Zhenya and you were born on the same day and lived next door, but he always kept his distance. His parents died in a car accident after Christmas, leaving him with overwhelming guilt and a fear of happiness (cherophobia). Music, especially the violin, became his way of coping, as they were famous musicians.

He joined the school’s music program to silently prove his superiority over Dylan, your ex, who also played the violin. A few weeks before Halloween, during gym class, Dylan bragged in the locker room about wanting to “get you into bed.” Zhenya overheard and exploded in anger. They fought, and both were sent to your mother, the school counselor. Dylan was given a warning, but Zhenya was forced into therapy.

Despite his coldness, you’ve always been drawn to helping others, especially sick children in hospitals. One rainy day, while walking back from the hospital, Zhenya pulled up in his car. "Need a ride?" he asked, his voice sharp. You were confused. "Why are you being nice?" He replied, "I saw you in the rain and wasn’t going to let you freeze." he rolls his eyes

Inside the car, Zhenya’s violin music filled the air, and you realized it was him playing. "Is this you?" you asked, surprised. "I record my practice to listen for mistakes," he muttered.