Elka

Heel stuck tightly. Once again, without much hope, I tried my leg and tried to look around at least one clean piece of flooring. Useless. Thanks to the local public utilities, or to whom else, for leaving a wide strip of land left without asphalt in front of the bridge, which turned into a sticky yellow puddle under the pouring rain. It is impossible to jump over, so the passersby dragged this dirty trick onto the wooden flooring of the bridge.

Well, what a black streak I started yesterday! First, the institute pulled a wallet with all the cash, including money for a ticket home. Then the printer flew and it was necessary to print out the diploma from Larka, who lives on the outskirts of the city. To be in time, I got up today at five in the morning ... At the department it turned out that the reviewer was sick and was waiting for me at home. And he lives in the suburbs, where to get with three transfers. And there is no money for a taxi.

In the trolley bus in the crush broke the handle of the bag. It started to rain, and the umbrella stayed in the dorm. And now, as the very last drop, I am standing in the middle of the bridge and can’t pull out the “hairpin” that has fallen into some kind of gap.

Reaching the railing will not work - far away. A bag with a precious diploma hidden under a raincoat. Drenched hair covered his face. And it seems that evil tears are running along the cheeks already mixed with the rain. Here is a shame. I only lacked tantrums.

We'll have to sacrifice shoes, mud baths, not only outside, but inside, they obviously will not survive. And I’ll definitely can’t keep standing on one leg, on a thin heel, holding my bulky bag with my hands.

I did not even understand where he came from. I just felt warm fingers on my ankle, looked down, and saw the guy crouching in front of me. He quickly released the stuck heel, smearing both hands. He got up, glimpsed a muffled “Thank you!”. And he went behind me. I did not look back.

After a couple of minutes the rain ended.

Sergei.

Slavka prepared everything in advance, so we spent only two days on paperwork. It was possible to go to my mother. But he asked to stay on Svetlana's birthday:

- You at least get to know each other. At the wedding you were not. Stay. Is there still time?

Well, do not tell your younger brother that I don’t have any desire to know a new relative? I did not like her. This wedding is hasty, a month after the grandfather's funeral. The perseverance with which he sought from me the rejection of claims to the apartment and cottage. Slavka, who has always been a disgrace. Maybe he has changed over the past four years. But somehow very much.

And sweet quiet Svetochka, who for three days never addressed me directly, only through her husband. And she looked at me very intently and strangely when he was not around.

The restaurant, where we celebrated the solemn event, was unexpectedly crowded.

- These are students. The release is probably celebrated. - Slavka disapprovingly glanced at the cheerful company consisting almost of one guys only.

I felt frankly superfluous. Besides me, guests were another couple, colleagues of his brother and his wife. The conversation almost immediately spun around the problems of their company. I was politely tried to interest, but the wine that was drunk soon enough saved me from the excess attention.

I considered the hall. The restaurant occupied two floors in one of the new high-rises. It was quite new and not too expensive. Actually the tables were at the top, and at the bottom the dance floor occupied almost twice the space, where almost all of our student neighbors went.

Looking in the direction of their desk, I suddenly stumbled upon the gaze of the girl who remained there. She was not alone, she laughed and talked with her neighbors. And looked in our direction. In my direction.

Interesting. Blonde, thin. It seems low. Although while sitting, just can not tell.

I listened to the detailed analysis of the errors in some report received by Slavka and decided that it was my duty and imperative to save myself in such a situation. Or fall asleep, or jaw dislocated, yawning.

He apologized to the birthday girl and her guests, and was poisoned to invite a stranger to the dance.

Elka

Philip made a heartfelt speech. Drunk did not allow him to shine with eloquence, but emotions spilled out on us in an unstoppable stream:

- Girls! You ... Now, if not for you ... Nooo. I would definitely not protect myself ...

- Yes, you would have flown out of the second year if it were not for them! - Sasha laughed. - Send already down. How long will we sit? And there girls. Cute-ee.

Phil immediately switched:

- Cute? Where?

- Here, friends, - Lenko sighed picturefully. - he is not enough for us. Phil, are we not pretty?

- You are the best! - Philip confidently proclaimed, rising from the table. - So we go?

- Go already! - Lenka waved her hand. - Changeers.

- So let's go together. What is there to sit? - Vadim was already mentally downstairs. He even danced a little on the spot to rhythmic music.

- We'll go down later. - Lenka smiled, showing that she does not take offense at our friends.

Cyril, of course, remained. It seems that he never let go of Larissa’s hand. They did not notice anyone around. We are acquainted for five years, have been married for the second year, and are still in love.

Vitka already had a lot of fun, so he also stayed with us. And the rest went down. I wouldn't mind dancing too. And at another time would go down with the guys. Just not today. Lenka could not because of the recently injured leg. Bundles pulled. Even the defense had to sit.

And I saw him. That guy from the bridge.

Actually, I'm not in love. Somehow it happened from the second year that all classmates began to treat me like a sister. Yes, and younger. It is my fault - after a short marriage (only two and a half months, one summer, I did not even have time to change my passport) and sudden widowhood, I did not see men at close range. And when a year later she began to recover, it turned out that for most of them she became “her own” in her environment. And as an object of courtship was not perceived at close range.

It suited me. Still.

But this young man ... I do not even know what hooked me. Some elusive resemblance to Seryozhka - in walking, turning the shoulders, landing head. And dark blond, short-haired hair. Only at Earrings they always bristled.

Well, the share was. This guy got up and obviously headed towards us.

- Allow me to invite you to dance?

Wow, how polite. I smiled:

- Of course, I am happy!

We went to the dance floor just when the slow melody sounded. He gently put his hands on my waist, slightly pulled to him.

- We will get acquainted?

- Elka. Well, that is Elena.

- Sergei.

- What?

- My name is Sergey. Something is wrong?

- Everything is good. - I tried to calm down. Wow, what a coincidence ...

Sergei.

The girl was short, but very ... well. Hugging her was nice. From the skin and hair came a slight smell of freshness, and I had to make an effort not to pull her closer in the dance and not put my nose to the crown.

For some reason she did not like my name. Obediently she moved with me and suddenly stood up, stopped, not finishing the movement. But she did not explain anything.

In general, it was nice to dance with her. I did not want to let go of such a flexible and sensitive partner. I have not danced with such pleasure for a long time.

However, pretty soon my thoughts took a completely unambiguous direction.

- Let's go to the balcony? Hot. - Elka looked inquiringly. What, admits that I refuse?

I immediately took the opportunity. The balcony turned out to be very comfortable - a spacious terrace, turned into a kind of garden and divided by plants into separate corners. In one of them we found ourselves.

When my lips covered ...