Interviewer: My first question is probably like that of all readers: "Is Ivan really going to return in the next book? What the…?"
Author: Yes. And, as I said, the story will be completely concluded in Bad Girl. So, when I release this book, I recommend reading it because, in my opinion, it wraps up the entire story.
Interviewer: So what will Ivan be doing?
Author: That, I won't tell you; otherwise, I'll ruin the whole surprise. Although his appearance is hard to call exactly a surprise since it will obviously not be in a positive light.
Interviewer: Then let's talk about Maxim, who turned out to be Rebel Boy. What can you say?
Author: I want to immediately explain why he became like that, so readers won't say it doesn't match his character or that "he was different" in the first two books. As I said before, I wrote the books consecutively, in a short period—plot and dialogues together. So they came out as they were originally: without long breaks in writing, and I felt the characters very well.
Interviewer: Then why did he, so to speak, turn to the side of evil, although he was a perfect guy?
Author: I wanted to show how much he resembles Katrin and reveal him from Rebel Boy's side. Before this, if there were fights, it was only in self-defense, and in races, he reacted worse than Katrin does in this book.
Interviewer: But still…?
Author: Maxim went through a lot during these three and a half years of separation. He was deeply attached to Katrin from the start, and in the second book, their bond grew even stronger. Especially impactful was being abandoned by his parents, and Katrin was the first in all these years to accept him with love. Yes, love can be different, but he needed it. When Maxim found "his person," he clung to her with all his soul, and losing her felt like a part of his soul was torn away.
Interviewer: But that's not a reason to grieve so much as to go on the roof. Especially since Vi promised to tell him where she was afterwards.
Author: I understand that Maxim is hard to comprehend if you haven't experienced such intense feelings. But I, as the author, feel him, as strange as that may sound. I want to clarify: alcohol, parties, racing, and fights were his way of easing the pain and being "close to her." And the roof—that was a moment of despair. In his heart, he wasn't sure that Grandfather would really tell him the truth and that, after so many years, he would meet Katrin. Later, a year after, he felt better and didn't do such things anymore.
Interviewer: Was it really that painful for Maxim?
Author: Yes. Because besides being alone, everything around reminded him of her. Here they sat in class, here they first met, here they kissed… And that's only in the institute! In the dormitory, the memories were even more, because he lived in that room until his father took him to a rented apartment.
Interviewer: Yes, you really understand your characters well.
Author: He just loves deeply. And after such love, when you are alone again, it's unclear how to live because those bright months were the happiest time of his life.
Interviewer: Will Maxim continue being Rebel Boy?
Author: Rebel Boy walked on the edge throughout the book, and I tried not to cross the line with him. Don't think he will remain like that forever. Yes, the traits will stay, but now Rebel Boy is surrounded by the love of his Rebel Girl and ready to start a new life with his beloved, rather than go the old path of pain. Readers should understand him: he acted not out of hatred, but out of pain.
Interviewer: Why didn't Maxim give Katrin a chance immediately?
Author: Actually, he did, but she didn't accept him.
Interviewer: How so?
Author: He arrived happy and wanted to immediately restore everything as it was. But Katrin's reaction was cold: sometimes she didn't want to go with him, sometimes she clearly didn't rejoice at his return. For Maxim, it looked as if she no longer wanted to be with him. In the end, little things formed the picture: she didn't feel sorry for leaving him. Subconsciously, he decided to show her his pain and what he had become after her departure, though initially, he hadn't planned it.
Interviewer: Now it all starts to make sense. I better understand why he acted that way.
Author: Maxim is not a villain and never was. Even the episode in the bathroom is a very striking moment. He didn't plan to force her and never would. The kiss was an attempt to show: "I love you despite the pain." Then memories of her leaving flooded back, and he tried to return that same pain with words. Maxim wanted to show that she hurt him by what she said and that it still hurts. But it wasn't an attempt at assault—he didn't cause physical pain, only emotional. Seeing her reaction, he realized he overdid it and tried to fix the situation, but due to the tension in their relationship, he didn't even know what to say and decided it was better to just leave. At the end, holding Katrin close and saying "we" to Alice, he wanted to show: "I still love you, no matter what."
Interviewer: I'm glad they're together again and that nightmare for Katrin and Maxim is over.
Author: I know there will be those dissatisfied with his behavior. But in my opinion, they don't see the whole picture yet. In the next books, Maxim will earn forgiveness—from Katrin and from readers. If anyone expects actions from Maxim, there will be plenty, and he will earn Katrin's forgiveness, and what happens next will be what he earns forgiveness for everything he did in this book. Future events will show his actions, and he, being emotional, will not forgive himself for years. It's not depression, but inner torment will always be present.
Interviewer: Yes, there will be those who say you ruined the character.
Author: But in the following books, he will earn forgiveness again and again. You have to understand: the first and second books cover almost four months, and the third only one month! That's a small part of their life and story. Maxim didn't torment Katrin all that time. Only for two weeks did he express his pain and misunderstanding. While they traveled, stayed with his mother, lived together—essentially, those two weeks could be called his peculiar, let's say, revenge. Although I see it more as an expression of pain and lack of understanding of what Katrin felt. She spoke little about the past and tried to forget everything, start anew. So I ask you, as the author, don't hate Maxim too much for this. They met after so much time, and anyone else in his place would have caused a scandal over her hiding a daughter, over the mess she caused (I mean Vlad), and then leaving silently. He loves her deeply, and those years without her were too painful. I want you to understand: he made mistakes in the heat of emotions. But he didn't blame Katrin his whole life or endlessly show his pain. He struggled with not knowing and the forced separation that happened beyond his control. He tried to enjoy their return, but Katrin's slight reservedness and his own inner pain turned into the plot that unfolded.
Interviewer: In your opinion, who deserves more sympathy? Who was wrong?
Author: I feel sorry for both of them. Katrin tried to speak, offered Maxim to ask questions. But he… you understand.
Interviewer: How could this have been avoided?
Author: They should have talked and clarified everything immediately. Katrin, being in shock, didn't react happily to his arrival as he expected. Then she didn't want to move in together. Things escalated day by day. Maxim waited for simple words: "Maxim, I'm sorry I left you. I love you." Those words would have melted his heart. But she didn't know how to say them.
Interviewer: A very interesting decision, and I agree with you. What will happen in the fourth book?
Author: Lots of love between Maxim and Katrin. Their "candy-bouquet period" comes, where they grow even closer and will be together, like before, if not more. They deserve happiness.
Interviewer: I completely agree that your characters deserved this.
Author: Of course, there will also be action-packed moments, but mostly fun and happiness. Fans of this couple will get what they've been waiting for so long.
Interviewer: Will everything really go smoothly?
Author: Them being together doesn't mean there won't be problems. Like in life, the past doesn't disappear. But the main thing is—they're together now. I tried to make them as realistic as possible.
Interviewer: So there will be arguments again?
Author: Not exactly. More like serious heart-to-heart conversations. But overall, the book will be accompanied by happiness. So those who were waiting for romantic dates will get them in full.
Interviewer: Then it's time to read it.
Author: Enjoy the reading! I love you—as my characters love you.
Interviewer: Even Ivan?
Author: No, Ivan is incapable of love. (laughs loudly) But Katrin, Maxim, Mary, Grandfather Vi, Vera, Elena Dmitrievna, Katrin's grandmother, and Alice love you and are waiting in the next book.
Next book is Rebel Boy. Part 2: Life with Rebel Girl