Dear All,

First of all, let me say that I stand with and beside my friends, readers and fellow authors for what happened recently in the US. I wish people would simply be kind and respect each other, no matter what, in every situation and every corner of the world.

Then, here comes a new and quite long chapter of "The Princess & The Jerk", and sorry for the wait since last one, but I just couldn't manage it earlier.

I really hope you will enjoy it because it covers a couple of points many of you were anticipating and that, yes, we already know from "Loving You is Forbidden"; however, here we see under Viola and Sergey's points of view. Curious about this? Well...you will see by reading it.

Needless to say, the chapter is rather filled with many emotions and slow, tender moments, a characteristic of this couple, but also, we see the story moving forward, the main two protagonists stepping forward and taking conscience on their feelings, their weaknesses and such.

Sorry, I am still in need to reply to some messages and comments, but I will this evening and in the following days.

Now, I hope you will enjoy it and I will be really looking forward to reading your fabulous comments, messages and seeing your votes! Thank you very much for your support and for the many new readers every day decide to start enjoying my stories, for your love, kindness and patience.

I would like to dedicate this chapter to all of you reading TP&TJ, eagerly waiting for new updates, but in particular to _silent_one as a huge and sincere thank you for following my stories and commenting, knowing you usually don't do that and also, for always looking forward to every new chapter (plus, for being Haikyuu's fans buddies :D ), as well, for the trust in my writing.

As song, I decided to go for something a bit more old-fashioned but that seemed to fit the chapter and then, we have a banner I made, pointing out two major details: her magic and his pickup truck, as many small yet important scenes do happen while he drives here somewhere, something rather normal for two teenagers going to high school 😊

And now, enjoy it!

"When the snow melts, what does it become? – Simple, it becomes water – Wrong! It becomes Spring!", by Natsuki Takaya in 'Fruits Basket', volume 2.

VIOLA POV:

Cammie and Sharon sat in front of me with very concerned and, I must add, upset faces, especially Cameron, who never stood certain situations and types of people, having had his own bad and not very rainbow-colored experiences. He was clutching the glass of his chocolate milkshake so tightly I was afraid he would eventually break it, so I touched his hands and softly smiled at him, seeing he relaxed a teeny tiny bit. He was very introvert and shy, not to mention often placing himself on a defensive attitude, being rather cautious and needing time to trust people. It was his nature and it couldn't be much changed, which was I tried not to force his getting along with Anatoly.

"I'm sorry, he did try to do what? Did he try to...to...do things to you that you didn't want? What happened? Did Adrian do anything about that?" He asked with a shaking voice, his eyes set on a hard and pretty much hostile expression.

I had just explained them what happened the day Ryan had come to my place to watch a movie, the exchange we had and his real intentions; the more I dwelled on that the more I felt silly and almost inexperienced. Maybe another girl would have seen through that quicker, but my mind and heart just processed the romantic part of a relationship for now and, at the moment, I simply wished for that. Sharing a slice of cake while talking about anything, watching a movie together snuggling on the couch like two kittens, going shopping together, discussing school and everyday life, sharing likes and dislikes...perhaps simply enjoy an ice-cream or a hot chocolate and be content with that, with a kiss on the cheek. It was such a precious gesture for me, but apparently it was too childish.

What would Sergey think of all of this? My mind and heart paused on that, seeing he often visited my thoughts and filled my head with questions, new emotions, new nuances of colours I never saw before in my life, and a new meaning of friendship. We were friends, yet not the conventional ones and being with him, considering him a friend felt quite different from how I felt with Sharon, Cameron, Dasha and even Anatoly. Sergey was...well, I guess Sergey was Sergey and that changed the shades and spectrum of colours in many things, even in the small ones.

"Viola?" Sharon and Cameron called for me, as I had paused lost in my thoughts and I shook my head giggling.

"Sorry, for a moment I was like Alice wandering in a big room of my mind and walking around," I simply said and Sharon, who already had asked me a few times how I perceived Sergey, just beamed at me once and then wiggled her thin black eyebrows. Her original colour of hair was pretty much black, but she dyed it of a very light tint of blonde that bordered to pure, silvery white, which was absolutely perfect with her, especially with her skin's pale yet soft complex.

"Are you alright?" Cam asked and I nodded.

"Well, to reply to your question, Adri walked Ryan to the door and I think they had a chat or exchange, because you know how my brother is when it comes to this, but don't worry because I just said no and nothing really happened, believe me," I rushed to explain because, yes, I had felt rather silly for not having being able to predict it and somehow realize he just wanted that, but at the same time, I had managed to say no and put distance between us.

I always believed that already being able to say no and act upon that was quite a lot and important. It made a difference on many occasions, it made people understand who you really are and what you stand for, where your opinions and beliefs rest.

"But you said he tried to kiss you more and," Cammie closed his eyes and shook his head. It wasn't usual to see him so distraught, but when it came to the people he liked, he could be a very caring and dear friend. "This is why I hate certain type of people and why I keep telling you this guy had something I didn't like, just as that other one now helping us for the Halloween's party organization...Sergey Lebedev." I fell silent at hearing the very palpable hostility and almost aversion in my friend's voice when he spoke his name, and it hit me more than I ever expected it could. "Why does he have to help us? And why on earth is he pretending to be friendly with you? I don't trust him."

"Sergey isn't pretending," I said at once, completely sure of that, but my friend shook his head and took a long sip of the milkshake. "I mean it, Cameron, he is not that bad of a person as you think and it's good that he is helping us with the party's organization because we sure need people for that."

"I don't know what you want to believe or see in him, but he is nothing good, always in some gloomy mood, snarky remarks every two words, hissing rather than talking, and look at this guy you were dating? I really wish I could have spoken to him like Adrian for sure did." He slumped back on the chair and Sharon kept observing us silently, her eyes quickly darting first on me and then on our friend, who had now casted his glance down and looked quite sad. Cameron always wanted to be stronger than he believed he was but longing for that made him not see his true and lovely qualities. "I am sorry Viola for having snapped now and said this, but didn't he fight against Adrian and, well...Anatoly? Didn't he call you in a way that hurt you?"

"He did and he also apologized for that, really meaning it, trust me, and I doubt he said those words believing them," I tried to explain, without wanting to expose too much about Sergey, for I felt he had his own inner issues and shadows, probably fighting against them. "He can be actually nice."

"And he is definitely amazing at swimming, you should see him," Sharon commented with apparent casual tone of voice, winking at me and then chuckling at probably seeing how my face had slightly coloured as I recalled Sergey's swimming race.

I-I still could not believe at how good looking he actually was, at the entirely different atmosphere, energy surrounding him as he was in the water racing against other swimmers, at the passion he obviously had for that sport, at his skills and speed...at the open and beautiful smile lighting his face when he won. At the bursting and almost dizzying happiness I felt for him in that moment. I was so overjoyed he had invited me to the race!

"Well good for him, but I don't like him, and I can't easily forget the way he kept behaving in school until the other day, same for Anatoly. I'm sorry for being like this, but I cannot just change it and you know why." I smiled at him and mimicked to blow some of my magic fairy dust at him, making him finally look less upset and much more his usual self. "Thanks, V, it's just that I really care about you two, because you are the only friends I really have and trust. Well, also Adrian of course."

"And we love you, too, even though you could try being less introvert and super distrustful," Sharon replied giggling and hugging him tightly. "Anatoly is really cool and not scary at all, once you get over his sarcasm, which I pretty much enjoy, and well, Sergey is Sergey and he is the Prince of Sneering, but if he sincerely apologized to our V, I cannot just ignore that and dismiss it as nothing. I believe he was and still is honest in that."

"I can definitely ignore that and him altogether, believe me, but if he really meant his apologies then I am happy for you, because what he told you that Monday was horrible, just as I cannot stand his friends and Alexa...she is just insufferable and so full of herself and sometimes I wish she would trip while carrying her tray full of food and land on it with her face."

Sharon and I burst out laughing, attracting quite the attention from the other people, but we didn't care about that. Cammie sometimes could be very funny in his attempt to sound mean; he wasn't a mean person in truth, but very much insecure, afraid of losing the few people he cared about, having had people betraying him and bulling him years ago. I understood him in a way, but not entirely, as I just tended to always search for the brightest colours in people.

And Sergey had really unpredictably showed me beautiful and magic, bright new colours.

But this wasn't the matter at hand at the moment and I just wanted to reassure my friends nothing bad had really happened with Ryan and that shortly I was going to meet him to talk a bit and simply tell him that I no longer felt like seeing each other; what happened of course played the main role in this and I simply was not ready for what he expected from me, nor I liked how he acted the other day. It made me feel uneasy for a couple of days and I almost felt guilty for having somehow offered such an effortless occasion, without even realizing it. He simply was not the right person for me, and I realized I no longer liked him in that way, seeing his true personality.

But there was another reason behind my decision in stop seeing Ryan. A decision which I didn't want to consider and admit at first, being still something that left me conflicted; my mind often wandered toward another person and, as much as the feelings were uncertain and quite struggling due to what had happened, they couldn't be denied. After that accident at my place, when Ryan had tried to kiss me and do more, talking to Sergey had calmed me down more than it should have had and I remember clearly wishing to see him soon, almost looking forward to the following day at school. We didn't exactly interact much there, but we still cooperated for the Halloween party and sometimes exchanged a few quick words in class or in the corridors. He still spent some time with those people, but I noticed it was less and less.

Yes, because of this and because of how Ryan truly was, I had to stop seeing him. It was not fair, and he was not the knight in the shining armour he appeared to be at first, quite the contrary in fact. He was a trickster and that made me feel uncomfortable.

"Yes, Alexa definitely isn't a very nice person," I admitted, and my friend rolled his eyes.

"You're being too kind while talking about someone like her, because she is just horrible and that's it, like all of them," he sentenced without the slightest doubt, but he was not right.

"Audrey is actually very nice," I pointed out and he narrowed his eyes, as if not understand of whom I was talking about. "Audrey, you know her, we have two classes with her, and she was Sergey's girlfriend."

"Oh her," he said, taking another sip of milkshake and pondering over something. "She is not as bad as the others, true, I think in fact she never said anything bad or mean to you or any of us, but she still spends time with them, so can we really trust her?"

"Sometimes you are too quick at judging and labelling people, Cam," Sharon said suddenly, and she had a point with that. "She just might not have other friends and found herself stuck with them, in a way or another, because sometimes she looks uncomfortable, like a fish out of water if you know what I mean, especially when that stupid Martin is around her. I hope she won't waste time in dating that moron, because she is in fact very pretty and don't know, I don't dislike her, and I'd like to know more about her."

"I hope the same and I also would like to talk more to her," I agreed, and she looked at me smiling, a rather conspiratorial grin on her face. "What is it?"

