Part 2. Vasilisa Ogneva
February 4, 2024 at 6:55 AM
— Lyosha, one orange juice, the red — haired girl said wearily, taking the order to the kitchen along the way. The last one for today.
Quickly giving everything to the customers, she trudged into the wardrobe. Walking up to the mirror hanging in the hallway, Vasilisa involuntarily stared at herself. Bright blue eyes looked at her, examining her mistress. The fiery red curls that reached her shoulders were tangled and hung limply, betraying the girl’s fatigue. Involuntarily smoothing them down, she noticed blue circles under her eyes. Yeah, lack of sleep had a strong effect on work. Fortunately, she will go to school tomorrow, and will not run around this terrible cafe all day. Damn, I still have to pack up!
Having seen enough, she quickly changed her clothes and went to a booth. Slightly lifting the sleeve of her shirt, Vasilisa did some kind of manipulation with a bracelet that turned out to be under her clothes. And finally, concentrating, the girl made a movement with her hand, scrolled, and disappeared into a silver haze.
Once in front of the five-story house, Vasilisa looked at it out of habit: the red-maroon brick walls, tarnished after years, frowned at the girl. The old stained windows of many apartments seemed to confirm the middle-aged age of the building. And yet, quickly attaching the key to the magnets, Ogneva found herself inside. The decrepit concierge frowned at her, and immediately buried her face in the newspaper. And so it has been for three months now.
Yes, she used to live in the beautiful two-story house of her father, Norton. The Ognevs were part of the four sacred ones, consisting of Dragocii, Lyakhtich, Reznikovs and the Ognevs themselves. They were surrounded by honor and fame everywhere, their fortune exceeded a billion magfunts, they had such large farms as ZolMeh, as well as Chernovod Castle — the most expensive project in the history of mankind. But it wasn’t for her.
Almost everyone did not understand Vasilisa. Why did she walk away from endless money and respect. But she couldn’t. I couldn’t live “like this”, knowing that there are people who need food. Who can’t sleep at home and spend the night on a bench in the yard. Who ask for money, pray every day to live. She didn’t want to be looked at with disdain, saying she was a spender. She wanted to live the ordinary life of an ordinary person.
— Barsik, I’m home! Vasilisa shouted to her cat, entering the apartment.
At the sight of a pet galloping to the call, the girl smiled. She loved him very much, because it was he who brightened up her lonely life in the apartment. Yes, of course, she had friends, and Ogneva appreciated them very much. But when everyone was busy, she could just sit down and watch a movie with him. She could tell him about her grief or something good, as if he would understand. Meanwhile, Barsik was nodding his head importantly, as if he understood. As if he understood how important he was in the life of his red-haired mistress.
Vasilisa quickly took off her jacket and shoes and, smoothing her hair, went to wash her hands. She’s on her way to school tomorrow, and her things aren’t packed.
The school she went to was something like a boarding school. But definitely not in terms of knowledge — this is the best educational institution in Europe, if not in the whole world. And the girl was very proud that she got there using only her knowledge. Although even with connections, it’s not easy to get there. According to the exams, five people enter the course in one year, but thousands want to.
Previously, the girl studied with tutors at home. With the best tutors. The best in the world, probably.
The father considered his daughter’s education very important, but did not want to let her go into a big adult life, if you can call it that. He was just afraid. He was afraid that his girl would spoil at the expense of society. It will rot.
Yes, Norton Sr. didn’t trust people. But Vasilisa did not condemn him. She knew that her father had been through a lot in his life, even if not very much. Although Ogneva was a little offended, she understood that he loved her and cared about her.
Yes, everyone’s concern is different. Caring will always remain caring, no matter what it is. A person does this from the heart, with love. He puts his strength into it, trying to please in everything. And Vasilisa understood that. She loved her father very much, his care and what he gave her — his invaluable attention, love and experience.
