Two for tragedy. Volume 1 - стр. 17

– We're drawing too much attention to ourselves. Let's talk calmly. I know you're angry at me for being late, but, believe me, I had my reasons for being late, and if I had known you before, I would have warned you. But I only knew your name. And I see you've already jumped to conclusions about me! – I did my best to shift the blame to her, but for some reason the knowledge that the stubborn girl was angry with me made me morally uncomfortable.

"What am I doing? What am I sinking to in order to calm her anger!" – I involuntarily thought, analysing my unworthy act.

Viper looked seriously into my face, as if checking whether I was lying, but I was so in control of myself that she did not find even a hint of a shadow on my face.

– Well, all right. And what was the big reason that made you late? – Finally, after a brief look at my face, she asked.

– I've had a few absences this month… Actually, I almost didn't attend lectures, and one of the teachers questioned me about how dare I not attend his classes. You know how pedantic old Marchek is," I lied without blinking. And because I lied so convincingly, Viper stopped frowning, and her face suddenly flushed.

I knew exactly what had caused that lovely blush: she was now blaming herself for her impatience and her unwillingness to listen to my explanations, embarrassing herself before me and her own conscience.

I felt sorry for her, but I couldn't confess my lie, because then Viper would be furious and send me away.

– I'm sorry I'm late. I really didn't mean to be. – I immediately saw the look in her eyes, as if asking: "Is he apologising?!"

– Okay… And you're sorry for yelling at you… I really thought you were late on purpose… Well, I was wrong. – The girl was embarrassed and seemed to be thinking about every word. – But I'll ask you not to be late again.

– You have my word," I said with a smile.

Viper smiled, too, and sat down at the table. I took a seat across from her.

– Let's get acquainted? – I asked casually, glancing at my companion. – I'll go first. Do you mind?

– No.

– My name is Cedric Morgan. I'm a fifth-year physics and maths student," I said. – Now it's your turn. I'm sorry to be so brief, but I'm afraid we don't have time to go over my CV.

Viper sat with her arms crossed over her chest. A few strands of her beautiful, long hair rested on her shoulders. I wondered again about her bright, dark eyes: they seemed to burn through me, though her gaze was neither contemptuous nor angry now.

– Even better. My name is Viper Vladinovich. I'm a third-year student of the same faculty," my ward said softly.

– You have an unusual name," I said.

– My father heard it somewhere and thought it would be nice to have a daughter with such a name. My mother resisted for a long time, though, and wanted to call me… Anyway, never mind. – Viper paused, as if afraid she'd said too much about herself.

– It's a beautiful name. I can't stand mine," I admitted. Of course, I was lying: I'd recently thought the name Viper was ridiculous, but strangely enough, it suited the girl sitting across from me, my stranger from the Nusle Bridge.

Viper raised her eyebrows in surprise.

– Cedric. Like the hero of a chivalric novel. Where are you from? – I changed the subject, trying to find out as much about my companion as possible.