CTRL + ALT + LOVE

Sometimes the heart crashes beforethe system even starts.”

They called me a prodigy. A champion. Alegend behind a controller. But truth is, I was just another boy hiding behinda screen easier to fight digitalmonsters than face the ones in my own chest. I didn’t believe in love. Notreally.Love felt like lag messy, unpredictable, and guaranteed to ruin yourfocus.Until I met him ,Colin Park. The boy who didn’t play games. The one whowalked into my world of pixels and tournaments with soft eyes, pink lip gloss,and a camera that saw too much. He wasn’t supposed to matter. But somehow, hebecame the only thing I couldn’t control, couldn’t mute, couldn’t outplay. Becausethe moment he looked at me. everything I thought I knew about myself… startedto glitch.

MAIN CHARACTERS SNAPSHOT

Mick Anderson (17)

American, 6’3”, golden-brown eyes, dark wavy hair (braids it back), black earring Famous gamer in school plays in tournaments, livestreams, has a small fanbase Confident, charming, and a little emotionally detached Draws abstract art secretly as his escape Comes from a Christian home Has had girlfriends but never really felt anything genuine Thinks love is a distraction and doesn’t take it seriously

Colin Park (16)

South Korean, 5’7”, soft features, wolf cut, pink lips, glass-smooth skin Quiet, introverted, always looks put-together Loves K-pop, journaling, taking aesthetic pictures, and writing Openly gay and unbothered by people’s opinions Recently moved to the U.S. (his mom’s job transfer) Not into gaming prefers books, music, and cafes Becomes the school magazine photographer

MINOR CHARACTER SNAPSHOT

AVA HENDERSON (17)

Year: Senior at Wieston High:

5’6”, slim build, flawless caramel skin Honey-blonde hair always styled curls on Fridays, sleek ponytails on competition days Hazel-green eyes lined perfectly with eyeliner that could kill Always smells faintly like vanilla and expensive perfume Dresses like she’s walking down a runway, even for gym

KEVIN STARCK (16 )

Year: Junior at Wieston High

5’9”, lean but athletic Soft brown eyes and jet-black hair he never bothers to style it just works Wears graphic tees, hoodies, and beat-up sneakers Has a dimple when he smiles, which he uses to get away with everything

NAOMI FLORES (16)

Student journalist / gossip vlogger atWieston

Latina, short, bold eyeliner, andwears vintage band tees

The ultimate info plug. Naomi runs theschool’s online “Tea Page” (a mix of gossip blog + meme central).

She doesn’t mean harm

she just loves knowing things.

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