Not like a snake

      — Antoshaaa, get up. — the first thing I heard was opening my heavy eyelids. A sweet whisper literally pulled me out of the embrace of sleep, replacing them with Catherine's and turning into another French kiss, instantly sobering my clouded consciousness. It was already seven o'clock on the clock, so the tenderness did not last very long and soon transformed into a typical morning gathering. Quickly pulling on a rumpled school uniform, and putting each other in order, we went down to the first floor. — Petrov, how are you feeling? Lilia Pavlovna asked, standing on the threshold. — Much better than yesterday. The corners of my lips lifted a little when a nocturnal picture filled with debauchery surfaced in my head and, of course, played an important role in my "recovery". — I called your parents back. If you really feel normal, you can go straight to school from here. Katerina will share her textbooks with you. In response, I just nodded my head in silence. After waiting for the teacher to leave, we went to the kitchen. Smirnova brewed two mugs of strong tea, adding strawberry jam to it, which stood on a separate wooden shelf specially reserved for all kinds of jars. — Thank you, Kate... — I whispered, sipping a hot drink. — Oh, come on, it's just tea.… — I'm basically a fool. — the hand involuntarily fell on the top of the girl's head, starting to stroke and massage her. How I love such moments – warm, comfortable conversations with a loved one, accompanied by pleasant tactile contacts. It's the only thing worth living for. The cheeks of the beloved turned a little red. — And it was much harder to embarrass you at night. — Petrov, damn it! Catherine cried out indignantly. How sweet she is when she's angry... I didn't fully understand when we managed to get to school. As I have already noticed, time with Katyusha flows in a completely different way, as if in a parallel reality. Under the stunned stares of my classmates, I hugged Smirnova and went into the office, heading for my favorite last desk. But what no one expected, including me, was a sudden kiss with a tongue, into which the girl introduced me, stopping halfway. From somewhere in the back of the classroom, Roman's voice sounded surprised: — This statement sounded rather comical, which made the mood rise even more. For the next couple of lessons, I often caught suspicious glances from Polina, whom I had already forgotten about due to the long absence of any conversations. As soon as it was time for the big break, during which a decent part of the students were leaving the classroom, the girl headed towards me. — Well, how do you explain it? Morozova asked, puzzled, leaning on my desk. — What is it exactly? There was no desire to talk to her at all, so the phrase sounded rather cold and rude. — What kind of circus is this with Katya? The girl's face showed that she was getting angry. — Let me think about it… It's like a "relationship is called." I quipped. "You mean you love that bitch?" — What's it to you? — You know that I like you. Polina said in such a tone, as if realizing this fact I should have immediately sent Smirnov three funny letters. — So what? — the question clearly put the interlocutor in a stupor. — On my part, the feelings are not mutual. — Anton, do you even understand… — Fuck off, please. "I'm not in the mood to argue with you right now." Surprisingly, the girl, with a grunt of displeasure, really left, ostentatiously clicking her heels. Already at the next break, with the words "I need to talk", Roma picked me up, dragging me to a dead end. Pyatifanov sighed languidly, choosing his words. — Let's be clear right away that I don't blame you for anything. — Did something happen? — I just looked at my friend uncomprehendingly, trying to somehow contain my emotions. — Polina said that you groped her. Roma's tone abruptly changed to an even more serious and rude one. — What did Polina say?.. — the question was rather rhetorical, asked out of reluctance to believe what he had heard. — That you... groped her. — Rom, you do understand that I would never do such a thing in my life... and I have Katka… — I understand. — Don't you believe me? — Toh, if I didn't believe you... — the guy stopped in the middle of the sentence to swallow the lump that formed in his throat. — If I didn't treat you like a brother, this conversation wouldn't have happened. And I want to figure out the situation, you know? I just sincerely don't want to lie to me... — the friend's eyes ran from side to side, showing that the young man was literally torn from the inside. "Should I believe the girl I'm madly in love with, or a close friend?" was exactly the question in his head. — I don't want to be disappointed in any of you, but... I'm afraid someone is playing the same game, brother. — a heavy exhalation from Pyatifanov made it clear that he was still on my side. I also found it extremely incomprehensible the behavior of Morozova, who so abruptly changed her mindset and deceived a person who had obvious sympathy for her. Only now have I digested everything that happened during the day, all those jealous glances from the rejected girl and our strange dialogue, which apparently became the reason for the current conversation with Roman. — The only thing I did with her was talk. I began, gathering my thoughts together. — When you left the classroom, Polina came up to me and... confessed her love. In non–reciprocal love, Rum... and when she was refused, she freaked out and ran away somewhere. The guy's incredulous gaze studied me, looking for possible signs of a lie. To be honest, I wouldn't believe such a story either. But if I try to lie or twist something, I'm guaranteed to get a slap in the face. And that's even better.       Pyatifanov's thoughts were interrupted by Byasha appearing out of nowhere. — Romych, Toshka is telling the truth. — the Buryat gave out, approaching the place of our dialogue. — I saw everything, on. —That's how it is, then...— hissed the friend, gritting his teeth. — Morozova... is a fucking bitch.