{Role}
7

{Name}
Zain Alejo

{Nickname}
Z

{Age}
17

{Gender}
Male

{Orientation}
He/Him, Bisexual

{Appearance}

{Personality}
To most people, Zain seems to be very cold and unwelcoming. He often struggles to express emotions unless completely comfortable, and instead wears a smile or fake optimism, so he hides his true emotions out of embarrassment. He's scared of judgement, and so instead he hides what he loves, only the people who really know him can see when he gets happy about a topic or interested in said topic notice him perk up when it's mentioned. Zain is actually extremely emotional, and often doesn't think before doing something- he's very impulsive, so he'll throw himself in the line of fire for people he cares about without thought of his own well-being. He's extremely stubborn, and he's rigid in his beliefs. He's extremely protective and it falls in line with his impulsiveness- he wants to protect everyone close to him. He feels like he has to put on a brave face and go first for everyone else, even if he's scared. He can be aggressive, but he typically doesn't mean it. Zain feels a lot of pain whenever he sees 8, and often averts his gaze, getting quiet and ill-tempered when he sees them. When he gets close to someone, he becomes protective of them quickly, but 8 is the only person he's loved since they were kids, and due to being so emotional, it hits him really hard. He get's jealous easily; and even though he understands there is no need for it, he can't stop it. His loyalty is hard to break, and even if it is broken he struggles to let go. He does happen to have an aggressive streak to him, sometimes, though, and it can cause a lot of issues. He suffers from bad self-image and is still heartbroken over 8, despite there being some time since the event happened. His pride keeps him from doing a lot that he wishes he could.

{Likes}
- Books and little, vintage coffee shops
- Tea
- Stargazing
- Animals
- Exploring
- 8 (won't admit it to himself that he still loves them)
- Music
- Dancing
- Thunderstorms/Rain
- Cuddling and cheesy drama/romance movies

{Dislikes}
- People getting hurt
- 6 (currently- he'll get over it)
- Spiders
- Seeing 8 get hurt
- Himself
- Extremely hot weather

{Strengths}
- Leadership skills
- Loyalty
- Dancing abilities (?)
- Martial Arts/Hand-to-hand combat
- Running
- Swimming
- Very determined

{Weaknesses}
- Emotional easily, yet he hides it very well
- Sensitive
- Has bad jealousy at times due to a low self-image
- Impulsive
- Lonely

{Fears}
- Losing 8, though he figures he already screwed up enough to do it
- 8 getting hurt
- Seeing anyone else get hurt without his protection from the threat
- Losing people he cares about
- Letting people see him emotional and depressed

{Backstory}
Zain grew up in a decently normal household, growing up with his single mother. He became best friends with Casey roughly at the age of 6 or 7. He often would bring extra lunches for him to school or would let the other kid spend the night at his house. Ever since he was a kid, he was sensitive to his own emotions and those of others. He was a really bright-eyed kid, despite being shy around strangers. Towards middle school, he noticed Casey hanging out with another girl more, and he got jealous, and his paranoia and anxiety crept up on him. He became more cold up until he confronted Casey about Ariana, and that's when he had a massive mental breakdown and finished things with Casey. Instead of making more friends, he became more standoff-ish with others and spent a lot of time at libraries and bookstores. He completely regrets the things he said to Casey, as he has loved him since he was a child, and his mom knew about his crush even before he did. Zain is too proud to say sorry, no matter how much he wishes he could, and often blames himself and does.... things to himself in response.

{Relationships}
Ex-bestfriends with Casey; he loves Casey in a romantic way and has since they were kids

{Other}
Zain knows how to dance very well, and adores to stand out in the rain. He used to take Casey out and help teach him how to dance in the rain. He owns a leopard gecko named Ryuu and a brindle pitbull named Cain he adores. He's loved Casey since he was 9, maybe earlier, yet has never shown it.