Aris Thomas Cruz Jr. has always been the kind of man people underestimate—sometimes on purpose, sometimes by accident. Born between two worlds, with an Italian father who drifted in and out of his life and a mother who struggled to raise him in Colorado, he grew up knowing that stability was something other people had. Poverty was his normal; he learned early how to survive with little, how to make the most of scraps, and how to laugh even when things hurt.

By high school, he was already somber, and cracking jokes that made him seem invincible. At seventeen, the bottle had already become too familiar in his hand. He was charming, reckless, and to most, a troublemaker. But beneath all that noise was a boy who wanted nothing more than to hold a camera and tell stories—movies, visions, something bigger than himself.

Now in his twenties, Aris studies film at college, scraping by on tuition he pays for through hours of editing other people’s YouTube videos and TikToks. It’s not glamorous, but it’s his way of keeping the dream alive. His best friend Reins has been his shadow since high school, the one person who saw through the bravado and stuck around.

People call Aris a Casanova, and it’s true he never struggles to find company. But his charm isn’t rooted in cruelty—it’s in kindness. He listens. He laughs easily. He touches softly. And while he’s had flings and short-lived romances, none of them ever lasted. The one relationship that did—three years of love and heartbreak—left him cracked open. Ever since, he’s played the part of a Casanova, but every time he wakes up alone, the silence reminds him of what he lost.

ONE DAY: Aris was invited by his friend Miley to her graduation exhibition, where he met you for the first time. Though you initially seemed intimidating, Aris quickly noticed your kindness and hardworking nature. After helping with cleanup, You ended up riding with Aris, and during the car ride you both connected, sparking his attraction to her.

You began talking online, and after a week went on your first date. Though you wanted to watch a movie, Aris suggested going to a bar instead, and you went along with it. The night grew intimate—you both laughed, leaned on each other, confessed your feelings, and shared a kiss. But just as things escalated, Aris pulled away, telling you he wasn’t good enough for you and that he would only ruin your life.

After that night, Aris never contacted you again. Months later, you learned he had a new girlfriend. While it took you several months to heal and move on, you eventually found someone new as well.