The past year had proven to be the hardest Nina had faced during her time at school. While some students had still been focused on their studies, it seemed that by the time she reached her senior year, everyone had forgotten the purpose of being there. Instead, conversations revolved around relationships, future plans, money, and clothing. Nina felt like an outsider, her future looking dim in comparison to those around her.

Though she was an excellent student, her family was struggling financially. She wore hand-me-downs, never remembering a time when she had a new dress. She could barely recall a time when everything had been new, back when her father was a different man and her mother…

Nina had never been particularly close to her classmates, or rather, they hadn’t really shown any interest in her. But this year, she felt like a true outcast. The others seemed so much more grown-up, and the teasing at her expense was becoming more frequent. Today, however, it crossed a line.

The day began like any other. Everyone settled into their seats for the first lesson. Nina hated being the center of attention, so she quietly asked:

“Galina Andreevna, may I answer from here?”

Immediately, someone sneered:

“Novikova’s scared that we’ll see all the patches on her dress.”

“No, she’s worried it’ll fall apart under the pressure,” another voice chimed in.

The class erupted into laughter, and Galina Andreevna struggled to calm them down.

“Novikova, how will you attend the graduation? We don’t exactly have fence-side fashion boutiques here,” one of them mocked.

Nina grabbed her bag and rushed out of the room, hearing Galina Andreevna shouting after her:

“Svetlova, quiet down! Novikova, come back!”

But who would listen when everyone thought they had everything figured out?

At home, nothing had changed. Her father was passed out on the couch, clearly drunk. He lay sprawled, unable to even tuck his legs in, the smell of alcohol filling the room. The kitchen was a mess—cigarette butts, empty bottles, and sticky patches on the table.

Nina threw open the window, a fresh breeze sweeping in. April had been unseasonably warm, but it was still early spring. For nearly an hour, Nina cleaned, scrubbing and tidying up after her father’s drunken night, all the while thinking how different things might have been if her mother were still alive.

She knew her dad had loved her mom dearly. Maybe that was why he couldn’t cope with her loss. For 10 years, he had scraped by with odd jobs and spent most of his money on alcohol.

At first, it wasn’t so obvious. He went to work, only drinking when Nina was asleep. But then, he started drinking in the evenings when she could see. Eventually, he found it harder and harder to keep up with work. He would tell her:

“It’s alright, Ninochka. Dad’s last time, then we’ll live well.”

But that “well” never came. Nina cried, begged him to stop, waited for him to get tired of drinking, but nothing changed. Things only got worse.

Suddenly, Nina heard a rustle and turned around. Her father stood in the doorway, looking disheveled. At 45, he looked at least 60, maybe even 70.

“Daughter, why are you home so early?”

And that’s when it hit her. She began speaking softly, then her frustration poured out:

“Early? I have nothing to do with normal people at school, do you understand?”

She threw her jacket onto a chair and stormed past her stunned father. She heard the loud slam of the door as she exited. He sat heavily in a chair, muttering:

“Well, do you feel better now?”

“What happened?” asked a woman standing next to Nina, someone who had worked at the pharmacy in their building for years. Inna Romanovna was well-known in the neighborhood.

“No, everything’s fine with my dad,” Nina replied, “if you don’t mind, I’ll just sit here quietly.”

“You know silence won’t solve anything,” Inna Romanovna remarked. Nina, sniffling and stuttering, spilled everything that had happened that day.

“We need to talk to the principal. What is this? Who gave them the right?” Inna Romanovna suggested.

Nina shook her head:

“That won’t help. Inna Romanovna, do you know where I can find a job so I don’t have to quit school and can spend less time at home with my dad?”

“You’re a bit young for a job, but if it’s unofficial…” Inna Romanovna replied, “Come to me tomorrow after lunch. I’ll see what I can do.”

Nina wiped her tears and smiled:

“Thank you so much, I’ll definitely come.”

Nina got a job at the hospital, where they were in desperate need of night orderlies.

She hadn’t planned to tell anyone about her new job, but she had signed the graduation list. Of course, mockery followed immediately, but Nina tried to ignore it. The others would have their outfits bought by their parents, but Nina had no one to buy hers. She would buy it herself.

She wanted to prove herself. She didn’t know why, but she was certain she was no worse than anyone else—and better than some.

Yes, she had no money, but she could earn enough for one night.

“Novikova, I heard people found your dress from a thrift shop. Is that true?” Svetlova taunted.

Svetlova had long been the class queen, and no one doubted she’d keep that title forever.

Nina simply stared at her textbook. The key was not to respond, hoping that Svetlova would lose interest. But that wasn’t happening.

“Nina, maybe you’ll come with a date? Did someone find a date for you?” Svetlova persisted.

Nina snapped:

“Is it suitable for you?”

