Fifteen years.

- Why did you call Oksana? I thought we'd go together, - in Zhenya's voice, obvious displeasure slipped.

She frankly disliked our third friend for her stubbornness, stupidity and arrogance. If earlier it was not so noticeable, and we got along well in the same company, then in the last six months the gap between us, Zhenya and Oksana has increased a hundredfold.

- Come on. She is our friend. You can’t get frostbitten from her without a reason, ”I answered conciliatoryly, carefully drawing an arrow on my left eye.

- Without a reason? Doesn't it bother you the way she's been acting lately? I went completely crazy with my Cyril! And this pity in her eyes! We are gray and miserable, useless to anyone, not like her! - Zhenya was gaining momentum and was indignant louder and louder.

“I went completely crazy with my Cyril.” This is the reason why I, clenching my teeth to a creak, endured the presence of Oksana on each of our walks, why I myself called her to walk in secret from Zhenya. When my eyes caught on the way these two looked at each other six months ago, the whole world turned upside down inside. It was so painful and insulting that for some time I simply dropped out of the company, citing exam preparation. The end of the ninth grade played into my hands, and no one suspected anything.

All this time, I furtively glanced at the hated couple from the window. I saw how Cyrus strove to casually touch this chicken, how she laughed at his jokes, how picturesquely offended and blew her lips, and he, like the last ram, was led to her cheap tricks. How I wanted to throw something heavy at them! It's just unbearable!

Two years ago, I realized that Oksana was in love with him. Cyril did not pay any attention to his fan, although he knew about her feelings. It was impossible not to notice them, Oksana tried too hard to draw Orlov's attention to herself. I mentally laughed at her clumsy attempts to win Kira, naively believing that Ksenia had no chance. As it turned out, it didn't take long to laugh.

During these six months, I could not understand why Oksana attracted Cyril. Her face reminded me of a Pikinese. It was as if someone had loaded a tasteful fist right into her nose. A huge forehead, small eyes, thin hair, dyed vigorously black - just a goblin from fairy tales! The only thing that Oksana favorably differed from Zhenya and me was the size of her breasts. That's what God really did not offend her!

After a week of moping, I decided that I wouldn’t just retreat and give Kirill to some kind of mop, albeit much more curvaceous! If he suddenly decided to meet with someone like Oksana, then I clearly have every chance.

Over the past two years, not without Zhenya's kicks, I have changed for the better. Excess weight is gone, acne almost did not bother me, except sometimes they popped up on my forehead. I also managed to cope with this trouble - a bob haircut with bangs solved the problem. How much I've been enjoying my reflection in the mirror lately! Just heaven and earth compared to what it was. Even Cyrus didn't call me Homa anymore, and that was my small victory.

I decided to become closer friends with Oksana. So I had the opportunity to know about everything that happened in their relationship, and even give "practical" advice. I slyly tried to quarrel them. Twice I managed to set Oksana up for a scandal, however, the doves in love quickly put up. I acted as a kind of gray cardinal in their relationship. Since Oksana herself was a narrow-minded person and, seeing me as her best friend, often asked what she should do, what to say or write to Kira, only a dumbass would not take the opportunity to turn the situation in the right direction.

All these months, I perfectly understood that I was acting like the last bastard, so Zhenya was ashamed to admit my deceit. Do not count how many times I wanted to dump everything that was going on in my soul on her, but again and again I stopped myself. Not a single living soul knew about love for Cyril. This was how it should have continued.

- Zhenya, do not boil. It doesn’t suit you,” I answered conciliatoryly to my friend.

Her further indignation was interrupted by the doorbell. I had the opportunity to escape from the battlefield. Oksana showed up at the door. As soon as her parents let her out of the house with red lipstick on her lips? I'm willing to bet that the teachers on duty will force Maltseva to erase this art.

- Hi! Are we all going together? Oksana chattered cheerfully, taking off her leather jacket.

Until that moment, I had never been to a school disco. I was never drawn there, and my mother was reluctant to ask for a long time off. Zhenya and Oksana did not miss a single last year and constantly called with them. This time I gave up. In the end, the most interesting events took place at the discos, which were then discussed by the whole school.

It's good that mom hasn't returned from work yet. Today they celebrated the birthday of a colleague, so the evening went without her comments. If she were at home, she would definitely make a remark to me about the short skirt borrowed from Zhenya and brightly painted eyes. No matter how the guards kicked me out myself.

You are so beautiful today. She doesn’t even look like herself,” Oksana praised me.

