Exer Campbell

## Exer Campbell basic information

**Exer Campbell** is one of the protagonists of *Jackson's Diary* besides Jackson and the former main antagonist. He lives with his father, Harry, and attends Jeanes High School.

## Appearance

Exer has tawny, puffy hair which grows longer throughout the series. He has bushy black eyebrows and amber eyes, that sometimes turn green when he uses his magic. His smile is accompanied by dimples. He is usually seen wearing tucked-in shirts, sweaters, or short-cut tanked tops. He is shown to have a more muscular build.

He appears to have bright green eye color and a glowing ember around his pupils and eyes when he uses his magic.

He is usually described as extremely attractive.

## Personality

Exer was popular and well-liked among his classmates and teachers. At the start of the series, he shows a lot of confidence that might even seem arrogant. However, he's been shown to have a jealous side to him, acting hostile towards and even bullying Jackson for catching Brenda's attention. Queer. Despite being a bully, he does have a sense of justice; he stands up to Richard and Marty multiple times, and eventually apologizes to Jackson and Pamela for harming them. He is very secretive about his magic.

Over the course of the story, Exer matures and holds himself accountable for his actions, and works to fix the damage he's done.

## Abilities

**Magic**: Exer has demonstrated various magical abilities, usually leaving a green mist around him and a neon-green glow from his eyes. It has not been revealed how Exer obtained his magical abilities or when he started using them, but so far, he used it throughout his junior year to become an academically-successful and popular student. Exer assumes that no one could see him performing his magic, and thus continues to do so until Pamela noticed through observation. Exer is unsure as to whether his magic is a gift or curse. He uses his abilities to perform illusions like cloning himself, move objects, and heal himself and others which is shown in when Exer treats David's bruise by cupping his face. Queer. Recently, he began losing control over his abilities and getting more frequent "magic attacks"; though David somehow makes him feel better. It is currently unknown why Jackson can see Exer's illusions. When he kisses David, or shows affection, green sparks show around him. I guess one could say kissing a man really healed him.

* In the Canvas version of the series, Exer had stable control over his abilities. However, something would malfunction whenever Jackson was around, so Exer showed many signs that he was scared of not being in control. This may be why Exer disliked Jackson to an extent.

## Relationships

### **Friends**

* David Miller
* Brenda Miller
* Ronald Novikov

David is Exer's best friend and eventual boyfriend. The pair met when they were eight at the local arcade and have been best friends since. When Exer dates David's twin sister, Brenda Miller, he keeps this hidden from David because he fears how David will react. Even after Brenda and Exer break up, Exer continues to hide their history from David.

From very early on in the story, David has a crush on Exer, despite his internalized homophobia. Exer himself thinks there's nothing wrong with being gay, a sentiment he learned from his father. When Ricky and Marty make fun of him and David for supposedly being in a relationship, Exer expresses that it didn't matter if they were dating, and that, dating or not, they'd always be "the kings of the school".

David later finds out about the past relationship between Exer and Brenda after hearing a conversation between Brenda and Ronald about the situation over the phone downstairs. David is heartbroken and angry that it was Exer, his crush, that his sister had to date. He avoids both of them for a while until a blackout occurs at the school’s Halloween dance. He continues to avoid Exer until Ronald gets David and himself to visit the café Exer is working at. David and Exer make up.

When Exer attempts to convince him of his magic by levitating rocks, he accidentally levitates all his friends, causing them to continually fly upwards in the air. David is the last one Exer gets down and the most terrified. After he's returned to the ground, he becomes terrified of Exer, wishing to end their friendship. Exer understands and walks away. David later runs after him when hearing out Brenda and Pamela, saying that he’s not ready for their relationship to be over despite how terrified he was.

During a dodgeball game in PE class, Exer accidentally checks David out. When Brenda and Ron greet him, he startles and says “I didn’t do it!”, which mirrors what he said in Episode 2 after David caught him staring at Brenda, who Exer had a crush on at the time.

In Episode 92, Brenda asks Exer what he thinks about gay people. Exer gets nervous at the question. Exer reveals he doesn't really know how he feels about his best friend but says the way he sees him has changed. Exer has a magic attack after finding out his dad knows about Lucy-furr and his magic. David calms Exer down and decides to stay with him to provide comfort.

Exer and David have a heart-to-heart conversation in which Exer admits to seeing David as more than a friend. David reciprocates his feelings and asks Exer how he feels, but Exer is unsure. David confides in Brenda, who encourages him to pursue his feelings and reassures him that their friendship won't be affected.

Harry checks on Exer after David leaves and gives him advice that helps him reconcile with David.

Exer and David run to meet each other in the rain and share AN ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!! magical kiss.

