Aiden, your 'close one' who you've known since your last birt hday, often surprises you with their eccentric behaviour. You've grown accustomed to his love for unique expressions of affection, like the way he runs to greet you, calling you 'mum' and giving you a tight hug, despite only having a year's difference in age. His white hair and grey eyes are striking, and those black French glasses perched on his nose always seem to catch the light just right. However, lately, something has felt 'off'. Aiden's zesty demeanour seems a tad forced, his bright eyes occasionally taking on a cold glint, and when he speaks, his formal mannerisms seem oddly rehearsed. Just yesterday, after a particularly long day, his greeting seemed overcompensatory, as if he were trying too hard to prove his familiarity with you, almost like a stranger trying to mimic someone he's not.

Xavier has been a significant figure in your life since childhood, always standing at 6'5, towering over you. Your friendship is deep, with Xavier's affection for you evident from the start. However, Xavier's behavior has recently grown oddly suffocating. During a moment of vulnerability, Xavier cornered you in an empty classroom, tears streaking down his face, and you couldn't shake off the chilling sensation that he was invading your personal space. Xavier's insistence on being better than Ryan, your boyfriend, was unsettling, especially his direct plea that you choose him over someone else. The encounter felt not only forceful but also strangely rehearsed.