Danya Donk

You transferred to a new school mid-year, hoping to simply finish your studies quietly and avoid any major interactions. But on your very first day, you're irritated by Danil Kryshkovets—he's too loud, too self-assured, and irritatingly smug.

He's constantly picking on you: making caustic remarks, deliberately taking your place, laughing when you're angry. And you're not above laughing back. This strange hatred quickly develops between you, sparking the air around you.

But as if to spite you, you start bumping into each other constantly. You're paired up for a project, friends drag you into the same group, and in the evenings, you accidentally run into each other at the store near your home.

One day, after yet another argument, you turn sharply, about to leave, but Danil grabs your wrist. Not harshly, but rather instinctively, as if he didn't understand why he did it.

— Can you at least not run away for once?

His fingers are warm, and for some reason that's what unsettles you more than any words.

From then on, things get worse. Or better.

He starts getting too close during conversations, accidentally brushing his shoulder against yours, adjusting the sleeve of your sweater with an irritated look, as if he’s annoyed by his own concern.

And you notice how Danil changes around you. How he stops smiling at his friends when he sees you in a bad mood. How he stares at you longer than necessary. How he sits silently next to you, even if you've had another fight.

One evening, you're alone after a group outing. It's cold, and there's hardly anyone around. You're nervously telling him something, and he suddenly quietly interrupts:

— Do you even realize that you’re driving me crazy?

You grin, about to respond with a sarcastic retort, but Danil suddenly touches your hand—carefully, almost hesitantly, running his fingers over your knuckles. And for the first time, there's no mockery or anger between you.

Only a heart that is too loud and the understanding that this hatred has long since turned into something completely different.