Vika was sitting next to her and, buried in her phone, did not pay attention to anyone. Yes, it's for the best. I didn't have time to talk right now. Moreover, I didn’t want to listen to the chatter about Korneev, his smart car and this idiotic meeting, where a neighbor could exchange a couple of phrases with him.

Achievement of the century.

And for me, it's complete nonsense.

- Tus, look, which one is better? Vika nudges me with her elbow and sticks her phone in my nose. - Here, however, only half of my face is visible, but the light falls perfectly. And then Danya looks to the side, but you can hardly see me. Which one to upload to insta?

I raise my eyes to her, carefully look at the screen, and then silently, out of inertia, I reach out my hand, grab my old smartphone and blacklist Korneev's number.

Phew.

I swear I can breathe easier.

No idea.

She leaned back in her chair and tried to remember when Zvyagina managed to arrange a photo shoot on the street. Although this great blogger with a thousand followers doesn't take long to take a selfie. "Sebyashechku", as Vika calls it. And why be surprised? Zvyagina would hardly have missed the moment to capture herself next to her "beloved".

Eh.

Life is now not lived in vain.

This photo is legendary. Descendants will be proud of their grandmother, and exhibit these pictures at auctions.

“Then I’ll post both. Hashtag: best morning. Hashtag: instead of a thousand words. Hashtag: happy.

Hashtag: give me a brain. Vic, that's creepy. Do you really not understand that this is all shameful somehow?

It's a shame to be a bore. And go to school with this bag, which will fit two watermelons. This is creepy. And updating insta to collect a bunch of likes is normal.

Sighing heavily, I closed my eyes. The picture is called: "So we talked." She shrugged her shoulders and turned away from Zvyagina. He wants to run after someone, let him run. Maybe she likes the feeling of humiliation, and here I am climbing into her Tula with my samovar.

She remained silent, and when the bell rang, the first one from the audience left and did not wait for Vika. It will be necessary, she will catch up.

And she caught up. I was standing in line for a pie when a neighbor began to push hungry students in different directions in order to quickly get up next to me.

Why didn't you wait for me?

I am silent. In my mind I figure out how much money I will have left if I buy a roll with poppy seeds. Few. Too little to live for three days and not be hungry. It's also good that I bring bags of provisions from home. Mom will put potatoes, and different twists, and dumplings, which she herself sculpts with love. Zvyagina laughs constantly when I portray Schwarzenegger, dragging two shopping bags into the apartment. But how else? Will a mother let her child out of the house without making sure in advance that he will be fed later? Never. She still manages to shove a thermos of cabbage soup without my noticing. Every time I tell her that I can cook it myself, but no one listens.

And Vika laughs at first, and then does not leave the refrigerator, opening another jar of delicious jam at the speed of light.

Tus, offended, or what? Come on, you get offended because of the bag. I promise, I’ll take money from my parents and buy you a cool backpack. You will be the most fashionable to walk. And I sometimes lend.

I don't need your backpack. And I have a normal bag, understand? Normal.

Yes, where is she normal? You took it in the same market, where did you get those terrible pajamas?

Yeah. I will go there again soon. Your tongue is long to sell. Some scientists will buy it in order to decant the poison from it, and then they will poison rats in the cellars.

Zvyagina, as usual, pays little attention to my words. She doesn't care. The main thing is that she said what she wanted. And everything that flies in response, passes by itself. As she says, in this way you can protect your aura from heavy energy.

While they were punching my pie, Vika managed to force the whole tray with plates. And vermicelli soup, and mashed potatoes with a cutlet, I even grabbed three donuts, although usually I only allow myself one.

Stop grumbling. You, by the way, why with one pie? Are you losing weight, right? Then I’ll tell you a secret: you need to crack vegetables or cottage cheese, but you won’t throw off a gram on flour.

I take my modest lunch, and together we go to a free table, which, as luck would have it, stands near the front door. I can't stand sitting there. Everyone who enters the canteen immediately stumbles upon this table with their eyes. You sit, eat, and the whole institute looks into your mouth.

Horror.

The diet is called: "A few days without money." They say it's effective. For three days minus five kilograms.

I was not going to complain to Zvyagina that I spent all the money on the trip for her. But I didn't even think about keeping silent about it. Tomorrow we have to go pay for the light, let her expect that she alone will have to chip in.

