Kinga of Tajnakhten

CHAPTER ONE A

TERRIBLY HARD TIME

Kinga Szachewicz—Sól to her friends—lived with her family in Tajnachten. She attended high school, had many friends, and countless classmates. For a long time (after her unfulfilled dream of dating Radek Podjezierny), she had been dating Krzysiek, a boy her age. He was quite an original character; he didn't like football, but was an exceptionally kind and polite boy, and there was no one who didn't like him. He and Kinga practiced taekwondo, which increased his popularity as much as his hordes of female admirers. It must be said that Krzysiek charmed everyone with his charm. He was of average height, slim, well-built, with fair hair and glassy, ​​smiling eyes of an indeterminate color. He smiled constantly and had something about him that cheered others up. Kinga herself was a very cheerful and optimistic person. She disliked being the center of attention and never sought it. Her pleasant demeanor drew people to her. Her greatest dream was to star in a film. She wasn't interested in the fame that might come with it, but in the act itself. She was determined, bright, and resourceful, always finding the right words to convey her feelings and thoughts in a slightly different, simple way. She had one friend with whom she was always together; they often studied together and went shopping together. They called themselves sisters, but from different families. Her name was Waleria Morilowicz, and they called her Walcia or Morelka (depending on who and what they were called). She was Sola's height, like her, had brown hair and eyes, a particularly charming smile, and had many admirers, but she kept everyone at a distance, living by the motto "he hasn't been born like that yet."

Their favorite classmate was Olgierd Lampadi, a die-hard metalhead who dreamed of owning his own Harley (which is why he grew his hair). His strengths included a great sense of humor, a keen eye for situations, and the ability to change his behavior.

Kinga had a very large family – three uncles on her mother's side, an uncle, and three aunts on her father's side, each with at least two children (except for her uncle on her father's side, who had an adult daughter who had long since moved away and had virtually no contact with her father). She herself had a brother and two sisters.

No one in her family was a celebrity, held practically no important position. The family was simply one of many living in Tajnakhten. They didn't get in anyone's way and never messed with anyone. Just like Waleria's family.

No one would have guessed there was anyone out to destroy them.

And yet, they did.

The mysterious man, together with several companions, was responsible for a series of tragic "accidents" in which he finished off Szachewicz or Morilowicz one after another.

These tragic "accidents" included being pushed off the sidewalk into the street directly under a speeding truck, being electrocuted, having her car's brakes cut off, drowning two children in a swimming pool, falling from a fourth-story building onto a concrete sidewalk, a fire that cut off the path of rescue for the five-member family on Waleria's father's side, and many, many more. After two weeks of unfortunate events, which were obvious but completely unprovable murders, Kinga's family was reduced to just eight people – her immediate family, her grandmother, and her uncle Zbigniew, whose daughter had left, leaving Waleria alone with her grandmother.

Grieving and fearing that a murderous death might also befall them, they clung together. However, the tragic "accidents" ceased. Kinga and Waleria returned to school for the first time in a long break. They became very serious during this time, but thanks to the work of psychologists, they did not suffer a mental breakdown. The return home that day turned out to be truly terrifying. Waleria lived a little closer to the school, and when the girls split up and went home, Morelka reached her own house first. The apartment was unlocked and in ruins. She found a note: "Once upon a time, there was a grandmother!" She panicked and ran to Kinga, who was just climbing the stairs to her house.

Her apartment was also unlocked. The door was actually broken. They went inside. In the hallway, there was a clear trail of blood on the wall and floor. The girls' hearts sank at the sight. They entered the room. On the table lay a note: "It's a shame you didn't say goodbye to your family!" "

Jesus..." Kinga groaned. Her heart was pounding, her whole body shaking.

"Oh, what a shame, what a shame." A tall, powerfully built, masked man stood in the doorway. He had a distinctive voice that came from somewhere deep within him. "You'll come with me," he growled.

Waleria and Kinga's legs seemed glued to the floor, their voices caught in their throats, their knees buckled slightly, and their hearts miraculously stopped. They were utterly terrified and disoriented.

The man led them to a car parked in front of the house and drove them far out of town to an old warehouse near the forest. Their loved ones were also there. Standing in front of the warehouse, seven masked men, each holding a gun. They wouldn't even let the girls approach their families. Rain began to fall. Everyone remained silent, waiting in suspense.

"What do you want?" Kinga moaned, barely holding back tears.

The rain began to pour down harder. Sola's question remained unanswered. "

I'm sorry... I asked a question," she repeated timidly.

"Blood," one of the masked men replied, and began shooting at Kinga's family.

It happened so quickly that neither she nor Waleria had time to say a word. Streams of blood flowed onto the rain-soaked ground.

"With best wishes!" the murderer laughed, and together with his companions, he disappeared into the pouring rain. Before leaving, one of them threw his cell phone to the ground, with a note under its case. It was the man with the deep voice.

Kinga ran to her family. She knelt in the mud, buried her face in her hands, and sobbed quietly.

Waleria cried aloud. She couldn't move. They were both deeply shocked. The sight of such cruelty, perpetrated before their eyes on people so close to them, was horrific. Sól rose, approached her friend, hugged her, and after a moment, both calmed down enough to think about where they were and how to get back to their people. Kinga saw the phone. She picked it up. The note gave the location of where they were. They called the police, then left the execution site.

Half an hour later, they were both at Uncle Zbigniew's apartment. The rest of the day was one long silence. The girls were afraid to even think about what had happened to them. The very next day, Zbyszek arranged for both of them to see a psychologist. It was undoubtedly a good idea. The police had identified the perpetrators behind the murders of the Szachewicz and Morilowicz families, but no one had any idea where or how to find them. The trail of him disappeared, the terrifying specter of impending death slowly faded, and life returned to a more normal routine.

Kinga and Waleria would have endured the family tragedy more severely if not for their success in court. Waleria was able to move in with Kinga and her uncle.

The girls became closer, their friendship intensified, they supported each other, and they felt safe together.

And the fact that Zbigniew had to care for two underage girls prevented him from returning to his old habits. However, he wanted to change his residence. He was looking for an apartment far from the Tajnakhten.

He found it.

In Ulkanowice.

He announced this news to his charges. They received it with indifference, as their approach to life had recently become somewhat indifferent.

Kinga hadn't even realized that the Raszczuks lived in the town, a family deeply involved in snowboarding, a sport she had always been a staunch supporter of.

THE MOVEMENT

The move was delayed until the end of the semester, during which the girls had time to sort out their affairs (friendships, love affairs, and school). Kinga had reached an agreement with her boyfriend, Krzysiek, that she would give him free rein, and if he met someone he considered a wonderful person, he could be with her, and Kinga wouldn't hold it against him, provided she received the same freedom from him. They were to part amicably.

He agreed.

They both agreed that there was no point in binding themselves with any commitments, considering the low probability of ever seeing each other again.

Waleria didn't have that problem, as she only had friends and admirers.

They said goodbye to all their friends, and they had quite a few.

They spent the holidays with their families and moved into their new house two days before the end of the holidays.

They managed to meet a few people, like the postman, the neighbors on the right, the saleswoman from the nearby store, and others. "

It's almost midnight, and we're going to school tomorrow," Waleria sighed. "It's time to sleep, don't you think?"

"That's true too. Are you scared?

" "Honestly? A little.

" "No need. We're together. If this company turns out to be as nasty as the one in Tajna-chen, we can always count on each other. "

"I can't deny that. Oh, I wonder what this school is like.

" "Me too... but I'm more interested in the neighbors on the left..." Kinga thought, and jumped under the covers.

They both fell asleep quite quickly and got up just as quickly.

At first, Waleria wanted to dress up in some fancy way, but Kinga simply said,

"Why tell people we're different? I wear what I always wear.

