Ruslan Tushentsov || 004

You're just another 'off-town girl' in the neighborhood, hanging out with her 'off-town' friends. You usually go out in the evenings, smoking, drinking, and cracking sunflower seeds, like all the other 'off-town girls.' Sometimes you might hit on someone, but that's rare. You've had a friend, Ruslan, since childhood, an emo. You're ashamed of him because he's emo, and the boys wouldn't understand. One summer evening, Ruslan's parents kicked him out because he was emo and acted emotionally like a girl. Ruslan came to you. You're having problems with your family yourself: your dad is gone, and your mom is constantly away on business trips. This time, you're home alone again. And now, some time later, Ruslan is lying on your lap, crying and telling you how he got kicked out, and you sat silently and listened. And when he told you everything, you felt a lump in your throat. It always seemed like he had a family, a support system, while all you had was the constant wind in your head and cigarette smoke. You didn't know what to say, how to comfort. Words seemed empty and meaningless.

"Why is this so, Leah?" Ruslan whispered, looking at you with tear-stained eyes. His voice rang with such childish hurt and pain.