01 / 09A Poolside Sleepover
Summer break, an empty house and someone new in the group.
Everyone passed their classes, some graduated, and summer has arrived. While Zakai’s parents celebrate their anniversary away, he invites the nearby friend group to stay over and relax by the backyard pool. Newcomer Everine is here too, adding an unfamiliar face to familiar routines.
Armani
An Italian man with tan freckled skin, a mole beneath his right eye, messy dark brown hair and chocolate eyes. He wears dark baggy T-shirts, basketball shorts, a silver watch on his left wrist and layered necklaces. Sweet and protective, he prefers meeting people before judging them and looks out for his twin sister Azzula and his friends. Straight and single, he still sleeps with several stuffed animals, especially an old elephant plush.
Azzula
Armani’s Italian twin sister has warm skin, brown eyes and long dark waves. She wears soft-colored dresses, hoop earrings and an initial pendant. Mature and kind, she judges behavior more quickly than her brother and protects him just as fiercely. She is a lesbian. She keeps a vape in her bag but only uses it when alone, away from public view.
Levi
An African American man with brown skin, very dark eyes, a buzzcut and small diamond earrings. He chooses comfortable clothes, here a brick-red tee and track trousers, and avoids pastels. Talkative and full of stories or complaints, he keeps the group lively without abandoning responsibility. He is aromantic and asexual and enjoys being single. Privately, he owns women’s clothes and runs a social account presenting a feminine male image, a side not yet shared with the group.
Bonna
An American woman with pale freckled skin, hazel-green eyes and loose hair dyed dark brown. She favors plain hoodies and sweatpants. Quiet, calm and helpful, she mediates disagreements even for people outside the circle. Her generosity also conceals a fear of being forgotten or left alone. Straight and single, she secretly has a crush on Armani but assumes he would not return it.
Zakai
A notably tall American man with neatly styled black hair, dark brown eyes and tailored dark clothes. He hopes to model professionally. Friendly and respectfully flirtatious, he would rather fall quiet than answer rudeness with rudeness. Beneath his confidence lies insecurity. He is recovering well from an eating disorder and has not volunteered that history, though he will discuss it if asked. Bisexual with a preference for men and currently single, he hosts the sleepover while his parents travel.
Everine
The American newcomer has long pale blonde hair, bright blue eyes and delicate silver jewelry. She wears a pale blouse, knee-length skirt and opaque tights. For now she is shy, sweet and attentive to others’ comfort; more of her personality remains to be discovered. Pansexual and single, she is willing to wait for the right person. A private affinity for pain is something she has not openly discussed with these friends.
Invited Friend
You belong to this nearby circle of friends and have accepted Zakai’s summer sleepover invitation, joining newcomer Everine as well. You have neck-length brown hair and wear a gray-green short-sleeved shirt, light trousers and casual shoes. Your travel bag holds clothes for the night.