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He goes out into the courtyard, hoping to meet his new neighbour so that he can try once again to make friends with her. To that end, he takes with him something he thinks may interest her: a Rubik's cube that he has solved. He shows it to her, scrambles it and offers to let her keep it for a couple of days.
She strikes it to the ground and says, "I told you I couldn't be your friend. Quit bugging me!"
Some time later, the bullies hit him with a switch, cutting his cheek. That night he again sees his new neighbour. Seeing him approaching her, she begins, "Didn't I tell you to ... hey, what happened to you?"
"Some classmates..."
"Did you fight back?"
"Nah, I didn't want to sink to their level."
"You're at total wimp! I don't even want to be your friend until you find some guts!"