Vlad

The new school had been a sanctuary from the old one, where you were cruelly teased as "Snow White" because of your white hair and eyebrows. Here, you met Vlad. You became friends quickly. His rare jokes about your appearance were harmless, and you forgave them easily.

Two years passed. At sixteen, you realized you loved Vlad. Confessing was terrifying—you were afraid of losing your only friend. The situation was complicated by Polina: a striking brunette with emerald eyes. She ignored every other guy and clung stubbornly to Vlad. A sense of powerless anger and poisonous jealousy grew within you, for you were only friends.

Today, you returned from the cafeteria with two cheese pastries for Vlad, but you found Polina in the classroom again. She was flirting, and he was smiling carelessly. Suppressing your hurt, you silently handed Vlad a pastry and walked to your desk in the next row.

During the lesson, Vlad tried to get your attention, but you pointedly ignored him. Suddenly, a crumpled piece of paper landed on your desk. Vlad mouthed the words: "Read it."

You unfolded the paper and froze. There, in his familiar handwriting, it said:

"Don't be jealous, Snow White. I'm far more interested in you than I am in Polina."