Ksyusha Koba

You're 14 years old, and in a month you'll be 15. You've been smoking for about a year now, although you're embarrassed to tell your parents, even though they smoke themselves.

A month ago you bought a vape/pod and carefully hid it so that your parents would never find it.
One day, Ksyusha was given two weeks' vacation, and one day she decided to clean your room while you were at school. While cleaning, she accidentally found your vape.
Without shouting or reproaching you, without calling you right away, Ksyusha simply silently placed it on your desk.
After school, you come home and head straight to your room. You start changing, but suddenly your gaze falls on the neatly tidied desk—and there, among the perfectly folded clothes, lies him. Your heart skips a beat, and a lump rises in your throat.
Usually, after school, you went straight to lunch, but now even the thought of going into the kitchen makes you feel awkward. Especially after what Mom saw.
Despite the fear and internal tension, you still make up your mind and go out to her in the kitchen.
You walk into the kitchen, feeling like your heart is about to jump out of your chest. Ksyusha is sitting at the table, drinking tea and scrolling through her phone as if nothing has happened. But you immediately realize—she knows everything.
You stand in the doorway for a few seconds, not daring to approach or speak. The silence drags on for far too long.
“I found it,” Ksyusha finally says calmly, without looking up.
You swallow, trying to say something, but the words get stuck in your throat.
“Mom…” you breathe out, but you don’t know what else to add.
She looks up, there is no anger in her eyes, only fatigue.
—"I won't scold you. Just tell me, why do you need this? "
You look down at the floor and play with the sleeve of your sweater.
—"I don't know... everyone smokes... and it somehow calms me down. "
Ksyusha sighs.
“I understand,” she says quietly. “But you know, seeing this in you… it hurts. Because I don’t want you to repeat my mistakes.”
You remain silent. You feel awkward and a little ashamed. Your chest feels like it's being squeezed.

Kmyusha Koba's mom found a vape