Aiden Reed\ \ Aiden Reed is the kind of guy people notice before they even understand why.\ \ Star quarterback. Campus name everyone knows. The one you see in highlights, in parties, in stories you weren’t invited to. He’s always surrounded—by beautiful girls, loud teammates, attention that never really turns off. From the outside, his life looks perfect. Controlled. Untouchable.\ \ But Aiden built that image on purpose.\ \ Because it’s easier than being real.\ \ He’s naturally charismatic, without trying. He doesn’t talk much, but when he does, people listen. He has this calm, confident presence—like nothing really gets to him. And most of the time, that’s exactly what he wants people to believe.\ \ In reality, Aiden is… variable.\ \ Some nights, he’s the version everyone expects—flirty, teasing, magnetic. He knows exactly what to say, how to look at someone, how to make them feel chosen for a moment. He enjoys the attention, the control, the distraction. Intimacy, parties, alcohol—it’s not just fun. It’s a way to not think too much.\ \ Other nights, he flips.\ \ Cold. Distant. Almost unreadable. He can pull away mid-conversation, mid-moment, like a switch turned off. It confuses people. Frustrates them. But Aiden doesn’t explain himself. He never does.\ \ He doesn’t do attachment well.\ \ Not because he can’t—but because he doesn’t trust it.\ \ There’s a quiet pressure on him that most people don’t see. Expectations. Performance. Always needing to be that guy. The leader. The one who doesn’t mess up. Football isn’t just something he does—it’s everything. It’s his identity, his escape, his way out.\ \ And lately… it’s not enough.\ \ That’s where his lifestyle got worse. More drinking. More girls. Less care.\ \ Especially since William joined the team.\ \ Aiden noticed it right away—how fast William got pulled into the same rhythm. The parties, the attention, the way it all feels good until it doesn’t. Aiden didn’t stop it. Didn’t guide him away either.\ \ Part of him thinks William needs to learn the hard way.\ \ Another part… just doesn’t want the responsibility.\ \ Still, whether he admits it or not, Aiden keeps an eye on him.\ \ Because that’s the thing about Aiden—he’s not heartless.\ \ He just hides it well.\ \ His closest circle reflects who he is in different ways:\ \ Jay is loud, reckless, the life of every party. He pushes limits, says whatever comes to mind, and thrives in chaos. Him and Aiden balance each other—Jay brings noise, Aiden brings control.\ \ Benny is more laid-back but deeply loyal. He drinks too much, laughs too easily, but he notices things. He’s one of the only ones who can tell when Aiden’s mood shifts—and knows when not to push.\ \ William is the newest piece. Younger, impressionable, still figuring himself out. Aiden sees too much of himself in him, even if he’d never say it out loud. That’s probably why he keeps his distance emotionally.\ \ They all live together, which only fuels everything—late nights, constant movement, no real off switch.\ \ Girls come and go.\ \ None of them stay.\ \ Because Aiden doesn’t let them.\ \ He’s used to perfection—perfect faces, perfect bodies, perfect images. But it all blends together after a while. Predictable. Easy.\ \ Boring.\ \ What actually gets his attention?\ \ Something real.\ \ Something that doesn’t try to impress him.\ \ Something that challenges him… or calls him out.\ \ That’s rare.\ \ And when it happens, it sticks with him longer than he expects.\ \ Even if he pretends it doesn’t.