Second period, and I’m running late. I overslept, even though I had plenty of time to rest since we didn’t have a first class today. But yesterday, I worked at the café, and on Sundays, we always close the latest, as long as there are customers.
I’m sprinting up to the second floor. Just a little farther down the hallway, then a right turn. Looks like I’m not the only one late—I pass a few of my classmates, though they’re not in as much of a hurry as I am. They don’t care about their studies or what grades they get. But for me, it matters. I’m on a scholarship, studying on a government grant, and I can’t afford to slack off.
Finally, room 212. But right at the door, I spot Malinowski and come to a screeching halt. It’s like he’s waiting for me on purpose, blocking the entrance with his smug presence. When he catches my eye, he flashes that infuriating, self-satisfied grin.
Can’t I catch a break? When will he leave me alone? Our feud started over a year ago when I transferred to this university due to family circumstances. I didn’t try to make friends and just buried myself in my studies, but Myles seemed to take it as a personal challenge to get under my skin for no reason at all. Now, I can’t even stand the sight of him.
I pull myself together and take a step forward.
“Move,” I say, my voice cold and sharp.
“Didn’t anyone teach you manners?” he smirks, showing off his perfect white teeth. “Where’s the ‘hello’? The ‘please’?”
“My ‘please’ will be a fist to your ribs,” I threaten, though I’ve never resorted to physical violence. “Wanna test me?”
“Wow, you’re brutal,” he says, feigning a frown. “It’s scary being in the same room as you.”
“Then stay as far away from me as possible.”
“Can’t do that.”
Of course he can’t. He wouldn’t survive a day without messing with me. That’s what gives his life meaning. School means nothing to him—he shows up to classes whenever he feels like it, knowing his rich daddy will smooth everything over. But not everyone gets that kind of privilege. I have to work hard to achieve anything. I’ve got no one to rely on but myself.
“Myles, what’s your deal? Move it,” I hear an annoyed voice behind me from one of our classmates. “You’re acting like a kindergartner.”
I step back, letting Myles deal with Sergei, a huge, broad-shouldered guy who doesn’t mess around. One swing from him could knock anyone out cold. Myles knows this, so he steps aside. I cling to Sergei’s shadow and slip into the lecture hall behind him.
I scan the desks and spot Katya, my only friend here, in the front row. She senses my gaze, turns, and waves at me, adjusting her glasses on the bridge of her nose. I head to my usual seat, leaving Myles far behind. He never sits anywhere but the back rows.
“Was that spoiled brat harassing you again?” Katya asks indignantly as I plop down next to her. “Doesn’t he have anything better to do?”
“What else would he do?” I scoff. “University is just an amusement park to him. Show up, have some fun, and leave.”
“But you’re the one who can’t get any peace because of him,” Katya says, looking at me with sympathy.
“It’s fine. Just one more year, and that’s it. I’ll never have to see him again,” I reassure myself.
“Maybe you should report him?”
“To who?” I glance at her. “You know his dad will sweep anything under the rug, no matter what I say. Forget it. I try not to pay attention to his antics.”
I smile at my friend and shift my focus to the notebook I’ve opened. Of course, that’s not entirely true. Sometimes he really gets to me, but I don’t want Katya to pity me. I’ll manage somehow.
The professor enters the room, and everyone quiets down—except, of course, the back rows. It’s always noisy back there, and no amount of pleading works on those slackers. The professor doesn’t even bother addressing the troublemakers; he just sits at his desk and starts the lecture.
I try to jot down the key points since there’s so much information, and it’s impossible to write everything. But every now and then, my attention is pulled away by the voices coming from behind. They’re so annoying. They don’t study themselves and won’t let anyone else focus either. And no one says a word to them.
Of course, the back rows are filled with the sons and daughters of wealthy parents. They don’t respect anyone and don’t listen to anyone.
A loud burst of laughter makes me turn around. I see the group chatting and joking about something. My grip tightens on my pen in frustration, nearly snapping it.
Myles must sense my stare because he suddenly looks right at me. For a few moments, we lock eyes, and then he blows me a kiss. I’m so stunned that my mouth falls open, and he bursts into laughter.
What a comedian. I turn back around and keep writing, feeling my cheeks flush with heat.
Myles.
I don’t even know why I’m here.
This lecture is so boring I could fall asleep. At least my friends are keeping things lively with their funny stories.