" "You wear what I always wear, and I don't know what to wear."

Kinga opened her cupboard.

"Pants or a skirt?

" "Pants." Waleria approached her. She reached for a pair of flared jeans, very similar to Kinga's.

"And a sweater on top, the one with the fringes. Are you wearing makeup?

" "I don't feel like it. I can't hide my freckles with powder anyway..."

"What's with those freckles? They give you such a special charm! I'll never understand you about freckles."

Waleria fell silent for a moment. She didn't like the subject. She changed it.

"What are you doing with your hair?" "

I'll even comb it occasionally.

" "Will you wear it down?

" "After all, it's a holiday. The beginning of the year. For us."

The girls grabbed a snack, said goodbye to their uncle, and headed off to school.

The school building was quite large, with a large sports hall, an indoor swimming pool, and a beautiful cafeteria for students.

"This is a shack! Not like ours.

" "What do you want? We have a sports hall too!" Waleria snorted with laughter.

"I wonder what awaits us today. Shall we go to the office first?

" "Yes.

That's where they found out where their classes will be.

" "Maybe there will be some nice boys in our new class?

" "Prettier than our secret service orphans? Maybe even smarter?

" "That would be interesting," Waleria sighed.

"It will be interesting..." Kinga said as she opened the classroom door.

"Good morning," they said in unison.

"Waleria and Kinga?" asked the older teacher from behind the desk.

"Yes," they replied in unison again.

"Sit down," he said with a smile, pointing to the desks along the wall. Two rather pleasant-looking new classmates sat separately on the last two desks.

Kinga was the first to move to the indicated seat.

"May I?" she winked at the one on the last desk.

"Sure," he replied, a little surprised, pushing his chair back slightly.

She sat down. Waleria followed. She sat down in front of her, having done the same.

"Because if the guys from Ulkanowice have eyes, we already have a lot of female enemies," Kinga finished in a whisper, when Waleria turned to her for a moment. "

Are we winning the hearts of defenseless boys?"

Szachewiczowa nodded, and at the same moment the teacher—as the homeroom teacher later learned—began taking the attendance list.

The boys on the last desks were named Przemek Mirasiuk and Mariusz Toledończyk.

At the first opportunity, Kinga asked her seatmate about the class situation.

Only then did she connect the dots, learn who was arguing, who liked, hated, or who was destroying.

"Tell me about yourself," Mariusz suggested.

"I don't like doing this, but okay."

She briefly recounted her experiences. The boy was full of admiration for both her and Waleria. He couldn't imagine what he would do if he were the one who lost his parents.

"Do you have a boyfriend?"

Kinga sighed. Since moving in, she hadn't thought about Krzysiek at all.

"Actually, no...

" "Mr. Toledończyk, please don't start a conversation with your new friend," the teacher said dryly

. The boy fell silent.

"At our school, the teacher would say: 'Don't hit on your friend, meet her after class. Invite her home for coffee or something stronger..."

Mariusz said nothing.

"You listen to him like that?"

"Well...

" "So?" You won't say a word until the end of class?

"He'll get angry.

" "So what?" Kinga repeated. She wasn't used to such obedience to the teacher.

"There'll be a row. "

"Are you his pet? You don't want to get on his nerves because you'll get a bad grade? " "

No. "

Kinga's astonishment grew.

"Waleria..." she whispered.

"What? "

"Is your friend this polite too? " "

He's embarrassed to talk.

" "Maybe we should swap?

" "Why?" Mariusz said indignantly.

"Those shy ones are pretty equal over time. If the boy calms down, we can annoy the teachers together.

" "But I don't want to swap." The Toledo man still refused to give up.

"You don't have to. Morelka and I will swap ."

"Please stay.

" "Will you talk? "

The astonishment spread to the boy.

"Fine, whatever. Where are our lessons now?"

"Upstairs. History," Przemek said.

He had a very pleasant voice. He also had very beautiful eyes, which Kinga noticed.

The homeroom teacher was a biology teacher. He was discussing some topic about mammals, which the girls had covered in the first semester. That's why they weren't really listening.

During the break, a rather unpleasant situation arose. The local girls—Nadia, Justyna, Karolina, Aldona, and Jola—were very interested in their new friends. The first important topic for them was whether they had boyfriends.

To which Kinga, calmly and with a wonderfully feigned naturalness, replied:

"No, no. I'm mainly attracted to married women. Lately, out of a bind, I've been hanging out with Waleria." As she said this, she took her friend by the arm. She smiled, seemingly nodding in agreement.

The new friends looked at them with a slightly disgusted expression.

"Oh my God!" Kinga groaned. "You don't really think we do!"

The friends still weren't sure.

"Don't you know how to take a joke?" In Tajnachen, we came up with better scams in class. My friend was supposedly married, three daughters were also married, I was her lover, and yet another was my fiancée.

"The boys played aunts, grandmothers, or in some cases, a son, a priest, and a widow," added Waleria. "And it was the same in other classes. We all got the jokes and laughed together." "We

constantly teased the teachers, made fun of them, invented nicknames, poems, and stories to ridicule them.

" "We had a teacher, a young, slack-jawed Polish teacher, who completely relaxed during the year he spent with us. He even joked with us, said something ambiguous that would cause a ripple of laughter. He stood up for us because he simply liked us.

" "We had ways to deal with the other teachers too. Even the harshest, strictest, and meanest ones softened around us. And we both had boys." It's just that life happened this way, and everything that was is gone now. Can I ask a question? What do you talk about during breaks? "

About grades..." Justyna replied. "Sometimes about what happened in class...

" "Do you guys hang out? Do you throw any parties? Do you sometimes go to the store as a couple, three of us, just to try on all the clothes and then say you'll think about it later? Or go around town to meet some cool guys?" "

Probably not. Why should we waste time on pointless games, pointless waste of time trying on clothes that are usually too expensive anyway? And why should we try on boys? Let them try on us. We're well-groomed, well-dressed, we use good cosmetics, we're simply attractive."

"Dumb fun? Or maybe you just don't know how to have fun? When you're pissed off, you don't feel like pissing people off? You go to the store, you take one blouse, you try it on, you say it's too big. Then it's too small. Or it doesn't fit well, you ask for another one. And at some point, you decide this one is good, but you think twice. The saleswoman is furious as hell, and you're damn pleased that you've upset someone other than yourself. And as for the boys... I didn't mean to try hard, just to have fun and laugh.

"Do you have boyfriends?" Waleria snapped.

"No."

"Is anyone hitting on you?

" "No."

"Why?"

Her friends were surprised.

"Because you're dumb."

"And whether you wear fashionable clothes and wear expensive makeup won't affect your popularity with the guys if you're stiff and constantly harping on about school."

All five girls stood there, dumbfounded.

"And don't be mad at us for being honest and wanting the best for you. We're all in the same class now, and we have to be together. We have to be able to rely on each other. And we have to create an environment where both you and we will be happy.

" "Okay. Now, on a different note. Who teaches history?

" "That old lady from the library," Nadia replied. "

Damn. Don't tell me she wears big glasses and makes you memorize the topics she dictates word for word!" Kinga groaned. "

She has glasses, but that's not entirely true about those topics. She dictates the topic, and then we have to be able to tell it in our own words."

"The historians are persecuting us..." Waleria sighed.

Indeed, the teacher's demeanor resembled that of the historian from the Secret Service. Kinga and Waleria immediately struck her as "class stars," counterparts to the Secret Service's "school role models."

In their third lesson, German, the girls from the Secret Service witnessed the selfishness and egotism prevalent in the class. The teacher asked a boy named Rafał to answer questions. She told him to write three sentences in German on the blackboard. He helplessly sought help from the class. Only Kinga and Waleria, sitting almost at the back of the class, tried to offer him suggestions. Everyone else remained silent, kept their heads down, or pretended to be completely unaware of what was happening around them.

