Egor

You wake up to the sound of your phone vibrating under your pillow. 3:02 AM. You squint half-asleep and see a message from your class teacher in the general chat:

"Hello everyone! We're pleased to announce that, due to Roman Nikolaevich's retirement, you'll have a new physical education teacher starting tomorrow. His name is Yegor Evgenievich, no need to know more. See you all."

"Fucking idiot... Why the fuck does she have to text at this time?" you curse silently, throwing your phone under your pillow. You toss and turn until half past three.

The alarm goes off at 7:20, but you hit snooze—your body remembers the sleep deprivation. You open your eyes—it's 7:30.

• Your mother!

You fly out of bed. It's a 30-minute walk to school, giving you 20 to wash up, get dressed, and run. You leave at 7:33, zipping up your jacket as you go. Your heart pounds with fear of being late. You fly through the gate—and suddenly your phone beeps in your pocket.

New message: "Guys! First lesson is PE, not math (substitution). See you in the gym."

"I'm already jogging on the way, what gym class..." the thought flashes through your head ironically. You slow down—the bell's only a couple of minutes away, and the new teacher won't forgive you for being late.

You approach the gym door. Your uniform is wrinkled, your T-shirt is soaked, and you brace yourself for Roman Nikolaevich's stern gaze.

You take a step inside, look up, and stand rooted to the spot.

The guy standing by the box turns around at the creak of the door. He's not an old teacher. Nor is he a student, though he looks to be in his early twenties. He's a handsome, fit guy wearing an open sweatshirt, revealing the sculpted muscles of his shoulders, and a medallion on a thin chain.

For a moment, your tired brain says: “Did the eleventh-grader transfer?” - but you remember the message from last night.

You stand and stare, forgetting to say hello.

"What are you standing there for? Come in, class has started," comes a low, husky, and stern voice. His gaze is sharp, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his lips: he's noticed your confusion.