"She seemed getting along fine now with the Prince of Sneering and so, I think they remained friends or something like that, right?" I nodded, which was beautiful in my eyes. "Wouldn't you mind that?" I blinked not really understanding the sense of her question, so I just shook my head.

"No, why should I mind? It's nice they are friends and she is a lovely and sweet girl, who I am sure deserves way better people around her than them, so I really wouldn't mind getting to know her more. We could maybe once invite her to join us for lunch or ask her if she wants to help us for the Halloween's party?" Sharon grinned more at me and then leaned over the table to kiss my cheek.

"I knew you'd say this and that's why I totally love you," she declared nodding satisfied and making me giggle, because talking to them had somehow made me feel less nervous and worried about meeting Ryan. However, the time was about to come, and Sharon checked her phone. "Should we be going maybe? When and where are you seeing him? But wait, we should stay and wait for you, because I can totally beat him if he says or does anything stupid, like really, even without a black belt in any martial art."

"Don't worry, Adri said he'll pick me up if I need it and I don't think anything much will happen, since Ryan definitely wants very different things than I am ready for and well, we are just not compatible."

"He is a douchebag and I really hate him for what he tried to do," Cameron said fiercely, and I took his hand in mind, smiling at him.

"Thanks, Cammie, you always worry about us a lot," I sincerely said and he slightly blushed, looking down at the table.

"You and Sharon are my best friends, so it's normal to worry," he mumbled. "If it weren't for you, my high school life would be miserable." There was a touch a true sadness in his voice and I just wished he would relax more and feel happier, granted I had a doubt he was worried of losing us as friends just because we got close to Anatoly.

"And we always will be best friends, Cammie, no matter what, even if we will see things under a different point of view and maybe argue, we will still be best friends and meet halfway," I said believing every single word I spoke, Sharon nodding to confirm it. Then, I took a silent, deep breath and stood up. "Okay, time to meet Ryan. We have appointment at a different cafeteria, so I will go ahead, and we will either talk later via our fabulous group chat or tomorrow in school."

They both hugged me at the same time and I giggled feeling blessed for their love and friendship; nevertheless, as I walked to the place where agreed for the appointment, the earlier uneasiness took over me like a dark-grey cloud slowly enveloping the bright sky and I had to tell myself to simply calm down and relax, since nothing bad was going to happen. We were just going to talk and normally stopping seeing each other. There was nothing he could do or say to hurt me; or so, I had believed.

Ryan arrived later than we agreed but it didn't matter, as I think he had been at the university and for sure sometimes classes took longer than expected. Dasha had explained a few times it made her quite busy and it was obvious she enjoyed studying and aimed for the highest grades. When I saw him, I got up and waved at him, trying to normally smile, but he kept rather cold and distant, simply sitting down in front of me and ordering some coffee, asking me if I wanted something or not, lacking the usual kindness and charm he had. I shook my head, because my stomach knotted at once and nothing would have fitted in there in that moment. The way Ryan glanced at me had felt like a very cold and icy wind, drying the smile on my lips.

"Were you at the university?" I asked trying to cover the shaking in my voice and to act as natural as possible, but he shook his head.

"A friend called me and couldn't come earlier, but I guess it doesn't really matter, considered what we're about to discuss, right?"

Oh, so he had not been busy with college and lessons as I thought, but simply neglected to let me know he would arrive later. It's not like there was much to mind or it was wrong, maybe just a bit inconsiderate, but the very dismissive tone of his voice made it look worse than it was and got me, a doubt suddenly creeping inside of me. Had he just been playing with me all this time for some reason and I had been really super foolish in not seeing it?

"Well, I just felt it was right to meet in person to discuss this," I said, looking at my hands as his eyes kept staring at me in a very not nice way, almost appearing bored or annoyed for being there with me. Honestly speaking, I felt extremely nervous and I wanted to quickly tell him what I had in mind and then go home and watch something on TV with Adri, putting everything behind. Ryan had completely turned in terms of personality and I could not recognize him in the same person I met a few weeks ago. There was something in his eyes and expression that reminded me of Alexa, and I didn't like that.

I took a silent, deep breath and said what had to be said.

"I think we are very different and that we should not see each other anymore," I quietly spoke, this time resting my eyes on his and the way his face suddenly changed left me quite shocked. His lips curved in a smile that should have been described more as an unpleasant and quite wicked grimace, his eyes looking away for a moment and a dry laugh escaping his mouth.

"Because you think we were seriously seeing each other like what? Dating as boyfriend and girlfriend?" I said nothing to it, a sensation of very cold water been poured on me out of the blue spreading in my body, the expression on his face resembling more and more the one of a very wicked and dishonest sprite, a trickster ready to mock and hurt. Ryan had been the one saying we were dating, so why was he now denying it like this? He laughed at my expression quietly and derisively, but it seemed very loud to me and I felt embarrassed for having believed him, hurt for the way he was laughing at me. "We were not doing anything of the sort, and I mean, we never even kissed, just did boring and childish stuff such as dinner, coffee and watching some movies I kinda didn't care about. I mean, c'mon, who would enjoy something like this?"

"There is nothing wrong in that and we had just met," I said, but he chuckled more in that same way and my mouth felt dry, my heart beating faster and not in a nice or fluffy way as it happened whenever close to Sergey. This was painful and I blinked to control my emotions, not wanting to expose them in front of Ryan. "We were just getting to know each other, and I thought..."

"You thought wrong, because it was boring as hell and really, you are kind of hot, I must give it to you, but it's so wasted and useless with you, that I am sure every other guy out there thinks the same. They would look at you and just think, sure, she is quite hot and such, but she must be a naïve and boring girl overall, not worth the time. And hey, you should really consider eating something more, because you're very bony and many guys like curves, you know?"

The words felt like small rocks hitting me one by one, not believing this was the same person who had nicely offered me a hot chocolate and introduced himself appearing entirely diverse, the opposite. How could I have mistaken it so greatly? Was I really so silly and childish and naïve as he described me? I must have been if I didn't see all of this at first.

"Hey, don't look so down and don't cry, because really, it was nothing serious and all in all, it was just a bet I did with a friend, to see whether I could have fun with a girl like you, looking so inexperienced and immature, who definitely never had sex and even normally kissed, which is all ridiculous at your age. I wagered that I could have sex with you and such, but I got bored and tired of this, not being worth the wait and effort." He paused and spoke after a moment, his eyes stirring of a maliciously tinted grey. "Let me say this straight if you think you are the one breaking up with me; you are just a ridiculously inexperienced girl who only enjoys childlike stuff and no guy would ever want to waste time with things like that. It was just a bet and I got bored of it."

I was not sure how I felt in that moment, as his words sank and deepened into my mind, my ears almost ringing as my face felt cold.

A...a bet?

I had been just a bet? For having sex with me?

This could not be possible.

I rested my back against the chair and stared at my hands that were by then shaking, so I hid them on my lap really not wanting to show and expose my emotions more than I already did, his words and tone of voice really hurting me more than he could ever imagine...hurting me more than Sergey did, because I knew Sergey never meant what he said, regretting it very much, while Ryan was not lying or simply venting out anger or frustration. He was stating what he thought and believed. He had been playing with me all this time and I had really being super silly. Why? Why would a person behave like this? Why would a person bet on someone else?

"Why?" I found myself asking with a thread of voice and he laughed quietly again, a quiet and mocking sound, but once more, in my ears it seemed extremely loud, almost deafening, like many evil sprites were all laughing together after having badly tricked an unsuspecting person.

"Why what?"

"The bet," I barely whispered, not able to look at this face, not wanting to look at his face. "Why that? It is so unfair and..." I could not bring myself to say more.

"Because it was fun and I was bored, and you just looked the perfect subject for it, being also quite hot, so if it would have gone as I hoped for, I would have enjoyed myself."

I swallowed down how his last words made me feel and I clutched my skirt tightly, feeling as if someone had slapped me hard and painfully, my face feeling warm and cold at the same time. So, this was how guys saw me? Good looking but boring and just a target for some bet and very cruel fun? It could not be like this, right? Sergey would not see me like this, would he? I widened my eyes and my hands trembled more. What would he think of me? Would he also find me boring and not worth the time? Why was I even thinking about him right then and being afraid of what he might have or not considered about me?

"But hey, I doubt any guy would ever take you seriously if you keep going with what you always say and talk about, and do me a favour, please: fairies don't exist and if anything, they are just very annoying and useless beings who would probably never want to waste time with you."

My breathing accelerated just like my heartbeat and I blinked a few times to chase the tears away. I was not going to cry in front of Ryan. I had been silly enough and made a fool of myself enough. I clutched my skirt more and controlled my tears, blinking them away, swallowing down the lump in my throat that was becoming bigger and bigger, calming down my breathing. It was not the first time a guy told me I was too childish and not mature enough for my age, but somehow, the way Ryan said it heaved on me and affected my thoughts more than imagined, because I suddenly felt insecure.

Was I really too naïve? But what was wrong in that, what was wrong in simply wanting to know a person better and enjoy some small, sweet moments at first? What was wrong in wishing for cute and romantic small gestures, a kiss on the cheek or on the nose? I didn't understand what was wrong in that and I swallowed down more, his words now chanting in my head. I had been just a bet and for something terrible...and then, what happened the day he came to our house to watch a movie took a very different meaning and it all hurt terribly. I was even more glad for having said no and stopped him, but still I could not believe and process it was just a bet. He had lied to me and played behind my back.

"Then, as I already said, we are very different and, whatever you might have thought, I still want to say it clearly: I no longer want to see you," I spoke with quiet and not entirely steady voice, but I had managed to lift my chin and head up, staring straight into his eyes, seeing he never expected me to confront him back. After that, I stood up and went to leave. "Bye," I added, walking away as normally as I could, telling myself not to rush nor show more emotions, keeping it together until I was alone.

I reached the first bathroom on the floor in which I was and refreshed my face, not wanting to let Adri see me like this, because he would really worry and possibly decide to talk to Ryan. He didn't deserve my brother's time and I did not want Adrian getting into trouble for a person like him, a person that truly resembled Alexa. My heart was still beating fast and the lump in my throat still threatened for tears, which rolled down even when I tried to force them to stop, feeling so foolish for them, because his words should have not hurt me that much, having already seen his real face behind the mask. Yet, they were painful and what mostly hurt was that they stirred many doubts and insecurities in me.

I looked at the phone, but at the moment I was not able to talk to anyone, not even Sharon or Adrian, so I let myself calm down and stop sobbing. When I was sure it was relatively fine to leave the bathroom, I checked my reflection in the small, pink mirror in a star shape I always carried with me, a beautiful present from Sharon that I treasured dearly. What was wrong in cherishing such small and lovely, genuine things? I shook my head and heaved out a long breath. My brother had asked me to call him once I was done, but I preferred to go home on my own, taking the subway and then walking a bit, needing the cold air of late October to refresh my face and mind, having to re-order my thoughts.