- So, Shvedova, why didn't you say that you were broke? Hold the cutlet, - he moves a plate of mashed potatoes at me, then holds out a piece of bread. - Come on, come on. We are friends, after all. I help you, you help me. And since the latter happens many times more often, this is my contribution to the future.

I don't want your cutlet. A potato pie is enough for me.

I'm not so pathetic as to sell my homeland for minced meat, fried in butter.

As you want. I suggested.

I have always considered myself to be kind. If I saw a hungry kitten on the street, I went to the store and bought him a bag of food. When I noticed that someone was asking for help, I could give the last, and there was not a bit of a pity. Only now I did not feel good, but stupid. A little used. But…

Hi girls.

Sukhanov flops down onto the chair next to me, spilling Zvyagina's juice over her tray.

Nazar, what do you want?

As Vika goes crazy for Korneev, she hates his best friend Nazar with the same force. If it were her will, she would send him to a remote village, to wash the hooves of cows.

Sukhanov sticks out his tongue at her and looks at me.

How is our supergirl doing?

What?

Is he sure he's not a drug addict?

Sometimes he behaves so strangely.

He can walk past a crowd of first-year girls and pick up one in his arms. Spin around until she screams. And then also abruptly let go and leave, as if he had done nothing.

Like I said, he's suspicious.

But the girls love it too. Of course, not like Korneev, but still.

Who? Vika almost choked on her soup. Yes, I myself stopped chewing the stale pie, and it got lumpy in my throat. - Sukhanov, you should drink in the evening, not during the day.

Is this your personal creed? - answers her in his own way and takes the juice from her, taking several large sips.

No, this is my contribution to the care of our smaller brothers. - Few people will be able to embarrass Zvyagina. She doesn't care about anyone.

Nazar throws his black leather backpack on the table and pulls out a huge bar of chocolate.

Hold on, Supergirl. Throw a pie, they can kill someone today.

What for? Not necessary.

Come on, come on. All children love sweets. - Another person who does not listen to anyone, but oppresses his own. But I take chocolate. She is dairy. With hazelnuts. My lovely.

Zvyagina! - barks Sukhanov, when Vika, not worrying about strangers at the table, continues to hamster, just about to bite off a donut. - What did you think? Eat a donut?

I will not share. There is no hope.

Share? My mother is a nutritionist. Do you know what kind of assholes come to her after these donuts? They just get in the door. Although you eat, eat. It's too late to stop.

I thought I heard silence now.

Everything froze so abruptly.

I could hardly restrain myself from laughing at his words, and when I looked at Zvyagina's face, I immediately realized that she was about to kill someone. Her cheeks did not turn red with anger, but her eyes. Hell, the neighbor is furious, and I'm laughing here.

You're a moron, Sukhanov. - From her squeal, I was even confused. - If it were not for Danya, no one would communicate with you, you are a long sleeper.

Sukhanov, smiling as if he had achieved what he wanted, gets up from his chair and straightens his T-shirt.

Yes? OK. Right now I'll go to Korney for a photoset and thank you for your friendship. Maybe I’ll even cry and ask you never to leave me. - Then he winks at me and says: - So, throw away the pie. You will earn an ulcer from him, and you can’t share a chocolate bar with her, only beauties can have sweets.

A spoon flew into his back, and Zvyagina began to breathe heavily.

Tus, tell the teacher that I'm sick.

Vika got up sharply, with force throwing almost empty plates onto the tray.

Where are you going? Did you go to take revenge on Sukhanov?

Didn't you hear what that clown said? Danya will shoot someone now. His father has a photo studio in the Parus shopping center. I will go there.

Vic, don't be silly. Well, I already told you about the miserable appearance, - unfolding the wrapper, I try to reason with my neighbor.

Shvedova, don't be a fool. Just imagine what kind of pictures you get if I persuade Danya to take pictures of me. Yes, he is the best in the business. Mirror God. In short, don't be a bitch, but cover me.

Blowing a final kiss, she disappears out the door as usual, leaving behind a mountain of dirty dishes. Which I, by the way, will need to collect and carry.

Well, Zvyagin.

How is that possible?

I decide that sitting alone is stupid, and it makes no sense, because the couple will start in ten minutes, I get up from my chair, stuffing a chocolate bar into my bag. I'll eat it later. At home with herbal tea.

And I thought you would treat me sweet.

I raise my head in surprise and see Korneev in front of me.

This is my favorite. With hazelnuts. By the way, didn’t they tell you that it’s a sin to blacklist people?

What is he doing here anyway?