Chapter 5

I did end up quitting the school. I liked the job, and it was awful to lose the position, but intuitively I knew Ruslan was right. Men like Maksim don't hear refusals and don't forget grudges. And in the end, I got tired of walking home while looking over my shoulder.

On the other hand, I had time to get serious about translations and see my school friend more often: Marinka Tsvetkova, whom I had been seeing less often ever since work and Vlad appeared in my life. Marinka had nothing against the former (she herself worked part-time at one of the restaurants of a famous fast-food chain), but she disliked Rybkin for his posing and self-admiration, and she had no intention of hiding it.

I tried several times to fix the situation, but things never became idyllic between my best friend and my boyfriend. Then everyone's life spun off in its own direction, and no one had time for anyone else's likes or dislikes. But Marinka still regretted that at the time I met Rybkin, she had been head over heels in love with one of the musicians from a local rock band, suffering through an explosive relationship, and had missed the moment Vlad slipped past my boundaries. Purely by cunning, as she saw it, and there was no convincing her otherwise.

She called me early Saturday evening, the day before New Year's, and chirped joyfully, overflowing with emotion:

"Snowy, I'm begging you, you have to drop everything and come with me, or my whole life will collapse and never rise from the wreckage! And I want to be happy. I've been given such a chance, Aliska! You could call it a jackpot!"

"What chance? Slow down, Marin. Tell me properly. What happened?"

"Nothing yet, but it absolutely will. I met an amazing guy! He's so gorgeous, Alis, and I think he liked me. No, he definitely liked me! At first he was just hitting on me. You know how it is at work. Bad jokes, questionable compliments. When you're standing at the pickup window and cars keep pulling up one after another, it's better not to listen at all. But yesterday he noticed me again, left his phone number, and winked."

"And of course you called?" I guess.

"Aliska, if you had seen him!" Marinka draws out dreamily. "A tattoo on his neck, and probably under his clothes too. Such a sexy boy in an Infiniti, with the makings of a loyal bad boy. Of course! We talked on the phone, and now he's inviting us to a party at his friend's place. Tell me that isn't amazing!"

"Us, Tsvetkova?"

"Yes! I'm not going alone for anything. I'm a respectable girl! And you won't let me go alone, right? A New Year's mix-shake party is waiting for us! Drinks, music, and a penthouse in the expensive high-rise district next to yours! There will be about a hundred people!"

"Listen, Marin, you don't know him."

"No, no, no! I can't hear you! Please, Alisochka, let's go! It's a big party, and our girls from university will be there. I heard about it even without this Denis."

I shake my head, though my friend can't see it.

"I can't. It would just feel wrong. You understand, Vlad has family things today. His grandmother isn't feeling well. He went with his parents to visit her so we can celebrate New Year's together tomorrow. It would look bad if I went to someone else's party without him."

"Just for one little hour, Snowy! I'm not asking for more! I'll meet Denis, and we'll leave right away, I promise! Otherwise I'll be miserable my whole life! What if he's my destiny?"

"You said the same thing about Zakhar Lityagin. That he was the love of your life."

Marinka's mood instantly sours. I remember perfectly well that my friend was head over heels in love with her musician.

"He's an idiot," Tsvetkova sighs angrily. "I don't want to talk about him. The guys from Suspense [*] are all womanizers obsessed with their band. I don't know what I was hoping for... So you're abandoning me?" she asks, almost devastated. "I won't go alone, and Denis will never remember me again."

"Well..."

"Alisochkaaaaa!"

"Just for one little hour?"

"Yes!"

"Wait. I'll let Rybkin know."

I hang up with Marinka and dial Vlad. I don't want to bother him, but if I don't call, he'll be offended. He's very jealous about anything involving my time.

"Hi, Vlad. How is your grandmother? Is she better?"

"Oh, hi, Alice! Yes, thank you. She sends you her regards and dreams of meeting you. I already told her the feeling is mutual! We arrived recently, so we'll stay here a while. What about you, are you missing me already? Hold out until tomorrow, Snowflake. I promise you an unforgettable New Year! I have a gift for you!"

"I have one too," I admit, catching myself smiling.

Whatever doubts gnaw at me, there's still someone who cares about me.

"Vlad, I want to go somewhere with Marina," I admit. "It won't be for long. I promise I'll come home by taxi."

"What kind of place?" Rybkin becomes alert.

"A party at her friends' place," I shade the truth a little, knowing Vlad won't like my idea. "She needs company, and I don't have work today. It's a holiday after all, and we haven't gone out together in ages. As soon as I get home, I'll call you!"

"Um, I'll probably be busy. Family dinner, you understand."

"Okay. Then call me when you can."

"Alice, I'm against it. Stay home. Read a book or watch a movie. Can't you pass Marinka off to another friend? I never liked her."

I need a pause to take in his answer.

"Rybkin, are you serious?"

"Yes. Why?"

I don't know why I suddenly decide to insist on my own way. Probably because I don't like the feeling that I don't have the right to decide anything for myself.

"I'm going with Marina, Vlad. I promised her. She's my friend, and we haven't spent time together in ages. I don't want to think you don't trust me. Because that isn't true, is it?"

"N-no."

"Then until this evening?"

"I love you, Snowy. Promise you will remember that?"

"I promise. Bye."

Marinka and I agree to meet in an hour and a half by the movie theater and go to the party from there. I make my friend promise that we will only stop in for a little while, and after receiving her assurance that "of course, of course, of course!" I go shower and get ready.

I straighten my light hair with a flat iron, line my eyes with small upper wings, and tint my lashes and lips. On this pre-New Year's day, I want to look beautiful and feel the holiday atmosphere. I have worked too much and am genuinely glad to spend time with Marinka, and I stop in front of the closet for several minutes to choose clothes.

I put on black tights, a short A-line skirt, a pale blue sweater, and tall boots. After using perfume, I put on my coat, and over my shoulder goes a small purse on a long chain. I add no other accessories, and the hood saves me from the cold when I practically run to the movie theater.

*** 

"Alice! Hey, I'm here!"

Marinka has already arrived. She is standing under an illuminated poster beside the silver Christmas tree near the movie theater entrance, and she bounces happily when she spots me.

Tsvetkova is a burning brunette. She has pulled her long hair into a high ponytail, her green-brown eyes are bright with holiday mood, and anticipation of an interesting evening won't let her stand still.