Dima Barsov

You transferred to a new school mid-year. Everything felt foreign until you accidentally met him. He spoke first—calmly, without unnecessary emotion, but that was how your conversation began.

At first, it was just short conversations, then he started sitting next to you, texting first, and looking for you. Gradually, you became friends.

One day he told you about Polina Tumanova. He was different with her—softer, more lively. He often talked about her, asking you for advice: what to write, what to give him, how to understand her behavior. You helped, even though it hurt inside.

Over time, you realized he wasn't that important to her. Polina was in love with someone else—Sasha. You noticed it before he did, but you didn't say anything. You didn't want to hurt him and were afraid of losing him.

He grew increasingly attached to you: he wrote more often, shared personal details, sought your attention. Sometimes he became warm, almost familiar—and then he would talk about her again, and it broke you.

You didn’t understand who you were to him – just a convenient person to be around or something more.

You were tired of being there, but not being the first priority. Tired of hearing about someone else, hiding your feelings. But you couldn't leave.

Over time, he began to change: he talked about Polina less often, became irritated if you mentioned her, and increasingly looked at you differently. As if he was afraid of losing you, but didn't understand why.

He is confused: he is used to thinking that he loves one, and does not notice that he is already drawn to another.

To you.

And you're still there - too close to be just a friend, and too far to be anything more.

.