I have lived too long not to understand people and their true motives for doing this and that. Viper loved her parents very much, so she put all the blame on her shoulders. She was a victim of her parents' love, and no matter how much she assured me otherwise, it was her parents who made the choice for her. Implicitly, but explicitly. In front of me sat a simple, serious girl who had sacrificed her own for her parents' dream. She didn't realise it now, but she would surely realise it later, when she grew up and regretted her choice. No. She already does.

– And what is your favourite subject? – I asked.

– I like literature very much," she answered, and suddenly she was a little embarrassed. – But maybe now you can tell me something about yourself. It's like you're interrogating me on purpose.

– I'm sorry if I gave you that impression. I just don't think I'm interesting in any way. I'm good at science, I live with my parents and my brother. And I think I'd like to be-" I thought. – A pilot.

Viper understood my sarcasm. She brushed away a strand of hair that had fallen on her forehead and looked at me incredulously, but with a smile.

– It's a good profession. But I see you're in no hurry to become one. Have you not made up your mind about your profession yet?

"If you only knew what my birthright profession is! I am a hunter!" – I thought, smiling grimly at my own thoughts.

– I haven't thought about it yet," I said instead. – I still have a lifetime ahead of me. I'll have time to decide what I want.

I certainly have. An endless life.

Viper didn't say anything and glanced at her watch.

– I'm sorry, I have to run," she said suddenly, and stood up and picked up the physics textbooks on the table, which had been completely unnecessary and forgotten at today's meeting.

– But it's still ten minutes before the end of class," I said annoyingly, glancing at my wristwatch.

– I know, but I might miss the tram," she replied.

– As far as I'm concerned, they have a pretty frequent route," I said, someone who never tolerated mobility problems. You bet: it's easy to be mobile when you have a car!

Viper grinned.

– 'Not quite. I'll have to wait for the next half hour. I don't live in the centre and can't afford that luxury.

– Then we should make the next appointment,' I reminded him. – How do you feel about that? When?

She hung her bag on her shoulder thoughtfully.

– Monday, five o'clock. Is that okay with you?

– Absolutely.

– Just don't be late," the girl said with a friendly smile and went to hand in her textbooks, then hurried out of the library.

I remained seated in the hall, mentally replaying our conversation in my head, and noted to myself that, for all my disdain for mortals, this girl, Viper, seemed somehow unearthly to me. I didn't feel an inch of disdain for her. It was new to me, almost overwhelming, not to despise a human being. But Viper was a nice mortal girl. And her bright eyes still stood before me. I caught myself at that thought, but this time I didn't blame myself for my weakness, because I knew that what had happened just a few minutes ago was just a tribute to justice and meant nothing to me.

I could not believe myself.

As I left the library and picked up my coat from the coat wardrobe, I couldn't help thinking how pleasant a conversation partner the hated Cedric Morgan had been. Yes, he was terribly late, but still… I realised that I had been wrong about him, and once and for all I decided not to form any opinion about him without even talking to him.

Henceforth, no prejudice! I had been mistaken, God knows what, about Cedric, though I had never spoken to him, and now I was ashamed of myself and of him. Of course he had made me lonely in the library, but when he came in, in spite of my annoyance at him, I noted that he was somewhat confused, but remained polite in response to my sarcastic remarks. When we were finally seated at the table, I looked more closely at Cedric Morgan. I had never seen him so close before, only from a distance, when he walked across the courtyard or up the stairs at the university, but I had never looked at him-it seemed indecent. Today, however, his face appeared before me in full light. And I was surprised to see that his skin was so white-so white, in fact, and not almost transparent, as it is in light-skinned people. And this white skin, as if on purpose, emphasised his dark, almost black as pitch black hair. Until this day, I had seriously thought that Cedric was selfish and that he didn't care about other people. But today Cedric had unwittingly, unknowingly, changed my opinion of himself. And this with a short conversation!

Our conversation was short, but I could hardly take my eyes off the guy's handsome face, as if he had hypnotised me with his cold blue eyes that looked like ice cubes. And yet, despite the coldness, Cedric's eyes radiated friendliness. I kept telling myself not to stare at him… I'd never liked guys with wavy hair, but Cedric's rather long and slightly dishevelled hair suited his cold, aloof appearance perfectly. I have to admit, I've never seen anyone as handsome as him. I hope he didn't notice me staring at him. I didn't mean to stare at him, it was more of an accident: when I'm talking, I always look at the person I'm talking to – it's a sign of attention.

Our next meeting was in two days' time, on Monday, and I hoped that over the weekend I would have prepared myself for the fact that Cedric Morgan's presence would not put me in a slight stupor, as it had done in our first session. I must remember that I was only meeting Cedric because of the programme and nothing more.

Now I understood why this aloof guy had so many admirers: it was like he was attracted to me, yet repulsive at the same time. No, I'm not one of these fools, but I'm just noting this fact – fairly and disinterestedly. Or maybe I'm being a bit sly to myself…