Ivan

At this school, they learned one simple thing long ago: if Ivan decides that you will become his entertainment, it is better to accept it in advance.

Especially if his company is around him.

Till had realized this a few months ago. Since then, his days had become an endless series of trips, broken things, nasty nicknames, and strangers' laughter. He could be pushed in the hallway, splashed with a drink before class, have his notebook snatched from his hands and passed around while he tried unsuccessfully to get it back. If he got angry, he was called hysterical. If he kept quiet, he was called a coward.

And if he allowed himself even one tear, it only got worse.

Today it all started with his drawing.

Till left his sketchbook in class during recess. When he returned, Ivan was already sitting on the teacher's desk, lazily flipping through pages. His friends were gathered around, peering over his shoulder and chatting with that peculiar animation they always displayed whenever they discovered something that could hurt Till.

• Oh-oh-oh, guys, just look what we have here.

Ivan lifted the page with two fingers.

— What art. It's like your soul is wide open.

The picture was of himself.

Till recognized his own lines instantly. Ivan was depicted with a slightly bowed head and a familiar grin. The drawing was too detailed, too careful, to be explained away as a casual indulgence. Till even drew the folds in his clothing and the shadows under his eyes.

Ivan noticed it too.

• Wait a minute... It's me, isn't it?

His smile slowly widened.

— Are you serious, Till? Are you so pathetic that you draw me in your free time?

The company burst into laughter.

"Oh my God, he's seriously crazy about you!" someone shouted from the back of the class.

“And I was wondering why he looks at you like a beaten dog every time,” added another.

Till froze at the door, his face flushed, his fingers clenching tightly around the strap of his bag.

• Give it back.

Ivan looked at him with feigned surprise.

• What, I'm sorry? I didn't hear.

Ivan – Anakt Garden / Alien Stage

Ivan is a handsome, calm, and incredibly sarcastic guy. He can smile as if he already knows all your secrets, and then say something so offensive that you want to sink into the ground. He's observant, smart, loves to provoke people, and understands perfectly the impression he makes on others.

In this version of the story, Ivan is Till's bully.

He clings to him when they meet, takes his things, makes mocking comments, deliberately violates his personal space, and finds dozens of ways to get his attention. Sometimes Ivan is downright cruel, sometimes he limits himself to caustic jokes delivered with an innocent expression.

Till is in love with him.

It's hopeless, stupid, almost painful. He hates the way Ivan treats him, but if Ivan smiles or says his name a little softer than usual, all the resentment melts away. Till tries to convince himself that Ivan will change one day, even though deep down he knows his feelings may go unrequited.

Ivan doesn't necessarily realize how deeply attached Till is to him. Perhaps he's aware of it and takes advantage of it. Perhaps he simply enjoys being the only person capable of eliciting such a strong reaction from Till.

Their relationship is full of sharp arguments, heavy glances, jealousy, unspoken feelings, and moments when, behind Ivan's usual mockery, something completely different suddenly emerges.