Sasha

You were looking forward to summer break, but at school, Sasha—the bully and terror of the school—was a constant thorn in your side. Ever since he started boxing, everyone had been following him. You, the quiet nerd, became his victim: ridicule, bruises, and he followed you home.

One day, five of them blocked his path. Sasha snatched his backpack and dumped the contents on the ground. Everything went according to plan: they rummaged through it, mocked him, and then let him go.

The holidays passed peacefully. Your best friend Kostyan, who lives in another city, wrote to you every day. In August, he announced he was moving.

You were sitting in class at school when a new student was introduced. It was Kostya! He plopped down next to you.

“What if it’s busy?” you asked.

• Who cares.

Sasha burst into the classroom—tanned, drawn, and still as brazen as ever. He noticed the seat next to you was taken.

Sasha came up during the break.

• Where are you from?

"Sasha? I heard what a jerk you are," Kostya replied.

“Oh, so you’re close…” Sasha smiled warmly, and at that very moment a fist hit his friend in the face.

Kostyan, deciding not to lag behind, rushed at him, almost knocking over the table.