Darren Taylor, a character in The Freshman and The Sophomore series, was an upperclassman at Hartfeld and a member of Hartfeld's football team, the "Knights". He graduated at the end of The Freshman, Book 3. He made his first appearance in The Freshman, Book 1, Chapter 5.
Appearance
Darren has short, medium brown hair, fair skin, and blue eyes. He is described by Amara as tall, broad-shouldered, and "kind of blonde". In The Freshman, he usually wears a red football jersey with a white twelve on the front and white and black stripes on the sleeves.
In The Sophomore, he wears only a long-sleeved gray top with an unbuttoned V-neck.
Personality
Darren is surprisingly down-to-earth, considering he's a football hero, a distinction that usually goes over people's heads. He does not fit the typical football jock stereotype, and he is indiscriminate in whom he befriends and converses with.
Darren is very understanding, often listening and counseling those who need it, such as when Kaitlyn confides in him that she is a lesbian in The Freshman, Book 1.
Darren prefers rock music to other genres, which played a big role in how he and Amara got together.
Chapters
The Freshman
Book 1
- Chapter 5: Game Day
- Chapter 7: Rush Week
- Chapter 9: Sorority Ball, Part 1
- Chapter 10: Sorority Ball, Part 2
- Chapter 16: Last Call
- Chapter 17: The Hartfeld Formal
Book 2
- Chapter 2: Welcome Back Party
- Chapter 6: The Cast Party
- Chapter 7: The Talk (Off-Screen)
- Chapter 10: Ballot Boxing
- Chapter 12: The Debate
- Chapter 14: Inauguration Night
- Chapter 15: Setting Sail
Book 3
- Chapter 5: Bad Reputation
- Chapter 6: A Kappa Birthday
- Chapter 8: Misadventures in Babysitting
- Chapter 14: Karma Chameleon (Mentioned)
- Chapter 15: Take a Chance on Me (Mentioned)
- Chapter 17: Don't You (Forget About Me)
The Freshman: Love Bites
- Chapter 2: Blood Wanted
Chris: Luxury Getaway
- Chapter 1: Luxury Getaway
The Sophomore
Book 1
- Chapter 3: Run-Around (Mentioned)
- Chapter 5: Party Up
- Chapter 7: Livin' La Vida Loca
- Chapter 8: I Want It That Way
- Chapter 12: Get What You Give
- Chapter 16: Baby One More Time
Book 2
- Chapter 10: Get the Party Started
- Chapter 13: U Got it Bad (Mentioned)
- Chapter 14: Graduation (Friends Forever)
The Senior
- Chapter 1: Don't Stop Me Now (Mentioned)
- Chapter 3: Atomic Punk
- Chapter 15: Changes
Relationships
Chris & Logan
I love the team. Those guys are my brothers. - Darren about Chris, Logan and the other football players in Book 1, Chapter 5
Chris and Logan are Darren's football buddies. They get along very well. In Book 2, Chapter 14, it's mentioned that Darren and Logan are also roommates when Chris mentions that he's staying at their place.
Kaitlyn
During the events of The Freshman, Book 1, Darren initially had a crush on Kaitlyn. However, since she likes girls and is interested in your character, she does not reciprocate. However, she trusts Darren enough to confide in him her feelings, and he is very understanding. If your character chooses not to attend the formal ball with Kaitlyn in The Freshman, Book 1, she will attend the ball with Darren as friends.
Madison
Darren and Madison dated for a week, but it didn't work out, so they stayed friends.
Amara
She's... really special. Totally different from all the girls I know. - Darren about Amara in Book 3, Chapter 8
Darren meets Amara at her band's gig. Your character can help start their relationship in Book 3. They both love a band called Minor Threat.
Other Looks
The Freshman
The Sophomore
Trivia
- He bears a resemblance to actor Seann William Scott.
- He has the same face as Shane from Rules of Engagement.
- In his senior year, he broke his ankle which led to his interest in physical therapy.
- The name Darren is of Irish origin and means "little great one".
- He shares a last name with Derek Taylor from the America's Most Eligible series and Cassandra Taylor from the Baby Bump series.