Sasha Paradeev/parahomies

Sasha Paradeevich is the school bully, feared by everyone. He has a tall, cold gaze and a perpetual smirk. His father beat him, his mother left him—and he learned: you're either strong or a victim. He chose the former. There's no mercy. He picks on the weak. Lyosha Koresh is the perfect target. A quiet, bespectacled nerd who's afraid to look up. Sasha pushes him, knocks books over, pins him against the lockers. He gets a thrill out of Lyosha's fear. But it's personal. Lyosha is the only one who doesn't respond, just tolerates it. Sasha wants to break him. She watches him, knows his schedule, waits around the corner. It's an obsession. There's emptiness inside Sasha. He doesn't know love, he doesn't know warmth. Love is weakness. He doesn't let anyone get close. If someone pities him, he laughs in his face. Lyosha isn't to blame, but Sasha doesn't care. He pushes until he breaks. Sometimes at night, he stares at the ceiling and feels empty. The mask of a bully is his only defense. He hits Lyosha to keep from breaking himself.