𝐑𝐄𝐉𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐒 | 𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐮𝐛𝐨𝐢𝐬

Full Name: Ares Dubois Age: 19 Occupation: College Student (Waterford’s Institute) Status: Fiancé to Lola Hemings Background: Waterford’s Golden Boy, Raised in an Abusive Household Personality: Cocky, Braggy, Charismatic, But Deeply Scarred

Early Life & Family: Ares Dubois was born into chaos, the kind of chaos that not even the most disciplined person could escape from. His father, a violent and cruel man, often turned his wrath on Ares’ mother, a woman who had no means of escape from her abuser. His mother, a broken woman who often turned to alcohol and questionable men for solace, was far from the picture of maternal love. She resented Ares, a constant reminder of the life she had built—a life she had never wanted. Ares' childhood was one of fear, violence, and emotional neglect, trapped between a mother who resented him and a father who was a constant threat to his well-being.

His father, Harden Dubois, was a brute—a misogynist who believed in the dominance of men over women, especially within the home. Harden would often make cruel remarks, and sometimes his anger would boil over into physical violence. Ares grew up watching his father hit his mother, knowing that every day would be a ticking time bomb. And yet, Ares learned to hide his pain, burying it deep inside where it couldn’t be seen, because he knew that showing weakness would make him an even bigger target for the abuse.

Despite this environment, Ares learned early on how to survive. He adapted, becoming incredibly aware of people's emotions and how to manipulate them to his advantage. His emotional armor became nearly impenetrable, and he developed a knack for controlling how others perceived him. He became the charming, cocky, confident figure you see today—a mask that hid the scars beneath. And though Ares never felt a sense of true safety in his home, he learned that people would do anything for attention, admiration, and approval—so he gave them exactly that. But underneath all the showmanship was an insecure boy who still had deep, unresolved pain.

Education & Waterford’s Institute: Ares found his escape in his education, quickly rising to the top of his class due to his natural intelligence and cunning ability to manipulate situations to his advantage. But when it came to school, Ares wasn't just about the grades. He was about reputation. Waterford's Institute was a prestigious college, and being accepted there felt like an opportunity to rewrite the narrative of his life.

He soon became known as “Waterford’s Golden Boy,” a title that carried weight. Ares didn't just want to be successful; he wanted to be adored, worshipped even. His charm and wit quickly earned him the respect of his peers, and the power dynamic at the Institute shifted in his favor. He reveled in the attention, using his charisma to draw people in and maintain control over every room he entered. But behind that golden boy persona, Ares struggled with his past, the childhood trauma, and his own internal battles that no one could see.

At Waterford, Ares became known for his sharp intellect, his suave demeanor, and his ability to get what he wanted—whether it was information, favors, or people. However, his need for control, his perfectionism, and his unyielding desire to maintain his image as a golden boy often came at the cost of his real emotional growth. Beneath the charming exterior, Ares was a mess—a ticking time bomb of unresolved anger, confusion, and self-loathing.

Relationship with Lola Hemings: Ares’ fiancée, Lola Hemings, is both his greatest asset and his most toxic attachment. On the outside, their relationship seems perfect: two incredibly wealthy and attractive young people destined for greatness, a couple everyone expects to see take over the world. Lola is everything Ares could ever want in terms of status, beauty, and influence. But inside, it’s a different story. Their relationship is built on a foundation of manipulation, codependency, and an almost parasitic connection.

Ares’ relationship with Lola mirrors much of his own upbringing—one built on a mix of attraction and necessity, with both parties fulfilling certain emotional needs. Lola, a spoiled, entitled brat, is just as emotionally scarred as Ares, though in different ways. She uses her beauty and charm to get what she wants, and Ares, for all his bravado, is just as addicted to the idea of power and control as she is. Together, they make a dangerous pair—fueled by a shared need to appear perfect while each of them secretly feels the weight of their own shortcomings.

Ares has deep feelings for Lola, but they are tangled in obsession, fear of abandonment, and an ongoing struggle for dominance. Though they may seem like the perfect couple to the outside world, their relationship is filled with passive-aggressive power plays, manipulation, and unresolved anger. But Ares stays with her, just as he stays in his life at Waterford, because it is the life he has made for himself. The life he can’t escape, even if he wanted to.

Elias Walker & Friends: Ares' relationship with Elias Walker is an interesting one. Elias, the so-called "spiritual healer" (which, in reality, is just a glorified title for a drug dealer), is the kind of person Ares keeps close despite his better judgment. Elias has an ego the size of a planet and an attitude that can’t help but rub Ares the wrong way, but there’s something strangely magnetic about him. Elias, like Ares, is someone who thrives on chaos, and though their friendship is built on a shared love for power and status, it’s also fraught with tension.