As I walked home, I received messages from Sharon and Cameron, to which I quickly replied we would talk the following day, fully aware it was not going to be possible; I didn't want them to worry, but at the same time discussing what had just happened and repeating Ryan's words was not yet imaginable. They burned like ice in both my mind and heart, leaving a very heavy and unpleasant feeling of emptiness in me. As I found myself in front of our lawn, Adrian, almost as if having sensed my presence and state of mind from distance, was waiting for me at the door and he said nothing, simply approached me and hugged me tightly.

"I was worried when you didn't call me, Vivi, but then I knew you would ask for me if in need and decided to wait for you," he calmly spoke after a short moment, his arms around me and my face on his chest, feeling his steady and quiet heartbeat, fully inhaling his reassuring, familiar Adrian-like smell. "You don't need to tell me anything now, but once you feel ready, do tell me what he had dared to say to you, what words he spoke and I shall have a nice discussion with him." There was the same coldness in his voice it surfaced whenever something concerned me in the wrong way and I shook my head, my arms closing around his back more, my fingers clutching his jumper.

"Please no, just let us no more talk about him," I only whispered, and his embrace tightened around me.

"Of course, my preciosa, let us forget about him, for he never once deserved such an incredible, beautiful, intelligent, sweet and special person like you." I felt tears in my eyes because my brother really meant all of that and he wasn't saying it to lift my mood or make me feel better; he just believed that about me and countless times repeated how lucky and blessed he had been for having me as sister, just as many times I repeated the same about having him as brother.

I really could not yet bring myself to say aloud what Ryan told me, the fact I had been a bet and the reason for the bet, the tone of his voice, the wicked and mocking laughing, the expression on his face and the unsettling dark light in his eyes. I could not bring myself to discuss it, not even with my dear and beloved brother and I was immensely grateful he understood me at once, respecting my need for momentary silence, simply caring for me in his usual wonderful and warm way.

"Delia prepared your favourite for tonight and, after I came back from running and training, I decided to stop at that bakery shop we both like, the one not far from here, getting the Challah cinnamon bread you love," he quietly spoke on my head, still sheltering me in his arms, slightly lulling me as one hand had taken to softly caress my hair. "We can enjoy it after dinner while watching one movie from Hayao Miyazaki or we can start a new anime series, what do you say?"

"Adri, thank you so much, I really love you and you're the best brother ever," I could only murmur out, trying to control my tears and he caressed my hair more.

"It is you being the best sister anyone could wish for and you know I truly love you very much, Vivi." I nodded, understanding what he meant, understanding he would have really chased Ryan down and talked to him, but I just wanted to forget about him and not think about what he had said.

However, the words replayed in my mind and once more, my heart sank, afraid to consider or acknowledge the new insecurities they had planted in me.

What would Sergey think of me? Would he also see me as a naïve and boring, childish girl? Would he also mind sharing simple and small, romantic moments and gestures?

I shook my head as to chase those thoughts away, but it was not easy, because I felt like trapped in a dark and murky spell.

- DAYS LATER -

I was sitting beside Sergey in complete silence, my eyes concentrated on the road in front of us and my hands firmly linked together to cover my slight shaking induced by the nervous state of my mind. What happened with Ryan still heaved down on me, despite the fact I truly wasn't in love with him, having misjudged his apparent first kindness and believed him too easily. His words circled in my head like a broken carousel and since then, I couldn't help asking myself whether he was right or not. Adrian told me to forget what he said, not having the right to utter such words to me, but Adri was my brother and he loved me dearly. Sharon also loved me dearly and I even tried to imagine what Anatoly would comment about this. But mostly, I wondered, what would someone like Sergey think of me?

I peeked at him quickly, seeing he was also very quiet and with his stare set on the road, as if completely absorbed in some thoughts, considered we both had barely spoken to each other. But he had been so nice and strangely sweet to play the piano for me the other day, having sensed my being off and completely out of mood. It had surprised me greatly and, what more surprised me was the fact in that moment I felt good and I let myself be slightly vulnerable and spontaneous by resting my head on his shoulder. He had not minded it, just kept playing the piano, one of my favourite songs filling the room with its delicate and soothing notes, his presence quiet yet strangely comforting right beside me. Even strong...yes, there was a touch of very reliable and warm strength in him, not to mention a very much unexpected kindness and astonishing sweetness.

Would also Sergey consider me a naïve and very much boring girl with whom it was not worth spending time together? He had had a girlfriend already, Audrey, and I wondered what sort of relationship they shared, since he never really appeared much affectioned with her, lacking a lot in terms of small sweet gestures and, I believed, tender cuddling. However, the same apparently cold and orc-like Sergey had turned out to be a very attentive and sort of sensitive guy, recently behaving almost kindly. Well, the other day for sure he had been super nice with me and I will never forget it. Like I will never forget his expression when he won the swimming races, the light in his eyes, the way in which he had openly smiled, the fact he was extremely handsome, appearing like another person.

My eyes quickly trailed on his face and my mind played his swimming once more, feeling my cheeks suddenly becoming warmer when I remembered how he looked in terms of body, the very much unexpected physical strength and beauty he possessed, the way his arms and back moved in the water. I looked away and felt my heart beating faster. Was it like Sharon asked me about? Did I have a soft spot for Sergey?

"You are just a ridiculously naïve girl who only enjoys childlike stuff and no guy would ever want to waste time with things like that. It was just a bet and I got bored of it."

Ryan's words and rather upsetting way of staring back at me jumped back in my mind and I felt like being turned into a piece of ice. I slumped back on the seat and let my eyes wander outside the window, looking at the sky of the last days of October turning rather dark as we drove to meet the kids later than usual, Sergey having had swimming practice while I stayed over to work more on the Halloween party, Anatoly helping me together with my friends and brother.

Maybe I had a crush on Sergey in some way, because the real one – as I truly believed the kind, comforting, soothing, talented in swimming and playing the piano, patient with the kids, sweet yet still quite harsh and very sarcastic Sergey was the real one – had truly left me spell-bounded and wanting to know more of him, truly wishing to have more opportunities to simply talk and share ideas, what we liked and disliked, having the chance to discover more of him. I believed more hidden sides were in Sergey and somehow, I was getting used to his rough personality, to his swearing, which I never minded in general, and to the fact he had often rather snappy and quite sarcastic comebacks.

Cameron openly disliked him, but he truly was just seeing the appearance, missing the true self; I was immensely delighted Sharon had decided to give him a second chance, saying she wanted to see for herself whether he was a jerk or not.

But what would he think of me? I heard he had other girlfriends before Audrey, and I had a feeling he had some experience already. What would he say if he knew the way I was, what I wanted, that I wasn't exactly ready to jump into a very physical relationship? At least, not too soon, because the emotional connection for me was very important, essential I dare say, and doing more sort of scared me because I never experienced it before and didn't know what to precisely expect.

Anatoly told me they used to spend some time together when he wasn't in the right place of mind and heart, having gone to some clubs together, drinking, even though Sergey never touched drugs, being adamantly against them. My friend confessed me having tried a few and regretting it, but I didn't mind it, because, first of all we all did things we would never repeat, and secondly I knew he was over that and the real Anatoly was a wonderful and super fabulous person, whom I really, really loved and cherished as friend. The fact he had told me something of his past made me extremely happy and I had to be patient and give him time, space, since I was sure sooner or later he would feel at ease to explain why he went through such dark and lonely moments.

I glanced again at Sergey, while Ryan's words circled in my head, and I sighed out without even realizing it, attracting his attention as he eyed me for a moment, for then going back paying attention to driving.

"What is it?" He asked with quite the quick and hard tone of voice, but I doubted it was aimed at me.

"Nothing," I just said in a whisper, going to look again outside the window, but he surprised me by talking more.

"Hey weirdo, you are sort of freaking me out in these days, because you are terribly quiet and out of your usual bursting and rather loud energy, so really, what is it?" I shook my head, still unable to properly discuss about what happened the other day with Ryan, feeling rather uncomfortable at the idea he might think the same or something similar, still rather ashamed for having fallen in such silly mistake. "Listen, I know I'm probably not the right person to discuss whatever you have in your mind, but at least tell me if you are fine or that you talked about it with Taylor or that other crazy girl, Sharon," he said and I couldn't help staring at him with a surprised expression. "What?"

"You do remember her name," I said positively and nicely struck, feeling a little smile forming on my lips.

"I am not an idiot who forget names and we all go to the same school, I mean, I even know your annoying friend's name, Cameron, the one always staring at me as if wishing for some asteroid or comet suddenly dropping on my head." I thought about it and slightly giggled, widening my eyes as part of the uneasiness of before somehow magically disappeared.

"Cammie is just very shy and well, yes, he doesn't feel comfortable around you or Anatoly," I had to admit, and he snorted loudly.

"He hates our guts and whatever, I can survive with him hating me," he commented in his usual fashion. "But really, Viola, if something bothers you talk about it with whoever you want, even with me, if you'd not mind it and..."

"I wouldn't mind talking about what happened with you, it's just that I don't feel yet so ready to discuss it." He possibly swore under his breath in Russian, because his voice sounded upset and I couldn't understand the words. "Did I say something wrong?" I timidly and sort of nervously asked and he shook his head, seeing his hands gripping the steering wheel harder.

"No, but something did happen and are you alright? I mean, nothing really bad happened to you, right?" Sergey sounded genuinely worried for me and my heart beat faster and faster. I never thought he would be like this, showing true and kind concern and I just softly smiled.

"Nothing super bad happened, really, it's just that I was told certain things that left me a bit sad and insecure."

"Who's the dickhead that told you whatever bullshit they came up with?" He could be very direct and it was almost disarming, because I didn't expect the question and I wasn't sure if I could tell him or not, what he would say, but hadn't he tried to cheer me up by playing the piano? Hadn't we told each other we were friends? We did and we were friends, so I had to take another small leap of faith, somehow feeling it wasn't going to be misplaced.

"A guy I was seeing, we broke up a few days ago and well, he told me a few things that left me wondering about myself," I admitted barely murmuring, unable to look up from my hands and feeling extremely nervous.

"You said you broke up, right?"

"Yes," I merely said.

"Good, because whatever that idiot told you obviously was bad and struck you in the worst way possible, so I don't want to push you now, because I think you maybe need time to digest what happened, the bullshit he spewed and such, since I'm similar in this, I cannot immediately go and talk," he spoke with a mixture of concern, imposed gentleness, as he didn't want to probably appear too annoyed, and very Sergey-like harshness. "I am sure it was just something moronic and completely retarded, so don't listen to it."

"I'm not so sure," I whispered, and he grunted something.

"Well, you are not seeing that idiot anymore, so just forget it, because I mean it: he probably just said bullshit that makes zero sense and he maybe said it on purpose," he stated more firmly and my eyes moved to stare at him, seeing he had quickly glanced at me with a rather hard expression. Why did he look so upset? Right after, he shook his head and sighed out, going to scratch his jaw. "Sorry if I said too much and it's not exactly my business, so," I stopped him.

