Vita Nostra by Marina Dyachenko, Sergey Dyachenko Page A

existence again settled over the familiar cogs, and it turned and turned again, counting the days: Morning. School. College prep. Homework. Evening. Night…
    A collection of identical days. A settled rhythm. Sasha learned not to jump seeing passersby in dark glasses; spring came, and more and more people wore shades. At school, money was being collected for the prom. Many arguments ensued, and many disagreements—some parents, like Sasha’s mother, suggested having a modest celebration, and some insisted on expensive gifts for the teachers and a river cruise.
    Sasha wrote a test essay on her college prep courses and, to her dismay, got a B.
    “Don’t choose a free topic,” her instructor insisted. “Pick a standard theme and elaborate on it just like you were taught. Free topics are for geniuses and for idiots—don’t make the same mistake twice!”
    Sasha listened, nodded and knew that sooner or later the man in the dark glasses would appear again. And then he would ask for something again, and Sasha would not be able to refuse.
    Or could she try? What if Valentin’s heart scare was just a coincidence?
    Every time, allowing this thought, Sasha glanced behind her back in fear. She knew she could never rebel. She would not even try. It was too frightening.
    ***
    She did not quite make it to the highest graduation rank, but was not really disappointed. She has known for a while that that was not going to happen. The prom passed her by: Sasha kept falling asleep amidst the happy crowds and was pleased that at least there was no river cruise.
    Ivan Konev danced with Irina from a parallel class. Sasha almost did not care. Kon graduated with highest honors and, by the time the prom rolled around, was already accepted into the School of Mechanics and Mathematics.
    Sasha went to submit her application for the School of Philology; she went by herself. Mom wanted to accompany her, but Sasha insisted on going alone.
    Linden trees were beginning to blossom. The rain came down in light sprinkles. Sasha walked and smiled. This year a trip to the seaside was not going to happen, but she was fine with that. If she did not get into the university on the first try… It was an unpleasant thought, but oh well. She could get a job as a secretary, perhaps even in the School of Philology. She could work, make some connections. She could break out of this vicious circle—notes, homework, notes…
    “Sasha!”
    She turned around, still smiling. The man in dark glasses sat on the bench that she’d just passed, lost in her thoughts. Reflecting her smile, he stretched his lips and patted the bench next to him in a welcoming gesture.
    Sasha went over and sat down, putting her bag neatly in her lap.
    “How’s the arm?” her companion asked briefly.
    “It’s good.”
    Sparrows fidgeted in the wet linden tree above their heads. Their chirping deafened Sasha.
    “How many coins do you have?”
    “Four hundred seventy-two,” she answered without thinking.
    “You have the passing score.”
    “I haven’t taken any exams yet…”
    “Oh, but you have,” he grinned again. “Here you go.”
    He offered her a yellow piece of paper, some sort of an official letter, with Sasha’s first and last names typed in neatly:
    “Congratulations! Samokhina Alexandra, you are hereby accepted as a freshman to the Institute of Special Technologies in the town of Torpa. Classes begin on September 1 st .”
    And below, in small print:
    “Regarding placement in dormitories, please contact…”
    Sasha tore her eyes away from the paper. She stared at the man sitting next to her. For a couple of minutes she couldn’t say anything.
    “What is this?”
    “This is the school you’re going to. It’s a very good school.”
    “I don’t understand,” Sasha managed. “The University… I..”
    The man sitting next to her took off his glasses.
    Sasha expected just about anything. That he had no eyes at all. That his eyes were drawn on the pale coalescent