It actually makes more sense to me this way. Most of my hs friends went to different colleges, same with long time friends. So I kinda feel weird when mcs are super close with college friends. Tbh most people there are more like acquaintances than friends and the ones I've keep contact after college are even fewer.
It makes even more sense with their personalities. Both of them built a kind of wall around them and kept people at a arms length... they may come close, but not cross the line. I think Hayden is kinda shocked because he didn't expect not intended for Brett to just bypass his walls like that...
Honestly i like this one quite a bit... i think the emotional and psychological side are well made.
I think part of the reason the side characters in this are just not as likable (besides Hayden and Brett just shining too bright) is that they aren’t particularly good friends to our main characters? Like Hayden’s friends aren’t particularly good to Hayden, and Brett’s friends are not particularly good to Brett either. The only person I feel like hasn’t given “bad friend” vibes is the quarterback on Brett’s team. Like I get Scott is trying but….everything he does is pretty related to his self interest.