“An interesting interpretation,” the teacher said softly. “Continue.”
Elena Petrovna paused, her chalk hovering. The class went silent. Usually, 11th graders just recited the pre-written answers to get a good grade and move on.
She pulled her jacket tight and headed for the bus stop. The "11 Klass" year was a marathon, and Mikheeva was her constant, heavy, paper-bound companion on the road to whatever came next.