The chosen vessel. Fighting of the spirits. Miki Lazović

bad marks, she was constantly reproached. What happens if you stay in a form for a second year? They doubt that you’ll pass the class. Maybe it’ll be with minimal success. How could you continue studying with such grades? They are right in some way. Looking logically, your parents are not so rich to pay for your further studies.”

      Her every word pierced my heart like a needle. Is it possible that I deserve such words? Is it true that she wants more love from me? There are a kiss, a hug and nothing more. What more does she want from me? I gave her my heart and every trembling of the body. Indeed, we lived hard, but I did not deserve such words and insults from her side. For a second, everything boiled in me. I wanted to answer all the grievances. I wanted to influence over her, so that she would confess to everyone that she loves me and must part with me only at the behest of my parents. In this fury I wanted to say a lot more, but remembered the grandfather’s words and immediately calmed down. Only a barely audible I whispered:

      “Tanya, if I need to part with her, I’d like to hear it from her.”

      “We got together on a point, Miki. Don’t get offended for telling you all this. “

      “It’s all right. You’re still my friend.”

      She left, and everything was running through my head. I was angry and calmed down again. This embarrassment continued several days. If she or her relatives talk in such a manner about me and my family, then none of them I need – so I thought angrily and immediately found an excuse for everything. They may have been right and they have a right to do so because my family was really not rich enough to pay for my studies at the faculty. Hundred times I accused them and so much justified. When Bilja came and confirmed Tanya’s words, I was on the brink of tears. I wanted to say that I love her. I wanted to beg her to stay with me and forgive all my sins. I wanted to do so, but I couldn’t even move. I watched her as she approached me with her smooth gait. She stopped in front of me. Coldly and prudently she began to explain:“Did Tanya explain to you the reason of my disfavor?”

      “Yes, she did. I just want to hear the confirmation of these words from your lips.”

      “We are the best friends, so all that she tells you is as if I speak to you.”

      “All right, Bilja. You needn’t to repeat anything more. I wish you good luck and would to God that all future guys would love you more than I do. I think my love for you knows no bounds. “

      “And I wish you happiness and I’d like you correct all the bad marks. I understand that your wish will materialize before mine. It is necessary to work seriously to carry out my desire, but to realize your wish is not needed nothing, because it’s easy getting to like me,” – she said, laughed and went away.

      I posed the question for myself: “How could I so sincerely love her without knowing her at all?”

      Then I decided to revenge on her for the insolence. I could never say such words to her. I will prove to her that she is mistaken.

      Five or six days later I volunteered to correct the first failing grade. The teacher asked me within the lesson. The bell sounded. She noticed that I had already learned enough and she could put me three for these displayed knowledge. I did not agree and asked to continue survey during the next lesson the so that I could get a five. She laughed together with the whole class.

      “To get a top five on my subject you need to know the whole program, not just the last two topics.”

      “Teacher, remember you and all the others, now I will get only five and in those subjects for which I have failing grades I will go to the interschool Olympiad at the end of the year. I want to represent our school in eight subjects and get eight gold medals.”

      The class laughed at my words and the teacher said in a dissatisfied tone:

      “Okay, let’s see what will happen next lesson. You’ve prepare well and if you do not know anything, you will not be able to answer until the end of the year and at the end you will get failing grade.”

      “I agree,” I replied.

      The next lesson was devoted only to me. She asked all the possible questions that came to her mind from what we had already been through. And each question I answered.

      “I’m lost for words. I am just knocked speechless!” – she said after all the questions and answers. – No one pupil did show me such a knowledge. If there was a ten of grades in a high school, then I would put it to you right away. You’ve earned a top five, I put it and congratulate you! “

      She stood up, came up to my desk, and stretched hand to me. Some pupils dared and clapped hands several times. Then she began to applaud too and all students of our class joined to it.

      The next day I volunteered to correct the second failing grade. It was the lesson of chemistry. And there was the most dangerous teacher in our school. They say that he once said that there is no student who can get a real 3 because chemistry is full of formulas and there is no one who could remember all of these formulas. And he began to ask me at the end of the lesson. The bell rang. He was satisfied with my knowledge and said:

      “Miki, I’m pleased with your answer and I’m ready to give you a third.”

      “Teacher, I would be pleased with such a gift if I did not know the answer to the questions, but I do not like when I get gifts and I do not agree to get this third. I will be glad to get a five, but only when it will not be presented.”

      He slammed the records with all his might:

      “Let’s see, the hero. Let’s look at the next lesson.”

      He entered the teacher’s room angrily and started to shout from the door:

      “Colleagues, for the first time one of the students could make me flare up. Of course, he had lessons perfect, nothing to say, but when I wanted to give him a third, this smarty pants declared that he wants to say the next lesson e for the fifth” – he shouted and slapped his palm against the palm.

      All in attendance kept silence, only the teacher, who gave me a five already, laughed. Everyone turned to her.

      “Colleague, are you probably talking about Miki?”

      He was completely at a loss:

      “How do you know….?

      “He answered my questions at the lesson yesterday. Do you know what he said to me?” Everyone looked at her without saying a word. “He wants to represent our school at the inter – school Olympiad in all eight subjects of which he had failing grades in the last half – year”.