Sixteen-year-old Andrei Eremin considered himself a person who did not depend on the opinion of the majority, and was proud of it. And he had few friends. One day his imaginary independence collapsed - he believed slander and committed an act unworthy of a man - he easily believed the gossip spread by his classmates about Rita, with whom he had warm friendly relations, and even hastened to assure that he was indifferent to her. Having accidentally overheard a conversation between his comrades about himself, in which Valerka, his best friend, took part, he quarreled with him too. Time has passed. Rita, who was painfully experiencing a break with Andrei, found support, tenderness and understanding in Valerka, Eremin’s friend, he is simpler, without ambitions, but much more reliable and generous in spirit. And yet, after this story, a feeling of bitterness remained with them too - after all, Andrei was once their friend...