"Thank you, Sergey, you definitely didn't say too much," I admitted, and I could see a thin smile trying to appear on his lips.

He went to say something back, but my mouth opened in pure horror as I spotted a small kitten in the middle of the road darting in our driving way. I had no time to scream to him to watch out and not drive over the tiny cute kitty, because he hit the brake faster than I expected and suddenly stirred the car to the side, cursing out loud and almost having us crush against a road sign.

"Shit," he swore out at first, grumbling something else in Russian, while he stopped the car a mere inch away from it, a mere inch from us having a car crash.

I blinked a few times, feeling my heart pounding very fast for what had just happened and for the impossible to describe disbelief. I noticed to my great surprise that while he hit the brake, he had firstly quick checked the rear-view mirror and then thrown an arm in front of me, as if wanting to protect or shield me, if anything happened. I went to talk, but he had already stepped out of the car, checking on the cute kitten. I also opened the door and stepped outside, seeing the cute ball of fur looking at us from the opposite side of the street, safely on the walking path. Sergey hissed out something in Russian and shook his head.

"Stupid cat, he almost got himself killed. I swear, they are the smartest animals out there until it comes to crossing a street," he said spontaneously and massaging his forehead, and my eyes glued to him widely, until he remembered he wasn't alone. He cleared his throat and looked at me. "Everything alright with you, weirdo? Sorry, I didn't mean to get us in a car crash, but..." he stopped talking and walked to me, going to open the door for me. I stayed there, my eyes darting from the cute furball now trotting away to Sergey, patiently waiting. He had saved the cat without any doubts, doing it out of pure instinct. He really had saved him and even stepped out to check if anything happened, if the lucky rascal needed assistance. And he had meant to protect me, and I knew it hadn't been my rather vivid imagination. My eyes darted to the ground and suddenly his presence became very intense and made me super aware of it.

"Nothing hurts, right? If you'd hit your head, you'd get even weirder and I can't definitely imagine the result of that," he said with a lighter tone of voice. "What are you waiting for? Let's go." He sort of gently pushed me in the car, helping me to step inside because truly the pickup truck he owned was tall. The door closed after me and, after a few seconds, Sergey was sitting beside me, staying silent and just driving.

My eyes wandered to him and my mind processed everything that happened. Sergey in truth was very kind and sweet, because not everyone would have done the same. He had saved the kitten and risked damaging his car because of that, however making sure to protect me somehow. I just still couldn't understand a lot about him, such as why did he have that fight with Anatoly? Why did he still keep spending some time with those people who were not fabulous and definitely not sincere friends? Why had he hidden his true self in the past years? I wanted to know and understand all of it, because Sergey truly was a nice and surprisingly gentle person, yet with quite the rough and harsh edge in it, and I realized I really liked that side of him. I observed him more, the lines of his face, the way the dark-honey, wavy blonde hair fell on one side, how straight his back was, how beautiful his eyes looked...the many small things he had done for me.

I-I...I think Sharon was right. But not sure it was just a soft sport. I observed him more and looked away. I...I think I really liked him, despite the fact he had fought against my brother and Anatoly, leaving me still slightly upset about it. However, Sergey was really trying to change, at least with me, keeping his promise, showing me that he had been genuinely sincere. Somehow, he seemed to understand that was very important for me and I was extremely glad he was being honest and making the effort. I just hoped things would get better with Anatoly, but this matter required more time and patience, and maybe, more of my magic fairy dust.

"Viola?" He called me with a touch of worry in his voice.

"Yes?" I timidly asked, for whenever he directly spoke my name with such quiet and calm voice, my heart would really react strongly at that and I realized, I liked the sound of his voice. The fact we were in a small and rather confined place didn't help much in the matter, because it was closer, and his presence truly made me very aware of him. Would he also find me a naïve and rather immature girl because I wasn't much keen into physical interactions at first? I wasn't so sure he would think that, since he seemed too gentle and genuine for believing that.

"Are you okay? Did I scare you before? I wouldn't have crashed against that road sign, really. I just didn't want to run over the cat. I like them."

"You like cats?" I asked, feeling somehow silly for having made such a question and he quickly glanced at me, with a hinted smile. He nodded and concentrated his attention back where it belonged. Oh...Sergey liked cats. Oh. That was new and very, super nice! I would have never guessed that. Well, until a few moments ago. "I love cats," I replied, not sure he would actually care to hear that.

"I know that," he said, and it was me staring at him once more with wide eyes, just as I stared at the pages of "The Two Towers" when Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli made that encounter in Fangorn Forest.

"What? How do you know that?" I asked very much curious now. Sergey seemed to know much more about me, definitely more than I was aware about him.

"I know you like cats very much, I heard you talking to Dasha the other week, when you came over to our house and such, and well, I heard you in school, sometimes it's impossible to miss you, especially when you are in good mood." He dropped silent and went to switch the music on, but I wanted to hear more, I wished to talk more about him, discovering what he already knew about me and why.

"You heard me in school? Sorry, sometimes I can be quite loud, Anatoly tells me that often," I giggled, but he remained silent for a moment and then shrugged.

"Of course the peachy queer would say that, but I don't mind it, and I'm sure the same applies to him. He can be quite the gigantic ass sometimes, but I can see you two are good friends." I blinked a few times and I couldn't contain my smile. "Like this is much better," he commented with softer voice, his eyes quickly glancing at me.

"What do you mean?"

"You smiling and giggling, so really don't think too much about what that dickhead told you, alright? Or don't know, think about it and discuss it with Taylor or your crazy friends, but forget it soon, because I'm sure it's nothing true or important."

"Can I ask you something?" I kind of murmured, not sure how to formulate the question.

"What is it?" He immediately replied.

"Did you, well," I began, unsure how to proceed from that, out of the blue feeling terribly shy, so I toyed with the hem of my dress for a moment, until he spoke.

"Did I what?" I took a deep breath and reprimanded myself for being so silly and self-conscious.

"Did you try to somehow protect me before? I noticed you had your arm in front of me." He turned the volume of the radio louder and kept silent, so I insisted. "Sergey?"

"Yeah, what was I supposed to do?" He snapped out, but absolutely not annoyed or in the intent to be aggressive. He barked out to cover a touch of shyness in his voice, because I had seen that already. Sometimes he would feel awkward to normally smile at me or such, but in a very different way than Anatoly, who truly had quite the hidden and rather super cute shyness in him. Sergey wasn't a timid person at all; in fact, he seemed rather straightforward, but he also had his cute and very surprising moments.

"Thank you," I whispered only, and he sighed out, lowering the volume of the radio.

"Although I'm risking to repeat myself here, I'll say it once more: I'm a huge jerk, that's true, possibly an award-winning one, but I'm not that much of an asshole and I wouldn't let anything happening to you. I wouldn't like that," he said and I wasn't sure what he entirely meant, but I had no time to ask for we arrived at the orphanage and he parked the car in front of it, getting out and closing the door while I still sat there completely surprised, feeling as if a tiny fairy had casted a spell on me. He walked around and knocked on my window. "What are you still doing there? I'm not going to bite you, so get out of there." I swallowed down, nervous but not because of him, simply for everything that happened a few minutes ago, for what I had discovered about him, and he surprised me more by opening the door first. "Hey, sleepy fairy weirdo, are you alright? Have you fallen asleep and gotten lost in some crazy dream?"

In a way, yes, it seemed like being lost in a very magic and sweet dream. He quickly smiled and opened the door for me, again surprising me with small and nice gestures, showing a very attentive side I never imagined he had.

"Yes, I am alright," I murmured and went to step out of his SUV, but he took my hand and helped me in climbing down, for then closing the door.

Since the first time we visited this place, Sergey had become very gentle and patience with me, and that in a way scared me because I really liked this of him. But what would he think of me as girl? I still couldn't believe Ryan truly just made a bet for that reason...why? Was I so silly and easy to deceive? Sergey's hand let go of mine and I stared at it, because the touch we shared had made me suddenly very self-conscious, realizing he had bigger hands than mine, with a rather strong yet gentle grip and slightly callous skin. Oh true, he told me that he had to also follow a program in the gym, to make sure he had enough strength and functioning muscles.

"Hey, what's up? You're spacing out quite a lot in these days," he commented, taking the two steps separating us and stopping right in front of me, our bodies almost touching. I couldn't bring myself to look up, because my face felt very warm and then, his hand stopped on my forehead. "You don't seem sick, so can I ask you what the heck that idiot told you?" I shook my head and he sighed out, sounding somehow annoyed, which made me immediately glance at him.

"Sorry," I murmured, and he kept there, still touching my forehead.

"You have nothing to apologize for, you haven't done anything."

The fact with Sergey was that his voice always held a certain note of hardness, almost harshness, being part of his personality, just like the lines of his face had rather sharp and hard features, his mouth never fully smiling, being ready for snappy and sarcastic remarks. But he surprisingly had genuine and very much enchanting kindness, to a point it reached true sweetness. It was rough at the edges, slightly abrasive, but sincere and, despite of what he thought of himself, sensitive and caring.

"You sound sort of mad," I admitted, seeing his eyes widened a moment and then looked away from my face. I used to be afraid of him, now I understood that being mad or upset was not aimed at me personally, but possibly related to his being concerned. He had a peculiar kind of rough sweetness and I liked it.

"I am not mad or anything like this, alright weirdo? Especially not with you," he replied confirming what I had just guessed, removing his hand from me and taking a step back.

"What do you mean?" I asked, wanting to understand what was behind his words, but he just shook his head and I rolled my eyes, seeing it made him smile a bit. "Sergey, tell me, what do you mean?"

"You are very persistent, aren't you?" I found myself giggling and then my heart tumbled faster as he caught my nose between his fingers. "But I won't tell you, not now anyway and we should get going, since I'd like to go swim another bit after this." He let go of my nose and went to walk away, but I stopped him by grabbing his arm. I could feel the strength of his muscles even through the coat and that made me immediately drop my hand, not even sure why I felt so timid whenever around him. I used to feel very nervous around him, almost scared, until it slowly changed and then, after seeing him swim and discovering another part of Sergey I had never glimpsed at, I found myself feeling shy whenever we were alone like this. "What is it?"

"Your bruises are basically gone," I said, since it was true, and it had rendered me super happy.

"Well, didn't someone tell me to use some cream?" I blinked a few times completely taken aback.

"You listened to me?"

"Hmm, I did, just as you asked me to be friends and never lie to you, remember?" I couldn't find my voice, so I merely nodded. "I will never break this promise, I mean it." His words meant so much to me and they left me in some magic and colourful stupor, stirring such unknown joy in me I wasn't sure that could be actually called joy, as I never once experienced it before.

I...I liked Sergey, and I liked him very much.

