З життя
Вечерняя встреча
Изменённая история:
Вечер встречи
Лиза всегда считала себя самой невзрачной девочкой в классе. Маленького роста, хрупкая, с рыжими волосами… Она переживала из-за своей внешности и с завистью смотрела на белокурых и голубоглазых одноклассниц.
– Дочка, ты ещё расцветёшь, как бутон розы, – утешала её мама. – В юности я тоже долго оставалась, как девочка. Только к шестнадцати годам стала привлекать внимание. Подожди немного, и мальчики начнут сворачивать головы вслед за тобой. А сейчас тебе всего тринадцать.
– Мама, я не тороплюсь, – тихо отвечала Лиза, приспуская ресницы, но её зелёные глаза выдавали её. Она с грустью смотрела на свое отражение и тяжело вздыхала.
Лиза давно испытывала симпатию к мальчику из параллельного класса – Виталику. Он был спортивным, высоким, весёлым, а его смелость в играх граничила с дерзостью. Наблюдая, как мальчишки играют в баскетбол на уроках физкультуры, Лиза всегда следила за Виталиком. Он заражал всех энергией, и его команда всегда побеждала.
Даже если бы Виталик не был таким симпатичным, он всё равно нравился бы Лизе, но его яркая внешность лишала её надежды на дружбу с таким популярным парнем.
Он всегда был окружён друзьями и подругами, подобраться к нему было невозможно. Он никогда не оставался один. Но даже редкие мгновения, когда они встречались в школьных коридорах, радовали Лизу. И снова её подводила неуверенность в себе. Оказавшись рядом с Виталиком, она избегала смотреть ему в глаза.
Лиза никому не рассказывала о своей симпатии, но казалось, что весь мир знает о её тайне. Она боялась, что её тайну раскроют и над ней будут смеяться.
Так она решила забыть Виталика. Это было нелегко, но со временем она успокоилась и почувствовала внутреннюю гордость.
– Только бы не встречаться с ним, – шептала она себе. И видя его издалека, начинала искать другой маршрут по школе или просто проходила мимо, прячась за спинами одноклассников.
Прошло два года. Лиза хорошо училась, подросла, стала увереннее в себе. Как и предсказывала мать, она расцвела за одно лето, став изящной девушкой.
После восьмого класса Лиза пошла учиться в колледж. О судьбе Виталика и других она изредка слышала от своей бывшей классной руководительницы, Татьяны Семёновны, которая жила по соседству.
На школьные вечера встречи Лиза не ходила, их класс не был особо дружным, и у неё не осталось школьных друзей. Но однажды, по случаю юбилея Татьяны Семёновны, все-таки пришла поздравить любимую учительницу.
Прошло уже тридцать лет с тех пор, как их класс окончил школу. Встреча была эмоциональной, ведь многие не виделись с окончания школы. Пришли даже ребята из параллельного класса.
Лиза удивилась, увидев Виталика. Высокий, представительный мужчина с сединами и аккуратной бородкой. Только его глаза остались такими же – весёлыми и задорными.
В актовом зале было шумно. После поздравлений, адресованных Татьяне Семёновне, компаниями разговаривали в стороне. Многие обнимались.
Каково же было удивление Лизы, когда Виталик подошёл к ней с широкой улыбкой и поприветствовал:
– А вот и моя скрытая школьная любовь… Лиза.
Он поклонился и поцеловал ей руку. Как будто не прошло десятилетий – Лиза зарделась.
– Я? – удивлённо и с радостью спросила она. – Почему я об этом узнаю лишь теперь?
Они оба рассмеялись. У всех давно составлялись семьи, родились дети. Включая Виталика и Лизу.
Виталик рассказывал о своей жизни, работе и семье.
– У меня тоже есть сын, – как мечтала, ответила Лиза. Она задумалась и вдруг спросила:
– Но скажи, почему я тебе нравилась? Ведь я была такой тихоней, некрасивой…
– Именно. Ты была другой, и не искала популярности, как все. Ты всегда проходила мимо гордо подняв голову. Мне было не подойти к тебе. Ты нравилась. Но это остались лишь сладкие воспоминания юности.
– И ты мне нравился, – вдруг проговорила Лиза. – Но это была детская влюблённость.
– Кто знает… – задумчиво сказал Виталик. – Может мы что-то упустили.
– Возможно, – смеясь ответила Лиза. – Может, встретимся в следующей жизни…
– Я буду искать твои зелёные глаза, – мягко сказал Виталик, улыбаясь. Он был очарован Лизой, проявившейся красавицей.
Вдруг Лизу окликнули.
– Мам! Мы с папой приехали за тобой, как обещали…
Через толпу пробирался молодой человек.
– Познакомься, это мой сын… – представила Лиза с улыбкой.
– Виталий, – назвался он бодро.
– Виталий Юрьевич, – ответил Виталик, протянув руку. Он посмотрел на Лизу с удивлением и какой-то теплотой.
Лиза махнула ему и направилась к выходу. У дверей школы Виталик догнал её.
– Послушай, Лиза… – с лёгкой грустью он поблагодарил её. – Спасибо тебе…
– За что? – удивляясь спросила Лиза.
– Спасибо за сына. Ещё один Виталька растёт. Спасибо за память…
Лиза молча кивнула, села в машину.
Муж Лизы спросил:
– Как прошло?
– Хорошо, – ответила она. – Много одноклассников приехало. Приятно было увидеть. И грустно немного — время нас всех меняет… Я рада за Татьяну Семёновну. Настоящая учительница. Дай ей Бог здоровья и терпения на долгие годы.
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