Mom and Chris noticed that something was bothering me. And my behavior spoke for itself. I lied to my mother that the critical days are exhausting me, and it seems that she believed me. At least she stopped pestering me with questions. With Chris, this answer did not work. But she didn't bother me with questions either. She just looked at me and was silent. Only once she mentioned that if I want to talk, then she is there.

After a couple of weeks, Chris said that Arthur had left. It's like a mountain has been lifted off my shoulders. But walking was out of the question.

With each passing day, the fear gradually let go of me. And by the end of the summer, I almost came to my senses. But from that moment I decided for myself that alcohol and guys are incompatible things with me. It is better to gnaw at the granite of science than to relive this horror once again.

I did go to university anyway. On budget, as expected. At the Faculty of International Relations, as she dreamed. Together with me, Christina entered the university, though at the Faculty of Economics. But it didn't matter. We were glad that we would not have to be separated, and we would spend a lot of time together.

For Vika, mom hired a tutor. The psychologist, whom she visited all summer, advised the first class, or at least the first two quarters, to study at home. Homeschooling was expensive for our family, but my parents didn't even consider other options. Must, means must. I again hinted at work, but I was abruptly cut off and asked not to return to this topic anymore and to pay more attention to studying at the university. I was completely satisfied with this arrangement.

The long-awaited first of September came quickly and irrevocably. Chris and I are dressed up and with flowers on the festive line. Happy smiles on their faces. The phones have colorful photos that are immediately uploaded to social networks.

And then acquaintance with new people and with the university. Lectures, teachers, a library, and, of course, the most favorite place for students is the dining room. I really enjoyed my new life. She finally ousted all thoughts of Arthur and what had happened in the summer.

September was pleased with the weather, and study was a joy. Our group was very friendly. It included beauties and smarties, nerds and losers, bores and pranksters, and just ordinary boys and girls. People like me.

Studying at the university brought some satisfaction to my life. Communication with people made me more liberated, and the knowledge gained made me self-confident.

But I enjoyed not only the learning process, but also entertainment. Both within the walls of the educational institution and outside it.

One of those holidays was my birthday. Most of the guys were in favor of celebrating it in the walls of a nightclub with alcohol and dancing until the morning. I immediately rejected the idea. No more dealing with alcohol. Therefore, we celebrated in a cafe near the university. Some people didn't like the idea, but I was adamant.

In the morning the headman handed me an envelope with money. The amount was great. And I decided to spend all the money on the celebration of my eighteenth birthday. I really wanted to do something crazy. And a party in a cafe with new friends was a great option.

Half of the group gathered at the common table. The most active and sociable people of our group. Many still drank. Some wine, some beer. Beer was eaten with pizza, and wine was bought with cheese and fruit. I limited myself to cola and a slice of pizza. The guys chipped in and ordered several sets with rolls.

It was very fun and noisy. I felt comfortable. I guess lately, I really haven't allowed myself to relax. And now she was watching everyone from under half-lowered eyelashes and was in a slight euphoria.

I was pulled out of my nirvana by the voice of the headman, who suggested that I send my candidacy to an audition for the competition of hosts at the celebration of initiation into students.

After some discussion, we unanimously decided that I would be the candidate from our group.

The fact is that after the official part, a concert was planned, which was supposed to be prepared by university students. And this concert was supposed to be held by first-year students. The dean's office proposed to nominate candidates from each group of the first year of all faculties for audition.

From our group, I became such a candidate. My attempts to refuse were not even heard. This crowd was not to argue and not to convince. I just had to calm down. All hope was that I was unlikely to pass the audition.

Imagine my surprise when, after listening, the jury of teachers called my name and a freshman from the Faculty of Economics Stas Voloshin.

It was so unexpected. And exciting. It was the first time I had to take part in such a large-scale event.

Daily rehearsals began, work with screenwriters, vocalists, musicians, and even with a speech therapist. I was tired to the point of losing my pulse. Came home in the evening and just fell on the bed. But not how much I regretted that it was I who was lucky to pass the audition.

Stas turned out to be a friendly guy, and we quickly found a common language with him. And almost all the participants of the concert considered us a harmonious couple.

Day X was approaching and I was a little feverish. I felt prepared, but there was still a little excitement.

The only problem I had to solve was the outfit and makeup and hair. And I called for help from two fairies - mom and Chris. They coped with their task with a bang.

At the appointed time, I arrived at a small square not far from the university, where a stage was set up, on which it was planned to hold the most anticipated event for students in the fall.

