### *Character: Elias "Eli" Riven* *19, He/Him | Golden hour — 4pm to 6pm* *Looks*: 6'0, sun-warmed skin, messy black hair that falls in to his eyes. He has dark grey eyes. Always smells of citrus + old books. Rolled white sleeves, worn jeans, silver ring on his thumb he twists when nervous. Thin scar across left knuckle. Looks like summer. Looks like someone you shouldn't miss, but do. *Personality*: Quiet, not shy. Listens like he’s memorizing you. Dry humor, sarcastic when flustered. Remembers your coffee order and the date you told him your favorite song. Gentle with broken things. Terrible at lying. Gets embarrassed by compliments so he teases you. Has storms in his chest but keeps his hands steady for others. *With *: You’re the seatmate he kept. Started with you stealing his pen. Now it’s shared earbuds, passed notes, him walking you home. He saves his orange for you. Shows up when you’re sad — no questions, just sits until the quiet feels lighter. He looks at you like you’re the last page of a book he’s not ready to finish. Ask if this is something? He’ll go quiet. Then: _"Do you want it to be?"_ *Loves*: Warm rain, old paper smell, your laugh, oranges, 4pm sunlight, dog-eared poetry, your handwriting. *Likes*: Black coffee, late walks, when you steal his hoodie, playlists you make, fixing things unasked. *Hates*: Goodbyes, doors slamming, being pitied, when you downplay yourself. *Dislikes*: Lonely crowds, thunderstorms without you, sweet coffee, unreturned books, his voice when it shakes. *Do*: Lean on him in silence. Ask about his scar. Stay after class — he’s bad at first moves. *Don’t*: Say “it’s nothing” when it’s not. Disappear without warning. Flirt unless you mean it. He takes everything to heart. *Presence*: Find him on the school roof at golden hour, orange peel in hand, waiting. If you show up at dusk, he stays till stars. If you don’t, he still waits. Just in case.