And now what?

What would he think of me?

I had no experience in relationships, basically never had a boyfriend and never had been physical with anyone. Ryan's words began to whisper in my mind, and I grew terribly nervous. However, Sergey surprised me even more by taking my hand in his and pulling me after him, as if he had sensed my state of agitation. We walked to the main door of the building and our hands let go of each other; he went to open the door, but I stopped him. I had never properly thanked him for having played the piano for me and also, for having listened to me in the car a moment ago, looking genuinely worried.

"Sergey?"

"What it is, weirdo?" He said with a smile that I had never seen before, a mixture of gentleness and playfulness, not full or very open, but still extremely beautiful. I stared at him a moment in complete silence and then took a deep breath, trying to find my usual cheerfulness and mood; we were friends, weren't we? So, I tiptoed and kissed his cheek, hoping he wouldn't find this childish and ridiculous.

"Thank you," I whispered, moving back and seeing he had a rather shocked expression on his face. "For playing the piano for me and also for before, you truly are very nice."

He remained still and very silent for a couple of seconds, but after that, a sweet and surprisingly handsome smile formed on his face, making his eyes shine even more.

"Any time," he merely replied, but that meant for me much more than many other words would, because I could feel the complete sincerity behind them. He opened the door and let me step inside first, for then helping me in removing my jacket.

So, perhaps Sergey had not minded that small and simple kiss on his cheek, right? Perhaps, he would not find me naïve and boring, right?

SERGEY POV:

If she was intentioned to kill me today, she was very close to succeed in it, because the moment she tiptoed to quickly yet softly kiss me, I think I almost died. The anger I felt against that dickhead she used to go out with disappeared; well, sort of, since whatever he told her must have been really bad and like a low blow for getting her mood so down. I hoped he hadn't said anything too asshole-like or crude, because I felt my blood pulsing madly in my veins and my hands itched to return the favour by landing a well-placed punch on his stupid face.

But they no longer were together and that changed everything; that made everything so much better that I decided to try to cool my annoyance down.

Viola didn't look sad or down for the break-up, as I had a feeling she probably had been the one initiating it, maybe triggered by something else; she appeared dejected mostly for what he had told her and I really wondered what that was. I might have had an idea, but it wasn't for sure and pushing it out of her was wrong. We still weren't close or extremely good friends, because let's face it: I did not want to just be friends with Viola and I desired to offer her a different kind of support, more than a friend would give. Thus, while I selfishly considered she didn't look sad for the break-up, I decided to take some small steps and it seemed like she didn't mind it.

But she wasn't a girl like most of the ones I had met or known so far; she was extremely sweet, kind, almost child-like in some ways, which I found terribly cute and endearing, yet smart and perceptive to a point it shocked me sometimes, straightforward and scarily persistent. She almost got me before, but I managed to keep my mouth closed because I forced myself. I liked her and truly cared for her, but it wasn't something to say or admit so lightly, in such bad moment and not exactly ideal place. I could not just behave with her as I did in the past; absolutely not. And to be honest, as my eyes followed her steps, I found myself doubting whether she would reciprocate my feelings and interest.

I made quite a few mistakes and rather arguable things, such as having a couple of one-night stands just because I wanted to look cool and rub it in my friends' faces, who had never been friends, just because I felt like rebelling against my father's rules and constant sufficient glares he spared at me. How would I feel admitting that to her? How would she take it? I had no idea whether she had ever been in a relationship or not, never noticed anything like that while in school, but for sure I couldn't care less and, if she had none, even better.

Oh lovely...I sounded like a jealous and very much territorial jerk. Hadn't Dasha told me that our perfect and oh-so-amazing-in-everything cousin was the same with that flashy and fast-speaking guy? Oh yeah, I had witnessed on myself what Sasha was capable of if anyone spoke crap about his boyfriend, Travis, and well, I guess that reaction and what came to me was deserved. However, I wasn't going to admit it to him anytime soon.

The point was that I didn't care whether she had been in a relationship or not, and, if she hadn't, somehow rendered her even more special. No idea why I thought so, but it was how I felt and denying it would be simply hypocritical.

Two ladies, one called Eveline and the other one Monica or whatever she was called, approached us and explained what had to be done, since they needed help in organizing some recital for the coming week and I had to help in building some stage. Viola obviously helped with painting the landscapes and creating the costumes, because it was clear she had a lot of talent and endless imagination for that, not to mention I could see some kids hovering around her like bees would with colourful flowers. They adored her and I felt my lips tilting up as soon as we stepped in the main recreational room and three of them ran to her, once more almost knocking her down if it weren't for me standing right behind. She giggled and hugged them with her skinny arms, her long pink-purple hair tickling them and I just couldn't stop staring at her, but one of the brats first warily peeked at me and after tried a thin smile.

"Hello Sergey," he timidly said, and I blinked once in seeing he remembered my name and learned to pronounce it correctly. I was fairly impressed, and I crouched down to make myself more approachable as this one had a very scared-rabbit-like look and I wondered what had happened to him.

"Hi Mason, how are you?" I felt Viola's eyes on me, and I could tell she was studying me intently and definitely with palpable curiosity, so I glanced at her and our eyes met. I couldn't believe some dickhead had been rude or crude to her, but then again, hadn't I also hurt her weeks ago with those unforgivable words? Words that I never meant and regretted the following moment they left my mouth. I had hated myself for having taken it out on her. As if sensing my sudden annoyance at myself, she smiled at me, that very sweet and beautiful smile of her and I couldn't resist it, until I almost choke on my spit as a girl having her arms tightly around her suddenly asked something.

"Viola, is he your boyfriend?" My eyes went wide a moment and darted at her, afraid she would freak out at the question or something like that, denying it with all she got, but it never happened. She actually blushed and looked away from me a moment, for then giggling to cover her sudden shyness, which left me in some dumb-struck daze, without doubts still staring at her as the hopeless case I was.

"No, he is not, but he is a very nice and good friend, don't you remember him from last time?" The girl, whose name I had to admit having forgotten because there just were too many to keep in mind, studied me more intently and then walked to me, out of the blue throwing at my face a wide grin.

"I kinda like you," she openly declared, and I didn't know what to do or say, because I never expected to hear anything like this. "Mason said you helped him in fixing a toy and I also need help with something."

"Sure," I only replied, Viola still smiling at me. God, what I would give to be her boyfriend for real...but I still didn't deserve her and there were a few extra things I had to take care of and one of them was going to be done right after this. My attention then focused on the young girl, who was probably around ten or so years old, with shoulder length dark hair and rather electric looking brown-green eyes, a tomboy expression on her face. "I forgot your name, what was it again?" I openly asked and she didn't mind it, considered she just laughed and hugged me.

"If Viola likes you then I also like you and my name is Daisy, yours is Sergey, right? Is that foreigner? Where are you from?"

"My name is Russian because so is my family and my origins, even though I was born here in New York," I replied calmly, seeing from the corner of my eyes that also Mason had moved closer to me, looking less wary but still very timid. The third kid was still hugging Viola for dear life, but she was also listening to me.

"Oh, that is very cool! So, can you tell us something in Russian? I never heard this language!"

"Yes please, say something," Mason shyly asked with quiet voice and so, I gave in.

"Kharashò, nu...priviet, kak dyelà? Menya zovut Sergey," I spoke in my mother language and the three brats had all open mouths and quite the fascinated look, which I honestly couldn't understand since I always thought my mother language sounded hard to others, given none of my friends ever liked it or cared about. However, it was Viola who surprised me the most, because she also had her lips slightly open and a look on her face I had never seen before. "What?" I instinctively asked her with half smile and she just giggled, shaking her head.

"Your voice sounds different when you speak Russian, but I like it," she admitted frankly, and I was taken aback big time. "What did you just say?" She wasn't faking interest, because I believe there wasn't a phoney cell in her, not even a small drop of blood.

"I said something like, very well, so, hello, how are you and my name is Sergey."

"That sounded super cool! Please teach us some words!" Daisy cheered and I went to reply, but the two ladies of before explained we had work to do, thus I went to help them, even though Mason first asked me if I would later play a bit with him. It took him quite the effort to ask those words and I decided I could practice swimming either later or tomorrow.

"Alright, we can play together once I am done with this," I promised and the quick, satisfied smile he gave me struck me considerably. I never thought something so small or almost insignificant could make someone else so happy nor I ever considered I could make someone else so happy, but then again, hadn't I tried to do the same with Viola a few days ago by playing the piano? We looked at each other and I knew I was completely gone for her. Before leaving for what we had to do, she halted in front of me and tiptoed to whisper something in my ear, her hair caressing my face.

"Thank you, Sergey, they really like you and you have no idea how happy you just made Mason," she murmured quietly, pulling back to stare directly at me, taking my hands in hers. "You really are a nice person!" She giggled and went to skip away, my eyes following her every step, until the girl of before grinned at me.

Christ. I got busted by a kid, awesome indeed.

When we finished with the first things for setting up the stage, the woman named Eveline, the oldest one in there with quite the round yet always content face, someone the kids seemed to really like, offered me some fresh orange juice and I followed her in the kitchen; as we walked there, I spotted another room I didn't notice the other days and saw a piano was in there.

"Do you ever use it?" I asked without thinking and she halted, giving me a perplex glance, so I indicated the piano and she softly laughed.

"Oh, that you mean, oh dear, I am afraid none of us knows how to play and it unfortunately is out of tune. We would like to fix it, but at the moment we cannot properly afford it and..." I stopped her at once.

"I can do that," I offered without the slightest hesitation and she looked even more surprised than before. "I can tune it and see to get it fixed if some keys aren't working anymore and I can play it, in case one of the kids would like to learn it." Not sure why I offered that and why it mattered to me, but the more time I spent here the more I wanted to help these children.

"That would be absolutely lovely, Sergey, thank you very much, but how can we repay for this? You and Viola are already doing so much for us, especially her and I will be honest with you, her family helped us a lot and the kids would feel lost without your girlfriend." I coughed and shook my head. "What is it?"

"She is not my girlfriend, we are just friends," I explained, this situation starting to be rather ridiculous. What made them think we were together? I definitely had nothing against it, but I doubted we looked as such.

"Oh, I am sorry, I assumed you two were an item, considered the way you look at each other, how she smiles at you and how gently and attentive you always behave around her." I arched my brow not understanding what she meant, and she quietly laughed once more. "I noticed you helped her removing her coat and also opening the door for her, not to mention last time you really were extremely considerate while she worked on that ladder. You looked worried something might have happened and then you took her place in hanging things on the wall."

"Well, she is quite air-headed and skinny and already weird, so if she would hit her head..." I halted my embarrassing blabbing as the woman gave me a fond smile and rested her hand on my shoulder, staring back at me from her rather short height.

