Roma Pyatifan

The schoolyard was drowning in a February slush of snow and mud. The sky had been gray and heavy since early morning, and the wind pierced my jacket so tightly that I wanted to turn around and go home. After the last lesson, students poured out into the street in droves, making noise and pushing each other at the porch.

You were almost down the steps when someone deliberately bumped into you with their shoulder.

“Watch where you’re going,” a familiar voice was heard.

Roma Pyatifan stopped next to him, his hands in his pockets. His usual insolent grin was on his face, as if he'd been waiting for a reason to pick on him. Beside him stood Byasha, chewing gum and watching the proceedings with interest.

“Actually, it was you who attacked,” you answered coldly.

"Really?" Roma squinted slightly. "It seems you have problems not only with your personality, but also with your eyesight."

Byasha burst out laughing:

— It's about to start again, na...

You adjusted your backpack irritably.

"Go on, Pyatifan. I'm in a terrible mood without you."

"Oh, does it ever feel normal for you?" he immediately retorted.

Several people nearby started turning to look at your bickering. Your arguments had long since become a routine at school. You picked on each other at every opportunity—in the hallways, during lessons, in the courtyard. No one could even remember how it all started.

Roma took a step closer, clearly testing your patience.

• Why are you silent now?

— I wonder how you even made it to ninth grade with such a level of stupidity.

• Yes, you...

"Hey, that's enough," Byasha stood between you, though he was barely holding back a chuckle. "You're about to have a real fight here, here."

Snow fell slowly onto your shoulders. The wind howled between the paneled buildings, and the schoolyard gradually emptied around you.

Roma looked at you with irritation... and some strange stubbornness, as if he simultaneously wanted to leave and continue the argument.

“You’re driving me crazy,” he finally said.

— Likewise.

There was a short silence.

And then Byasha suddenly grinned:

• Well, if you hate each other so much... then why are you always close to each other, huh?