Without warning her husband, Anna unexpectedly arrived at the cabin. But as soon as she entered the house, she felt like she was about to faint from what she saw….

— «Did Max make such an impression on you?» The girl didn’t deny and nodded affirmatively. — «Happens. He’s charismatic like that.»

Then on stage performed the band «Fairway,» whose leader was Max. The guys gave their all, the crowd accepted them with cheers. These were real stars, even if local for now.

To Anna, their performance was no worse than concerts shown on TV. Most likely, this group awaited a big future. Upbeat music, lyrics full of meaning, the guys sang about love, friendship, injustice.

Each word resonated in Anna’s heart. And not only hers, judging by the audience’s reaction. The crowd in front of the stage sang along, danced, had fun.

The guys knew how to hold the audience. Anna’s attention was mainly on Max. He was so simultaneously brutal and tender, strong and energetic.

Sometimes the guy smiled, but his eyes remained serious. Anna watched him from her seat, without looking away. — «Cool guys.

I met them long ago, when I went to a disco at their university. By the way, they all study at law school. Future lawyers.»

— «Got it.» — was all Anna could say. Something inexplicable was happening to her.

Never had another person made such an impression on her. But here the girl watched Max without looking away. And he attracted her more and more, like a magnet.

She didn’t even notice the others. The guys performed a few more songs and returned to the table. The evening flowed on.

Max chatted with friends, joked with girls. He hardly paid attention to Anna anymore. Heated from the performance and success, slightly tousled, he emanated some special energy.

And how other girls looked at him. From time to time, one would come up to invite Max to dance or chat. These were very beautiful young ladies.

Long-legged, slim, bright, and very confident. Anna immediately understood she had no chance with Max. He’s a local star, so many fans.

Anna is a gray mouse against them. Should have listened to Sophie and worn something more attractive. Sitting here in jeans and t-shirt, like some invisible.

Max then somehow unnoticed vanished. Left with someone to party further. The evening immediately lost all charm for Anna.

She called a taxi and went home, leaving Sophie with her friends. Since then, Anna often thought of Max. Recalled his eyes, smile, and that light kiss at meeting.

How the girl wanted this person to touch her again. Anna carefully hid her feelings from Sophie. But she, of course, noticed and understood everything…

She was sensitive and insightful. Sophie now purposely invited Anna to the club if meeting Max and his company. And somehow unnoticed, the girl became one of them.

She and Max often talked, discussed movies or news. The guy turned out very thoughtful and deep. And also? Also, their views coincided on many issues.

Anna loved being near Max, looking into his eyes, talking to him. Sometimes he friendly put his arm around her shoulders, making Anna’s heart melt like ice cream in the sun. But Max was surrounded everywhere by beautiful nymph-fans.

Sometimes he looked at one of them so that Anna was ready to run from the bar or club without looking back from jealousy and despair. How she wanted Max to look at her with the same admiration. — «Max is a heartbreaker,» Sophie once said about him.

«And no wonder. Girls throw themselves at him.» — «Does he have… Is he dating someone?» — «No, nothing serious.

He’s too busy with music, the band, studies. No time for serious relationships, that’s for sure.» Her friend’s words pleased Anna.

But on the other hand, what did it matter to her that Max’s heart was free for now? Anyway, this guy would never look at her like at those beauties. He sees her only as a pal, good conversationalist, girl from the company. Well, it’s still better than nothing.

And yet Anna died of jealousy and envy every time Max paid attention to one of his many fans. The girl had never noticed aggression in herself before. But she wanted to grab the next such beauty by the hair and throw her down the stairs, preferably with kicks.

Only Sophie seemed to notice this. — «Dim the eyes, Fury,» she whispered smiling into her friend’s ear sometimes. — «Anyway, Max doesn’t need her.

He doesn’t need anyone now. It’s just fleeting infatuation for inspiration.» Sophie.

She was very attentive and wise beyond her years. Noticed everything, always drew right conclusions. Anna fully trusted her opinion.

Pity their paths diverged after university. Bright Sophie left to seek happiness in Los Angeles. At first, friends texted sometimes, then it quieted.

It happens. About a year passed since Anna met Max. They became good friends, and the girl’s life changed a lot.

Before, Anna’s days were filled only with studies, but now… Now it turned out with proper organization, one could successfully combine education and fun. Anna discovered a whole world, new acquaintances, communication with interesting people, and first love. Yes.

Anna was already 20, but she fell in love for the first time. Before, she liked school boys, but it was nothing like what she felt for Max now. And even if feelings were unrequited, they still enriched Anna, inspired, filled with special energy, and strangely made her stronger.

Anna dreamed, now she often dreamed of Max hugging her, confessing love. It was all so unreal and fabulously beautiful. Max studied, rehearsed a lot, performed with his band at various city venues.

Fairway was becoming more popular, guys were invited to corporate events and birthdays, their earnings grew. The band started in a garage of one participant’s father was gaining fame, and Anna understood why perfectly. All these guys were talented and sincere, their songs had deep meaning and touched fine strings in listeners’ souls, and catchy melodies made move to the beat.

Fairway members were sincerely in love with their craft, hence the success. Max, the recognized leader, once attended music school long ago. He told so amusingly how he hated that place.

Boring lessons of solfeggio and music literature, no choice of pieces, strict hostile teachers, exams, constant practices—all that almost killed the talented boy’s desire for music. Fortunately, grandma influenced Max’s parents, and they let him quit music school. And then, then Max did what he really liked.

Started composing lyrics and music himself. First listeners were neighborhood kids. They appreciated the music.

A couple times Max even performed at a local cafe. His first minute of fame was before truckers eating barbecue. They accepted him with cheers, applauded long, asked to play more.

It inspired the young musician. And then? Then he finished school, and parents suggested son apply to law in the city. Max was a smart guy…

Studies always came easy to him. But the young musician had no particular professional preferences. He’d like to become a famous guitarist or singer, found a band, make millions.

But Max understood perfectly—it was just dreams. Chances of them coming true were slim. Here in his suburban town, he’s a rising star.

But in the city—probably tons like him. Competition so high, no point hoping. In the city, Max met like-minded people, guys who like him loved music.

And most importantly—knew how to create it. So the band «Fairway» appeared. The guys decided to try, what did they have to lose? And initially, friends just wanted to have fun.

Rehearsed in a father’s garage of one Fairway member. Then performed at a holiday event at their law school. Among listeners was accidentally a local bar owner.

He invited the guys to play at his place in the evening, for money, even if small. And off it went.

Guys wrote new songs and performed in clubs and bars. They gained fame. Made their own website, regularly posting new compositions.

Songs were often downloaded. «Fairway» was known far beyond the city. A couple times even invited to capital clubs.

And then «Fairway» had real tours. What started as entertainment became something more serious and impressive. It inspired and encouraged the guys.

Anna sincerely rejoiced for them. But at the same time, the band’s growing popularity meant Max turning into an idol for young beauties. Someday one would steal his heart.

And who knows, maybe that girl would be against their warm friendly chats. Friendship would end. Thinking about it was very hard.

It was a warm May evening. Exams behind, admission to session in pocket, finals still far. Anna had plenty of time to have fun and rest a bit.

The girl decided to go to the club with Sophie. Especially since «Fairway» was performing there today. The guys weren’t at the club yet…