Verses from the Past - Part 1 (Episode 5)

The sound of music grew louder as I approached the school. Colorful lights flashed in the gymnasium windows. A hazing ceremony. I had no idea what it would be like, but I felt a sense of joyful excitement. Now I was truly going to be a high school student.

At the entrance, I let three girls from my class pass. The sweet scent of perfume enveloped me. As I entered the hallway, I felt uneasy for a moment. I didn't recognize anyone. Maybe it was the dimmed lights, or maybe it was the festive look of everyone. The girls, especially, seemed so different, in gorgeous dresses, high heels, makeup, and fancy hairstyles.

I went down to the locker room to drop off my jacket. Our booth was full of people. I didn't know everyone. Apparently, some of them had come with someone. In the corner, against the wall, squeezed between their jackets, sat Marti and Czaki. They seemed a bit intimidated by both the unfamiliar presence and the unusual appearance of their classmates. They quietly exchanged comments. I approached, unsure if it was the right thing to interrupt their conversation. When he saw me, Marti smiled brightly, showing off those amazing white teeth of his. They moved over a bit on the bench to make room for me. I hung my jacket on the coat rack and sat down next to Czaki.

"Apparently they're going to torture us," he said bluntly.

"Who? What?" I didn't understand.

"The older classes, the third grade, they're the ones organizing this party," he explained. "There's supposed to be competitions, tests, trials, or something like at summer camp.

" "Really? I've never been to summer camp," I admitted.

"It's not a big deal. I hope there will be volunteers for these games, because I wouldn't want to make a fool of myself in front of the whole school."

He nervously tugged at a stray strand of hair that had fallen into his eyes. Only then did I notice he had an earring in his ear—a tiny silver marijuana leaf. He clearly hadn't bothered with formal attire. Dark green army trousers, heavy army boots, a black T-shirt, and a khaki hooded sweatshirt weren't exactly elegant. They weren't even really appropriate for a disco. I honestly don't know what to wear to such a party. I didn't want to be too extravagant, so I just dressed in dark jeans, a dark T-shirt, and a plaid shirt over it. A more respectable version of grunge.

"I thought you were bringing a girlfriend," Marti turned to me.

"Me?" I was completely taken aback by his remark

. "Yeah, I'm talking to you." He smiled.

"No..." I stammered. "I don't have a girlfriend

." "And you look like someone who should," he said

. I was speechless. Maybe he was just joking...

"I think we should finally leave this cloakroom," Czaki said. He didn't seem overly enthusiastic about the whole event.

We rose from the bench. In the aisle, I almost collided with Robi

. "Wait for me," he asked. "I'll throw off my coat in a flash.

" "Don't worry, we're not going anywhere," Czaki assured him.

After a moment, Robi joined us, and together we went to the gymnasium. I must admit, whoever was in charge of organizing the party had put in some work. The somewhat dingy walls and the monkey bars were covered with large sheets of colorful fabric. A net was strung from the ceiling, entangled with colorful crepe paper cut into thin strips, streamers, and balloons. Spotlights crisscrossed the dim interior, crisscrossing with each other. I felt a tremor in my chest from the loud, pounding music. However, only a dozen or so people were jumping on the dance floor. The rest, as they say, were propping up the walls.

"Let's go check out the bar!" Robi shouted.

We retreated from the gymnasium and walked down a narrow corridor toward the cafeteria. There were no decorations here anymore, just tables joined together in the middle, each containing drinks, chips, cookies, salted nuts, and breadsticks. A large crowd was milling around.

Robi immediately launched an attack on the plastic dishes and a moment later handed us each a plate and cup.

"We need to get our strength back for the dance," he announced.

"What, you didn't eat dinner?" Marti laughed.

"They give it to you, so you have to take it; after all, the school bought it with our parents' money. What can I get you?

" "Just juice for me," Czaki said.

"Ugh!" Robi pushed his way to the table and began serving us everything he could reach.

When we finally left the makeshift buffet, our plates were brimming with salty and sweet snacks. We settled on the windowsill, in the hallway, and, watching the people milling about, slowly devoured these delicacies. The school, filled with music, now seemed like a different, previously unknown place. Without the insistent sound of the bell, without backpacks scattered along the walls, without teachers, it was a completely different building.

"Hey, have you guys grabbed your food yet?!" Konrad was walking towards us from the other end of the corridor, waving his arms as if to signal us.

"Where have you been?" Marti shot back

. "He's been acting up," Czaki said. "He even managed to brush out that knot he always has on his head."

Konrad moved as if to hit Czaki, but instead grabbed a cookie from his plate. He had indeed let most of his hair down, falling in light waves down his back and shoulders. Only thin braids with colorful threads woven into them hung over his forehead.

"I'm getting ready to hit on you," he announced, causing us to laugh.

"What do you mean, guys?" he continued. "Do you think I have no chance? Come to the gym, I'll show you how I work on women!"

