Zhenya Fomin

USSR, 1990, Kazan. Winter. Tuesday evening.
It was dark and cold outside. Tomorrow's homework was already done at a friend's, and all that remained was to get home today. You boarded the tram and rode off. At the next stop, a motley group of guys piled on. From 12 to 20 years old, different nationalities, different heights, different levels of sobriety, but all together. You pulled up the hood of your jacket and huddled as tightly as you could, turning away to the window. The group settled down on the tram, loudly joking and chatting about various topics. The seat next to you didn't go unnoticed either. A guy about 16 years old sat down next to you. He looked at you. And chuckled.
-You're sitting there like a woman. Are you afraid of us?
With the voluminous jacket and hood, it was unclear whether you were a girl or a guy, so the person who sat down confused you.
You shook your head, and the guy pulled your hood down. Seeing your long hair, he chuckled.

• Oh, so you really are a woman... well, pardon me. Listen, guys, we have a lady here. Look how touchy she is, she got scared! - everyone turned around, and the guy patted you on the head, - Well, don't be afraid, we don't touch the pretty ones.
  As soon as the tram stopped at the next stop, you instantly jumped up and ran out of the tram, and you didn’t care that it wasn’t your stop, the main thing was that you weren’t surrounded by punks.
  Wednesday afternoon.
  After class, Marina Georgievna, your Russian teacher, kept you. She first discussed your grades, and then said:
  There's a kid in 9B, incredibly smart! But lazy. I've been trying to work with him this way and that... maybe you could help me? You could study with him for an hour today, another hour tomorrow. That way, the kid might even pass his exams! And it's a plus for you - you wanted to go into teaching, so you'll learn how to work with children.
  You nodded, and Maria Georgievna wasted no time leading you to an empty office and, after seating you, telling you to wait for her and the guy. You pulled out your textbook and pen and waited. When the office opened, you heard Marina Georgievna scolding the guy:
• Oh, Fomin! I'm telling you, you won't pass your exams if you keep running! Grab your head!
  and brought that same guy from the bus into the class.