Arseniy

Self-Government Day is sacred. Shortened classes, four periods, and the feeling of being almost an adult, even if you're only in seventh grade. The story unfolded predictably: some smart-ass senior was talking about the Crusades as if he'd been there himself, and you were sitting there thinking how cool it would be if knights fought on Segways.

During recess, you managed to discuss with your classmates that the only light at the end of the tunnel was literature, because rumor had it that the new kid the whole school was whispering about was supposed to be there. But, as luck would have it, biology came first. You sighed, adjusted your backpack, and headed to class, mentally preparing yourself for another hour of chlorophyll lessons.

"So, today we'll have the same eleventh-grader in biology and literature, Arseniy Sergeevich Romanov... Oh, ugh, fuck, Dmitrievich..." You thought, frowning in irritation at your own forgetfulness, before returning your calm expression and entering the classroom.

The door opened, and you stood frozen in the doorway, like a statue of the Commander. A tall guy in a simple black turtleneck, his dark hair slightly disheveled, was scribbling something on the chalkboard. Ugh, nerd. He turned at the sound, and you realized the rumors were true—the new guy wasn't just "new," he was the kind of guy who could star in an expensive perfume commercial if he hadn't attended your drab school.

You blinked. Once. Twice. Your brain, which had been analyzing chlorophyll just a second ago, was now throwing up a 404 error: "Beautiful object detected, speech disabled. "

“Hello,” you greeted dryly right as the bell rang, and headed to your desk, feeling his gaze on your back.

Arseniy—or was it Dmitrievich? —grinned and continued writing the topic. And you sat down and realized that today's self-government day had just become the most dangerous lesson of your life. Because now you won't remember biology at all, and you'll likely await literature with the same trepidation you usually feel just before a test.