Still giggling, we obediently followed Konrad. There were quite a few people on the dance floor now. Faster songs were playing, so most were dancing solo. We stood to the side, nibbling on the last of the spicy chips.

"So, Kondi, why are you so intimidated?" Robi asked.

"I'm not intimidated. I'm waiting for slower rhythms."

It was as if the music had changed in response to his words. Suddenly, a whole crowd of people began to retreat to the walls, leaving only huddled couples in the middle of the room.

"Oh, that's exactly what I meant!" Konrad exclaimed.

He surveyed the row of girls against the wall, straightened his shirt, smoothed his hair with a slightly theatrical gesture, and then approached the closest girl. The first girl, clearly very surprised, refused Konrad's request, but her friend, after a moment's hesitation, agreed to dance. We were impressed. They looked beautiful together in the middle of the room, swaying to the rhythm of the romantic ballad. We, on the other hand, stood aside like useless objects. Now I certainly wouldn't dare ask one of those beautiful girls to dance, like back then, in the summer... Poor, shy, insecure boy.

Konrad left the dance floor with a triumphant look.

"What about you? Clothes hangers?" he reprimanded us. "So much choice, and these ones are standing there like pegs!

" "We're ashamed of ourselves," Robi explained.

"What?

" "Well... anyway..."

Konrad stammered, putting his arm around him protectively

. "Is there any girl in this room you'd like to dance with?" he asked.

Suddenly, Robi blushed to the tips of his ears. He lowered his eyes. He looked rather pathetic. Konrad noticed the change immediately.

"Uh, Robi, does your heart beat faster for some woman?" he nudged him.

"Uh..." Robert raised his head and looked at us, seeking spiritual support. He struggled for a moment before saying, "I like this particular girl."

Konrad had been waiting for this.

"Good thing it's just one!" he chuckled. "Then we can concentrate on this one problem.

" "Kondi, come on," Robi groaned. "It's no big deal.

" "Oh no, no, no, dear," Konrad protested. "I know you, you'll sigh in secret, write poetry, dream, but you won't do anything to make your friend notice you. Do you know each other?

" "No.

" "That's what I thought." Konrad had already taken matters into his own hands, and it seemed that no one and nothing would dissuade him from putting his improvised plan into action. Czaki nodded sympathetically.

"Konrad, you schemer," he muttered.

"Hush!" his friend reprimanded him. "Robi, what's the name of your chosen one?"

Robi had already recovered from his initial embarrassment. Now he looked resigned.

"I don't know," he said.

"Typical," Konrad grumbled. "Let's get the facts straight, does this person go to our school? "

Robi nodded .

"Is she in our class?" Konrad continued his investigation

. "No, in the first year.

" "That's something! Is she here at the party?

" "Yes," Robi sighed deeply. "She's standing there, on the other side of the room, under the yellow balloons, a blonde in a blue blouse."

We all looked in the indicated direction. The girl stood surrounded by her friends and looked a little bored. She was of average height and slim. Light, fine curls piled on her head and cascaded down her back.

"Well, well, not bad," Konrad smacked his

lips. "You're awful." Marti nudged him in the side. "Do you treat girls as mere instruments? Is appearance the only thing that matters to you?

" "Oh no, but I don't believe in the miracles of nature." Naomi Campbell doesn't have Einstein's brain, and since you can't have it all at once, I choose beauty

. "So you'd rather go on a date with a Barbie doll, even if you'd later have to be ashamed of her stupidity?" Czaki interjected.

"Oh, Czaki, you're coming up with such extreme examples!" Konrad exasperated. "Think of Sharon Stone, quite pretty and quite smart.

" "But she could be your mother!" Marti chuckled.

"Okay, okay, I'll get someone there. Now we're dealing with Robi.

" "What do you mean 'dealing with'?" Robi snapped.

"Tell me, darling, what did you do to meet her?" Konrad probed. He was met with silence. "I gather absolutely nothing. Time for a change! Now you have a wonderful opportunity. Just approach her, ask her to dance, strike up a conversation, introduce yourself, crack a charming joke, offer a few compliments, and gently ask her everything you want to know." Come on, move it!

" Robi looked sad. He looked at the girl, bit his lip, and hesitated.

"I can't," he finally whispered.

"What?! Why?

" "Konrad, leave me alone, I'm not doing this." Robi suddenly became deadly serious. I don't think I'd ever seen him like this before.

"What's the harm?" I said uncertainly. "You're not going to lose anything.

" "Exactly!" Konrad chimed in. "Go, you'll see if it's even worth the bother."

Robi shook his head.

"She won't want to dance with me, besides, she definitely has a boyfriend.

" "Oh, well, since you've already made that up!" Konrad snorted.

"You'll never know if you don't try," I encouraged.

"Go, Robi." Czaki joined us. "I don't think she's with anyone here. She's always standing against the wall.

" "She definitely doesn't like dancing," Robi defended himself. "She hasn't danced at all.

" "And I'm telling you she does, she just doesn't have anyone to dance with," Konrad insisted.

