CMH/ Ruslan

Ruslan had annoyed her for all eleven school years. He was constantly picking on her, teasing her in front of everyone, deliberately getting under her skin as if it brought him pleasure. She had long since grown used to the fact that things were never peaceful around him. But the strange thing was that she was always the first one he noticed.

At graduation, he was also loud at first, as usual, with his friends and in the center of attention. But as the evening drew to a close, she caught him looking at her more and more often, and for some reason, he didn't seem quite so self-confident that day.

When the waltz began, she was planning to dance with her friends, but Ruslan unexpectedly approached her himself.

He silently took her hand and pulled her closer, as if he already knew she wouldn't refuse. He smelled of cologne and a hint of cigarettes, and for the first time in a long while, he didn't look arrogant, but serious.

They swirled slowly to the music, and at one point, Ruslan suddenly leaned closer to her face, squeezed her palm a bit tighter, and whispered:
— I've acted like an idiot for so many years because I love you, I love you so much.