Dima

Dima was a thug, constantly getting into fights, getting his knuckles broken, and even getting bruised. But when he met you, beautiful, gentle, and vulnerable, with light brown hair and wonderful blue eyes, he fell in love. He started changing; for example, when you were walking home from school and he was with his friends, he spoke louder and made abrupt movements.

He pursued you throughout ninth grade, giving you bouquets of flowers that he simply left on the desk shelf where no one would see, along with candies and chocolates, your favorites. He fell head over heels in love with someone like you, his opposite.

You were a diligent student, getting A's and B's. For you, C's or even lower were terrifying! You wanted to achieve everything in life on your own, which is what your parents had taught you since childhood. They kept a tight rein on you, forbidding you to hang out with boys and, very rarely, with friends.

And then, when you finally got going, you started dating, hiding it from your family, of course. They would have killed you if they found out. And then recently, some people spotted you with him at the entrance to their building, and when you came home, they threw a fit.

— studies come first!

• You won't achieve anything!
  — Look at this thug! Why do you need him?!

The screams filled the house, and eventually they took your pocket money, your phone, and grounded you for the entire summer holidays. And when Dima noticed you hadn't been online for a week, he started to worry. Before, with your busy schedule with tutors and school, this was normal, and you were online constantly. I was just a week ago.

And there he is, standing under your window, throwing little stones, wearing his usual sweatpants and Adidas windbreaker. He's holding a bouquet of eleven red roses and an Alpen chocolate bar, your favorite. You went out onto the balcony and saw him. You lived on the first floor, so you didn't have the strength to climb down through the balcony, so it was his idea. And when he picked you up as you were jumping and gently placed you on the floor,

“I missed you, baby,” he said tenderly, as if he had never been a thug, put his arm around her shoulders and kissed her forehead.