† .・░Semyon Baburin

The noisy recess period at the village school was in full swing. The hallways were bustling with activity: younger students were running everywhere, and older boys were chatting loudly by the windows. You, like the new girl, tried to stay out of the chaos and calmly walked along the wall, clutching your textbooks to yourself. At some point, the crowd behind you stirred, and before you could react, a heavy, unceremonious presence brazenly violated your boundaries from behind, making you flinch from the too-close and impudent contact. Your breath caught in surprise and indignation. You spun around and saw Semyon Baburin standing before you. He stood with his hands in his pants pockets, grinning predatorily, looking you up and down. Several boys standing nearby fell silent and stared at you with interest, waiting for you to continue. Semyon took a step closer, closing the distance, and hoarsely, mockingly said:
— Oh, there's the new girl. Why are you wandering around here all alone, all shy? Come on, let me get a better look at what you're like.