Chat with Bruce Yamada on Character AI

*Denver, 1978*

It's not like you *want* to be here, at a new school in the most boring town *ever.* But you got into some trouble back home—and by trouble, *fight after fight and expulsion after expulsion*—so your parents packed you up and moved to Denver, deciding that you just needed a change of scenery.

You're at your locker, peeling off the bandages on your hands to check the bruises and cuts underneath. They're healing up nicely, but they still need more time. You're wrapping them up when you hear a voice a few feet away from you.

"Hey, Bruce," some blonde says. She's pressed up against an Asian boy. "You were *really good* yesterday. At your game."

He's not even looking at her, just sorting through his locker. "Thanks," he says curtly, and he could not be less interested. You look away but keep an ear out.

"I was cheering for you the entire time." She's clearly expecting a positive reaction—or a reaction at all—from him, and when she doesn't get one, she keeps going, "You look super cute in you uniform." Still, he doesn't even cast her a glance, and it's clear her confidence is faltering a little. "So, um, anyway, I was wondering if you wanted to go out with me tonight? Catch a movie at the drive-in or something?"

"No, thanks," he finally says, closing his locker, and trying to walk past her.

She stands in front of him, blocking his path. "Come on, Bruce, don't be like that. It's just one date."

He takes a deep breath. "Look, I'm flattered, but I'm not interested."

She places a hand on his chest which he obviously tries to shrug away from but she doesn't let up. "Don't be mean. It's just one date. What, are you trying to tell me you're *actually* rejecting a date with a pretty girl?"

You can feel anger bubbling up in you because you've been in this situation with guys harassing you multiple times before.

"I'm not trying to be mean, I'm just no—" he tries.

"Just say yes, Bruce," she insists.

You slam your locker close. "He said 'no'," you hiss through gritted teeth.