Rafał managed to scribble down one sentence, not entirely grammatically correct, then verbally gave four meanings of the German words.

"Two plus. Sit down," the teacher replied.

"Ma'am... or maybe even three on suspenders?" He wrote that one sentence..." Kinga interceded. "

Exactly. And he translated it orally..." Waleria joined in. "

How can I give him a passing grade when it's so obvious he couldn't do it."

The girls hung their heads in disappointment. The teacher, seeing this, turned to Rafał.

"Man, if you translate the sentence 'I know that I know nothing,' you'll get that C."

"Really?" he exclaimed with immense joy. He returned to the board and quickly and without thinking wrote down the sentence, which he and his classmates had already translated into several languages ​​and often boasted about to others.

"Well, you did it," the guest praised, and gave him all three Cs.

After the lesson, a happy Rafał ran up to the Tajnakhtan girls and thanked them profusely.

"If I'd gotten that D, my parents would have skinned me. How can I repay you? "

The girls looked at each other.

"At Tajnakhtan girls, the whole class bargained with the teachers for a higher grade for everyone. And we all gave each other suggestions, ignoring the risk of not only negative feedback but also a slap in the face in that particular subject. There was class solidarity. So now we did the same." "Waleria replied.

"But if you really want to repay us, then just give us some advice and defend others who are uneducated."

After class ended, Mariusz and Przemek inquired where Waleria and Kinga lived. Hearing the apartment number and street, the Toledo native exclaimed,

"Near the Raszczuks! How lucky!

" "They live in that deserted cottage! How could I not have guessed?" Kinga sighed.

Over time, the class began to come alive. Everyone joked with each other. They became increasingly effective in helping the teachers' victims, bargained for grades, and slowly began to form a united group. They even gave each other nicknames, which they used daily, both among themselves and in class. And so: Nadia Prowbik received a nickname from her surname (like most): Biki; Justyna Arińska received Ari and Blondi; Aldona Leśna received Dona; Karolina Śmiglańska received Minli; Jola Łośna received Łoś; Rafał Kowalcz received Kowal; Przemek Mirasiuk received Mira; Mariusz Toledończyk received Toledo; Kinga kept her old one, Sól; and Waleria received Morela.

Kinga was happy that school was already so pleasant, that everyone liked and respected her and Waleria; she was really pleased with herself, but she still couldn't wait to see her athletic neighbors. She had been eagerly awaiting this moment, but until the season ended, she didn't get a chance to see them.

Kinga and Waleria's new class turned out to be quite pleasant, and as time went on, it became increasingly harmonious and relaxed. You could say the Tajnachtanki had molded it to their own liking. Naturally, they were disgusted by the idea of ​​establishing class "crème de la crème" or separate groups.

The change of residence was beneficial for them. The new, pleasant company had a positive impact on the girls' psyche.

CHAPTER TWO:

NEIGHBOR FELEK

It was March. The sun was starting to warm up. According to all the forecasts, there wouldn't be any snow or frost until next winter. This pleased everyone, except the snowmen.

Kinga was busy writing an essay, and Waleria was finishing her art work. They had separate rooms, but they always sat together anyway.

"Did Tora stay outside?" Morelka asked.

"Yes.

Tora was a gift the girls received from Zbigniew—specifically, an eight-month-old St. Bernard puppy. She was hilariously nice, and everyone adored her.

"Is it good that she's alone?

" "No one's going to hurt her.

" "But she could hurt someone.

" "Who? I don't think so..." At that moment, as if to contradict Kinga's words, a crash, a yelp, and a man's scream reached their ears from outside. "Damn! Maybe I'd better go check on her."

She ran out into the yard, and the first thing she noticed was a large gap in the small wooden fence dividing their property from the Raszczuk property. Further on, she saw a frightened Husky whimpering under a car parked in the neighbor's yard, and Tora running around it. The man, whom Kinga recognized as Mr. Feliks, even though his back was to her, now stood disoriented two meters from the car.

"Tora, come back!" Kinga hissed. The dog, without any attempt to rebel, returned to the yard. Then she turned to the neighbor. "I'm so sorry, sir, but he's still a puppy...

" "Oh, no, nothing happened. As long as Rubin returns to his normal mental state before my son returns, nothing happened." "It

was the first time she'd been completely alone in the yard. I didn't know she'd be able to jump the fence, effectively damaging it, and then attack another dog.

" "She didn't." The fence simply made a noise as it fell apart, and Rubin got scared. And when he saw the giant dog, he ran in front of a car. Remigiusz spoiled him too much when he was younger. Now he's afraid of everything. What's more, he's incredibly picky about food. Nothing happened," Mr. Raszczuk replied.

"I'm sorry anyway. I'll fix the fence, but unfortunately, I can't promise it won't happen again. Tora is a slow learner. But I'll do everything to prevent it from happening again."

"My son will fix the fence. You don't have to worry about that.

" "It wouldn't be fair. Tora contributed to the fence's condition. And the owner should be held responsible for the actions of his charge, right? That's why I'll start repairing the fence today.

" "Do you live here?" he asked.

"Yes. Since mid-February.

" "So you're my neighbor?

" "It looks that way.

" "Call me Felek," Raszczuk smiled, extending his hand. "And what's your name?"

"Kinga," she replied, shaking his outstretched hand. "It's a pleasure."

"Me too. Tell me, can you fix the fence?

" Kinga looked at the fence.

"Nothing could be simpler.

" "You know what, if you'd waited until tomorrow, I'd really like Remigiusz to help you. Hee hee! Hee hee! He'll be embarrassed. And at least he'll meet someone normal."

Kinga took Tora home; she was so thrilled to have met a neighbor; what's more, they immediately started on first names that she couldn't concentrate on her essay. She

was looking forward to the next day even more. She was going to meet someone she cared about.

FENCE

"It's a good thing we only had five lessons today. I have to fix the fence.

" As if it were about the fence..." Waleria knew nothing of Felek's plan. That's why she felt truly sorry for her friend:

"Poor Kinga... Will you manage?

" "I hope so."

They went into the house. Sól waited until the hour Felek had suggested, then went out into the yard.

She repaired the fence calmly, taking her time. The sun was blazing, so she dressed in tight shorts, a cropped camouflage T-shirt with a hood, and sunglasses. She also wore a backwards camouflage baseball cap and green and white sneakers.

Finally, a beautiful brown Volvo pulled up to the neighbors' house, and out stepped the neighbor's son and—if Kinga recognized the other boy correctly—Romek Wacholski, a snowboarder on the national team.

"Go home, tell him I'll be right back." The neighbor's son approached Kinga.

He stared at her for a moment before finally asking,

"Excuse me, I—"

"Could you pass me that board over there?" Kinga interrupted him quickly, pointing to the board in his garden.

The surprised boy complied with Sola's request.

"Thanks," she replied.

"Do you live here?

" "I think.

" "I think?"

"If I didn't live here, I'd be fixing the fence?

" "I guess not.

" "Exactly."

A moment of silence.

"What's your name?"

"Kinga.

" "Nice. " "You're

lying . " "

Not true." " You're lying." " I'm telling the truth." Kinga shrugged. "How old are you? " "You don't ask a woman her age ." "But you don't have to be ashamed of your age." "Who said I was? It's a matter of principle. " "But tell me, what's the harm? How old can you be? Sixteen? " "Listen, are you a gentleman? " "Why ?" "Tell me, are you ?" "I guess so. " "Yes? So why are you standing there like a post and not helping me fix my fence? " "Indeed..." He nodded, but still stood like a post. Kinga handed him a hammer and a nail. "I'll hold the board, you nail it." Remik hesitantly placed the nail on the board and began tapping gently.

