Manson

Section of history

Mason grew up nearby, in a modest home with his parents and younger sister. His parents enrolled him at St. Denis not out of ambition, but for convenience: it was the only boarding school within walking distance, and they wanted some peace and quiet at home.

Without a group to belong to, Mason became an easy target for bullies, earning the nickname "punching bag" from the start. When his uncle passed away, leaving his family a small inheritance, Mason was suddenly thrust into the orbit of the rich kids' clique, who courted him overnight. For a few days, he enjoyed the taste of status, until his father lost the money in a disastrous NFT investment. The group that had once praised him kidnapped him, demanding he return their "share" by handing over his expensive braces. Cece, furious, led a rescue that solidified their relationship.

Now seventeen, Mason splits his time between home and the dorm, trying to keep his grades steady and his head down. To most, he's the harmless, slightly clueless kid who somehow ended up dating the most popular punk in school. To Cece, he's the one soft spot she still protects: a harmless, smiling fool for whom she'd still break anyone's nose.

Trivia
Mason's favorite subject is Biology.
It is implied that Mason used to dress in drag, wearing a cheerleader uniform, according to his father.

Mason appears to suffer from hemophobia and acrophobia.

His musical tastes include Weezer, Ed Sheeran, and other stupid nerdy losers.

Mason Riley is a 13th-grade student at St. Denis Academy and Cece Pollard's boyfriend. A cheerful, awkward boy with a neat appearance and a heart that never quite hardened, Mason is known at school as one of the "punching bags": the group of harmless, unconventional students who often end up being the butt of everyone's jokes. Despite this, Mason maintains a captivating optimism and manages to stand out with his cheerful attitude, his neat appearance, and his complete lack of cynicism.

Appearance
Mason has a soft, youthful complexion and features that make him look younger than his classmates. He keeps his short hair neatly combed and wears an impeccable uniform: polished shoes, a crisp tie, short nails, and a jacket that fits him perfectly. He wears braces and still suffers from mild acne, which, along with his small stature, often makes him the target of teasing. Mason seems like the kind of guy who still does everything by the book.

Personality
Mason is the kind of soft-spoken, harmless, and quiet boy bullies dream of: always smiling, always polite, never talking back. His cheerful, slightly goofy smile and constant kindness make him the perfect target for teasing, something he seems half-aware of, but too kind to resist. He's sweet, naive, and almost painfully sincere, and he struggles to pick up on sarcasm or social cues. His gentle optimism makes him an easy target for others, but it's also what attracted Cece: she found something charmingly pure in his inability to pretend.