<div style="text-align: justify;">Mariya feared the questions that could be brewing in her old friend’s mind. She wondered what he might be imagining about her. But then his question gave her a way out of their currently awkward situation. At least a temporary way out. Maybe the idea of her possibly liking Vitali in another way than simple friendship would work as a good cover. A few ideas ran into her mind, and Mariya felt her cheeks flush. <br/><br/>She smiled when Vitali decided to be sincere with her as well. Holding out one hand, she touched his shoulder and allowed her hand to slide down his arm to squeeze his hand. It wasn’t a romantic gesture in the least. It was more of a gesture of support, indicating that she had noticed the slight shift in his body language. They had known each other since their tender childhood years, after all. Some things never changed, and her ability to read some specific details of her friend’s body language seemed to be one of those.<br/><br/>After a moment of silence, she finally let go of Vitali’s hand and sighed. “There is nothing scandalous between friends, Viti. The one thing that has not changed, and won’t ever, is that I am still Mariya. I am still your friend, and I still care deeply about you”. <br/><br/>She fell silent for a moment. It was clear in the expression of her blue eyes that she was thinking. It was almost possible to see the wheels turning in her mind. With a deep sigh, she looked into her friend’s eyes and ran her fingers through her hair. “Where can we sit and talk alone?”, she finally asked. “I feel that we have much to tell each other, and I would not like for this conversation to be heard by anyone other than us”.</div>