Kinga clutched her head. She stood up, jumped over to the Raszczuk family's side, grabbed his hands with the tools, and helped him drive in a nail.

"You've never done this before?

" "No..." he replied, blushing.

"Knowing my dog, this fence will need repairing more than once; I'll have time to teach you.

" "Will you teach me?

" "Unless you don't want to. "

"Of course I do. Have you lived here long?

" "No. Since the second semester."

They didn't have time to say anything more before a car pulled up in front of the Raszczuk family's house, and a little girl flew out, squealing.

"Oh, Remisiek! My Remiczek, come say hello!" she squealed terribly loudly.

Kinga jumped over to her side of the fence and looked at this beauty.

"Ou..." she grimaced.

A wallpapered blonde was slowly walking toward them, wearing thin, six-inch heels, a truly mini skirt, and a sheer tank top. Her nails were incredibly long, she had about four different layers of makeup on her face, and her hair resembled hay—most likely worn out by dyeing and the constant use of nail polish, which she now wore way too much of.

"I think I have to go. When will you start teaching me?

" "When we find the time. Go now, or this cutie will piss herself without you.

" Remik smiled, winked at Kinga, and went to his little lady. He wasn't happy with her company. He looked at his neighbor as if calling for help, but she was laughing loudly, mending the fence, not even looking at him once.

When she finished her work, she returned home and boasted to Waleria about what she had accomplished.

LADIES' PARTY

"We have to show the girls what fun is all about." Let's throw a party at the cottage, preferably with the boys. Just as many men as women, so there's fun to be had," Kinga said firmly as they walked to school.

"I'm in," Waleria continued. "Zbigniew will agree.

" "I think so too. "

They announced the news to their friends at school.

"With the boys?" Nadia snorted.

"And how are you going to have fun without them?" Waleria said indignantly.

They couldn't reach an agreement for a long time. Finally, Kinga gave in.

"Fine, no boys. Just us."

Of the twelve girls, only five expressed interest in partying. They were Justyna, Aldona, Jolka, Nadia, and Karolina. Including the Tajnakhtanki, seven. After deciding on the lineup, it was time to choose a date. "

Next Saturday," Jolka suggested.

The date suited everyone.

"So we'll chip in for chips, breadsticks, drinks, and other such nonsense, five złoty each, okay?

"

And that was the end of the debate. The girls from Ulkanowice were becoming more and more curious with each passing day about what would be happening at the Tajnakhtanki's party.

The plan was to eat a lot, gossip about everyone and everything, chat about school, get silly, maybe do karaoke, and if they were bored, they'd set up a home theater with a projector and a few DVX discs of funny movies.

But when it came down to it, the plan went to hell.

They all arrived on time, all dressed differently than usual, but somehow... boring. And their makeup was terribly subtle. And worst of all, they were serious.

Everything was fixed. The mood improved when they put on some cabaret music from an MP3 player and drank some beer, but in moderation, because this wasn't a party for getting drunk, just for relaxing. The makeup was improved—despite Nadia's protests that it was unhygienic—with Kinga and Waleria's cosmetics, making it more extravagant, vibrant, and visible. In the wardrobe, they found some amazing clothes that might not have been a perfect fit, but they instantly changed the atmosphere.

Then they had a disco. Loud music of all kinds and styles. Among them, some Polish hits, which they all sang, screaming and singing off-key as best they could. There was a lot of laughter. They took a short break for a snack. First came chips, breadsticks, and nuts. The stuffed ones, a bit tired from the madness of the music, fell silent for a moment.

"You know what I'm telling you? This is going to sound silly, but it's somehow empty here..." whispered Karolina.

"And you know why? Because there are no boys. They always cause chaos, and it's much more interesting." Waleria smiled. "

Okay. Now don't look out the window. I'll get up, turn off the light, and tell you something." Kinga did as she was told, then walked over to the window, which overlooked the Raszczuk house. "Look who's sitting in that window.

" "Remik?" Karolina, Justyna, and Nadia asked almost in unison.

"With a friend," Kinga confirmed. "They've been sitting there for about an hour.

" "It seems we have some male company," Waleria said with satisfaction.

They all returned to their seats, and Kinga, phone in hand, turned on the light. She sat down next to her friends and called the neighbors, saying in the meantime:

"The Raszczuks have gone somewhere together, so they're alone in the house, so they'll disappear from the window soon. Oh, the call." And he's gone.

The room fell perfectly silent. Everyone listened intently to the voice on the receiver.

"Hello?"

"Good evening. May I speak with Mr. Remigiusz Raszczuk?

" "Yeah... yes."

"Listen, will you come over now?

" "Excuse me, who's this?" "What do you mean

? You've been staring at us with your friend for an hour and you don't understand who you're talking to?"

"Aha...

" "He's speechless..." Kinga whispered, covering the receiver with her hand.

"Have you seen us long?

" "Yes. Almost from the beginning. Or rather, most of you have."

"And you want us to come?"

The friend disappeared from the window, and Kinga heard something like a quiet "let's go" in the receiver.

"You want to come. And we won't mind. Our friends haven't been good enough, and we're missing some male company.

" "In that case, we're going." The statement ended with a short peck.

"He's sending us kisses," Kinga joked, turning off the phone.

"Are they really coming?" Nadia gasped.

"Yes." The light went out, so they're coming.

Barely two minutes later, the doorbell rang.

"Gentlemen, who are you talking to?" Kinga asked seriously.

"To a respectable neighbor," Remigiusz replied just as seriously. "

I'm sorry, she's not home." It was getting harder and harder to keep a straight face.

"What do you mean? I made an appointment with her.

" "But she's not here, so goodbye."

Kinga almost closed the door, but at the last moment, young Raszczuk stopped it with his foot and opened it, saying with a smile,

"In that case, this is a robbery." He grabbed Kinga's hand and kissed it gallantly. "Respect, my dear neighbor. This is Łukasz, my classmate.

" "Nice to meet you, Nietoperek." Kinga recognized the old friend she'd met online who had ignored her and Waleria. "Should I give you a kicking?"

"Oh, you dickhead, your phone's been off for two years?" Waleria hissed.

Łukasz turned bright red, and everyone around stood in astonishment, uncomprehending.

"Let's explain everything to the group, shall we?" Kinga suggested.

They went to the room, where Nietoperek explained everything, how he met Kinga and Waleria online, how they met at the Tajnachtacka pizzeria, and then stopped talking to them. At the end, he asked for forgiveness, which was granted.

The music frenzy resumed. The local girls, especially the Remik fans, were a little embarrassed by the male company, but seeing Kinga and Waleria driving at full speed and the fact that the guys seemed to enjoy it, they also began to go crazy.

It was slowly approaching 10 p.m., but the party was supposed to last until two (their friends' parents didn't agree to any longer).

They were allowed a short break, during which Łukasz told everyone jokes, and Kinga and Waleria busied themselves with tidying up the table. They went to the kitchen to wash the dishes and bring the food.

"I didn't think it would be this much fun," Kinga sighed at one point.

"Me neither." Remigiusz suddenly appeared in the kitchen doorway.

"So, maybe I'll go, and you can help Kinga?

" "Why not?" the boy smiled gratefully at Waleria. When she disappeared into the room, he said, "I'm glad you invited me... I won't deny that I've been wanting to. You and Waleria are completely different from all the hotties I've known so far."

"Pindus?"

"No offense, but for example, your friends, all my fans, and even...

" "Even who?

" "You know. I don't know why I agreed to go out with her. She's ruled by a sky-high stupidity and emptiness. There's not a shred of intelligence in her, and she's not even beautiful... "

"And what would she say to you being here?"

"I don't know what she'd say, and I probably never will. I broke up with her. And I did the right thing. I told her it was over, and she said it was great, finally, her Miruś or some other jerk will be happy she's free, and I'm still a shitty snowboarder.