Robi shook his head unconvinced.

"Oh my, it's hard to talk you into anything," Kondi sighed. "Listen, we'll do this: send Marti to dance with the girl and check her out. Okay? We'll see what she likes and if she came here with anyone.

" "Why me?" Marti protested.

"Because you're such a pretty boy, all the girls are after you," Konrad blurted out. Seeing Marti's astonished expression, he added, "There's a high probability he won't say no.

" "But I'm ashamed!

" "Rubbish!" Konrad waved his hand dismissively. "Do it for a friend, ask the girl about every possible detail: name, surname, address, potential partner, interests, measurements, academic achievements, future plans...

" "Isn't that enough?" Marti snorted

. "Indeed! Ask about the amount of the dowry, it's very important,

" Konrad said. "

Come on, Marti, you'll do something good." Kondi gently pushed Marti toward the dance floor.

"But I can't talk to girls," the boy tried his last resort.

"Just ask questions," Konrad instructed. "And smile a lot, she'll like it."

Marti walked hesitantly through the room, glancing back at us every now and then. He stopped in front of the blonde, they exchanged a few words, and then he flashed those movie teeth of his. The girl smiled back.

"She's already his," Konrad commented. "See, Robi, it's not that hard."

They chatted for a while before moving toward the dance circle. The longing glances of the other girls followed them. At first, Marti seemed a bit stiff, keeping his distance. The girl spun, shaking her blond curls and swaying her hips flirtatiously. However, she only got him going halfway through the song. Once they were in sync, their steps and rhythm matched, they looked like professional dancers. At one point, I found myself staring at them, mesmerized. In the flashing spotlights, their hair was full of fantastic highlights, and their faces took on a mysterious air. Marti glanced back once or twice. His partner's eyes, beaming with joy, never left his.

I felt a gentle nudge in the side.

"A phenomenon, huh?" Konrad whispered in my ear. I thought he meant the girl, but after a moment he added, "If I looked like that, I'd hit on every girl in this room."

I don't know why I blushed. Perhaps a similar thought had crossed my mind, and now that Konrad had said it aloud, I felt ashamed.

The last bars of the song, and Marti was back with us.

"Her name is Dorota," he announced bluntly. "She doesn't have a boyfriend, she doesn't know many people from school yet, she lives in Łomianki, so it's a bit of a walk to school, but she likes our high school... what else..." he tried to remember. "Oh, she likes disco music, but not Disco Polo.

" "Bravo Marti!" Konrad rejoiced. "Lesson learned." He patted him on the shoulder. "Now it's time for Robi. Get in on the action, man.

" Robi stood to the side, unsure what to do.

"But she definitely won't want to hang out with me," he muttered.

"Stop whining!" Konrad reprimanded. "Believe in yourself, you're an incredibly nice, cultured, and witty guy, and you'll definitely win her heart.

" "She told me she loves dancing, and now she's back against the wall alone again," Marti added.

"You'll regret it if you don't try," Czaki chided. "Maybe something will come of it."

Robi looked at me questioningly.

"Go, you're not missing anything," I said.

Honestly, I wasn't convinced it was a good idea. Robi had neither Marti's looks nor charm. With his neatly combed hair and elegant outfit, he looked like a typical nerd from a distance. I don't know if girls would want to pick up someone like that at a disco. But maybe it was just my pessimistic visions and paranoia?

Robi decided to take a chance. He adjusted his shirt, gave us one last nervous glance, and walked across the room toward his crush. We watched in silence to see what would happen next.

He approached the blonde, bowed his head playfully, and spoke. I wondered what he could have said. I wouldn't have had the slightest idea. The girl looked him up and down and replied with a faint smile. They exchanged a few more words, then Robi turned on his heel and marched back toward us. He pretended to be completely unscathed.

"She has a headache," he explained.

"What did you say?" Konrad demanded. "I hope you weren't making up nonsense, like you do.

" "No," he grumbled. "I just asked if she'd like to dance.

" "Maybe you weren't convincing enough .

" "Maybe...

" "You should have persuaded her

." "Probably," Robi admitted, but his voice was bitter. He headed for the exit.

"Where are you going?

" "To the bathroom," he said over his shoulder.

"Wait, you're not falling apart, are you?" Konrad hurried after him

. "Hey, Kondi, leave him alone," Marti called after them. Konrad and Robi disappeared from sight at the dark end of the corridor.

We stood in silence, our spirits soured.

"You lying brat," Czaki said unexpectedly.

We looked in the direction he was looking. Dorota was spinning in the middle of the room in the arms of a tall, dark-haired man. Czaki shook his head disapprovingly. Before leaving the room, he stopped for a moment in front of Marti.

"You know what, I actually feel more sorry for you than for Robie," he said. "He still has a chance to find someone who will love him for who he is, not for his pretty face and hard biceps."

Marti's jaw dropped in astonishment.

"What's wrong with him?" he turned to me

. I just shrugged.