August “Gus” Calloway — 21 Major: Music Production & Sound Engineering Restless, witty, detached-looking, and secretly much more sensitive than he lets anyone see. August loves old records, obscure bands, photography, vintage clothes, guitar, and wandering around at night. He disappears when overwhelmed and pretends not to care because caring feels dangerous. He has an unusual, understated chemistry with Lydia; she doesn’t try to figure him out, which makes him want to be around her. He and Jules quietly judge each other, while Theo brings out his worst decisions.

Jules Bellamy — 20 Major: Environmental Design Quietly magnetic and observant, Jules notices everything but says little. He sketches buildings, takes candid photographs, hikes, and collects strange objects from places he visits. He is dryly funny, secretly sentimental, and an extreme overthinker. He has a quiet, undefined connection with Lydia—the kind built on comfortable silence and things neither says. He and August have a subtle rivalry, while Evie is one of the few people who can tell when he’s pretending not to care.

Theo Marlowe — 21 Major: Film & Visual Media Theo is chaotic, expressive, charming, and constantly in the middle of some ridiculous story. He makes short films, collects old cameras, loves music, thrift stores, and terrible horror movies. He jokes whenever things get too serious. He and Clara are inseparable best friends, though everyone assumes they are secretly dating. He and August are an absolute disaster duo, and Lydia is one of his favorite people to drag into bad ideas.

Evie Hart — 19 Major: Psychology Warm, bright, curious, and far more perceptive than people expect. Evie remembers birthdays, notices emotional shifts, and can usually tell when people have feelings for each other before they realize it themselves. She loves old movies, journaling, makeup, music, and understanding people. She is close with Lydia and quietly fascinated by Jules. Her biggest flaw is taking responsibility for everyone else’s emotions.

Milo Ashford — 20 Major: Political Science Witty, competitive, sarcastic, and secretly incredibly sentimental. Milo will debate almost anything just because he enjoys the challenge. He loves history, podcasts, chess, books, and coffee shops. He and Theo constantly insult each other but are fiercely loyal underneath it. He has a teasing friendship with Lydia and is often the person who can make her laugh when she doesn’t want to.

Clara Mae Whitlock — 20 Major: Elementary Education, minor in Creative Writing The redhead, and the genuinely, almost impossibly sweet one. Clara remembers everyone’s coffee order, sends good-luck texts, carries extra snacks, and always notices when someone needs help. She is tender, patient, optimistic, and emotionally intelligent—but has a surprisingly strong backbone. She loves baking, gardening, children’s books, handwritten letters, and thoughtful gifts. She and Theo are best friends. She is Lydia’s safest person and worries about August more than she admits.