⏱ ~3 min reading
Zoryana approached Marinka during the break. She looked left and right to see if anyone was listening. Then she leaned in close to her ear.
— Marinka. I'll tell you. But not to anyone. Do you promise?
— I promise.
— Honestly, honestly?
— Honestly, honestly.
Zoryana whispered:
"We're going to have a baby at home. A little one. Mom hasn't told anyone yet - it's too early. And I couldn't stand it. I told you.".
Marinka froze. She looked at Zoryana with big eyes.
"Oh!" she breathed softly. "A girl or a boy?"
"We don't know yet. It's still very little.".
— Are you happy?
"I'm so happy. I'm just afraid to tell you - because my mother said to wait until she tells me herself. And I told you.".
They hugged. Marinka felt her heart leap from such an important secret.
Marinka walked around with it on her chest all day. It was big and round, like a balloon that had to be held tightly.
In math class, Polina was sitting next to me.
“Marinka, why are you so radiant today?” she asked.
"Just like that," Marinka smiled.
— Why «just like that»? Tell me!
Marinka was startled. She wanted to tell him. After all, Polina is also her friend. And Polina won't tell anyone. Probably. Almost certainly.
But Marinka remembered Zoryana's eyes. How she looked around. How she whispered. How she begged: "no one.".
"I found an old photo of my grandmother in the closet," Marinka said quickly. It was also true, only different. "That's why I'm smiling.".
"Ah," said Polina. "Will you show me later?"
— I'll show you.
Lizochka ran up to the gym.
— Marinka, you have some kind of secret, I can see it. Tell me!
Marinka shook her head.
— There is no secret.
"Well, tell me! I'm nobody's business!"
Marinka gritted her teeth. That's what she wanted to say. It's so interesting.
But she imagined — Zoryana is coming to school tomorrow, and everyone already knows. And Zoryana looks at her. And never trusts her again.
"Lizochka," Marinka said calmly. "Just in a good mood. No reason.".
After school, Marinka walked home for a long time. Her legs dragged her through the park. She sat on a bench and looked at the pigeons. The ball in her chest was clenching and beating.
At home, Marinka went to her grandmother. Grandma was knitting socks and listening to the radio.
"Grandma," said Marinka. "What's it like to keep someone's secret?"
Grandma put down her knitting needles.
— It's hard, swallow. Especially when it's big and kind. I want to share.
— I really want to.
"And you know what I'll say? A friend who has entrusted you with his own is like a bird that has landed on your palm. If you squeeze your palm, you catch it. But it won't land again. And if you keep it quiet, it will come back again and again.".
Marinka thought.
"So keeping quiet is also good?"
"It's not just good. It's love.".
Marinka didn't tell her grandmother what the secret was. She just hugged her and went to do her homework.
A month later, Zoryana came to school - radiant.
— Marinka! Mom has already told everyone! We are going to have a little sister!
“I’m so glad!” exclaimed Marinka.
The girls hugged. Zoryana paused for a second and whispered:
— Marinka. Thank you.
— For what?
"I know you didn't tell anyone. I checked. I asked Polina, Lizka. No one knew. You're the real thing.".
Marinka didn't answer anything. She just hugged her friend tighter.
The lump in my chest dissolved and became just warmth.
💡 What is said in confidence remains in confidence.