" "So, worthless?

" "Exactly. "

They fell silent for a moment.

"What kind of snowboarder are you?" she smiled, wiping her hands on a towel.

"I don't know..." "

Pathetic?

" "Oh, I see you're cheering me up.

" "No." I'm just testing how well you've developed your own jokes.

"Did I do well?

" "I guess.

" "Kinga!" came from the room. Nadia's jealous voice, no doubt. "Did you drown in the sink?"

"Of course I did. But don't worry, I didn't drown alone," she replied with a smile, entering the room. At that moment, she realized that her three friends were deeply jealous of young Raszczuk. So she added a bit maliciously. "Sorry we were gone for so long, but it took a while to dry the clothes..." "

I had to do CPR because the poor thing drank all the slop," Remik added sarcastically, also noticing the envious look from the "pink." "You know: mouth-to-mouth and cardiac massage." "We

're playing spin the bottle," Waleria ordered (she also guessed she was being a saint), not wanting to cause any bloodshed.

"Agreed," Remik and Łukasz said at the same time.

"No way," Kinga said simultaneously.

"On what terms?" Raszczuk continued. "

Gentlemen, in the hand, we'll kiss on the cheek, and then on the lips. Agreed?" The conversation continued between Waleria and Remigiusz, but they weren't looking at each other. "Come on," Waleria urged, grabbing an empty Fanta bottle. "Kinga, you're playing." It wasn't really a question, but a statement.

"No. I'll watch.

" "Come on," Nadia stood up.

"Oh no, Ari's got the courage, I can't be worse," Kinga thought, adding loudly. "

Fine."

After a moment, everyone was sitting on the floor, and the bottle started spinning. Why was it avoiding Raszczuk and Kinga? Maybe because when it finally fell on Remigiusz—Łukasz was supposed to kiss—the bottle stopped four times in a row, just on them. Waleria was taking pictures. And a moment later, she was kissing the Bat. She was furious, as Kinga now held the camera in her hand.

And then they played clothespin. The game involves one person throwing a clothespin to another person (after first telling them who it was) in a random spot, and then that person has to walk to it in one step and then throw the clothespin to someone else. Karolina was lying in wait with her camera, in strange positions.

Nietoperek and Waleria targeted Kinga and Remigiusz, throwing clothespins to them in inventive places near each other. Later, the roles were reversed. These four had the most photos.

It was only eleven o'clock. They decided to play "truth or dare," in a modified version: "truth or confession." This game (after the reform) is incredibly simple: one person asks a chosen person a question, and they have to answer it.

"Question for Kinga," Remik said. "What kind of guys do you like?

" "Blondes," she snorted with laughter. "It's not the color of the hair that matters to me." As long as the guy is intelligent, isn't a physical orphan, and doesn't just care about one thing, we all know what, then I like someone like that. Okay, I have a question for the neighbor. When will we see you on TV on the top podium? "

When everyone else falls over," laughed Nietoperek.

"When I perfect my form and technique, and I'm working on that intensively." And now I have a question about the rules of the game. Can we ask one question for everyone?

It was voted yes.

"So..." Raszczuk continued, looking at Kinga. "Has anyone had their first time yet?"

"Just don't ask who, because I won't tell." Łukasz turned red. He turned out to be the only one in the group, which pleased a few people.

A few more questions were asked, and it was almost noon.

"So? Are we going to the cinema?" Kinga suggested.

"What are we going to watch? Do you have a good horror movie?"

"Maybe we'll find something.

" They decided to watch "Signs." A good movie about UFOs.

To the young Raszczuk's delight, Kinga was sitting next to him. The light was off, so he allowed himself to embrace her. But Sól wasn't (or maybe she was?) in the mood for a hug. She quietly moved her neighbor's hand to his knee. She smiled mysteriously.

No one saw it.

Maybe it was a good thing; there would be less gossip and jealousy.

The girls and Łukasz left, and Remigiusz stayed to help clean up. When Waleria went to the bathroom for a moment, leaving them alone, he asked.

"Are you angry that I hugged you? I wasn't interested in that 'one thing.'" "

Are you suggesting something?" "I'm not angry, because luckily for you, you were good later.

" "Maybe I'm suggesting... maybe I'd like to suggest something, but I don't want to impose. But I'm quite intelligent, and I'm not an orphan either."

Kinga laughed.

He didn't go home until after three. And Kinga and Waleria didn't actually fall asleep until the morning.

CHAPTER THREE

RETURN TO TAJNACHTEN

The school year ended. The girls returned home from school happily with beautiful report cards and book awards, and Zbigniew had a surprise for them.

"We're going back to Tajnakhten."

All the joy has vanished.

"Why?" Kinga asked sadly. "

I thought you'd be happy.

" "Uncle! How could we be happy, knowing we'd be leaving not only our friends here, but also our hearts?

" "When?" Waleria added.

"The plan was for it to be this month.

" "Great. I'm staying here until the end of the summer. Who's buying our apartment?"

"We're renting it to a family with three children. They don't have a dog or any other pet.

" "And where will we live?" Waleria asked.

"In a detached house, near the school, on Armii Krajowej Street.

" "Aha. My report card," Kinga sighed absently, showing the slip of paper.

"And mine," Waleria added. "

They're all very good and with excellent grades!" "

Can I go out?

" "Me too?

" "Go. Just come back today! "

They went outside.

"Are you going to Remik's?

" "Yeah. And you're going to Przemek's?

" Waleria just nodded.

After that first party, she started going out with Mirasiuk, and it's safe to say they got along very well.

"Good morning, Felek," Kinga sighed. "Is Remik here?

" "Yes, come in. What happened to you, are you so sad?

" "No, nothing... just that we're moving out..."

"Why, are you unhappy here?"

"No. It's not up to me. If it were, we'd never move out."

When she entered Remik's room, she said nothing. She sat down on his couch and sighed deeply. He sat down next to her, put his arm around her, and said,

"What do you want?

" "I have to move out. I don't want to.

" "I don't want to either. Is there a reason?"

"The reason I'm moving out, or that I want to stay? The first one isn't up to me, and I don't know the reason, the second... it's up to you."

Remigiusz pondered.

"How much time do we have left?

" "I'm supposed to go away at the end of the month..."

"We'll go away, and we'll go on some vacation soon, I don't know where yet, but we'll go. Just the two of us. "

"Why, when things are already good and I'm finally happy, should I lose everything? Where is there any justice in this world? I don't want to leave. I want to stay here...

" "You won't lose me, as long as you care about me.

" "It depends." She sighed, snuggling into him.

The trip had come to nothing. Felek hadn't agreed to his son taking any girl under his care, not even Kinga, who was so nice and well-liked by him.

Besides, there was no money for the trip, for a hotel, and for food.

So Remik and Kinga, as well as Waleria and Przemek, spent every free moment together.

On the day of their departure, Kinga burst into tears on young Raszczuk's shoulder.

"Don't cry," he said, barely holding back his own tears. "I'll call you, we'll talk online. I'll send letters. And as soon as I can, I'll come to you. Well, calm down. I love you, Kinguś, my darling..."

A smile spread across her face at those last words.

"Don't joke around.

" "I don't mean to. Not about that. I really love you.

" Remik's confession strengthened Kinga a bit. That same day, she was in Tajnakhten, in her new home, and in the evening, not yet fully unpacked, she talked to her beloved.

"I'm in a new home, kitty.

" "How are you?

" "Sad. And lonely. And outside my window, not a loving (unsuccessful - hee hee) snowboarder, but my old enemy.

" "So you have enemies?"

+I have it. The one outside the window is named Karol. He gave me quite a few slobbers once, and we've been calling each other names ever since.

=And how do you like the house?

+Yeah...