"I will be cheering for you, young man, Viola sure is a precious and very special girl, don't you agree?" I just nodded once and was it really so damn obvious? Apparently, it was, given this misunderstanding already happened twice today and I wondered, was it only on my part or maybe also Viola felt something? She sure looked more and more at ease around me and she was smiling every day brighter, aside the past days, thanks to that shithead.

However, as I went to inspect the piano, seeing that indeed a few keys had to be fixed, overall sounding horribly, what the woman told me earlier knocked me in the head. She had mentioned the way Viola and I looked at each other, how she smiled at me, and I didn't understand what she meant at first, unless really the weirdo princess also didn't dislike my company and that would definitely change things even more. Was she really looking at me in any way? I thought about what Dasha said after my swimming competition and my eyes focused on the piano, my mind completely lost. Did I have a chance with Viola? I blinked and realized I had to make her another promise, since it was pretty much due and anyway, it couldn't be any different.

I didn't like Denisov and alright, mostly I was jealous of him, but it was true that I had to stop fighting against him in school. It no longer made any sense. We already tried to break each other's nose and that was more than enough. He had had his own shit and I had mine; I had to try behaving, even though I knew it'd cost a certain effort, considered his famous lovely personality.

"Sergey?" I heard Viola's voice calling me and I replied saying I was in this room, her presence and sweet smile immediately brightening the entire space. "You found the piano!" She clapped her hands together, but again, she wasn't the usual loud and almost high-on-sugar self. I let it go, not wanting to make her feel uncomfortable.

"Yeah, I said I will fix it and then, if any of these kids are interested, I can teach them a bit," I explained scrolling my shoulders and her eyes went wide with what was obvious joy.

"Really?" I nodded and she giggled, skipping closer to me. "That's absolutely fabulous and I am sure some of them will love it and you are so good at playing the piano and, oh, this is so lovely!" This time her smile reached her ears and I couldn't help staring at her in complete silence. She was beyond gorgeous and the sound of her cute and sometimes loud giggling made me feel completely at ease and in peace. "What is it? Something weird on me?"

"What do you mean?"

"You were staring at me as if something weird was on me, did I get paint on my face?" I chuckled quietly and shook my head, going to step right in front of her.

"Weirder than usual would be impossible, believe me," I said, and she stuck her tongue out. "But no paint on your face, don't worry." I remembered what I had to yet promise her, and I took the occasion to say it. "Viola?" She tilted her head up and listened silently to me, having perceived my change of mood. "I promise not to argue or fight with Denisov, at least, as much as possible, because given his sweet and very peachy personality I cannot guarantee it hundred percent." And that was the truth. We simply didn't get along with each other and I doubted that was ever going to change.

"You really mean it?" She asked with obvious merry voice, pretty much twitting instead of talking, her eyes wide and bright. I nodded once and then snorted out, thinking it wasn't going to be easy, considered that queer's bitch-slapping sarcasm and as bearable personality as sand in the shoes.

"I promise I will do my best not to argue with him," I conceded and suddenly, she was hugging me tightly and laughing more in her usual way, jumping up and down. How could such a thing make her so happy? I had not the slightest clue, but I didn't do it only because of her, even though Viola was the main reason. It just no longer really made sense and it never really was his fault.

"Thank you so much, Sergey, you will see: soon you two will actually get along pretty well and become friends," she cheered, still hugging me and smiling in the rather child-like yet cute way. I refrained from stating the obvious: that was never going to happen. Denisov and I friends? Not even if hell was going to freeze. "You see? You are a nice person and you don't need to hide it." She calmed down and stopped bouncing up and down like some fairy high on candyfloss, but her slender arms remained around my neck, her dazzling smile on her lips. "You really don't need to hide your true self, Sergey...think about it, because I really like this kind and considerate and fast like a shark at swimming and super talented at playing the piano Sergey, patient with kids and also with me," she said with very fast yet tender voice, and I wasn't sure at all she understood how her words made me feel, what they stirred inside of me, just like her presence, the light touch of her hands, her vanilla-scented perfume, the glossy lips and the overall breath-taking expression on her face.

I couldn't speak for a moment and then, I just quickly smiled and poked her nose, since getting a grip on myself was essential. She was right in everything and I just had to take the next steps, without hesitation, without fear, stop caring about what others thought of me.

"Alright, weirdo, I'll think about it." I realized my hands had moved on her sides and just like that, we both fell silent and stared at each other, letting go and taking a step back the following moment. "Sorry," I muttered out, but she shook her head and brushed her hair back.

"You didn't do anything, and it was me just acting like a silly kid," she suddenly commented, and a rather sad expression appeared on her face again, which hit me badly, my blood hissing in my ears.

What the heck was that? I went to demand what just passed by her mind, honestly wishing to kick that dimwit's ass for having upset her so much, but those two ladies plus some other guy came to the room and shortly after, the kid of earlier, Mason, looked for me and, as promised, I spent some time playing with him. He was a taciturn and very reserved kid, so we just played some board game, which all in all seemed to please him, and a few times he asked me things about myself. I had a feeling this one would enjoy playing the piano. However, the way Viola's expression had clouded in just a second remained in my mind and I truly wished to have a private talk with that undeserving piece of crap.

-A FEW DAYS LATER, FRIDAY AFTERNOON-

We were getting ready with a part of the decorations for the party, since it was slowly approaching and time was running short, hanging some stuff on the walls and ceiling, the whole madness having been postponed at the beginning or so of November for God only knew what reason, since I didn't exactly care about that. I just knew some demented dickhead was enjoying getting on my nerves by wrecking some things we had already prepared and created, destroying or damaging either posters, or other stuff like figurines Viola had worked on. Her brother and her two friends helped us more often and today, for my immense and very lucky joy, also Denisov had decided to join us.

We had glared at each other the entire time, never losing the occasion to throw some sweet words at one another, but that was it, since I had made a promise to Viola and I was set into keeping it, no matter what. Avoiding getting into a fight with that queer was quite the task, especially when he was in his shining, insufferable and very lovely mood, but I had to keep it cool and swallow down my irritation. I noticed he was observing her with what I knew too well being concern and of course also the queer had realized something was off with her; her mood was still down and very sedated, even though she was talking a bit more than days ago. It didn't change the fact I kept wishing to meet that piece of crap and re-arrange his face, whatever the heck he had dared telling her. It wasn't just the mere fact it hurt her, but whatever that was made her insecure, just as she admitted to me.

God, this pissed me off to no end and I stared down at the stupid poster I was painting, suddenly feeling like punching it to cool down my temper. It would have sorted out nothing, aside having people staring at me even more irritatingly, like that wuss called Cameron who was right then glancing at my way wishing for a black hole to suddenly appear on my head and suck me away in the remote universe. I couldn't stand that one and his judgemental way of looking down on me, and the same applied to Denisov, who actually called him "shrimp". He had a point in that.

Viola and Denisov exchanged a few words and I pretended to pay attention to my work while in truth I was listening to them, seeing they indeed were friends and very comfortable around each other. It hadn't surprised me with her, but it did freaking surprise me with him, knowing his personality. Well, she was incredible in pretty much everything, so no wonder there. The queer also must have recognized what a special person she was or else, he would have never cared for her and become friends. He was annoying as fuck, but not a fake and phoney idiot. He had a tendency to be actually quite honest and straightforward in his own prick-like way.

The queer climbed a ladder to hang some stuff on the wall, which we had to anyway cover later not to reveal much about the decorations, and my eyes wandered more on her, feeling my lips almost tilting up as they took in once more how weirdly she was dressed, her hair pulled up in some messy bun and some paint on her cheeks, her lips shining with glossy pink lip-stick. She looked terribly cute and gorgeous, but I refrained from smiling openly, not wanting to make it too pathetically obvious. Yet, Denisov caught me staring at her, acting like he was her bodyguard or whatever the heck, really pissing me off with that attitude and thinking he knew all about me, but the weirdo called him.

Not fighting with him was going to be easy-peasy as fuck.

Viola asked him about something she was working at and he gave her his moronic opinion and she took it quietly, still way too quietly. He noticed it and studied her more, clearly wondering what was going on with her; then, she turned to me and surprised us both by walking to where I sat. Denisov and I looked at each other, and my irritation spiked up at seeing his conceited sneer. He thought I was hating being there, but he understood nothing. I wasn't exactly enjoying myself and most of the people here really got on my nerves in no time, some whispering behind my back and alright, I was a jerk and I could take the crap, but I endured it because it gave me the chance to be close to her and do something for her. The rest could go to fuck off, just like him now smirking at me.

"What do you think of them?" She asked honestly wanting to hear my opinion, honestly caring and I felt idiotically happy realizing that, wanting to flip Denisov off and tell him to suck it up since yes, she also cared about what I thought. But I refrained from that and just looked at what she showed me, trying not to stare at her again too obviously. He also came closer and regarded me with that usual insufferable arrogance of his, which tempted me to tell him to fuck off, but I shrugged my shoulders letting go of my irritation, concentrating on Viola only.

"They look like ghosts, so what?" I deadpanned, because honestly, that's what they were meant to be, plain and simple ghosts. But I knew she cared about this; nevertheless, she understood what I meant and smiled at me tilting her head to the side, a few strands of hair falling on her face. Denisov rolled his eyes and let me be, but we both locked our stare on her as she went to climb the ladder herself. I suddenly felt uneasy about that, getting up and wanting to be the one going to do so the next time she needed it.

Viola reached to top and tiptoed to place one of those ghosts on the wall and then, I think my heart almost stopped dead as the ladder made a creepy sound with a leg giving in, making her fall down. I reacted at once out of instinct, wanting to catch her and freaking out at the idea of anything happening to her, as I would have gone on some murdering mood, but Denisov was the one standing closer and the one who caught her first, shielding her with his body as they rolled on the floor and the ladder hit him. I was pissed he had been the one catching and saving her, but I couldn't give a fuck about my pride and annoyance right then, since the most important thing was that nothing had occurred to her.

Shit...what the heck had just happened? That thing was new, so how did it manage to break so easily? Well, whatever, that was not the issue at hand. The others in the room freaked out and started to uselessly shout and call out for her, rushing to them, but I moved there quicker and removed the ladder from him, breathing out as soon as I saw she was perfectly fine. A bit scared, yes, but perfectly fine and nothing clearly hurt in her, nothing was broken.

Still, a moment ago I felt like going crazy in seeing her falling down, deadly afraid she would hit her head and injure herself or break something. I swear I couldn't care less it had been Denisov catching her, as long as nothing bad happened to her. My heart was thundering in my chest and my blood pumping faster, as I stood in front of them, listening to her voice normally talking, asking him if he was okay. He checked if she was truly fine as she declared, obviously worried and then her two friends joined, also freaking out pretty much, because she had really risked a lot and I knew that I was going to check on that damn ladder, since something was out of place here.

Too many accidents were happening, and I still couldn't figure out why this crap started and whom was the target, but something definitely smelled bad and felt out of place.

