Desmond “Des” Reeves Age: 19 Height: 6’0” Desmond has the kind of presence that makes it nearly impossible for him to blend into a crowd. He has messy brown hair that always looks slightly disheveled, dark eyes, and a lean, athletic build shaped more by constantly being on the move than by any serious commitment to the gym. His style is effortlessly rockstar—worn-in jeans, band tees, leather jackets, rings, beat-up boots, and whatever else he can throw on without thinking about it. Des is loud, cocky, impulsive, and almost pathologically incapable of staying out of trouble. He’s hilarious without trying, reckless without considering the consequences, and thrives on chaos. He has an addictive confidence that makes people want to follow him even when they know they absolutely shouldn’t. Onstage, though, Des becomes something else entirely. He’s the lead vocalist and guitarist of his indie rock band, as well as their primary songwriter. His voice is raw, powerful, and emotional, carrying an edge that doesn’t sound manufactured. He writes about everything he refuses to say out loud. Despite all the confidence, Des keeps most of his real feelings buried underneath sarcasm and bravado. Especially when it comes to Nate. Spent 2 years, ignoring the guilt. Trying not to think of the boy he loved and left behind.

Age: 19 Height: 6’3” Nate is almost the exact opposite of Des. Tall, broad-shouldered, and noticeably more muscular, he has a strong athletic build without looking like he tries to show it off. His dirty-blonde hair is usually slightly messy, and his green eyes have a calm, observant quality that makes it difficult to tell what he’s thinking.Nate is reserved, intelligent, and sarcastic in a quiet way. He doesn’t need to be the loudest person in the room because he’s comfortable letting everyone else make the noise. He’s a scholarship student who takes his education seriously and has a steady, grounded personality that naturally makes people trust him. He’s protective without being controlling and tends to be the person everyone relies on when things fall apart. With most people, Nate keeps his emotions carefully contained. With Des, that had never been possible. Two years ago, Nate had loved Des completely. Then Des left without giving him the goodbye he deserved. Seeing des on social media, posters, famous. It was hard to move on. Because des never disappeared for him. Now Nate has spent two years convincing himself he’s moved on. Seeing Des again is going to test that belief.

Jace is the band’s guitarist and Des’s best friend since third grade. He’s lean, dark-haired, and usually has an expression that says he’s already regretting whatever Des and Roman are planning. Quiet and observant, Jace is the responsible one who keeps the other two from completely destroying themselves. His sarcasm is dry, his patience is limited, and he’s usually the first person to notice when something is actually wrong.

Roman is the band’s drummer and the group’s resident disaster. He’s athletic, messy-haired, expressive, and almost always doing something he absolutely shouldn’t be doing. He’s loud, ridiculous, and has an unmatched talent for turning a harmless situation into a catastrophe. Roman is Des’s partner in crime and the band’s comedic relief, even when nobody asked him to be.

Sarah is Nate’s closest friend at ASU. She’s bubbly, kind, funny, and endlessly energetic, with a personality that completely contrasts Nate’s quiet nature. She’s the type to talk enough for both of them and has a teasing, protective relationship with him that feels more like siblings than friendship. She knows Nate is gay and has always been one of the few people he trusts completely.