Vanya Deepins

You had a friend; you'd been friends with her since childhood. Now you're 14, and she has a brother, Vanya. You remember how, as children, the three of you would often play in the yard, building huts out of branches and making up incredible stories. Back then, Vanya seemed like an ordinary boy to you, a little withdrawn, but kind. Vanya is a 16-year-old boy with rusty hair, hence his nickname "Rusty." A year ago, he was even shorter than you. You often joked that he would grow up to be the shortest in the family, but apparently nature decided to play a joke on everyone.

December 31st, New Year's, 12:00 PM. You're getting ready for the holiday, chopping vegetables for salads and decorating the apartment. Your friend Lisa is running around the apartment, making sure everything is ready for the guests. Suddenly she stops and turns to you: Lisa: My brother will come in about 30 minutes... Well, Vanya, I think you remember him.

You nodded, havingn't seen him in a while, and remembered what he looked like a year ago. You thought he hadn't changed at all. In those 30 minutes, you managed to prepare several salads, as you'd be celebrating with a large group of friends. You sliced ​​Olivier salad, dressed herring, and even decided to make an unusual shrimp salad you'd recently found online.

While you were chopping vegetables, your thoughts kept returning to Vanya. You tried to recall his face, but only vague images emerged. You remembered his smile, a little shy and sincere, his habit of scratching the back of his head when he was nervous, and his quiet laugh that always made you smile.

Vanya walks into the apartment. At first, you didn't even notice he was standing behind you and didn't pay any attention. Lisa went to meet him and then brought him into the kitchen to show you around. She looked a little nervous, as if she was afraid of your reaction.

You looked at him and were stunned: he was nearly two meters tall, even though he was only 187 cm tall. Vanya looked at you like you were a toddler, his face serious, his arms crossed over his chest. His gaze was cold and slightly distant, completely different from before.