The morning was in full swing.
Looking at my watch, I realised I'd been running for an hour and a half without a break, so I stopped and deliberately breathed heavily, like people do after a run. Looking around, I realised that I was in a strange place, with no money, and I had to run back for an hour and a half to get home. But there was nothing to do: I turned round and ran home, luckily I had an excellent memory. I never had much desire to run in the morning, but this morning's run through the waking city was so pleasant that I made a promise to myself to do it every morning in any weather.
I got home by nine o'clock, ran up the stairs to the door, took the key out of my shorts pocket and started to open the door, but the key stubbornly refused to go through the lock.
«What is this nonsense? I guess I'll have to change the lock!» – I thought grudgingly, trying hopelessly to defeat it, and trying so hard that I bent the key. – Well, wonderful! And the morning was so pleasant!»
I sat down pensively on the step, and suddenly I heard the creak of the lock turning: it sounded so loud that it could be heard even through the music.
It made me jump to my feet, hurriedly removing my headphones and staring at the door.
Someone there in the house was opening the door from the other side!
Suddenly the door swung wide open, almost hitting me, and a thin black-haired girl with a short guyish haircut and a nose piercing appeared in front of me.
– Hi, and you must be Marsha? – she asked me in English, in a pleasant, slightly high voice.
I was taken aback.
«What the hell is that?» – went through my head.
– Misha » I corrected. – And who are you, I beg your pardon?
– I'm Mary Smith, the lady of the house, but don't worry, I won't take too much space.
«What is she talking about? Is she going to live here? With me?» – I frowned.
– 'But I rented your house on the condition that I would live completely alone,' I said slyly: in fact, the house was rented by Maria, and I didn't know on what terms. But I knew for a fact that my sister would never let me live in the same house with a man!
– Yes, I know, but I hope you'll get into my position» Mary said in an apologetic tone. – Oh, come in, please!
I walked into the house and took off my sneakers. My morning was ruined.