I was wearing a floor-length blue dress with bare shoulders and a bodice embroidered with silver thread, borrowed from Christina. Shoes with high heels. Bright makeup from Chris. It was unusual for me, but Chris said that it was necessary. Mom approved. The hair was twisted with a curling iron and left loose, slightly lifting it up with the help of invisibility. I really liked what I saw in the mirror. And my mother saw me off with tears in her eyes, which could only mean one thing. I'm beautiful.

Stas was in a fashionable blue suit, which was very suitable for his perfectly styled blond curls, and, of course, my dress. When we walked to the stage, everyone gave us a thumbs up, or shouted compliments after us. It instilled confidence.

And yet, at the last moment, I got excited. Rehearsing in front of an empty hall is not like performing in front of a huge crowd of students. Spotlights, loud sound, screams and whistles of youth. All this made not only my voice tremble, but also my legs. Only thanks to rehearsals with teachers and the support of Stas I managed to survive.

The whole concert flew by for me like an instant. I woke up only when I was already receiving congratulations on a successful debut from my classmates. Everyone hugged and kissed us. I was ready to burst into tears from the emotions that overwhelmed me.

Someone suggested going to a club. Everyone unanimously supported the proposal, except for me. A company of fifteen people gathered, including Christina and Stas. The girls tried to persuade me, but again I refused. Everyone wanted to get away. The girls went there to dance and meet the senior boys. The guys just accompanied the girls. And no one didn't care that tomorrow is Thursday and at the university you need to be at the first couple.

Chris and Stas called me a taxi, and only after I waved them out of the car did they join the roaming company.

Despite the fact that I did not go to the club, I returned home after midnight. I sat with my mother in the kitchen for a very long time over a cup of herbal tea, sharing with her my impressions of the evening. As a result, I didn't sleep well.

In the morning, pulling on the usual jeans and a gray print blouse, gathering her hair in a ponytail and applying a little pink gloss on her lips, she advanced to the university. You can’t even say that yesterday, I was the star of the evening.

Chris sent a message to my calls that will be later. I had to go alone.

Almost the whole group envied me. Some of them seemed to come straight from the club for a couple. Someone even in yesterday's clothes. Although I didn't get much sleep that night either, I felt much better compared to those who danced until morning.

Many just didn't show up. And for those who came, no one was going to give concessions. Probability theory began at eight o'clock sharp. The teacher obviously did not go to the club, he was cheerful and began the lecture with a survey on the previous topic. I got lucky again. The auditorium ran out of chalk, and the resupply mission was entrusted to me.

I was walking down an empty hallway to the lab for chalk when I met him. A guy with blue eyes and a short blond hedgehog on his head. Handsome, tall, athletic. And dressed to the nines, like from the cover of a fashion magazine. Branded jeans, sports shirt with a stand-up collar. Self-assured. Gait, posture, literally everything in him screamed about immeasurable wealth. For such, probably, the girls run in a herd.

-Dasha Alekseeva? He stopped, blocking the road. He stood so close that I could smell the citrus scent coming from him.

I took a step back.

- Yes? - I was surprised.

I didn’t see him at our university, even among the golden youth. I would have remembered him.

- Host of yesterday's holiday, - he specified. - And I was looking for you. And you weren't in the club yesterday.

- I do not go to clubs - I did not like his attention. - Why did you search?

- I wanted to invite you somewhere. To the cinema or to a restaurant. Or all at once.

He managed to surprise me again. And also scared.

- Not. Thank you.

I turned around and walked in the opposite direction. He embarrassed me so much with his proposal that I forgot where I was going.

After a couple of steps, he again materialized in front of me.

- Why not? The guy was intrigued.

Probably not used to being rejected.

"Not interested in dating, relationships, and so on," I tried to answer as coldly as possible. But my voice trembled a little, betraying my excitement.

His interest in me was suspicious.

- I'm not offering you a relationship.

I didn’t even want to think what he was offering me there. It was necessary to quickly end the conversation and reel in the fishing rods. Because my mind screamed with all its might: “Danger! Danger! Danger!"

- Especially. A couple of joint nights is not my forte at all.

Handsome smiles.

“It will be difficult with you,” the guy suggested, ignoring my unwillingness to communicate with him.

- Nothing will happen to me.

I turned 180 degrees again. And again, after a couple of steps, he rose in front of me. Persistent.

- Why? Do you like me?

I got lost.

- I don't even know you. The most I can offer is friendship. Well, to stay there as a vest, to lend a shoulder in difficult times. But you probably won't be interested.

I was sure that he would refuse. Such friends are not needed.

- Well, friendship, so friendship, - he unexpectedly agreed.

- In terms of?

- Let's be friends, Dasha Alekseeva! What's incomprehensible? - the guy smiled in all thirty-two of his snow-white teeth.

So Oleg Ignatov appeared in my life.