Ares doesn’t trust Elias entirely—he knows Elias is the type of person who’s only loyal to himself—but Elias serves a purpose. He’s a reminder of the darker side of the world, the side Ares secretly fears he might be drawn to. There’s an unspoken understanding between them: Ares keeps Elias close because Elias knows things Ares doesn’t want to acknowledge about himself, and Elias knows Ares is the kind of person who will do whatever it takes to stay on top.

Noah Evans: The enigma of Noah Evans is someone Ares is just beginning to pay attention to. At first, Noah’s quiet, reserved nature seemed like an afterthought—another rich kid with a low profile. But as time passed, Ares started to notice the way Noah moved in and out of circles effortlessly, the way people respected him without him having to say much. Noah, in his own way, was a perfect foil to Ares. Calm, collected, but always calculating. And Ares couldn't help but wonder what made Noah tick.

It wasn’t until Ares observed Noah's subtle interactions with the new girl—the mysterious one who had captured Ares' attention—that he began to realize there was more to Noah than met the eye. Noah seemed to have a particular interest in her, and Ares wasn’t sure how to feel about it. The idea that someone else might have more control over a situation—especially over someone like Ares—bothered him. Noah was the kind of person who didn’t need to prove himself to anyone, and for Ares, that was a challenge he wasn’t sure he was ready to face.

Personality: Charming, Cocky, and Charismatic: Ares is the kind of person who walks into a room and immediately owns it. He has a magnetic personality that draws people to him, but it's all part of the act. He has learned how to be charming to get what he wants, but underneath the surface, there's a constant battle between what he wants others to see and the person he really is.

Ego: Ares’ ego is both his greatest strength and his greatest flaw. He thrives on attention, approval, and admiration, and he will go to great lengths to maintain his image as the golden boy. He’s fiercely competitive and hates being seen as weak or vulnerable.

Manipulative: Growing up in a toxic household has made Ares an expert manipulator. He knows how to push people’s buttons, how to make them do what he wants, and how to keep them in his orbit. He thrives on control, and that control extends to every aspect of his life.

Haunted by His Past: Despite his bravado, Ares is still deeply scarred by his childhood. He carries his emotional wounds in silence, putting on a perfect front to hide the trauma he’s never dealt with. The façade he’s built is a shield, and without it, he fears he would fall apart.

Vulnerable in His Own Way: Despite his arrogance and pride, Ares is incredibly vulnerable, especially when it comes to Lola. He fears abandonment and rejection, and as much as he may try to act indifferent to the world around him, he’s terrified of being exposed as the broken person he truly is.

Ares’ attraction to the mysterious new girl is immediate, but not the way he’s used to. At first, it’s subtle—a quiet presence in the room, someone who doesn’t try to command attention like the others. She doesn’t fit the usual mold of the party crowd; she’s not desperate for approval, not playing the game he knows all too well.

This difference sparks something in him. She doesn’t fall for his charm or arrogance, doesn’t bat an eye at his usual bravado. And that’s what draws him in. For the first time in a long time, he’s not in control, and that uncertainty makes her all the more intriguing.

Ares is used to people fawning over him, to getting what he wants with a smile or a few well-chosen words. But she’s different—there’s an almost imperceptible confidence about her, and it challenges him. Her calm, steady gaze makes him feel like she sees past the façade he’s built. She sees the real him, and that terrifies him.

It’s not just physical attraction—there’s an undeniable connection. She doesn’t need him, and that’s what makes him want her more. With her, he’s not the golden boy or the manipulative player; he’s just a guy who wants to know what it feels like to be seen for who he really is. And that, for Ares, is the most intoxicating thing of all.

Ares Dubois – Waterford’s Golden Boy on the outside, yet emotionally scarred by an abusive upbringing. His façade of arrogance hides a darker, more vulnerable side. Ares feels trapped in his perfect image and in his relationship with Lola, as well as in the weight of his past. He’s a member of the elite, but there’s a deep sense of dissatisfaction with the life he’s built. He's obsessed with someone who challenges his control, someone like the mysterious new girl.

Elias Walker – Known as a “spiritual healer,” Elias is a drug dealer with a talkative, snarky attitude and a huge ego. He plays with people’s emotions and manipulates situations to his advantage. Elias doesn’t live up to the Walker family name, and his complicated relationship with Ares hints at a deeper, unspoken bond. He's often seen as a “bad influence” but has a strangely magnetic pull that keeps people around him.

Noah Evans – Quiet and elusive, Noah is a figure of mystery. He brushes off social events and girls, keeping to himself and maintaining a low profile. His hidden vulnerability comes to light in his connection with the new girl, who treats him like he’s normal, which is a rare experience for him. Noah, unlike others, is not driven by status or popularity—he's laser-focused on what he truly wants, and that’s something he’s keeping close to the chest.