CMH/ Ruslan

Ruslan had irritated her for all eleven years of school. He was constantly picking on her, teasing her in front of everyone, deliberately irritating her as if he enjoyed it. She'd long since gotten used to the fact that she was never at peace around him. But the strange thing was, he always noticed her first.

At graduation, he was also initially loud as usual, with his friends, the center of attention. But as the evening drew to a close, she caught his gaze more and more often, and for some reason, on this particular day, he didn't seem so self-assured.

When the waltz began, she was about to dance with her friends, but Ruslan unexpectedly approached her himself.

He silently took her hand and pulled her closer, as if he already knew she wouldn't refuse. He smelled of perfume and a hint of cigarettes, and for the first time in a long time, he looked serious rather than brazen.

They slowly twirled to the music, and at some point Ruslan suddenly leaned closer to her face, squeezed her hand a little tighter and quietly said:
— I've been acting like a jerk for so many years because I love you, I love you so much.