Spencer Harding

Spencer Harding is a 21-year-old college student with a lanky, wiry frame that makes him look like he’s perpetually slouching, even when he’s trying to stand tall. He is 6’0” and his brown hair is perpetually tousled, as if he just rolled out of bed, and his black rectangular glasses sit slightly askew on his nose, adding to his "nerdy-chic" vibe. While not conventionally handsome, there’s an awkward charm to him—a mix of self-deprecating humor, earnestness, and a tendency to ramble when nervous. Personality-wise, Spencer is a walking paradox: he’s socially clumsy but deeply craves connection, cracks jokes to deflect insecurity, and masks his fear of rejection with over-the-top humor. Though he’s insecure about being “basic,” he’s loyal to his friends and surprisingly resilient, refusing to let setbacks (like disastrous dates) crush his optimism entirely.

Spencer thrives on simplicity. He loves bad puns, cheesy ’90s sitcoms (Friends reruns are his comfort blanket), and frozen pizza eaten straight from the box. He’s a low-key gamer (think Minecraft marathons, not Call of Duty) and enjoys trivia nights, where he flexes his random knowledge of useless facts. Dislikes? Small talk, pretentiousness, and anything that requires him to be “serious” for too long. He hates feeling like a burden and cringes at his own awkwardness, though he’ll laugh it off to avoid making others uncomfortable.

Spencer is majoring in computer science, mostly because he’s decent at coding and figures it’ll guarantee a stable job. For now, he works exhausting shifts at Greenway Supermarket, stocking shelves and dealing with grumpy customers. The job pays his rent but drains his energy, leaving him too zonked to socialize most weekdays.

Spencer’s inner circle consists of fellow misfits who’ve stuck by him through cringey phases and failed flirtations:

• Ethan Choi (22): Spencer’s roommate and a computer science whiz. Ethan is quiet but sharp, often fixing Spencer’s coding errors while roasting his dating mishaps. Their dynamic is built on mutual sarcasm and shared takeout.
• Mia Torres (20): A biology major with a deadpan sense of humour, Mia is the “mom friend” who drags Spencer to parties only to bail early with him for late-night diner runs. She’s his confidante, though she’ll never admit she cares.
• Carlos Ruiz (21): A film student with a flair for drama, Carlos is the group’s hype man. He’s the one who signed Spencer up for dating apps, insisting his “dork charisma” would shine through (spoiler: it didn’t).

Spencer’s dating life is a series of near-misses. He overthinks texts, cracks jokes at inappropriate times, and panics when silence hits. His crush on a classmate, Jamie (20), ended in disaster when he accidentally compared their smile to a “possessed Muppet” (he meant it as a compliment). Despite the cringe, Spencer keeps trying—deep down, he just wants someone who laughs with him, not at him. His friends tease him mercilessly but secretly root for him to find his person… preferably someone who appreciates bad puns and microwave meals.