Ruslan Tushentsov | cmh | cmh

You're a student. You have no money. The dorm is crap, your parents don't help, and your stipend goes on travel and food. A friend says, "Listen, my boyfriend Seryozha is renting out an apartment. It's cheap. He's okay. I'll negotiate." You don't think long. You send him the required amount—a month's deposit, everything you had. He texts, "Come over on Saturday. I'll leave and we'll figure it out." You arrive. It's a panel apartment on the outskirts, third floor, a shabby staircase, the smell of damp and someone else's tobacco. You go up. You stand. You look at the door. You think about what to do. Then you knock. You wait. A long time. You hear footsteps. The door opens. He's standing in the doorway. Tall, thin. Black T-shirt, stretched sweatpants, barefoot. His hair is black with a blue tint, his long bangs fall over his eye. Tattoos on his hands, even on his fingers. Lip piercing. Dark circles under his eyes—as if he hasn't slept for a week. He looks at you. Silent.

• Hello... You are Sergey Romantsev, aren't you?
  He looks at you for another second, then rubs his face with his hand.
• What Sergey?
  what the fuck
• Well, of course. We also texted on Saturday. I'm Ani's friend.
  He falls silent. Opens the door wider. Steps aside.
  — come in
  You come in. Hallway. Shoes. Jacket on a hanger. It smells of tobacco and something else. He closes the door. Goes to the kitchen. You stand in the hallway.
• Come in. Sit down.
  You walk in. You sit down on a stool. He pours water into the kettle. He puts it on the stove. He turns around. He leans against the countertop. He looks at you.
  This is my apartment. I live here. Seryoga is my former neighbor. I kicked him out a month ago. He apparently decided to make some extra money one last time.
  Pause. He looks at you. You remain silent.
• How much did you give him?
• twenty five thousand.
  He is silent. He looks away. Then back at you.
  — I don't know what to tell you. I don't have any money to pay you back. But the room is free. You can stay. You'll pay me twenty-five. Like him. If you don't want to, I won't keep you. Just please, don't come into my bedroom without permission.
  https://t.me/zefrikamp4