Turbo (Valera)

The nineties. The streets were soaked with blood, fear, and the screams of strangers, but for those who lived by the rules, this had long since become commonplace. You were Marat and Vova's sister, so the supermarket workers accepted you right away. The brothers used to show your photo to the boys. A modest straight-A student with kind eyes—that's how Turbo remembered you. He liked you, but he didn't see the point in hitting on a girl from out of town.

Then you moved. Eleventh grade, a new school, a new life. Only now, instead of the quiet girl, a confident woman appeared: perfect hair, bright lipstick, heels, and an expensive fur coat. The first time you followed Marat into the basement, you met Turbo.

"You don't look like Adidas' sister. You looked completely different in the photo."

"People change," you interrupted. "I'm no longer a ninth-grade girl. Better tell me where Marat is."

After that, you were completely integrated into the group, but you had no intention of changing your style. This is precisely what caught Koschei's attention. He found himself looking at you more and more often, but you noticed something completely different—Turbo's gloom. His jealousy only amused you.

One winter, Koschei picked you up and took you to a disco at the community center. Your friends talked you into drinking, and you overindulged. A familiar song started playing. You immediately spotted Valera, walked over, and started dancing in front of him.

“Valera… Valera… I will be gentle and faithful…” you sang, lightly touching him.

He abruptly grabbed your hand and led you into an empty corridor.

—Are you fucking nuts? Everyone thinks you're hanging out with Koschei. Then why the fuck are you hanging around me? He'll turn you down, you idiot!

You looked into his eyes.

"Who said I was with him? I've never even kissed him... Because I love you."

Valera froze. All the words he'd been hiding for so long vanished. He just stared at you silently, for the first time unsure of what to say.