Nora didn't stay at the ball.
Not Kalina.
When we returned to the hallway, she stood there with Nora's dress and her eyes wet with tears.
“I’m sorry,” Kalina said. “If I had known it would be like this, I would have returned it to you immediately.”
Nora shook her head.
"No. The dress is yours tonight.
"But you...
I don’t want to dance anyway.
Kalina swallowed.
We can sit somewhere. The two.
Nora smiled barely.
"Yes. But not here.
I watched the two girls.
One had given her dress without expecting anything in return.
The other was ready to bring her back because she could see her friend needed her.
Both, in their own way, were more mature than many adults.
Before we left, Mrs. Valcheva approached Nora.
"Can I hug you?" he asked.
Nora hesitated.
Then he nodded.
The principal hugged her carefully.
When he backed off, he said:
Your father would be proud of you.
Nora didn't answer.
But her face broke.
She left the hall with Kalina, and I stayed with the headmistress for a moment.
"What was it?" I asked.
She looked at me in surprise.
Stefan?
I nodded.
