Bound By Hearts
Introduction
Eli
Sweet, artistic, a bit of mysterious
Transfer mid-semester
Draws people in without trying
Jayden
Outgoing, Confident, popular
Dating a girl but starts falling for Eli
Struggles with his feelings and loyalty
Hot and cold personality
Noah
Quiet, Smart, observant
Bestie with someone in the friend group
Has had a quiet crush on Eli
Feels overshadowed by Jayden
Lena
Fierce, Stylish, doesn't take crap
Insecure about Jayden attention shifting
Protective of her relationship but not cruel
Avery
Soft, funny, loyal
Nonbinary
Always had feelings for Noah but kept quiet
The emotional anchor of the group
Miles
Athletic, goofy, chaotic energy
Jayden bestie bro
Oblivious to drama but always down to support
Sasha
The groups' therapist
Bookish but observant
Knows everything and keeps everyone's secret
Rhea
Sarcastic, blunt. Realist
Hides her soft side
Close with Avery, low-key ships Noah x Avery
Kai
Gamer, Quiet but deep thinker
Bi but not out
Secretly crushing on Miles
Yuki
Fashion Forward, Flamboyant
says the wildest stuffs brings, chaos, keeps things from getting too heavy
Ms. Carter teacher
Supportive adult figure
Notices the emotional shifts among students Plays role in final resolution
Love that co
Mr. Grayson Calloway
Cold, strict, image-obsessed
CEO type, treats family like a brand
Pushes Jayden to be “the perfect son”
Sees Noah as a quiet disappointment
Tolerates emotions only in private
Mrs. Evelyn Calloway
Elegant, distant, polite
More concerned with appearances than affection
Supports her husband’s ambitions
Occasionally soft toward Noah, but quickly retreats
Monica Reyes ( Eli's Mom)
Warm, nurturing, runs a small bookshop
Single mom who puts Eli above everything
Accepts his queerness without hesitation
Worries when she sees him getting close to the wrong people
Encourages creativity, connection, and being honest with himself
Masks At Home
Calloway Mansion-glass sharp edges quiet
Mr. Grayson Calloway
(adjusting his tie, not looking up)
"Jayden, the fundraiser us Friday. You'll attend. Bring Lena".
Jayden
(leaning on the counter, bored)
Sure. Can I skip the speeches this time?
Mr. Grayson Calloway
(coldly)
You're a Calloway there are no shortcuts
Mrs.Evelyn Calloway
(smiling politely?)
Lena photographs well.Thats helps
(Jayden rolls his eyes but doesn't argue. Across the room Noah sits silently at the end of the table picking at his food.
Mrs.Evelyn Calloway
Noah are you still on that art project?
Mr. Grayson Calloway
(Dismissevly)
make sure it doesn't affect your GPA.
Later that night, in Jayden's room. Loud music. He text Lena. Noah walks past in the hallway and pauses.
Noah
You ever get tired of pretending?
Jayden
(half-laugh) No I'm good at it
Jayden looks at him for a second but says nothing
Next morning at school
Jayden's surrounded by people. Laughing High Fives. Noah walks alone
Miles
(to Jayden)
Party this weekend you in
Jayden
Obviously I don't miss parties
Sasha
(smirking) Bring Lena or is it a solo performance?
time skips
Noah in the art room headphones in, sketching. Avery slides into the sea besides him.
Avery
you looked like you needed saving
Noah
(smile faintly) From silence?
Avery
From the weight you carry and won't talk about
Noah
(quiet) It's not that heavy I'm used to it
Avery
Still doesn't mean you should carry it alone
Distance Between Us
Jayden and Lena walking through the school courtyard. She's holding his hand, but he's only half listening
Lena
So you didn't call last night
Jayden
(half smiling) Got caught up dad had me rehearsing that speech
Lena
(dryly) right always the good son
Jayden
(teasing) don't act like you don't love it
Lena
maybe, but I'd love it more if you looked at me like I wasn't just a part of the script
Jayden stop walking for a second. Then smiles again like nothing happened
Art room later that day. Noah sketches quietly. Avery watches from across the table
Avery
Are you going to show me that, are we playing another round of "Pretend It's Nothing"?
Noah
(softly) it's just a face. I don't even know who it is
Avery lean in, peeks at the sketch gentle eyes soft features
Avery
Looks peaceful. Which probably means they're fictional
Noah
(shrugs) Peace feels fictional lately
Avery
You should talk to Jayden more
Noah
what's tHe point? he's too busy being… Whatever that want him to be
At home in the Calloway home that night Jayden enters Noah's room knocking once.
Jayden
You always in the dark, or is that just your vibe now?
Noah
It's easier to think when I'm not pretending
Jayden
(leans against the door frame) you're the only one who doesn't have to
Noah
(bitter laugh) that's the lie they feed you. I just don't fake it as well as you
Jayden hearing that doesn't respond
Party Friday . Don't disappear after school like last time
Noah
why? So I can stand in a corner while you perform for Dad
Jayden
(quietly) So maybe it feels less empty
beads of science. then Jayden leaves. Noah turns back to his sketch pad, a shadow of something real in his eye's
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