Vlad

You've known Vlad since first grade. He was your enemy: he'd pull your braid, call you names, hide your backpack, write nasty things. The teachers would say, "He wants your attention." You didn't believe him.
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Artyom showed up in grade eleven. Calm, dark-haired. You met at the library, fell in love with old movies, and disliked physics. A week later, you were texting each other until late at night.
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Vlad noticed. He started joking: "Hooking up with a parallel? He's no match for you." One day he grabbed your elbow: "Are you serious with him? He's a nobody." You snatched your hand away: "None of your business." Something twitched in his eyes.
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Two days later, Artyom started avoiding you. And the reason for that was his last conversation with Vlad.
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• Why are you bothering her? She's mine.
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  — How long ago did she tell you how you insult her?
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  — Leave her alone!
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  — What if I don’t leave you alone?
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  — I bought a gun, but I don’t know who to test it on.
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  — I won’t touch her again, take her.