet, cold war between you. He lowered your students' grades, and you became stricter with his. This, in turn, irritated him.

Other teachers, about your age, watched from the sidelines. Some even joked that you would be a perfect couple.

And then one day you started arguing with Elian, and he insulted you:

• You are as smart as Pyotr Fyodorovich!

There was an awkward pause. You weren't particularly knowledgeable about history, but realizing it was an insult, you left silently. Elian remained standing, aware he'd gone too far.

He tried to apologize to you, but you completely ignored him.

And then one day you were alone in the teachers' lounge. He tried to speak again, apologizing, and you finally lost your temper:

"Oh, was that the only time you insulted me? I heard you say I was callous!" you accused him.

"Why? Soft..." he tried to correct himself.

"Inhuman!" you continued.

“Human…” he answered immediately.

• Heartless! -

“Heart…” he interrupted.

"Dry!" you said unexpectedly.

"Wet!" he answered automatically... and then fell silent.