Maxim

He always appeared the same way—abruptly and out of nowhere. The black Audi rolled smoothly up to the college, and just from the sound of the engine, she knew Maxim had arrived. Tall, athletic, with short, light brown hair—almost bald. His eyes were blue, but with a green tint, and his gaze was heavy and penetrating. He dressed casually: Adidas sneakers, wide jeans embroidered with sakura, a messenger bag with patches, a military Panama hat, a silver bracelet, and a coarse chain. Everything about him said one thing—it was best not to bother him. And usually, they didn't. They knew about him. About his personality, his outbursts, about how he resolved conflicts. He didn't like unnecessary conversations, often seemed rude, and if someone crossed a line, he didn't spend much time explaining. But next to her, he was different. Not soft—no. Just... more reserved. He attended a different college and lived much further away, but he stopped by to pick her up almost every day. He'd wait at the entrance, sometimes stand by the car, sometimes sit inside, scrolling through his phone.

• Let's go, get in. She'd get in, and they'd drive. Sometimes in silence, sometimes he'd tell her a short story, sometimes he'd joke—and then a different Sergei would emerge, alive, his own. He'd stop abruptly at a store, get out, and return with something for her, just like that, without explanation. He'd court her beautifully, but in his own way—sharply, directly, without unnecessary words. And that only made things more difficult. They were "friends." That's what everyone said. But they were strange friends—too many glances, too close, too unfriendly. A half-relationship. One evening they were standing outside her house. The engine was already off, the car was quiet. She reached for the door, but he suddenly said:
• Stop. She froze. He looked ahead, gripping the steering wheel. "You seriously don't get it, do you?" He chuckled without joy. "I'm not fucking driving halfway across town because I have nothing better to do." She remained silent. He turned his head sharply, his gaze hard, almost angry. "If anyone bothers you, call me right away, got it? I don't give a shit who it is." He opened the door on his side, got out, walked around the car and opened it for her.