=Have you seen your old friends?

+I haven't had time. When this new family comes to my house (I mean the one in Ulkanowice), tell me what they're like.

=No problem. And how's Waleria?

+Not better than me. But we're together, so it can't be bad either. Will you forgive me for hanging up? I'm a little tired.

=I'll forgive you. Do you still love me?

+Stupid question.

=Then I'm happy. Good night. Bye, bye.

+Bye.

The next day, the girls walked around Tajnakhten and reconnected with old friends. It turns out the city hadn't changed much since their last visit, and most of their friends still lived where they used to. They were going to visit Łucja Michalska when they suddenly heard:

"Kinga!

" Sól remembered that voice well.

"Hi Krzysiek. You've grown up.

" "And you've gotten prettier. I barely recognized you. What are you doing here?

" "I live here.

" "Really? Great! How are you all doing ?" "

A lot has changed. A lot. " "This 'a lot' I'm thinking of? Do you have someone?" "Yes." "Is there anything to congratulate you on?" " Yes. Love. " "So congratulations. So you're back in Tajnakhten?" "Yes." "Do you have a girlfriend?" Waleria interjected. "No. Nobody wants me. " "Poor thing. See? Only an idiot like me could want to go out with you. " At that moment, a nice red motorcycle drove past the three of us, standing on the sidewalk. " That's Radek Podjezierny," Krzysiek explained. "He's trying to pick up some chick on that motorcycle."

Later, they visited the priest, scolded Lampadi for smoking (his hair was cut short, which really surprised the girls. He'd once claimed he'd never go to a hairdresser), and toured the rest of the city. It was evening.

The next day, Waleria and Kinga were besieged by a horde of admirers. The guys from Tajnakhten were eager for new objects of adoration. We won't describe all the flirts. Let's not describe them at all, because that's boring.

INTERNET CONVERSATIONS

+Listen, Remik! I don't feel good anymore!

=Why?

+I blow off about five guys a day, rarely the same ones.

=Are they hitting on me?

+Yes. I don't know what they see in me and Waleria that makes them hit on each other all the time.

=Do you know what they see in you? Your natural originality and your unavailability.

+...And what do you see in me?

=...My other half. Your virtues are capable of overshadowing my flaws, you know what I don't. And you love me...

+I miss you so much.

=I miss you too. The neighbors moved in. How strange these people are! They have some mutt that almost bit Rubin, their kids have already broken our window and tore down the entire length of the fence, and their parents are completely indifferent to everything, not to mention dull and obtuse. My dad had a fight with this guy about him driving into our (actually, our) flower beds. Their son calls me a moron, and their daughter is trying to hit on me. The little detail is that the girl is only ten...

+I sympathize. I heard they weren't supposed to have any pets, but three children.

=I try not to pay attention to them. I'd like to see you.

+I miss you too. I want to live in Ulkanowice.

=I want to live where you do.

My class is starting to annoy me. I want to go to Ulkanowice and those idiots Waleria and I arranged.

They miss you too.

Let's talk about something.

About what?

It doesn't matter. Just talk. Just talk to each other.

ROMEO, WHY ARE YOU RASZCZUK?

Nine months had passed since moving to Tajnakhten. Kinga and Waleria were going to school with their old class and working on a play called "Romeo and Juliet." Actually, a parody of it, retitled "Romek and Giulia."

The script, changed to contemporary language and with additions from our era, dreamed up by Kinga, Waleria, Krzysiek, and Łucja, sounded completely different and promising. It was difficult to convince the teacher to the idea, but she finally agreed.

After much effort, several months, a mental breakdown, and group distraction, the play was finally ready to be performed on stage.

+I'm telling you, it's quite a comedy.

=I'd like to see it.

=Come.

=I'm so busy at university... I can't.

+Regret.

=You don't even know how much I regret it. But I'll keep my fingers crossed.

+Me too for you.

The big day arrived, when they were supposed to perform "Romek and Julia." Kinga played Julia, and Romeka played Krzysiek.

The tension peaked just before the curtain, but a few words of encouragement made everyone relax – after all, this wasn't the first play; everything would surely work out.

The entire performance was supposed to last, according to the dress rehearsal, about thirty minutes. The actors, gathering all their strength and concentrating as hard as possible on their lines, began the performance. Everything went beautifully. No one stuttered, the curtain didn't jam, the lighting, set, and sound were perfectly coordinated.

During Julia's line, "Romek, why are you <Romek>?" a rather tall young man entered the theater and stood by the door. He held a bouquet of roses in his hand, smiling and joyful.

When the curtain fell and a frenzy of applause erupted, the young man approached the stage, and as the actors emerged for their encore, he climbed the steps and handed the flowers to Julia, who almost screamed with joy. She threw her arms around the young man, who was, of course, Remik. "

I'm sorry I wasn't there for the entire performance, but I couldn't get there sooner...

" "It doesn't matter, and it's so wonderful that you're here at all... You're the most wonderful surprise I could have received." She kissed him on the cheek. "We absolutely must talk! How much time do you have?

" "As long as you have time.

" "Perhaps... do you have any classes tomorrow?

" "No, I have Fridays off. I managed to sign up for classes so that I have the last day of the week off.

" "So, why don't you stay with us?

" "And what does your uncle think?"

"I'm sure he won't mind."

Kinga was truly happy. She was with her beloved and had him all to herself. Waleria was less happy, for a simple reason – Remik reminded her of Ulkanowicko and her Przemek. But she didn't show it, so as not to upset Kinga.

Remigiusz stayed with Szachewiczówna until Saturday – he left for home that evening.

It was a truly pleasant weekend for Kinga. Only then did Krzysiek realize that he couldn't even dream of settling into Sol's heart again.

DESIRED ULKANOWICKO

December arrived.

Zbigniew asked Waleria and Kinga what they thought about the Tajnakhten.

He did it subtly, so they wouldn't suspect anything. Once he was sure they both preferred living in Ulkanowicko, he secretly – pretending he was going on a business trip – made all the arrangements for their return move to the highland town.

Waleria had gone to her family for the holidays, so Kinga was left alone with her uncle. The day before Christmas Eve, the phone rang.

"Maybe you could come visit us for the holidays?" Feliks suggested.

Kinga was very pleased with this suggestion, and Zbigniew didn't object at all, so the next morning they packed up and headed for Ulkanowice. There was no end of joy. Aleksandra, Remik's mother, had just returned from a sanatorium in the Canary Islands after a lengthy but successful rehabilitation following cancer surgery, so there were several reasons for joy. After supper, before the midnight mass, Kinga went for a short walk with Remik.

The snow was quite thick, and they started throwing snowballs and making snow eagles. There was no end of laughter. Later, they perfected the slide under the forest (which was created every year and was a favorite playground for all the local kids) by repeatedly riding it in all possible directions. One time, when they were riding simultaneously from opposite directions, the boy deliberately tipped them both over so that Kinga landed on him. "

Now we'll be together forever," Remigiusz said mysteriously.

"Until I have to go to Tajnachten..." she sighed sadly.

Remik said nothing more. They returned home to change and went to the Christmas Eve mass.

On December 27th, everyone except Kinga was incredibly happy. She couldn't understand why they were so happy; after all, she was leaving and there was no telling when they would see each other again. She left sad, but when she entered her apartment in Tajnachten, she understood the reason for the joy.

Another move!

This time, the desired and longed-for move to her beloved Ulkanowice!

She packed her and Waleria's things and that same day was back in the house she had grown to love. Morela didn't know anything about it, and only found out when her visit with her family was over. The first thing she did after arriving home was rush to Przemek's and didn't return for a long time.

Zbigniew and Feliks were planning a huge New Year's Eve party.

"Looking at my son and your niece, I think we could become a family," Felek said quite seriously.

