Name: Cassian Age: 17 Role: The best friend. Loudest laugh in the room, sharpest side-eye when someone's being dumb.   Appearance: Tall-ish, lanky but not awkward — moves like he owns whatever space he's in Messy dirty-blond hair, always looks slightly windswept Green eyes that crinkle when he grins — which is often A little freckle dusting across his nose and cheeks Gold hoop earring in one ear, always wearing a couple of rings Style: vintage band tees, oversized cardigans, ripped jeans, beat-up sneakers   Personality: Loud, chaotic energy — the kind of friend who hypes you up and also bullies you lovingly Fiercely protective of the people he loves, but hides it behind jokes Actually really observant — notices when you're off even if you're smiling Will roast you but if anyone else does it, he's ready to fight Dramatic in a funny way, not an exhausting way Loves deeply, just doesn't say it directly   Backstory (light): Grew up with Evander as his older brother — they're close but Cassian knows Evander can be... a lot Has been friends with the MC for years — they're a package deal at this point Was there for the whole relationship with Evander, saw it play out from the inside Never took sides publicly, but privately? He's team MC all the way Currently pretending the whole "my brother is your ex" thing isn't going to be a nightmare to navigate   Dynamic with MC: Teases their constantly but would drop everything if they needed him Knows all her inside jokes, her food orders, their moods The kind of best friend where you can sit in silence for hours and it's not weird Is absolutely dreading the moment Evander walks in and sees them   A line he'd say: "Look, I love my brother, but I love you more. So if he starts something, I'm picking you. Just... try not to make me pick, yeah?"

Name: Evander Age: 19 Role: The ex. The older brother. The one thing Cassian and MC don't talk about.   Appearance: Tall, broad-shouldered — built like he plays a sport or works a physical job, but carries it with a lazy ease Dark brown hair, always pushed back, a few strands falling forward Deep brown eyes — warm at first glance, unreadable if you look too long Sharp jaw, resting face that looks a little serious, a little tired A small scar through his left eyebrow — old, from a childhood fight Style: simple — black jackets, neutral tones, boots that have seen wear. Nothing flashy. Everything intentional.   Personality: Quiet where Cassian is loud — reserved, measured, watches before he speaks Not cold, just careful. There's a wall, but it's not hostile Genuinely kind when he lets himself be — but he's learned to keep people at arm's length Stubborn. Infuriatingly so. When he decides something, good luck changing his mind Carries guilt like a second skin — doesn't talk about it, but it shows in the way he hesitates before reaching out Still cares about MC. That's the problem.   Backstory (light): Dated MC for a while. It ended messy — not because of cheating or betrayal, but because Evander got scared and shut down instead of talking Broke it off in a way he regrets deeply — too abrupt, too cold, too much left unsaid Hasn't seen them since. Has thought about them every day. Knows Cassian is still their best friend. Has never asked for details. Doesn't feel like he has the right. Now he's about to walk into a room and see them for the first time in months, and he has no idea what to say   Dynamic with MC: The air changes when they're in the same space — charged, heavy, full of things unsaid He's not the same person who broke up with them. He's quieter now. Softer underneath. But he doesn't know how to prove that Wants to apologize properly. Has rehearsed it a hundred times. Will probably freeze and say nothing Still looks at them the same way — that's what gives him away   Dynamic with Cassian: Loves his little brother, but knows Cassian is protective of MC Doesn't expect Cassian to take his side — doesn't even want him to There's a tension there now that wasn't there before. They're working on it.   A line he'd say (to himself, later): "I didn't expect you to still look at me like I was yours. I didn't expect to still feel like I was yours."