Zhenya just snorted softly. This is the whole Maltseva. Be sure to manage to spoil even the most innocent phrase. I already knew that she did not seek to offend me or sarcastically. Just blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

Will the boys come with us? Zhenya asked.

Yes, they should already be there. They have their own male company, - Oksana replied with a roll of her eyes.

Why didn't Cyrus wait for you? I asked in an innocent voice.

“You see, the boys’ company is more important to him,” Ksenia drawled. She got angry. This is good.

“Kir as always,” I drawled and reached into the closet for a jacket.

Zhenya snorted again. She often spoke about her attitude towards this couple. A friend also did not believe that they would be together for a long time.

The drive to school took fifteen minutes. Oksana and I chatted merrily, Zhenya only occasionally inserted separate remarks. I felt like a kind of truce between them. If not for my presence, these two would have already quarreled because of Oksana's next stupid phrase.

Near the main entrance, Kir and Misha were waiting in the company of three classmates of mine and Orlov. Zhenya was a class older than all of us. Misha and Oksana also studied at our parallel, but in different classes.

Girls, what are you doing tonight? Misha asked cheerfully.

- For you, young people, we are always free, - Zhenya did not keep herself waiting.

It should be noted that more than once I noticed how she and Misha chirp with each other. Zhenya blossomed when he appeared nearby. Suddenly, one day another couple will appear in our company? Then I will definitely become the fifth extra.

“Why should I go here alone, without you?” Oksana was indignant without any greeting.

Cyrus just rolled his eyes and calmly replied to the claim:

- Were you alone? Yara and Zhenya are no longer considered?

“I wanted to go with you,” Maltseva persisted.

- Don't act offended. If she didn't want to go without me, she would sit at home.

“Stop spoiling our mood,” I jumped in, rubbing my hands maliciously in my soul. Their skirmishes were like sour cream for a cat. Are we going or not?

Oksana threw another angry look at Kira and went to the entrance first. We followed along. As I expected, the Russian language teacher on duty reprimanded her. Ksenia went to the toilet to wash her lipstick, and in my heart I only gloated. Judging by Zhenya's malicious smirk, she did it quite openly.

“Yara, it turns out you are pretty,” Kirill drawled, examining me from head to toe.

I have long since learned to understand his sarcasm, so Orlov's attack did not cause a bit of resentment or indignation.

– If you haven’t seen this before, I can give you glasses for your birthday.

- Where is that Yara, who was so coolly offended by my phrases?

- Me instead of her.

How I loved these fights. We practiced wit on each other, knowing that no one would be offended. Lovely moments! How few of them have become lately!

An hour later, I realized that I didn’t go to school discos in vain. It turned out to be a lot of fun. Zhenya and I jumped to the beat of the music, not paying attention to those around us. Oksana was not around. Surely she again sorted things out with Cyrus. It made the evening perfect.

The eleventh-grader, who played the role of a DJ, put on a slow-motion. We moved away, perched forlornly on the windowsill of one of the hall windows. Many broke into couples and remained on the dance floor. Zhenya and I could only watch the others. Never, perhaps, do girls feel more alone than during slow dances.

- Yara, shall we dance?

Looking at the hugging couples, I did not notice the approach of Cyril. He asked me to dance? ME?

I nodded silently, unable to say a word. Cyrus led me to the dance floor and lightly hugged my waist. Lord, did this really happen to me and right now?! Isn't this even a dream?!

The smell of his fresh perfume tickled my nerves. How I wanted to inhale it for hours on end. I was drowning in those almost black eyes. Kirill was a little taller, despite my high heeled shoes—he had grown taller over the past two years. We have never been so close to each other, and I have not found a better moment to compare our height! Ready to swear, Oksana was now burning with anger.

“Listen, I wanted to tell you something,” Kirill said softly, bending down to my ear.

His heart did a somersault and spread like a vanilla puddle in his chest.

- Mishkin's classmate, Kostya, asked me for your number. He likes you,” Cyrus blurted out.

A firework of emotions exploded in my head. How I wanted to hit Orlov! So slap him in the face, so that straight sparks from his eyes! So that he understands how much he hurt me with his words. What the hell, Kostya?!

This dance was just an excuse! Orlov is ready to hand me over to some guy with his own hands. Kir really doesn't feel anything for me, no matter how hard I try to be closer, no matter how hard I try to be better. He is in love with this hen Oksana, but he is so indifferent to me that he took up matchmaking! Is Orlov really blind?!

“I don’t like this Kostya,” I blurted out, trying my best to keep an indifferent expression on my face.