Nikita just rolled his eyes.
– Semushin Dmitry, eighteen years old.
– Did you stay for the second year? The casting director raised an eyebrow questioningly.
“I don’t like to study,” the guy replied calmly.
– Why did you decide to participate?
– I live one day, and this is an opportunity to try something new.
– Do you have something that will prevent you from achieving victory?
– No. I’m ready for anything.
– And I did not drink, – Vlad shrugged his shoulders.
– Then what did you do at the check-in? – Maria asked sarcastically, as if the guy was guilty of all mortal sins. Everyone in the class knew that Vlad was an athlete, leading a correct lifestyle and, in general, tried to remain “correct” in the eyes of those around him.
– I was called in honor of the opening of the project, – without reacting to the first beauty of the school, the guy answered, turning more to the others. Tall, strong build with pronounced, but not pumped muscles, only emphasizing excellent physical shape. Gray eyes, well-defined facial features added severity for the growing guy, giving the impression of a serious man. But sometimes those eyes reflected uncertainty and confusion when he noticed someone else’s gaze on him. Another sign that the boy has not yet fully become an adult. He knew from experience how painful it can be if that look suddenly catches on you.
– What did you forget about the project? Dimitri chuckled. Too right for games.
“I forgot to ask you,” a classmate answered, hiding his inner irritation.
– Antonov Vladislav, eighteen years old. We moved to this city with my family last year, because of missing two weeks, my parents decided to leave me “for the second year”, having agreed with the teachers.
– Why were you absent for two weeks?
– Competition.
– What sport?
– Chess.
– You can’t tell by your complexion, – the woman smiled.
– We adhere to the right way of life. Exercise, proper nutrition, sports, – his gray eyes seemed empty, as if the guy was not on fire.
– Why did you apply?
– I’m used to winning.
The flickering lights were getting annoying. The stale air made the heart beat faster, causing anxiety. The head was spinning. The dream pressed on the brain with such force that it seemed that someone invisible with malicious pleasure beats the gong and laughs mockingly at each blow. And then it started. What should I do now, how long can this last? There will come a moment when he loses his temper and turns his back on the danger.
I wasn’t at the party either. I was returning from the library.
– Oh-oh-oh, our nerd spoke, – Dmitry crossed his arms over his chest. – So what? Was it crushed by a book?
“Actually, in case you forgot, we were given an essay on history,” Evgeny adjusted his glasses on the bridge of his nose, arrogantly looking at the repeater. “Unlike you, I don’t give a damn about studying.
– Let’s see where your red diploma is useful, – Maria laughed. “Money rules the world, boy.
– Good knowledge is expensive, – proudly answered a classmate, trying not to succumb to provocation.
– Evgeny Teplukhin, eighteen years old.
– Why did you decide to participate in the project?
– I want to prove that the intellect can open any door.
– Commendable. You indicated that you won the All-Russian Olympiad.
“It’s only this year,” the boy said smugly. – I constantly participate, and only twice took third place. Well, it’s always the first.
Alena wrinkled her nose. She had a bewildered smile. The girl diligently tried to pull herself together, but nothing worked. Once again she sniffed loudly and piercingly. And suddenly she looked like a child again. Even stronger than when she was five years old.
– I want to go home.
– Go, nobody keeps you here, – Dimka mockingly nodded at the locked door. – How did they even take such a project. Does everyone understand that we are already participating?!
– The rules were not announced, – Vlad drawled doubtfully.
– It was necessary to look at what you were signing, – Irina smoothed her already slicked hair, gathered in a tight bun. – In black and white it is indicated that we can be collected at any moment.
– I’m scared, I want to go home, – Alena cried. Fragile, close to anorexia
– Crybaby, – Masha turned away from the girl, who irritated her very much with her behavior.
– Alena Grishko, seventeen years old.
– Why did you send an application for participation in the project?
So my mother decided. He says I will grow up, I will gain experience, I will learn something.
– And what did our rat forget here? Fives are no longer so happy? Or are you thinking of setting someone up here? Dima turned to Irina. Thin, in a strict suit, she always gave the impression of a “good girl”, currying favor with teachers. Often an excellent student urged others on not very good deeds, and later “merged”, as if she was not in business. And even if someone tried to accuse her, the teachers would never have suspected such a right girl of a bad deed.
– So the girls have the right, there is nothing to infringe on us.
– Wow, you are our hurt, – repeater clicked his tongue. – Who hurt you so much?
– Irina Sibirtseva, sixteen years old, straight A student. I want to prove that women are no worse than men and have the right to participate wherever they want.
“Interesting targets,” the casting director nodded, making some notes in her notebook.
Denis looked around in surprise.
– And what, only our class participates? It can’t be that no one else has been chosen, can it?
– Fat man, you don’t think. Better look for grub, – Dimka spat contemptuously.
– Well, what? Isn’t it strange? Why closed? Why only … – Denis hesitated. He has long been accustomed to bullying. Due to his excess weight, he was often not taken seriously, bullying, not even suspecting how painfully every word resonated in his soul. And when he came home, he unconsciously ate stress and got fatter and fatter, hating himself. Clothes were always taken several sizes larger, trying to hide figure flaws, but this did not save in any way, only emphasizing overweight. And all around. Harassment, food, tears, food… Once a short haircut has now grown a lot, hiding plump reddish cheeks with many small pimples, and blue eyes continued to look at the world with hope for the best.
– You will be clever in another place, fat, – Maria supported the attacks.
– Yakovlev Denis, sixteen years old.
– Why did you decide to participate?
– I…