"Don’t Be Friends with Me" by Asya Lavrinovich, summary Automatic translate

This book tells the story of students Polina Kovaleva and Pavel Dolgikh, whose long-standing romance is tested by jealousy and comical misunderstandings. Published in 2022, the novel is positioned as a striking example of the contemporary young adult genre, captivating audiences with its lively dialogue and sincere coming-of-age experiences. The plot is distinguished by the gentle irony of the protagonist, who views events through the prism of her own complexes. The events unfold in an unnamed metropolis and a small southern coastal town.

A friend’s unexpected crush

Polina and Pavel, political science students, have been friends since school. Polina secretly has a crush on her friend, but Pavel calls her by male nicknames — Jean-Paul or Apollinary. Suddenly, he confesses his attraction to Ulyana Shatskaya. Polina has hated Shatskaya since school, as her mother constantly holds up the perfect Ulyana as an example to her neglectful daughter. Pavel asks Polina to help him win Ulyana over. In exchange, he promises to set her up with surfer German Buravin. Polina agrees to the deal, but secretly decides, "I’m definitely going to ruin their relationship."

Pavel organizes a group trip to boxing class. During sparring, Ulyana accidentally hits Polina hard on the head. Pavel shows genuine concern for his friend, forgetting about Ulyana. Later, Pavel hires Polina’s twelve-year-old neighbor, Gosha Smirnov. Gosha is supposed to deliver Ulyana a bouquet and a love note. Polina persuades Gosha to replace the letter. The new note is riddled with spelling errors. Polina hopes this illiteracy will turn off the excellent student Ulyana. On a double date at a vegetarian cafe, German Buravin openly flirts with Polina. This visibly angers Pavel. During lunch, Ulyana receives a message from contact "M," becomes nervous, and hurries out of the establishment.

The Mystery of Abandoned Garages

Polina spots Ulyana on the street and secretly follows her through the rain. Shatskaya heads toward some abandoned garages in a private residential area. Near the garages, Polina is attacked by a small dog named Grunya. A local teenager in orange boots rescues the student. The boy explains that a blue-eyed girl often comes to garage number 48 to meet a tall, long-haired man. The teenager hints at a dangerous crime situation in the area.

Polina drives Pavel to the garages. They hide in the car, with the seats down, to spy on the mysterious stranger. Instead of the long-haired guy, an older man named Stepanych approaches the neighboring garage. Pavel twirls his finger at his temple and drives the distraught Polina home. The exam session is over. The students drive to their hometown by the sea in an old Mercedes. On the way, the car breaks down. The young people while away the time at a roadside cafe. Pavel kisses Polina on the temple, after which an awkward silence ensues between the friends.

Return to the coast

Upon arrival, Polina helps her mother sell fruit at the market. Her fellow stallholder, Alexander Vazgenovich, praises her commercial skills. Suddenly, Polina spots the same long-haired guy from the garages at the market. She runs after him, wearing a cherry-stained apron. The guy rides off on a skateboard, refusing to recognize Polina, and calls himself Matvey. Ulyana’s younger sister, Angelina, had previously told Polina that this guy’s name was Misha. According to Angelina, he works as an accompanist for their strict grandmother.

Polina decides to visit Ulyana disguised as her best friend. Grandma Shatskykh greets her warmly and treats the girls to a charlotte cake. Polina concocts a ridiculous story about a train ride together to cover for Ulyana, who allegedly spent the night at Polina’s house. Alone, Polina advises Shatskykh to break off her dangerous relationship with Matvey. Angelina invites Polina to a party at the Shatskykh mansion, hosted by her older brother, Stas. Polina attends with Pavel. She spots Ulyana and Matvey sneaking up to the fence, climbing over it, and driving away in a Fiat 500.

Abduction in the forest

Polina forces Pavel to give chase. The students drive along a winding, serpentine road. A black jeep follows them. Ulyana disappears from sight, and Pavel turns into a dark dacha village. The car stops in a dense forest. Nervous tension turns to passion, and Pavel passionately kisses Polina. Suddenly, unknown assailants slam on the windshield. Two bandits drag the students outside. A skinny criminal and a tall, muscular man take Polina and Pavel to an abandoned building. The bandits tie the students to chairs in a dank room. The muscular man punches Pavel in the face.

The criminals demand they hand over their stash of drugs. They soon realize they’ve captured not the drug dealer Matvey, but a complete stranger. The thug threatens Polina with reprisals against her family if she goes to the police. The criminals blindfold the students, put them in a car with a fighting dog, and drive them into the forest. Pavel and Polina free themselves from the ropes. Polina’s phone is broken. She cries, and Pavel comforts her. They walk for a long time through the thicket. Fear brings them even closer. Pavel climbs a tall tree to get a better look. Polina is frightened by rustling sounds in the forest.

In the morning, the exhausted students head out onto the highway. A truck driver offers them tea. Then, German Buravin picks them up in his new sports car. German admits he spread rumors about his affair with Polina for the sake of his own image. Polina returns home and has a heartfelt conversation with her mother. Lidiya Arkadyevna admits she was very worried about her daughter. The girl explains to her mother that it’s impossible to always be perfect. The family relationship becomes warm and trusting. Later, it is revealed that German Buravin secretly eloped with the local mayor’s wife.

Denouement

In the morning, Ulyana comes to the Kovalevs’ house. Shatskaya informs them that she and Matvey are forced to leave the city forever. Ulyana apologizes to Polina for dragging her into a dangerous situation with drug dealers. Polina gives Ulyana her push-button phone so they can communicate. The girls say goodbye, forgetting their former feud. That evening, Polina comes to the pier. Pavel is cleaning old wax off his surfboard. The students lock themselves in the equipment shed. They eat sushi rolls and drink wine. Polina confesses her love to Pavel, and he reciprocates.

The young couple spend the night together on the floor among the gymnasium boards, listening to the crash of the sea waves. In the morning, Polina runs home while Pavel is asleep. She’s afraid her friend will view this night as a simple affair. That evening, Polina sits on the seashore, examining a beautiful white shell. Pavel finds Polina and is angry at her escape. She asks him to forget about their intimacy to preserve their friendship. Pavel replies that he’s loved Polina since ninth grade, when he got into a fight with Max Galushin over her. Pavel grabs Polina in his arms and carries her into the sea. The students fall into the waves fully clothed and kiss.