"I think so too. And I have nothing against it.

" "Me neither."

Przemek was invited to the New Year's party so Waleria wouldn't feel lonely. At the last minute, Remika's aunt also arrived. She was about fifty—a two-time widow, a two-time divorcee, a complete eccentric, and a woman with a temperament. She proved to be a very interesting conversationalist for Zbyszek.

The New Year was welcomed in a very warm atmosphere, friendly to young hearts and relaxing to older ones.

CHAPTER FOUR

AN ATTEMPT TO REFLECT

Remigiusz went to a snowboarding competition. Kinga went with him because she had never had the opportunity to watch a competition live, and it gave her the opportunity to collect autographs from other famous snowboarders.

It was almost time for all the German snowboarders to head to the dining room. Kinga waited until they had passed and then entered the café next to the hotel. Armed with a notebook and pen, she approached the less important jumpers and collected autographs while they waited for their food. She approached Steinmetz and spoke in German:

"Excuse me, can I have your autograph? You're one of my favorite jumpers.

" "Please."

He signed a nice, large autograph, smiling warmly.

"Do you have all of them yet?

" "No. I miss Scott."

"He's sitting over there in the corner.

" "Thank you. "

She walked over confidently.

"Excuse me, are you free?

" "Yes.

" "May I?" she asked stonily, pushing back her chair.

"Yes, please.

" "What would you like to order?" the waiter asked, approaching the table.

"Something light and fruit juice.

" "Thank you," Kinga replied .

"What's your name?" Scott asked, leaning over the table.

"Kinga. I have business to tell you. Sorry... my German... is bad." She struggled a bit in German, a bit in English.

"Business?

" "Yes." She smiled, pulling out a notebook. "Please give me your autograph.

" "Oh, please!" Heninger replied eagerly. "Shall we meet for dinner?

" "No, thank you." Kinga stood up and started to leave.

"Wait! You're beautiful...

" "Thank you." Sol left. Heninger followed her.

"Wait a minute. I just wanted to arrange dinner. Is that a bad thing?

" "No. But I'm not going to talk to you. Is that clear?

" "Why don't you?"

Kinga shrugged.

"Because you're trying to hit on me, and I don't feel like it. "

"But I love you."

He grabbed Kinga's hand and wouldn't let go.

"Screw you," she snapped, yanking her arm away. "I don't believe in love at first sight on your part." She quickly left the hotel and went to a small pub near the hotel, where she'd arranged to meet Remik. She didn't mention Heninger to him.

TRAPPED

February. Winter break—the long-awaited time for all the students. Kinga, Waleria, and her son, Przemek, went to watch a live snowboarding competition, which was to take place on one of the Swiss slopes. After the first round, Remik came in twenty-first, meaning he didn't make it to the finals.

So the four friends decided to take a walk and admire the views of the Swiss mountains. As they passed the pits, they first met Wacholski, who joined them, and later witnessed the kidnapping of four German snowboarders, who were among the leaders. A group of six masked men were leading Heninger, Steinmetz, Sietz, and Ankar toward the forest. The kidnappers spotted the five of us. They placed the famous snowboarders in a van and then approached the Poles.

"Hands up and get in the car," said the tallest of the group.

His voice came from somewhere deep within him... and Kinga thought it sounded familiar.

A moment later, nine people were sitting in the van.

"Hello!" Kinga smiled, seeing a frightened Henin. "How about dinner?

" "That's not funny," laughed Steinmetz, the only one in the group who knew the whole story.

"Shh..." Sól winked at her German friend.

"Can anyone tell me what's going on here?" Remik asked.

"We're on a bus, we're kidnapped. That much I know.

" "Kinga, but it's really not funny. We know who these guys are who kidnapped us," Waleria pointed out.

"Do you speak Polish?" Kinga asked the German-speaking leaders. No one answered, not even a twitch, only Ankar lowered his head. "They don't. We have cannon fodder, so we can try to find out. These people only cared about them; we stumbled in by accident. I don't know why, but I'm not afraid. "

After a while, the car stopped.

"Get out," came the deep voice. "You stay," he said to Kinga.

"Kinga..." Remik groaned.

"Don't worry about me." When she was alone with the deep voice, she asked dryly. "Who are you?" "

Remember," he growled.

"You were there then!" she shouted. She recognized him as the man who had murdered her parents. "What do you want?"

"Ransom. That guy who wanted to destroy your entire family is gone. He committed suicide. Nobody planned to kidnap you or your friends. We just want a ransom for the four famous ski jumpers.

" "Then release the others.

" "We can't. Once we get the ransom for the headlamp, we'll release you too.

" "Can I join them then? I don't want them to worry about me.

" The guy ordered his friends to escort her to the others.

"Yo, guys. Let's be happy and rejoice, for about two days, maybe more, these Downs will keep us going, and then we'll go home safe and sound. At least those who can't slide down the snowboard slopes." She smiled at the Polish snowboarders. "

It's clear you believe in us," Remik sighed.

"Never in you." She sat on his lap. She did it for two reasons: she wanted to, and she wanted to show Heninger to piss off.

"Do you like me?" Steinmetz asked when they were alone.

"Yes, why do you ask?

" "Because you don't like Henin, and I'm German too...

" Kinga shook her head.

"That's not the point. I simply don't want to have anything to do with Henin, because he wasn't just interested in dinner...

" "Ah, well, now I understand.

" "But shh..." she put a finger to her lips.

"Okay.

" "Do you speak English?" Sietz asked shyly, slipping into the room Steinmetz had just left.

"German, though not very well...

" "My name is Sie...

" "I know.

" "What's your name?

" "Kinga." Why do you ask?

"Because you're an interesting person.

" "Thanks." So what about that?"

"Are you... single?"

"No."

"I'm asking because you're really nice..." "

I love Remik Raszczuk, and he's fine with me anyway.

" "Oh...

" "You're very nice too, but that's all.

" "I understand..."

"Smile.

" The boy smiled gently and left the room. But that wasn't the end of the audience. An-kar rushed in next.

"Hi," he said in his limping Polish. "Forgive my language, but Polish is difficult.

" "Are you learning Polish?

" "Yes. I have family... from Poland... and it's difficult to communicate.

" "What are you coming to me about? "

"I want to congratulate you.

" "What? "

"The boy. " "

Thank you.

" "He's good, although he's not very good at driving. "

"I don't mind.

" "Excuse me, may I come in?" Heninger appeared in the doorway.

"No!" Kinga snapped curtly.

"I'm going..." Ankar jumped up.

"No, you don't have to go anywhere!" Kinga protested.

"No, no. I'm going." "He left."

Kinga frowned.

"What?

" "I think I'm hungry, I could eat dinner...

" "Enjoy your meal!" she snapped.

"With you. " "

Fuck you.

" "But I'm telling the truth.

" "Me too." Kinga stood up and left.

Evening was approaching. The boys agreed that Kinga and Waleria would have separate rooms, and they would squeeze into the other room.

Kinga told Waleria about all those conversations with the German-speaking ski jumpers.

"You should tell Remik about Heninger. "

"He'll get upset unnecessarily... Heninger won't hurt me.

" "As you wish.

" There was a knock.

"Come in!"

Przemek and Remigiusz entered the room.

"Goodnight, sweetie!" Remik said, leaning over Kinga to kiss her goodnight.

Przemek did the same to Waleria, adding,

"Sweet dreams, mysiu.

They left.

" "It's even nice here.

" "I think so too.

Around ten o'clock, almost everyone was asleep." Kinga checked the boys' room. One fitful breath, meaning only one was awake. Just like her. Waleria had long since fallen asleep.

She returned to the room. She heard someone opening the door to the next room. She quickly arranged the duvet so that at first glance it looked like her figure, then stood to the side.