Caring is a person’s participation in the lives of others, helping them. It doesn’t matter who they are — children, adults, and even animals — care is always wholeheartedly. Not with a selfish purpose, a desire to harm someone or “thank you”, but to support. Financially, physically, mentally — all this is a concern.
A caring person is called a sincere, compassionate and sensitive person. This feeling is inherent in him by nature. There are many such people. Very. But we may not notice them, we may not know… and someone is just ashamed. She is ashamed of such a wonderful quality as caring! Now such qualities as care, respect and others are considered something shameful. Indecent. Weird…
***
The phone rang somewhere in the hallway. Swearing, Vasilisa could only drearily listen to the ringtone and curse the whole world for being in the bathtub at such an inopportune moment. I just went to soak up, as here… “Well, okay, it’ll wait!” — Vasilisa thought a little bit maliciously and plunged headlong into the pleasant warm water — “It’s my fault.” Only half an hour later, after getting out of the bath and getting dressed, the girl picked up the phone and looked at the call history. Damn, Diana called! Vasilisa promised to come to her at five, but now… Oops! — I’m screwed! — Ogneva clicked when she saw a quarter past five on the clock — so, where’s my bracelet there… Running out of the entrance five minutes later, Vasilisa immediately teleported to a hefty two — Story beige house — the Fraser monastery. Fortunately, her parents left and left Diana alone, which she immediately took advantage of and called a friend. A mobile phone rang in the depths of her purse for some time, to which the girl only winced and pressed the bell. There was the sound of bare feet, and, following the opening of the door, a brunette in her twenties poked her head out. — Look who’s here! — the girl grumbled, throwing her hands around — there must have been important things, since she was half an hour late. Well, yes, where can I go, a mere mortal — Come on, what’s wrong with who doesn’t happen, — Ogneva waved, — maybe you’ll let me in already? — This doesn’t happen to me! Come on in, come on in — A new wardrobe? Vasilisa grinned, knowing about Diana’s parents' mania for everything expensive and new — although why am I surprised? Fraser just winced at that. The friends sat down on the sofa, simultaneously eating fruits from the table. — How are you doing with Nick? Ogneva asked, watching Diana’s flushed face contentedly. — Well… generally… He gave me flowers…” mumbled Fraser, to which Vasilisa squealed joyfully and hugged her friend — I knew that you would succeed! — Oh, come on, they’re just flowers. They also give them to friends,” Diana shrugged. — And he didn’t give it to you as a friend! Vasilisa stood her ground. “I don’t know… — frowned Fraser. — By the way, I have a surprise for you too. — Did the guy show up? Diana asked sarcastically, but immediately looked at her friend in disbelief — really… Accepted? And when she saw the nod of her head, she rolled her eyes and with a deafening squeal rushed to Vasilisa’s neck, joyfully saying “smart girl.” — Well, what are you so… — Ogneva said confusedly — what’s the big deal? — Yes, this is the best school! Diana exclaimed, throwing her arms out to the sides, and you got in there. By myself! — Oh, come on. It would be better to get ready to help! But first, tell me about Nick — the demanding voice did not accept objections. — Eh… okay, let’s go to you… — sighed Fraser — and I’ll tell you on the way…***
— What, did he just say that? Vasilisa was surprised when they reached her house — Yes, can you imagine? He also blushed so sweetly — Diana giggled — And she said that as a gift to a friend, she teased Ognev’s girlfriend and jokingly shoved her in the side. — Oh, look! Diana suddenly exclaimed. Vasilisa frowned at where her friend was pointing, and stood up — there was a car there… The father? But what did he forget here? Really… My heart was pounding in my chest, as if it would jump out. Nervously tugging at the edge of her shirt, the girl and her friend carefully entered the entrance, looking at it. — Ogneva, you have guests, — the concierge warned dryly. — Oh, I forgot this… phone, in general — Diana shyly lowered her head, and, throwing a