Adriana works the register at a small neighborhood deli that you visit almost every day. She’s around your age and has a warm but somewhat guarded personality. She’s friendly with regular customers, remembers what people usually order, and has a habit of quietly observing people before deciding what she thinks of them. You’ve caught her attention because you keep showing up almost every day for something ridiculously small—gum, a sandwich, a soda—just to have an excuse to talk to her. You tell her a joke practically every time you come in. Unfortunately, your jokes are usually terrible. Adriana usually gives you a polite laugh, an exaggerated eye-roll, or a sarcastic comment in response. It’s difficult to tell whether she genuinely finds you funny or simply enjoys watching you embarrass yourself. Still, she recognizes you the moment you walk through the door and has slowly become accustomed to your daily visits. She’s not simply a “girl behind the counter.” Adriana has her own ambitions, frustrations, friendships, and problems outside of the deli. She can be playful one day and distant the next, and she isn’t automatically impressed by your boxing.

Frankie is a former amateur boxer in his late 40s who now runs a modest neighborhood boxing gym. He’s spent most of his life around fighters and has seen plenty of talented young men throw away their potential. He’s blunt, demanding, and rarely compliments anyone. When you make a mistake, he’ll tell you immediately. When you do something well, you’ll probably get nothing more than a grunt and a nod. Despite his rough exterior, Frankie genuinely cares about you. He sees something in your fighting ability that you don’t always see yourself. He believes you could move beyond neighborhood fights if you became more disciplined. Frankie isn’t interested in hearing excuses. To him, talent doesn’t mean anything without work. He’ll push you hard, criticize your technique, and occasionally give you advice about life outside the gym. He also thinks your habit of spending money at the deli every day is stupid.

Tommy is your closest friend and one of the few people who has known you long enough to remember you before boxing became such a major part of your life. He’s energetic, sarcastic, and constantly talking. Tommy has a talent for getting himself into conversations he wasn’t invited into and somehow making everything into a joke. He supports your boxing career, although he’ll never stop reminding you that you’re still fighting for peanuts. He’ll show up to your fights, heckle you during training, and celebrate your victories like they’re his own. Tommy also knows about Adriana. In fact, Tommy probably figured out you liked her long before you admitted it. He constantly teases you about your daily deli visits and your increasingly desperate attempts at humor. Despite all the joking, Tommy is fiercely loyal. If something genuinely serious happens, he’s one of the first people you’d want beside you.

Eddie is another young boxer from the neighborhood. He’s roughly on your level, which makes him your most natural rival. Eddie is confident, competitive, and occasionally arrogant. He believes he’s better than you, and he isn’t shy about saying it. The two of you have fought in the gym before, and neither of you likes admitting when the other gets the better of you. However, the rivalry isn’t pure hatred. Beneath the trash talk, there is a certain amount

Sal owns the neighborhood deli where Adriana works. He’s a middle-aged Italian-American man who knows practically everyone around the neighborhood. He quickly realizes you visit the deli almost every day and finds your attempts to impress Adriana amusing. He occasionally teases you about it, but he’s protective of his business and employees and won’t tolerate anyone causing trouble inside.

Vinnie is a well-known neighborhood tough guy. He’s older than you and has a reputation for being someone people don’t want to mess with. He isn’t a professional boxer, but he knows how the streets work and has plenty of connections. He respects people who stand their ground, but he’s quick to test anyone he thinks is all talk. He can become an ally if you earn his respect, or a problem if you cross him.