Throughout the class, I keep glancing at Sabine’s back. She’s sitting ramrod straight, like she’s on display, diligently taking notes. How can someone be so uptight? Doesn’t she ever let loose and, say, skip a class? I don’t think she’s done that even once. This girl doesn’t know how to relax or enjoy life. Her youth is slipping away, and I bet she hasn’t even hooked up with anyone yet. That thought stirs something in me, and I feel a flicker of excitement imagining her in bed, undressed.
What the hell? I’m not even interested in her like that. Must be a sign I need to throw a party and blow off some steam.
As soon as the class ends, I get up from my seat.
“Where are you off to? We’ve got another class in this room,” says Sasha, my classmate and friend.
His dad’s a prosecutor, and it’s useful to have friends like that.
“I’m over it,” I reply indifferently. “I’m out. Gonna take a walk. I’ll call my girl, and we’ll have a good day.”
“Lucky you,” I see the envy in his eyes. “My dad forces me to attend every single class. So here I am, stuck.”
“Have fun sitting through it,” I grin, wave, and head for the door.
For some reason, I glance at Sabine one last time. She’s sitting with her nerdy friend in the front row, and instead of taking a break, she’s reading something. She’s definitely out of her mind.
I don’t get far before the dean’s assistant intercepts me in the hallway.
“Malinowski, come with me. The dean wants to see you in his office.”
I sigh heavily and trudge behind the scrawny guy who probably works here for peanuts.
I know what’s coming. The dean will lecture me about getting my act together, remind me that winter exams are approaching, and say how embarrassed he is in front of my father. And I know why he’s saying it. My dad’s a major donor to the university, and he likes to remind everyone that his money shouldn’t go to waste. Through the dean, he tries to influence my attitude toward school. But I still think it’s all a waste of time. I’ll get my degree and go work at my dad’s company.
“Come in, sit down,” Dean Dmitry Ivanovich says curtly as I close the door behind me.
I feel right at home in this office—I’m here so often. As usual, I settle into the soft chair across from the dean and look at him confidently. Everyone at the university fears his strict demeanor, but I don’t see anything intimidating about him.
“How can I be of service?” I ask with a cheerful tone.
Dmitry Ivanovich gives me a cold, appraising look and presses his lips into a thin line. He’s usually friendlier with me; guess he’s not in the mood today.
“Unfortunately, you’re of little use,” he says, his voice laced with steel. “All you had to do was study and scrape by with a passing grade. But you can’t even manage that.”
His dismissive tone puts me on edge. Something’s off. I sit up straighter, dropping the smirk.
“You know school’s not my thing,” I try to joke. “I’m a creative type. Wanted to be a musician, but my dad shoved me into university.”
“And he deeply regrets it.”
“I take it you’ve spoken to him recently,” I say, tensing up even more as the dean doesn’t soften his tone. If anything, it gets harsher. “What did he say?”
“That he’s done funding his useless son. That he’s reached his limit, and now it’s just you and me. And I’m not going to coddle you, Myles,” he lowers his voice, leaning forward with his elbows on the desk. “If you don’t pass your exams, I’ll kick you out on your ass.”
Now that’s new. I wasn’t expecting this.
“You wouldn’t do that. My dad sponsors this university.”
“He’s refusing to give money to an institution where his son hasn’t gained an ounce of sense in five years. So, Myles, we’ve got a problem.”
“What am I supposed to do? Should I talk to him?”
“Go ahead and try, but it won’t change anything. He’s cutting off support until he sees results. And I really don’t want to lose a good sponsor. Do you get where I’m going with this?”
“You want me to get my act together and pass the exams,” I conclude, licking my dry lips nervously. “But I don’t know anything. I’ve skipped most of my classes.”
“I can help with that,” he says with a crooked smile, leaning back in his chair. “I’ll assign one of our top students to tutor you and get you up to speed.”
“You want me to hang out with some nerd?”
“If it comes to it, you’ll live together and spend twenty-four hours a day with them. I’m demanding that you pass your exams, or I’ll throw you out of this university for good.”
His terms don’t sit well with me, and I’m not about to agree to them.
“Go ahead and kick me out. I’d be happy to leave this place,” I stand up and stride confidently to the door, grabbing the handle before turning back. “I’ll manage just fine without your education.”
“You think this is a joke?” he growls. “I’m giving you time to think it over. Otherwise, you won’t be here much longer.”
“I’ve already thought about it, thanks,” I say with a smirk.
I leave the office with a light heart. I never wanted to study here in the first place—my dad forced me into it, and now he doesn’t want to pay.
That’s his problem, not mine.