modest “I’ll be right back”, rushed out of the house. Vasilisa knew, of course, that she had not forgotten any phone, but she was very grateful to her. Her friend had always understood her, and now she hadn’t let her down. Ogneva needed to talk to her father alone. So to speak, face to face. The seconds are long. Very. Here she goes into the elevator. Here he comes up. Here is the second floor, the third… Fifth. Here she comes out. Here he sees the open door of the apartment. And here’s the father… — Um… hi,” Vasilisa greeted, leaning against the doorjamb and arching an eyebrow questioningly. — Hi, Vasilisa — fi, how cold it is — I came to ask you again: will you come home? I’ll send you to a normal school,” he interrupted his daughter, who wanted to say some kind of taunt. — No. — And why? — mocking, but at the same time icy as steel, the look seemed to penetrate into the soul. — I can’t. Understand… I actually… well, I went to a very good school. — Yes, what school could be better than the one that I offer you! Especially the budget… — It’s dark now, — Vasilisa interrupted him, — does this name mean something to you? — Did you get in there? — there was no limit to my father’s surprise — but… how? You’re kidding, right? The girl just sighed at that. — No! That’s why I won’t leave, because it doesn’t make sense. I work, get paid, and live by myself. Are you surprised, Daddy? — Vasilisa specially highlighted the last word — Yes, I’m surprised… — my father drawled, confessing — then here you go, I’m off — he threw a pack on the table, most likely with money, waved goodbye and left. Didn’t she think there was a bitter smile on his face? Right?.. — And you’re going to study there in this?! Diana exclaimed, throwing her jeans to the other corner of the room. “That’s…” she drawled in amazement. — Well, what’s wrong with them! Vasilisa was perplexed, looking at her friend in resignation. — You have to look perfect! Do you understand? Per-fect! That’s the whole point of Fraser — she’ll do anything to get what she wants. — You must make a good impression — Diana continued, — so to speak, bind the hearts of men. Maybe you’ll find yourself a gu — she winked conspiratorially at Vasilisa, to which she furiously shook her fist at her. — You will not get it — Eh, okay… Apparently the guy is nowhere to be seen. But you still have to be beautiful! However, after another half hour of searching in the closet for at least something like a dress, attempts to dress Ogneva “like a woman” were unsuccessful. — Oh God… — Diana said doomedly, sitting down tiredly on the sofa — your clothes look like you’re a la “Bad Boy.” Maybe you will also have a gangster hat? — Oh, I have one too! — Barely holding back her laughter, Vasilisa dived into the depths of the closet and took out the item she was looking for, but noticing Fraser’s elongated face, she could not stand it and outright neighed. — And who do I communicate with? — Diana asked herself in shock, rubbing the top of her head. — With me, darling, with me. By the way!.. — Vasilisa exclaimed — let’s make a bet? — And what are its conditions? — Diana asked playfully — I only take there the clothes that I think are necessary.” Wait, wait, you didn’t listen to the end! — she interrupted herself, noticing her friend’s dissatisfied grimace — and if I find a guy, then it’s up to you, if I don’t find it, then it’s up to me. Fine? Diana smiled wickedly. —I agree, — the girls shook hands. — Prepare to lose! — they exclaimed at the same time, but immediately laughed — and yet I will win — Vasilisa completed She immediately began throwing out of her suitcase the trash that Diana had carefully put away half an hour ago. And jeans with holes, t-shirts, and a favorite sweatshirt with Mickey Mouse flew inside. — Here you go! Everything is collected! — Vasilisa said joyfully, rubbing her hands contentedly — and you don’t have to suffer for two hours! — Eh… Okay, I went then, or something… — Uh-huh… Will you meet me tomorrow then? If anything happens, on Malaya Square at twelve — Ogneva warned. The fact is that the school was far away, and all the students and teachers gathered at a certain meeting place. And then they teleported to the training place. But it will be tomorrow. “Now I need to get some sleep,” Vasilisa thought and fell onto the bed… 
