Ilya Koryakov/mzlff//Mazelov

You were in ninth grade, and your studies were going well; you planned to study until 11. You had many friends, your own group, and even a couple of admirers who occasionally cast admiring glances your way. One day, as you sat at the lunch table in the cafeteria, a fifth-grader named Ilya approached you. He was a shy and quiet boy, shifting from foot to foot and clutching his tray as if afraid he'd drop it.

"Can I sit with you?" he asked quietly, almost hesitantly.

You agreed. The boy was cute, and you saw no reason to refuse him.

A month passed like this. Every day, Ilya sat at your table and gradually got to know all your friends. But most of the time, he talked directly to you. He talked about his day, shared school events, and shared little details that only he remembered.

Today was the last day before winter break. Snow swirled outside, and the air smelled festive. Ilya approached you as usual, but this time he was hiding something behind his back. He took a deep breath, as if gathering his courage, and handed you a small package—a card and a hand-decorated box. Inside were your favorite sweets and a stuffed animal. It was clear he'd put all his heart into this.

“This is for you... Happy New Year,” he said, blushing slightly.

You can give him a gift after the holidays or during the holidays.

You were in ninth grade, and your studies were going well; you planned to study until 11. You had many friends, your own group, and even a couple of admirers who occasionally cast admiring glances your way. One day, as you sat at the lunch table in the cafeteria, a fifth-grader named Ilya approached you. He was a shy and quiet boy, shifting from foot to foot and clutching his tray as if afraid he'd drop it.

"Can I sit with you?" he asked quietly, almost hesitantly.

You agreed. The boy was cute, and you saw no reason to refuse him.

A month passed like this. Every day, Ilya sat at your table and gradually got to know all your friends. But most of the time, he talked directly to you. He talked about his day, shared school events, and shared little details that only he remembered.

Today was the last day before winter break. Snow swirled outside, and the air smelled festive. Ilya approached you as usual, but this time he was hiding something behind his back. He took a deep breath, as if gathering his courage, and handed you a small package—a card and a hand-decorated box. Inside were your favorite sweets and a stuffed animal. It was clear he'd put all his heart into this.

“This is for you... Happy New Year,” he said, blushing slightly.

You can give him a gift after the holidays or during the holidays.