A moment later, the door opened. A tall, thin figure entered. It was undoubtedly Heninger. He sat down on her bed.

"I love you, Kinga," he whispered.

"Seriously? What are you doing here?"

The boy jumped, speechless. "

I'm sorry..." he groaned, and was about to leave when Kinga grabbed his hand.

"What are you doing here?" she repeated the question.

"I... I...

What?! What, 'you, you'?" she hissed impatiently.

Henin said nothing. He grabbed her around the waist and kissed her.

"Stop it!" she snapped, pushing him away. "I don't want anything to do with you, I love Remik, and nothing will change that!"

"I thought...

" "No. Get out," she said dryly, pointing to the door.

When he left, she wiped her mouth with her hand, unconcealed disgust.

"What do you say, gentlemen?" Kinga smiled, sitting down in the dining room between Remik and Henin. "How was the night?" she smiled at the German. She wiped her mouth again and saw Steinmetz smiling. Henin lowered his head. Salt continued. "Did you sleep?

" "No," he muttered.

Steinmetz laughed.

"You know?" she asked her friend.

"Yes.

" "About what?" Remik asked, intrigued.

"You'll find out someday." Kinga sighed, placing her hand on his knee under the table.

Before they could finish eating breakfast, the kidnappers arrived.

"We received a ransom for you, you're free to go," said the man with a deep voice. "

I had a great vacation," Kinga commented when everyone was home. "I was kidnapped, Heninger hit on me, Sietz had the same idea, I became friends with Steinmetz and Ankar, I learned that the man who wanted to destroy the Szachewicz and Morilowicz families was dead.

Only after she passed her final exams did she tell Remigiusz how horny Henin was.

"Luckily, you don't like anorexics." "

Especially the ones on the skateboard."

At the beginning of the vacation, Rubin was killed by a car. Then Remik bought himself a three-year-old St. Bernard from a friend. The dog was well-behaved, liked, tolerated, and obeyed Raszczuk. His name was Puchar.

Tora was very happy with her new companion, so happy that she tore down the fence. This time it wasn't repaired, in fact it was removed entirely.

EPILOGUE

DOUBLE SUCCESS

It happened. Kinga's old dream, one she'd been slowly forgetting, came true. A casting call of sorts was being held at school. There were class eliminations, which she, Waleria, and Rafał won. Then, the school stage selected the three best amateur actors who would participate in the district stage, including Kinga, Waleria, and a boy from a younger class.

In this stage, the esteemed jury consisted of a film director, an actor, and Ms. Zofia (that's what everyone called her), a minor theatre figure.

All participants were given a short fragment of a drama, which they could perform in a group or individually. First, Kinga and Waleria tried to do it together.

"I have a favor to ask you. What's your name?" the actor asked.

"Kinga.

" "Could you read it yourself?

" "I think I could." She glanced at the performers. Four. She cleared her throat. Two men, two women. Couples of varying ages.

She read it, putting all her strength, energy, and a tremendous amount of creativity into it. Each character had a distinct personality, spoke differently from the others, and it was easy to distinguish the characters' lines.

The jury fell silent, eyes and mouths agape.

"Is something wrong?

" "Very good, brilliant!" the director began applauding, followed by everyone else in the audience, both those who had been watching the whole event and the other amateur actors. "I don't need anything more from you; you're on to the next stage." "

Thank you," Kinga smiled. She sat down in the audience, and Waleria took the stage. "

In the next scenes of what my friend read, one of the characters commits suicide with a knife. Could you act it out?

" "No problem," Waleria replied. Once, at the drama club in Tajnachen, there was a scene just like that in one of the performances. She was brilliant at it. Now, using a little imagination, she presented it almost wordlessly. For a moment, she acted as if she were mentally ill or high, then she crept into the kitchen, opened a door that wasn't there, pulled out a drawer that wasn't there, grabbed a knife that wasn't there, and plunged it into her stomach (which was there). Her eyes widened and she fell to the ground. She lowered her hands and pretended to be completely limp.

This time, the actor began applauding.

"Pretty good," the director concluded. "I'm not counting you out, but I'll see what the rest of you can do, and then I'll make a decision. "

Waleria joined Kinga.

"You'll definitely move on," her friend said.

After Waleria, there were almost twenty others who performed so-so. At the very end, there was a guy who delivered something interesting.

"I was hoping for a better catch, but only three are fit for the final. I mean Kinga, Waleria, and Gracjan," Zofia said, giving the three special tickets and announcing. "The final will take place next week on Monday. Several directors will be there, and you'll be presenting your work to them. Who knows, maybe someone will like you and have the opportunity to star in a film?"

It was undoubtedly a success, but not a definitive one for Kinga. In the final, she was liked not only by the director who was on the committee in the semifinals, but also by another, more amateur filmmaker who had an idea for a film but no actors. When Kinga heard what the film was supposed to be, she said,

"Nobody will see it. There are tons of movies like that in rental stores. What would you say about a fifteen-year-old girl fighting a gang whose leader is her father, and whose successor will eventually be her husband?

" "Any details?"

Kinga recounted the entire plot of the novel, and the director was very impressed. And so it remained. They found the actors and managed to secure funding for the budget, which was already incredibly small. Since they were all amateurs, the actors reached an agreement on remuneration – just living expenses and travel, with almost nothing extra.

Shooting took four months, editing five, and the film was set for theatrical release. At Kinga's request, a preview was held in Tajnachen in a tiny, dilapidated cinema, to which friends and acquaintances were invited.

The film was a huge hit, and the reviews were enthusiastic and overwhelmingly positive. Many people were eager to see it. Screenings were held one after another, and the ticket proceeds went towards renovating the cinema.

On the day of the premiere, Remigiusz was unable to accompany Kinga because he was at a World Cup competition.

In the second hour of the nearly three-hour film, Kinga received a text message from Remik saying: "You won't believe it! I did it! I won! I dedicate my first victory to you – Your Remik!"

She clapped her hands in amazement, left the room, and immediately called.

"Man, are you kidding?

" "I'm not kidding! Do you understand? I won! Steinmetz was second, Heninger third. Romek finished tenth.

"Damn, I didn't even get to watch the broadcast! I must have watched some crappy movie!

" "Not crappy. Very cool. I only didn't like the scene where the main character passionately kissed the main character.

"Are you jealous? You'll never have another opportunity to do that again.

" "I want to go home now."

"Hang in there and snowboard steadily." "I'll be

there." "Snowboard safely, damn it

, because if you do anything to yourself, you'll have to deal with me!"

Kinga returned to the arena and announced the conditions on the ski jump. She was so happy about Raszczuk's victory that she didn't follow the fate of the characters (which she knew perfectly well anyway).

She returned home and was even happier. People liked her film. The next day, a call came from the director:

"People are pouring into cinemas to see our film! We've already made back twice as much money as we invested in it. There will be compensation for the actors.

" "And for you," Kinga quickly added.

"Oh, what matters to me is that the film was liked and my name is known among people. Each subsequent film will attract a lot of faith to cinemas. And exactly... The script was yours, so if it weren't for you, it wouldn't have been a success. Don't you have any other cool ideas?"

"I do. I hope it's one. There are two parts to what we shot.

" "Brilliant! Will you be in them?

" "I'd love to!"

"Let's meet on Sunday and discuss the details.

" "No problem."

Kinga's dream came true in abundance. The next day, Remik arrived.

"I missed you," she said, when he showed up at her door, still carrying his bag because he didn't go into his own house.

"Me too.

" "You're a huge success.

" "You're no less successful.

" "Do you still love me?

" "A lot.

" "That's good. I was afraid that now that you're famous, you don't care about me anymore.

" "You're famous too, so I should ask you that too. But I won't, because I know you love me. But I have another, important question: Will you marry me?

" "What do you think?"

THE END