I had a terrible antipathy for that girl.

– Misha, I was joking! – Finally, the girl calmed down and looked at me seriously, but with a smile. – Don't frown, it was a joke!

– And about the pot? – I clarified.

– Yes. And about the mafia guys, too. Actually, I was just offered a job here at the orphanage, so I came here.

– I'm speechless! – I said unhappily. – I'm sorry, but I don't think we can live in the same house together. It's not really convenient!

– Why not convenient? I'm a girl, you're a girl, we'll be friends! We'll talk, we'll watch films and shows. Run in the morning!

«Running together. That would be great» I thought, remembering the two girlfriends in the park. The thought made me feel good about this strange person.

– 'I'll take the second bedroom and I won't bother you at all,' said Mary.

«Well, I don't think so!» – I grinned to myself.

Even living in Warsaw, with my family, I was always uncomfortable because I could hear everything going on for dozens of metres around me. And to live with her and hear everything she would do? No. I can't!

– Mary, let me get you a flat somewhere, okay? I think that would be better» I said, trying to avoid her intrusive company.

– But you don't know me at all! I'm not as daft as I look. Well, about the joke, I agree it was stupid. But please, just give me one chance to prove that I'm not what you think I am. Please! – She begged me, folding her arms in a pleading tone.

I looked at her: short hair dyed nuclear black, a silver flower-shaped piercing in her nose, but rather nice, discreet make-up, a pretty face, kind eyes. And her clothes were decent: a long yellow woollen jumper and tight black jeans, with soft house slippers on her feet.

«What if Mary has to hide her self too? What if she's just a victim of circumstance and I'm so adamant about getting rid of her? Could she really be something else entirely? After all, Cedric gave me a chance, and my parents gave me a chance to be myself. Cedric gave me amazing advice that set me on the right path. Maybe I should give her a chance too!» – I thought.

– Also, I'm a very good cook and I can clean the house» Mary added. – And about the piercing, I've been thinking about getting it off for a long time, so I'm going to get it off today. New life, new habits.

– Like running in the morning? – I asked with a smile.

– Yes, that would be great!

I smiled even wider: Mary's smile was so sincere that I felt ashamed of my words and thoughts that denigrated her.

And then I realised that Mary was almost my age: she was seventeen! She could have been the friend I dreamed of! But she was human, and Mary said…

'Wait a minute, Misha, just because you're going to socialise with her doesn't mean it's dangerous,' I thought, reassuring myself. – And about the fridge… I'll think of something. But it'll be fun for the two of us!»

– All right, Mary. Stay! – I said cheerfully.

She shrieked with joy and hugged me.

– Thank you! Thank you! Oh, you're so cold! Are you cold? Let me make you some hot tea. – She rushed into the kitchen.

– No, that's okay! You'd better tell me where I can make a college uniform! – I hurriedly shouted to her.

– Of course I'll tell you! Our neighbour runs a sewing shop. Are you going to Oxford? – Mary came out of the kitchen and brought me a mug of steaming hot tea.

I took it confusedly.

– I shouldn't have, thank you» I mumbled, not sure what I was going to do with it. Certainly not to drink tea! I hadn't drunk or eaten anything human since I'd had ice cream in Karlovy Vary. I hated human food that day.