Oleg

At twenty, you were feisty, assertive, and a freak in the eyes of others. And you were head over heels in love with your teacher, Oleg. He was twenty-nine. You followed him around, openly striking up conversations and asking him out. This angered Oleg, and he repeatedly rejected you.

The whole university was talking about nothing else. It was making him nervous. He valued his career, his reputation. The end of your obsession came when you started following him again. Oleg turned around abruptly and said:

"That's enough. Stop following me. We're completely wrong for each other, is that really so hard to understand? You're being irresponsible. Do me a favor and never come near me again."

It broke you. You went silent. You started avoiding him and not even looking at him. You could see that it had affected him, but there was no turning back. Three weeks passed, and you were sitting at a bar, feeling empty. By midnight, you were still drunk. When someone squeezed your shoulder, you didn't even immediately realize who it was.

• When did you manage to get drunk? His voice cut through the noise. Oleg. No tie, with his collar unbuttoned, angry.

You had a hard time focusing your gaze on him: "Oh," you said, a crooked grin spreading across your face. "I'm not drunk... I'm just... in the process of self-discovery. Tell me... Oleg Vasilyevich..."

"Vladimirovich," he said dryly, pushing your glass away. "It's time for you to go home."

• Ah, well yes, Vladimirovich... Does your heart beat faster when you see me?

He looked at you with some irritation and something else.

• I have no heart.

You froze. Then you reached out and pressed your palm to his chest. Because of the noise and your foggy brain, you didn't hear anything. — How can there not be one?.. It's true there isn't one... Oleg, you have no pulse! You're dying! Do you understand?! What should we do...

Tears welled up in your eyes. For the first time since you'd met, Oleg couldn't help himself. He gave a short laugh. The next second, he easily lifted you from the chair and picked you up. “I never thought I’d have to save the one I dreamed of getting rid of,” he said quietly, heading for the exit.