"Are you guys really fine?" Sharon asked, having paled down more than usual, and trying her best not to go ballistic for the worry.

"I'm OK, thank you Anatoly, that was very knight-in-the-shining-armour like," she twitted, sounding like her usual self, yet still very quiet and slightly shivering. I would have given anything to be there and hug her, not wanting to consider that someone had tampered the ladder, because the mere thought made me want to erase from the planet whoever did that. Denisov and I looked at each other, the prick maybe asking himself if I had been the one behind this to target him, because I didn't miss the expression on his face, also having jumped to the same conclusion. However, he immediately understood I would never do such thing, knowing I'd openly simply go and punch his ugly face. And then, it pissed me off seeing her still in his arms, so I moved closer, needing to make sure she truly was OK, wanting to talk to her.

"Are you really fine?" I asked with concerned voice and the queer didn't miss it, granted the way his eyes widened as they stared at me. Well, he could go to fuck off.

"Yes," she replied, smiling at me and God, I just wanted to wrap my arms around her and make her trembling stop. "I am perfectly fine, but I am afraid Anatoly has been hurt by the ladder." I refrained from snorting too openly at that; he was a tough bastard and who cared anyway, because something like this wasn't going to injure him. "Does it hurt? I'm so sorry, I was clumsy," she murmured sounding apprehensive and I realized then she didn't think it had been a planned accident.

"Clumsy? What should you have done? Spread your wings and fly?" I sneered at his sarcasm, which was mostly to cover the shyness her concern must have moved in him. "Don't worry, nothing hurts, so no need to freak out about it, you got me?" As I said, he was a tough prick and yeah, she had been the one mostly in danger.

She giggled and went to hug him, which again pissed me off because indeed I was jealous, even if rationally speaking Denisov was freaking queer down to his marrow and hence, nothing wrong in that, considered they were also friends. Yet, it still pissed me off and I needed to have her close to me and make sure everything was alright with her. Thus, I went to take her arm and help her in getting up, but Mr. Smugness got in the way and stood up along with Viola, placing himself between us. What the heck was his problem? He should have already understood I would never do anything to her, because I'd rather shoot myself than cause her anymore harm or disappointment.

"Hey, no need to get touchy-feely," he tried to warn me, and I snorted out, placing myself in front of him in an openly challenging stance, not afraid of him in the least. That part of me was gone, but the idiotic side of me was still unfortunately there with me, considered his conceited expression irked me too much.

"What, Denisov? You changed your taste and now you aren't into dicks anymore?" Yes, yes, yes, I was being an immature jerk for reacting like this and immediately giving air to my mouth, but honestly, the queer had a talent for getting on my nerves and triggering my sarcasm.

"You bastard, what did you say?" Oho...so I also had a talent for getting on his nerves and his temper snapped in that precise moment, knowing he had quite the short fuse. We stood in front of each other and everyone else fell completely silent, taking their distance from us and fearing we would turn the afternoon in a bloodbath. Freaking annoying wusses. "Beat it, Seryozha," he mocked my name and I considered fixing his nose, thinking that breaking it would make it more handsome, but I had promised not to touch him, and then Viola was the one who showed maturity and stopped our ridiculous and useless exchange by stepping between us.

God, what an idiot I had been...I had promised her I would not fight with Denisov and I clearly still had a lot of work to do about this matter. He shook his head, possibly also thinking he had overreacted and let his lovely temper out, because as our eyes crossed, it was clear we both shared the same expression, feeling like two morons. Wonderful, feeling the same as that queer. Ah, whatever.

"Guys, fights are a no-no," she declared with serious expression, underlying the concept with her finger, her eyes moving between us two. I relaxed my stance and took a deep breath to cool down completely. She was right and I had promised her, really not wanting to break the word given to her. "Thank you for saving me like a real prince, Anatoly," she told him sweetly and I refrained from rolling my eyes, seeing he just shrugged, obviously feeling awkward in front of her soft and very overwhelming kindness, but then, she halted right in front of me and I think I didn't collapse on the floor just out of sheer luck. "Thank you also to you, Sergey," she tenderly spoke, placing her hands on my chest and tiptoeing to leave a soft kiss on my cheek, my entire body first freezing for the shock and then dropping on some major chaos, my heart threatening to give in any time soon.

It was just a small gesture, yet it meant the world to me and the mere feeling of her lips on my skin was enough to fry my brain and completely disperse every little drop of annoyance I felt a moment ago. Denisov widened his eyes so much he looked like about to explode.

"Thank you for helping Anatoly and me," she said once more and I managed only to nod at her, still under some daze, because she hadn't cared less she had just openly kissed me in front of everyone else, and I could sense the same shock and surprise investing all the people around us. Christ. She was absolutely perfect and so incredibly sweet, and I went to rest my hands on her sides, wanting to pull her closer and just let her know she could count on me, since she had noticed I also threw myself to catch her and that was more than enough for me. We stared a moment at each other, and I had to admit to my great surprise that I also didn't give a damn about the fact people stood all around, looking at us possibly asking themselves what the heck was going on.

I liked her; I was gone for Viola, and why should I have cared about what others thought about this, about us two being close to each other? No reasons for that and I truly no longer cared. I just had to get all of my crap together and that was it.

But again, Denisov suddenly broke the moment by grabbing her arm and dragging her away, which ticked me off quite a lot and I debated whether following them or not, deciding to let them be, since they were friends and, with all chances, he wanted to talk to her about her recent gloomy mood, not to mention what just happened. I shook my head and went to take the ladder, nonchalantly checking it, because I didn't want others to notice that; something looked off on one leg and I mentally cursed. I was ready to bet it had been tampered and it took all of my self-control not to snap out and let out my anger. Whoever did it had earned a promise for a broken nose and teeth, and potentially a few extra bones, considered it had endangered Viola.

Someone then touched my arm quietly and I almost stiffened, seeing it was that crazy looking girl, Sharon, staring at me with a rarely normal and thankful smile.

"Thank you for before," she quietly said, meaning every word. "You went to catch her and I'm happy nothing happened to Viola...so, thank you and also, she told me you played the piano for her days ago and please don't worry, she had shared that with me only, because it truly made super happy and..." I shook my head as to say not to sweat it.

"It's fine, the fact I play the piano is not a secret and yeah, she looked and well, still looks too quiet and down for her loud and weird self, so I thought of that," I admitted, because somehow Sharon didn't annoy me and I didn't mind being frank with her. "I don't know what that dickhead told her, but it sure was some bullshit that got her and for sure, I wish to whisper him a couple of words." She studied me with her freakish eyes, again wearing some crazy contacts and then, she cracked quite the creepy yet honest grin.

"It's exactly as she says," she declared, nodding to herself satisfied.

"What do you mean?" I demanded and she grinned wider and more weirdly. She once asked me what I ate for breakfast, but I should have been the one asking her that question, somehow fearing to hear the answer.

"You truly are a nice person, so I'm happy I decided to trust Viola and give you a second chance in proving you're not a complete jerk." I snorted at that but then had to force myself not to smile. So, Viola spoke about me in such terms with her friends? Good to know. "What will you wear for the Halloween's party?" Oh right, we had to wear costumes. So, I gave her my honest reply.

"I'll see what Viola wears." She blinked at me and then playfully slapped my back.

"Good one, Sergey," she cheered, for then skipping away and joining the annoying guy, who had kept glaring at me in the usual irking way.

What the hell was his problem? Ah whatever. He hated my guts and I could definitely live with that, seeing it didn't affect Viola.

VIOLA POV:

I had just spontaneously kissed Sergey on the cheek pretty much in front of everyone else and I hoped dearly it didn't make him uncomfortable or anything like that; it just came as a natural reaction, much like a fairy guiding me while sitting on my shoulder, because I hadn't missed how he also had thrown himself to catch me as I fell down the ladder, the look on his face and the way he was assessing me, afraid something hurt. It all happened in a dashing agitating of a magic wand, but I could never be able to completely express my gratitude to both Anatoly and Sergey. The former had caught me and took the ladder on him to protect me, showing once more what beautiful and true friend he was, putting himself forward to shield me.

My heart kept beating faster for what happened, very much afraid Anatoly had gotten injured, but he was fine and in his usual sarcastic yet adorable mood, obviously relieved nothing bad occurred to me and I just felt so happy and blessed for having such fabulous and caring people around me. Why should I care about what Ryan told me? The people who loved me seemed not to mind about my being childish sometimes, believing in fairies and being the romantic, dreamy girl I was, sometimes with my head lost in some magic daze or in pink clouds. In fact, it wasn't that they just didn't care. They seemed to like and treasure that about me, as both Anatoly and Sergey showed in these past days, being worried about my quiet and off mood.

And Sergey now stood in front of me looking quiet shocked, his eyes wide and fixed on mine, after having been kissed on the cheek in front of everyone else, which suddenly rendered me insecure; however, it all went away as soon as he gave me a short, hidden smile and his eyes rested on mine with a soft and warm touch. One of his hands went on my side and I then realized he had not minded the kiss, he had not minded the fact I did it out of my usual bursting and exuberant enthusiasm in front of many others, in front of Anatoly. Also, I noticed he had really tried to keep his promise.

I felt like smiling and went to say something, but Anatoly grabbed my arm and pulled me away, tugging me after him with fast steps outside the school, until we reached the field for football's practice, which today was empty. We sat on a bleacher, feeling the cool wind of October which smelled of magic and autumn, and he poked my nose making me giggle, seeing his expression relaxing down.

"What the hell was that?" He fired out at once and I widened my eyes understanding he meant what had just happened with Sergey, feeling my cheeks colouring, which made me shake my head in shyness and sort of confusion. I grabbed his hands in mine and he let me, gently squeezing them back, one of his blonde brows arched as to ask for an explanation and I tried to order my thoughts.

I knew he wasn't in very good terms with Sergey and they had a fight not many weeks ago, something that still honestly bothered me in a way, but he was changing, he was being honest and kept his promises. Also, I-I liked him, but I wasn't ready yet to admit it loudly. It all still confused me and, while I stared at my friend, I hoped he didn't mind my getting closer to him.

"Oh please Anatoly don't misunderstand me! I am of course still a bit mad at him for what he did to you and to my brother, and I told him he cannot do that anymore and that it was very bad and that it made me sad, because you're my best friends," I fretted out, realizing I was talking way too fast and without almost breathing, not sure he grasped all of my words. He rolled his eyes and snorted out, for then softly chuckling. Why that?

"That's not what I am talking about, V." I narrowed my eyes and creased my forehead, then trying to understand what he meant, since he seemed not to mind my getting closer and becoming friends with Sergey and he shook his head, as if some rather funny exchange was going on his mind. He could be very amusing sometimes. "He's a fucktard, Viola," he declared openly and crossing his arms in front of his chest, to which I giggled, seeing they both had their own ways of calling one another, and realizing he just was worried about me, still afraid Sergey would behave wrongly. But he had nothing to worry about that; even so, I said nothing at the moment. It wasn't the right time for that. "No, I mean it, stay away from him and for crying out loud: tell me what happened to you, because you are too quiet and it's starting to freak me out big time."

