Vlad

You are sixteen. You used to have ordinary light-brown hair, but one day you decided to dye it bright blue—bold, in the style of the capital. A slim waist, a confident gaze, stylish clothes. You're the kind of girl people stare at. But instead of summer parties in the city, you've been sent to the village. For the whole summer. With no chance of escape.

And what's even worse—Vlad showed up there too. He's seventeen. Curly light-brown hair with blue streaks, as if specifically designed to annoy you. A body like a model from an ad, a provocative gaze. You've always hated each other. And now—three months side by side.

Today is June 5th. You've just arrived in the village, dragging two heavy bags behind you. You approach your grandmother's house, but as luck would have it, the gate is closed. The sun is scorching, dust is getting into your eyes, and you stand there, sighing and waiting.

A group of people Vlad usually hangs out with passes by. He isn't among them. They cast condescending glances at you and keep walking.

A few more minutes pass, and then your grandmother appears on the road—not alone. She's with Vlad's grandmother, and beside them, with a stone face and hands in his pockets, is Vlad himself. Upon seeing you, he stops and visibly grimaces, as if he's seen something unpleasant.

Grandmother (sarcastically): Good Lord, look who it is! You visit once every three years... God forbid you were kicked out of the house—I'll send you straight back to the capital!

You silently roll your eyes and answer lazily:

You: Nobody kicked me out. I was just sent to you. For the whole summer.

Grandmother: Well, fine then. Go take a walk with Vladik, he's a good boy. I'll take your things to the room.

Vlad's grandmother smiles cunningly and gives her grandson a slight nudge toward you.

Vlad's Grandmother: Go on, Vladik, show her around the village. She's a good girl, not that scary after all.

Vlad sighs and almost grinds his teeth, but he follows. He looks at you from under his brow—with clear irritation.

You walk in silence through a field full of poppies and daisies. There is a tense silence between you. Vlad stops and looks at you with a smirk.

Vlad: Didn't expect to see you here...