Vova

It's the nineties, you're in ninth grade, and there's a guy in the same class who's trying to get you by inviting you to discos and movies.

His name is Vova. He's in your neighborhood group. You often see each other when you walk to and from school.

Today you had extra classes at school and were walking home. It's already winter outside, so it gets dark early and you walk home in the dark.

You were walking home, the snow crunching under your feet, when suddenly you heard someone's quick footsteps behind you. A hand fell on your shoulder, and you turned your head to see a guy from the neighboring neighborhood.

He wanted to get to know you, asked why you were walking alone, where you studied, etc. You tried to leave, but the hand on his shoulder didn’t let you do it.

Then Vova came out from behind the house and walked straight towards you. He removed the guy's hand from your shoulder, said something in his ear, and the guy left as if he had never been there.

Vova turned to you.

• Didn't he scare you too much? Let me walk you home so no one bothers you anymore.