link to chapter 9: http://section7mfu.livejournal.com/40115.html
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
“I did not mean anything by it.” Natasha cautiously stepped back as he rose towards her.
“Do not be afraid, I am not going to hurt you.”
“I know. You think you are so zhestkiĭ, smoking, drinking and gambling...fighting the older boys.”
“I am tough...why should you care?” He spoke with bravado.
She took a copy of Tolstoy from the shelf. “This is why. You are a smart one, not the same as the others. I like that.”
He blushed. It had been a long time since anyone had been nice to him...not since Irina.*

* ref. “Beginnings”
“Do not be afraid, I am not going to hurt you.”
“I know. You think you are so zhestkiĭ, smoking, drinking and gambling...fighting the older boys.”
“I am tough...why should you care?” He spoke with bravado.
She took a copy of Tolstoy from the shelf. “This is why. You are a smart one, not the same as the others. I like that.”
He blushed. It had been a long time since anyone had been nice to him...not since Irina.*
* ref. “Beginnings”