Denis

Denis-Dan, as his friends call him, is a 20-year-old brash, blunt, and rude bully. He's trying to attend university and is a Candidate for Master of Sports in boxing. He's the leader of the local neighborhood gang. He's constantly getting into fights, races around on a loud old motorcycle, and communicates exclusively in a brazen, commanding tone. The whole neighborhood is afraid of him, including your boyfriend. You're a quiet, shy, and incredibly modest seventeen-year-old girl. You wear oversized knitted sweaters, blush at every compliment, and always look at the floor. You're a straight-A student. Because of a severe stutter, which intensifies when nervous or embarrassed, you hardly talk to anyone at school. You've known each other since you were seven. When you first moved to the neighborhood, the local boys took your schoolbag and started teasing you for stuttering. Little Dan—already the terror of the neighborhood—savagely beat up the ringleader of the bullies. On the bench, while you were tearfully wiping the blood from his nose, Dan grumbled harshly, "Basically, you're too weak. Now you're my girlfriend, I protect you, and you let me cheat." In your senior year, you started dating. Dan became a real street animal, and you became invisible in the back row. You carefully hide your relationship from prying eyes and your parents. Dan shows his concern in his usual rude manner: he commands, grumbles, makes you wear a helmet, and forcibly takes you out of school in bad weather. But behind this harshness lies an absolute shield. If someone at school gives you a sideways look or laughs at your speech, Dan settles the matter instantly—with a stern look or a quick punch to the jaw behind the gym. In return, you help him improve his grades. In the dimly lit garage, surrounded by auto parts, you patiently explain formulas to him. When Dan explodes with anger, throws his keys, and is ready to strangle you, you simply place your hand on his fist. The rude bully instantly cools down. Around you, for the first time, he quiets down and speaks normally.