Despite my giddy anticipation, the only other two times I got to go dancing next month was on my friends' Ira's and Lana's birthdays. Turns out their parents weren't going to let it be earlier to my disappointment. By the time we all could freely enjoy regular dancing outings summer was slowly approaching, and with-it dreaded final exams that we didn't want to think about. The upcoming weekend held a holiday, and we were all excited since a lot of young people would come home from school for it and we would get to see Mary.
Once Saturday came, we all got together in my room before going out, Mary brought her baked cookies, Ira salads, I smuggled in some pickled cherries, juice from which mixed very well with the smuggled spirits that Lana's dad made (he had no idea though).
With this a secret celebratory table was set, and we finally got to update each other on happenings in our lives while we were separated by distance.
After hanging out for a bit, slightly tipsy and giddy we went out to hang out on the town square benches before the club would open.
The town square was booming with people, quite a few came down from surrounding villages to visit families or just to party at the local bar.
Few boys came over and introduced themselves to us, they were from a neighboring village and recently finished their army duty. They adamantly tried to get us to go to the bar with them, but we firmly refused. We simply did not need those kinds of rumors, and had no idea who they really were. So with safety in mind we parted with telling them they could come and see us in the club later.
After a while we headed to the club, surprisingly we were greeted by Vasya at the entrance, he introduced us to Andrew, who had tale-tale sign of having a big bad crush on our Lana in his dopey smile when he looked at her admiringly. It seemed Andrew goaded Vasya into introducing him to Lana, which was good for us since the boys sponsored all our tickets. Having those two coppers saved up for the next time was awesome.
The bonus round was when it turned out boys smuggled in a bottle of vine and two bottles of spirits to celebrate. We were slowly and sneakily indulging in between of dancing; I thought happily it was turning out to be a grey night. With Vasya constantly dancing with Ira, and Andrew having deep conversation with Lana, Mary and I were giving them some privacy and dancing a bit out of the way but still close enough to see.
The alcohol was slowly getting out of our system through exercise, and we were having a tipsy blast.
A bit later two boys that we met before approached us, we didn't even remember their names. After some chit chat, we had a poor judgment to agree to hang out with them for a bit, since our other two friends were busy. Well, the boys brought in more liquor, and we were getting drunk again. Soon Mary wasn't feeling good, and the two of us decided she needs some fresh air. So we gestured to the guys that we will excuse ourselves.
One of the boys did not like the idea of Mary leaving, I got in the middle of the argument and got showed away with one hand while he tried to hold on to her with the other. Which happened in between of songs and my yelling was heard by our friends nearby.
Before I noticed boys jumped in, and withing few seconds fists began flying. This quickly escalated into a brawl, Lana and Ira pulled bewildered Mary and I to the side out of harms way. We quickly got our jackets and begum moving towards exit for safety, since more friends of friends on both sides begun jumping into the fistfight.
We decided to take Mary home before the fight settled since she did not look too good. So, the four of us went down the street guiding the poor thing home. We helped her unlock the door, quietly took off her shoes and jacket and set her free inside, hoping she could find her bed without getting in trouble. By the time we came back to the club it seemed that all of the local guys pulled up to the scene when rumor spread of the brawl. The guys who started this were no longer there, and everyone was just talking about the incident all hyped up on adrenaline.
I was mortified, since I felt responsible and embarrassed. Everyone told me not to worry and have another drink. Vova, Ira's neighbor we knew from childhood brought some vine with him, and while we were chilling subtly hinted to Vasya and Andrew not to worry and that he'll take me home, which was cool of him since I would feel awkward to intrude on two couples who just wanted to go back to flirting.
Eventually it was like it never happened; a whole new crowd was merrily pumping and stomping floors to the rhythm of the songs.
In not one of my proudest moments, I did get a bit too drunk and Vova took me outside for some fresh air, while I was sloppily whining about how I didn't mean it and I'm not that kind of a person he seemed to see someone.
"Hey, do you have any spare change?" he asked me.
I rummaged through my pockets, slightly confused by the change of topic.
"Uhh, just these two copper coins… Hic!"
"Great! Can I have them?"
"Yeah, sure, I don't mind…" I was wondering where this was going as I gave him the coins.
"Vova! Come here!" He shouted, which was even more confusing.
"Aren't you Vova?" I asked him confused, 'how drunk was I?' I wondered.
"Ha! Yes, but this is also Vova. Vova say hi, this is Nastya." He said to someone behind me. I turned around and all I could see is a tall shape of a man through my blurry wet eyes.
"Hey." The shape said in a silky low voice. Dang it, I probably look like a wet mop, I slowly begun getting very embarrassed.
"Yo, I have to run man, can you make sure she gets home safe? Those jerks can still be lurking around."
"Sure, no problem." Vova number two answered grabbing my hand. With this Vova number one was gone in an instant.
Suddenly, my companion gave me a handkerchief to wipe the wet mess of my face, this was a very sobering and embarrassing experience. Before I was even done, I heard another voice behind me.
"Since when do you two know each other?" I turn around to see Veronica. Vera and I share an assigned desk in our classes, but nothing else. I was surprised at the question, but there was nothing particular to hide.
"We just met today." I answered the question question that was more directed to me "You two know each other?"
"Yeah, Victor used to live next door to me, before him and his mom moved." She answered not really looking at me.
"Victor? I thought your name was Vova…" I felt dumber by the moment.
"Ahh, that's a nickname. My actual name is Victor Sudailov." As he answered a sudden realization hit me, as I looked at him closer, I saw a dashing man with brown hair and grey eyes smiling calmly at me. I wanted to disappear into the ground out of embracement; such a sloppy, wet, and whiny, first meeting with the town's best bachelor, Ira's former crush and obsession to boot! She will die laughing at me tomorrow for sure. Should I tell her?
"Hey, can the two of you walk me home? My friends left me." It was kind of weird, her best friend lived near her, I was pretty sure I just saw her around, and they always went everywhere together, but it didn't much matter to me.
"Sure, if Vova doesn't mind…" I answered.
"Yeah, I don't mind." He was such a cool soul I thought, taking in random guard duties left and right.
"Ok, since I live near here, you two can drop me off first and then go together." I said knowing how far Vera lived, it was beyond the town square in opposite direction from my house.
"Nah, we'll drop her off first, then you." He rebuted.
"You should know, I live right there." I pointed down the street I needed to go towards.
"Yeah, and you are last." He answered.
"Fine." I didn't really mind since the spring weather was nice and warm today. But I was a bit baffled since you would usually try to walk the girl you are interested in last on purpose. There was no way chubby mess like me could come close to the slim sandy-blonde beauty with heterochromic eyes, one grey-blue, other grey-green. Since she was slightly shorter than me, I felt like a messy gorilla next to a porcelain doll who still had her makeup on, and was all cute, and composed... I want to vanish. Deciding to throw any reason out of the window I followed the two in the opposite direction to my home.