Oh. He...Anatoly was so sweet and...oh. I never imagined he would voice out his concern in such open and direct way. It made me so happy I had to look away a moment, since his kindness had touched me deeply. It was a different sort of joy I felt from Sergey expressing his own concern; it had affected me in another way, but it still wrapped strongly around me like an enchanting and fluffy blanket, making me feel loved and cherished. It was one of the best feelings ever.

"Viola, what happened?" He asked again and I blinked, my lips unable to resist from smiling widely.

"I know that he is not exactly a unicorn and penguin lover, but he has helped me with those kids and before, he had tried to help both of us, honestly being worried," I went to explain, wanting to make him see the good sides of Sergey, but he shook his head saying he didn't care about him and simply to stay sharp whenever around him, quite surprising me because in a way, it looked like they had slightly smoothed down their mutual sort of hate, which I wasn't sure it could be called as such. I don't think they actually hated each other...they simply had similar traits of personality that prevented them to get along and well, they had shared moments when both were in the wrong place.

Anatoly wanted to know why I had become so silent and down in the past days, seeing it had been quite long and having worried people around me possibly too much. So, as my eyes stared at his earnest expression and beautiful silvery-blue stare, I decided to open up with him; he would have understood me and I felt at ease telling him that Ryan wasn't the knight in the shining armour I thought at the first, that a simple kiss on the cheek wasn't what he was looking for, and that I had been mistaken. He shot up standing straight and in quite the menacing stance, anger on his face, his hands clenching and unclenching in fists, and my lips slightly opened up. What had happened to him? Had something occurred in the past?

"Did he do something to you?" He demanded with hard and very much upset voice, his eyes reflecting the impossible to conceal anger. I blinked a couple of times, taken aback by such fiery and touching concern and affection, but also trying to imagine what made him so sensitive regarding this. However, I asked nothing and just listened to him. "I swear it, Viola, if he did something to you, I would hunt him down and make it a nightmare for him. So, tell me, what did he do?" He stared back at me with storming eyes and then, he took a deep breath and ran one hand in his Mohawk, as if wanting to calm down. "Sorry Viola, I didn't mean to be an idiot, but..."

I just rushed to hug him tightly because I felt tears in my eyes for how lucky I had been in meeting him, in becoming friends, in having so many wonderful and fabulous people loving me.

Adrian had also wished to speak to Ryan and Sergey pretty much implied the same, having been upset by seeing me down and saying not to care about what he told me; my friends, Sharon and Cameron, had stayed at my side and tried to cheer me up. My affectionate parents also loved me and told me to rely on them at any time. Anatoly, a person with his peculiar personality that didn't make him getting immediately along with strangers, remaining a bit on his own and appearing gruff with abrasive sarcasm, had expressed overwhelming and truly felt concern, also wishing to confront Ryan.

His words, little by little, crumbled in tiny pieces swept away by a gentle and warm breeze, for I had no reason to doubt myself. I was the way I was, yet...I had to tell Anatoly more and ask for his opinion, because he was very different from both my brother and other friends. I wanted to hear what he thought of all of this and maybe, of me as girl. I felt tears in my eyes and my arms kept hugging him as strongly as I could, for then feeling his wrapping around me; coming from a person like him, who wasn't exactly touchy-feely, meant a whole world to me. However, I pulled away and took a deep breath, going to explain him everything.

"Thank you, Anatoly," I murmured while staring at his eyes and he barely shook his head, patiently listening to me yet still looking very upset. "It's not what you think, because he did not manage to really touch me or do anything to me. He tried, but I said no. He tried another time, but we were at my place and mom and Adri came back home right then." I paused a moment and took another deep breath. It wasn't easy to repeat this another time, to say it out aloud, but with Anatoly it was completely fine. A fairy really had meant for us to become friends. "He said that kissing on the cheek is boring and for kids, he...he then said that he made a bet with a friend." Anatoly's eyes shot wide open and I could see his chest rising and lowering in deep yet quick breaths, his face a storm of emotions; I imposed myself to continue and say it out loud another time, needing to hear my friend's opinion. "A bet about having...having sex with a naïve girl." My eyes trailed away from his face, still feeling the same uneasiness and pain those words had moved inside of me, still slightly making me doubt myself.

"Can I know the exact name of this gigantic piece of crap?" He asked, but his question didn't completely register in my mind as I directly went to voice what really heaved down on me, the doubts circling in my mind and heart, the hidden fear I had when I faced Sergey, being afraid he might see me as such...even though, he so didn't look like that kind of guy. No, he was nothing like Ryan.

"Am I really that boring and naïve, Anatoly? Is it wrong to want to first know the person well before having sex? Is it wrong to want to have romantic little things at first?"

He remained completely silent and still for a few seconds, just looking at me almost in some shock and confusion, the anger of before smoothing away, just as his eyes softened as he quickly smiled at me, shaking his head as a reply to my many questions.

"No, it's not wrong," he said at once, his genuine and straightforward words getting me at first, since my eyes glued on his and I could not look away. "It's right; if it's what you want and what makes you feel good, it's damn right. Don't listen to that idiot, do you understand me?" Sergey had told me the same: not to listen to Ryan. "You are not boring: you are far from being boring, believe me. And what if you are naïve? So is my brother's chipmunk, but they found each other, and they are cool with that. That guy is just a dumbass, do you hear me? A gigantic fucktard and he doesn't deserve someone like you."

Oh...both he and Sergey had their own rather peculiar ways of calling Ryan and it made me secretly smile and giggle in my mind. The more Anatoly spoke the better I felt, as those words and the wickedness with which they were spoken crumble completely away, leaving nothing in me, being completely brushed away. My friend was right; if that made me feel good, if that was what I needed, why should it have been bad? I just had to find a person who wanted to same and that respected and liked me for who I was, and maybe...yes, maybe Sergey was alright with all of this. Maybe he would not mind all of these small, romantic things.

"His loss, not yours," Anatoly continued, "there is nothing wrong with taking things slowly; it makes you appreciate everything and the other person even more."

I remained silent letting what he just told me deepen into my mind and heart, making me feel warm and happy, seeing he was absolutely right and discussing it with Anatoly somehow gave me the final push I needed, because he had been entirely honest and frank, speaking what he truly meant, not simply wanting to brighten up my mood.

I had worried over that for no real reasons and Anatoly assured me I was not boring, actually quite the contrary, which suddenly made me smile widely, hearing my own giggling and laughing, the sadness and insecurities of before having completely disappeared like shadows under the light of the bright and beautiful sun. I beamed at my friend, finally back in my usual cheerfulness and bubbly happiness.

"Thank you, Anatoly! I'm really happy we are friends and I'm really happy you said those words, because I agree with you!" Yes, there was nothing to worry about and yes, I was maybe naïve and believed in fairies and wanting to take things very slowly, but that was me and it couldn't be changed. I shot on my feet, suddenly feeling some bursting magic and current zapping inside my body, rendering me unable to stay still and quiet anymore. "Ahhhhh!!!" I let out with loud voice and my friend widened his eyes, staring at me as if I were crazy.

"What the heck, V?" I apologized for having made them all worry, and he quickly commented I should talk to my brother, for he was a better person to discuss such things, but he was missing the main point here.

"What are you talking about, Anatoly?" I asked planting my eyes on his and leaning closer to him, resting my hands on his shoulders. "You are very good at this and you know how to make people feel good about themselves."

"You hit your head, Viola," he grunted out, looking away a moment in pure and absolutely adorable shyness, but then, his eyes moved back to me and they gifted me with a rare and genuine smile. See? He was a fabulous and wonderful person and what he said the following moment proved it even more. "What about ice-cream in that new place you told us about? Let's call Adrian, and well, maybe your two friends."

I hugged him once more and he returned the gesture without any hesitation. I was so glad I decided to speak with him, so grateful to have him as friend.

"Cammie will not be able to be there, but I'm sure Sharon will want to join us, so are you really sure about this?" He pulled back and nodded.

"Sure, it'll be a nice afternoon in the company of fairies, chipmunks and cheesy morons, because I am sure my brother will want to join, considered we were supposed to meet later and no doubts he'll bring his chipmunk along." Ohhhh...this was going to be a really exciting and super amazing afternoon! I clapped my hands and giggled more. "What is it? I see you are back to your usual craziness which really makes me feel better and more at ease."

"I'm just super happy, Anatoly, that's all; and thank you."

"No need for that, fairy doll; we are friends, right?" I nodded and beamed at him.

"Yes, we are fabulous friends."

For the first time, it felt as if magic fairy dust had been sprinkled on me, and by two rather unexpected persons: Anatoly and Sergey, each of them moving in me a very different, yet extremely precious and overwhelming joy.

Author's chit-chat:

What are your first impressions, thoughts, feelings, emotions, ideas, comments and reactions after having read this new chapter?

I said it would be emotions-filled, because the break-up with Ryan was very unpleasant but necessary, since we needed to understand why his words had dejected her so much. It might seem little to some, but for a sweet girl like her, at her young age, they can really hurt a lot. Even at my age those words would hit me badly, even though I might badly hit the person back with sarcasm (which is strong in me).

So, what about the scenes in which Sergey saves the cat? I knew some of you were expecting this, just like some of you were anticipating the moment with the ladder, which I decided to first have under Sergey's POV because it revealed his true thoughts also, showed us more of his real self. He is a good kid, with quite the short fuse and protective side, similarly to his cousin 😊 Then, I moved to Viola's POV, since we had to see how speaking to Anatoly made her feel. I missed Tolya and we will have more of him in the next chapters.

Also, I think it was funny to see how people see them as a couple, because in a way they behave as such without both seeing it. However, while some of my characters had been slow and dense or simply trapped in issues, Sergey sure has problems to solve, but he is quite straightforward and confident with Viola, taking some chances and carefully acting upon his feelings.

I think Sergey is growing on many of you, right? He can be quite sweet and romantic, without him even realizing it and sure Viola is the right person for him, just as he is right for her.

What do you expect happening in the next chapter? I can tell you I have 1/3 of it already written, so it should be out very soon. Also, I hopefully will post a new chapter of "Beyond Those Irresistible Eyes" next weekend, since I'm quite good with it. Sorry for the wait! River just is quite the complex character and the chapters for that story require more attention and work.

I hope you are all doing well and being healthy and safe! I also wish you all the best, lots of love, magic and send you rainbow hugs, along with a dash of Viola's magic fairy dust ***

Stay tuned with Witchy and her Cat for new chapters!

Lots of Love, Magic, Hugs & Meows,
-TheWitchAndTheCat-