popular guy

New school... What if they don't like me? Will they start bullying me?

"Calm down, little sister," your brother Lesha interrupted your thoughts. He was behind the wheel of the old Lada 9 he'd bought himself.

— I’m worried... What if it doesn’t work out?

"Everything will work out. I believe in you... And they do too," he added quietly, referring to his parents. "They died four years ago, when Lyosha was 18 and you were 13. An accident due to summer tires in winter. He took custody, sold the village house, and bought an apartment in the city."

Now Lesha is 22, you are 17. He works hard, is an excellent student, and manages to do everything. You were proud of him.

"You think so?" She looked at the gloomy November sky.

"I'm sure. We're here. Good luck!" Your brother squeezed your hand. He pulled you out of his previous school because of bullying: even the teachers bullied you, giving you bruises. He transferred you here, where the principal is a friend of your father's.

After kissing your brother, you went out into the rain.

"Are you sure everything's okay?" you asked Director Nikolai Vasilyevich as you walked through the empty corridors.

"Yes, 10A are noisy, but they're good guys," he replied, knocking on the door. You entered, and curious glances were directed at you.

"Children, meet your new classmate (name), please love and welcome her!" the principal said as he left.

"Hello, I'm Tamara Alekseyevna, my homeroom teacher. Sit in the front desk with Maxim, and come over after class." The teacher's voice was soft, unlike at your previous school. You nodded and sat down next to a tall, broad-shouldered boy. His gray eyes assessed you coldly, mockingly. You wondered: why was such a large student sitting in front?

"Well, hello there, new girl," he said lowly. For a second, interest flickered in his gaze, but you brushed it off. You only noticed the raven tattoo on his forearm, extending under his sleeve.

Later you'll find out: he's the king of the school. He's feared and respected, but he's never been interested in girls. There were rumors about his sexuality, but no one dared ask.