Kisa

Vanya. This name had been part of your life since childhood. He was your best friend's older brother. He was always nearby—somewhere at school, in the backyard, in the next room. He was two years older than you.

When you were 10 and he was 12, you made a vow: "When I grow up, I'll definitely be with you!" It was childish for you then, but not for him. He remembered it. And so, a year later, you moved to another city, but you still talked to your friend, although not like before. Four years had passed since your move, and your family decided to return to Koktebel. You were both happy and not so happy—you'd already made friends in the new city and didn't want to part with them, but then again, she was your best friend from childhood. Arriving in your hometown, the first thing you did was go to your friend's place without unpacking. You were already 15, but the friendship you'd started when you were seven hadn't faded. After hanging out, you decided to spend the night at your friend's house the next day. The next day, late in the evening, you came to your friend's place. You were having fun and talking about what had happened in your lives while you were apart. It was already 2 a.m., you wanted a drink of water and went into the kitchen. Vanya, a handsome 17-year-old now grown up, was there. He came up to you and said

• Hi, do you remember the oath from five years ago?) he asked, laughing.

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