Laughter erupted around them. Svetlova flushed with anger:

“Exactly, dug up the dress from a secondhand store, and now you feel confident. What, Novikova, too weak to become prom queen?”

Nina stood up, smirking:

“You’re used to playing by your own rules. It might have been a competition otherwise.”

Nina walked out, leaving Svetlova speechless.

“Did you see that?”

About a week before graduation, the hospital was in chaos.

A five-year-old boy had been brought in after falling from his scooter, suffering a head injury. His nanny, panicked and constantly apologizing on the phone, only made matters worse. The night was quiet, and only the on-duty doctor was present.

“Nina, calm down this nervous woman!” the doctor barked into the phone. “Understand, I can’t keep him with me, I have an adult department... No, it’s not dangerous, but it’s better if a pediatric surgeon examines him.”

He hung up, bewildered:

“Please, do something so this woman finally calms down.”

Nina nodded and smiled as she led the nanny into the hallway, offering her tea. After a while, the nanny calmed down and began to explain:

“You see, Igor, the boy’s father, is a wonderful man, though young. He’s a successful businessman. It turned out that he had a child when he was just 19. The girl didn’t want the baby, but Igor is raising his son himself. Now, at 20, the mother is trying to take the boy away from him, not because she wants him, but because she wants his money.”

“You didn’t tell the father?” Nina asked in surprise.

“I’m afraid. Igor can be very strict,” the nanny replied.

Nina extended her hand:

“Let me try explaining everything to him.”

The conversation with Igor was difficult. As soon as he understood the situation, he started shouting about taking legal action. Nina had to raise her voice:

“Can you calm down and listen to me? Nothing serious happened. All children fall. Your son was scared, and it’s your fault and your nanny’s for causing all this panic!”

There was silence on the other end, and then Igor responded calmly:

“Can you take them somewhere else? I’ll pay well. I’ll be there by lunch, send me your address by SMS.”

Nina wanted to say no, but Igor had already hung up. She relayed the message to the nanny, who nodded:

“Maybe it’s best if we leave.”

“But at my place... My dad might be drunk,” Nina said hesitantly.

The nanny frowned:

“Going to a hotel is risky. Someone might recognize us.”

Half an hour later, they arrived at Nina’s apartment, and she couldn’t understand why she was doing this. To endure more humiliation?

Her father wasn’t asleep. Nina was surprised to find the apartment clean and smelled like food.

“Ninochka, you have guests? Wonderful! I cooked so much, we couldn’t finish it all.”

The evening felt strange, unfamiliar. Nina hadn’t felt like this in a long time—wanting to believe but afraid to.

“Ninok,” her father called. “I need to ask for your forgiveness. I’m so ashamed. I don’t even know what to say. Here, take this and buy something for your graduation. I went to my old job, negotiated, and told them everything. I start work tomorrow. They gave me money for sweets.”

Nina couldn’t find words to express how happy she was. Even happier when Polina, Vanya’s nanny, took her to a salon, helped her choose a dress, and taught her to dance the waltz.

Igor… Nina tried not to think about him. He wasn’t a monster, just a strict, authoritative person, but fair. She tried to push him out of her mind.

The taxi driver looked up at her in surprise:

“What the heck? Miss, are you being followed?”

Nina turned and saw Igor’s car behind them, followed by his security team. He had hired guards the moment the legal proceedings began.

The teacher stared at Svetlova, who looked like a model from a magazine.

“Are we expecting Novikova soon?” she sneered.

Galina Andreevna shook her head:

“I never thought I’d say this, but I really hope, Svetlova, that someone finally puts you in your place.”

Svetlova was silent, watching as Igor Lebedev, the dream of every girl in town, helped Nina out of the car. She wore a stunning dress, maybe not as expensive as Svetlova’s, but it looked far better. Her hairstyle and makeup were perfect.

Svetlova noticed that everyone was gathering around Nina, and no one stood with her. In frustration, she tore off her graduation ribbon and stormed away.

Igor had a great time at the party. In the middle of the evening, they went outside to cool off. As he adjusted Nina’s prom queen crown, he said:

“Nin, I feel like I’ve gone back to my school years. This is so nice.”

Nina smiled:

“Yes, I don’t want this to end.”

He asked gently:

“Why? There’s so much ahead of you.”

Nina shook her head:

“I don’t think it’s about me.”

“You’re wrong, Nin.”

Three years later, Nina was at a wedding salon, picking out a dress. They’d agreed she would study at the institute for at least three years before considering quitting. Igor had insisted on it. Her favorite men—Vanya, her dad, and her future husband—sat on the couch offering advice.

“Tell me, what style are you interested in?” the consultant asked.

Nina looked up. It was Svetlova. So many thoughts raced through their minds. Nina smiled and asked:

“Any dresses from the secondhand store? If not, we’ll try another salon.”