"Sayonara Tsvetolina!" by Asya Lavrinovich, summary

This story about first love and finding one’s place in a new group was written in 2018. This book is a frank discussion of school bullying, teenage fears, and the ability to assert one’s boundaries. The author transports the reader to St. Petersburg, where the main character confronts the harsh realities of growing up and the need to make moral choices.

Moving and a new life

Olya Vorobyova moves with her parents from a small provincial town to a metropolis. The move is not easy for the family. The relationship between her mother, Ksenia Borisovna, and her father, Yuri Mikhailovich, remains cold and strained. The adults conceal from their daughter the true reasons for their hasty move. Olya senses this falseness and grapples with the family crisis.

On New Year’s Eve, Olya starts tenth grade at a new school. Olya suffers from insecurities about her appearance. She wears her hair long, often lets it hang loose, and prefers to remain unnoticed. Outside biology class, the new girl meets a bright and confident blonde named Rina Sinitsyna. Rina unexpectedly takes Olya under her wing. She quickly earns the affectionate nickname "Sparrow" and fits right in with the school community.

Social hierarchy of the tenth grade

The new class is governed by a strict code of conduct. All power is concentrated in the hands of a trio of popular boys: Vadik Filimonov, Gleb Lisin, and Yegor Vlasov. They dictate unspoken rules of conduct and harshly punish those who dare to disobey them. Zhenya Potupchik is considered the class’s biggest outcast. He was once Yegor Vlasov’s best friend, but due to an old betrayal, he became the target of widespread bullying.

Rina sternly warns Olya to stay away from Potupchik. Violating this rule threatens immediate expulsion from the popular group. Tsvetolina Konstantinova keeps aloof from everyone else. Tsvetolina is an independent and proud girl who isn’t afraid to stand up to Filimonov. Olya watches her classmates with interest, trying to understand the hidden motives behind their actions.

Tensions are constantly running high in the classroom. Yulia Igoshina suffers from Vadik Filimonov’s aggression and hurtful jokes. She cries under the stairs, but continues to endure the humiliation. Tsveta calls Filimonov a typical abuser and advises Yulia to stand up for herself. Olya is shocked by her peers’ cruelty and their unwillingness to acknowledge the pain of others.

Mysterious Interlocutor on the Internet

Olya’s life takes an unexpected turn. She begins receiving anonymous messages online from a mysterious admirer with the nickname "K." The stranger writes her romantic messages, offers support during difficult times, and confesses his deep feelings. He promises to approach her with a stack of papers to reveal his identity. Olya becomes attracted to this virtual interlocutor and desperately tries to identify him among her classmates.

Rina and the other girls are convinced that the mysterious Romeo is Gleb Lisin. Gleb is indeed beginning to show a clear interest in Olya. He walks her home after school, jokes around, and tries to get her attention in every way possible. The new girl is at a loss. At the same time, she notices Zhenya Potupchik’s intense gaze. He’s quiet and reserved, but around him, Olya feels calm and confident.

Olya ignores Rina’s warnings. She begins secretly communicating with Zhenya. It turns out that Potupchik is an intelligent, well-read, and noble man. He tells Olya about his hobbies and shares his innermost thoughts. Olya realizes that Zhenya has become the victim of unfair slander. Olya falls in love with him, but is afraid to admit it, even to herself.

Family secrets and school intrigues

The situation at home continues to escalate. Grandmother Tamara Vasilyevna tries to reconcile her parents, but her efforts are in vain. Olya accidentally discovers the truth about the move. Yuri Mikhailovich is facing serious financial problems. The family is on the brink of bankruptcy. Olya is deeply affected by the shattering of her illusions and is angry at her parents for their constant lies.

A storm is brewing at school, too. Rina discovers Olya’s attraction to Zhenya Potupchik. Sinitsyna confronts her friend. It turns out that Rina herself is pursuing selfish goals. She wanted to use Zhenya’s connections to get close to Yegor Vlasov. Olya is shocked by her friend’s cynicism and breaks off their relationship. The new girl loses her status as the popular girl and finds herself isolated.

Tsveta supports Olya during this difficult time. The girls become closer and become true friends. Tsvetolyna shares her story. She, too, has faced betrayal and deception. Olya learns from Tsveta how to be independent and not depend on the opinions of others.

The denouement and New Year’s miracles

The New Year’s Eve ball is approaching. The school is buzzing with anticipation. Olya waits for her mysterious admirer to finally reveal his identity. Gleb Lisin asks the new girl to dance, but she declines. She realizes she has feelings only for Zhenya.

The climax occurs during a school disco. Olya runs into an empty hallway. There, she runs into Zhenya Potupchik. He’s holding a stack of printed sheets of paper. Olya recalls her virtual companion’s promise. Zhenya admits that he was the one hiding behind the nickname "K." He’d sent her hundreds of messages because he was afraid to approach her in real life due to his outcast status.

Olya is happy. She hugs Zhenya and returns his feelings. The couple returns to the hall, ignoring the whispers and sidelong glances of their classmates. Olya no longer fears public opinion. She has made her choice and is ready to defend her right to happiness.

Tsvetolina also finds love. At the end of the book, Tsvetolina stands in a snowy schoolyard, clutching sheets of paper tightly to her chest. Gleb Lisin stares at her tensely through the falling snow. He only laughs with relief when Tsvetolina smiles first. Old conflicts are left in the past. The characters bid farewell to their fears and grievances, stepping into the new year with hope for a better future.