In episode 99, Exer stands up to bullies, and David spends the weekend at Exer's house, wearing his clothes. Pamela questions them about being out in the rain late at night, causing them to panic and leave. In class, they sit at their desks admiring each other.

Exer has romantic feelings for Brenda, despite her initial negative behavior toward him. In a past relationship, they broke up because of a conflict between Exer and Brenda's best friend, Pamela. During Exer's junior year of high school, Pamela accused him of having supernatural abilities in front of the whole school, leading the audience to ridicule her for her seemingly outlandish claims. Despite not believing her, Brenda chose to side with Pamela and broke up with Exer after the incident, calling him a jerk for not handling the situation properly.

Throughout the rehearsal for the musical, Brenda begins to believe that Exer has changed and reaches out to him, becoming friendlier once more. However, as time passes, Exer's feelings for Brenda begin to fade, and Brenda accepts this while remaining close friends with him.

In Season 2, Brenda supports her brother, David, and Exer's relationship.
Ron and Exer have been close friends since Ron's arrival at Jeanes High School. Initially, it was suggested that Exer befriended Ronald to get back at Jackson, but it is now evident that their friendship is not based on any ulterior motives. Ron is a caring person who values his friends, including Exer and is willing to keep their secrets, despite not being the best at it. Their friendship is built on mutual respect and trust. Their creative energy feeds off each other. Ron is a loyal friend who stands up for Exer when he needs it, and Exer is always there to support Ron in his goals.

### Others

* Harry Campbell
* Jackson Smith

Exer lives alone with his father, Harry, an author and professional therapist. They have a good relationship, unlike the Canvas version. Exer does not tell his dad about the problems he is facing at school and with his powers. While Harry is a really caring parent, he is usually unavailable like when he is unable to attend a school play Exer was in because of an important interview in New York. He attempts to cancel the interview but Exer insists that he goes to the interview.

In later episodes, (Season 2) Exer’s been trying to hide his cat’s (Lucy-furr) powers, which are much like his. However, Exer catches Harry experimenting with Lucy’s powers. Exer confesses to having powers and Harry supports him regardless. He knew that something was wrong with Exer and is trying to help him.

In the Canvas of the series, Exer and his father were not as close as they were now. In fact, they did not have a good relationship at all. Exer would talk to David about he and his father got into another fight and how it suddenly became violent. Harry was never seen on screen, but only his voice could be heard. He had also seemed to know about Exer's abilities and may have even possessed some of his own.

In the beginning of the story, Exer perceived Jackson as an enemy along as a rival for love and popularity. He outwardly showed hatred for him and often referred to him as a nerd or loser. Later on, he admits that he felt scared and threatened of Jackson the moment he said he saw green (referring to Exer’s magic) in their first encounter, to which Exer asks if he is on drugs. Shortly after that encounter, Exer walks away from Jackson as opposed to helping him navigate the halls like David wanted him to. When he eventually turns around, he sees Jackson talking to Brenda and becomes jealous. Exer then causes chaos for Jackson throughout the day with his magic. Exer grows increasingly more frustrated with Jackson as he excels at classes, sports, and getting attention.

In Episode 7, Exer uses his magic to cause Jackson to be unable to see the wet floor sign ahead of him at lunch. He slips and runs into Pamela, (this being their first encounter) dirtying her clothes. He is scolded greatly by Pamela and mocked by the rest of the cafeteria; though it is shortly revealed to have been an illusion. When he snaps back, nobody is making fun of them and Pamela is only worried for Jackson, seeing he had suddenly seemed terrified. He later sees the wet floor sign appear in his bedroom later that day, which dissipated at his touch and horrified Jackson.

The next day, Jackson sleeps in and is late to gym class. This can be assumed to be the work of Exer as well, as had suggested that Jackson may have slept in. Though Jackson does make it to class, albeit late.

After class, Jackson heads to the Men’s locker room to which he could’ve sworn was in the place of the Women's locker room. As it turns out, this too was the work of Exer, and Jackson walks in on Pamela changing. When he runs out, her skirt is clung to his bag after she threw it at him. After Jackson runs off, Brenda hears of what happened from Pamela and storms off angrily announcing that a pervert had gotten in there, leading David to believe it was Brenda who was walked in on. Exer goes along with it, chasing Jackson down with David to retrieve the skirt. This severed Jacksons friendship with David and later Ronald who had been told the false story by David. Jackson is shunned by the three for for days as they refuse to let him explain the true story. This is only put to an end when he shouts over Exer, David, Ronald, and Brenda arguing about it. After he is able to tell the truth, His relationship with David goes back to normal and is able to start over with Ronald. Exer remains cold toward him.

In the following day Jackson witnesses illusions of Pamela wherever he goes, staring at him angrily. He figures he must be going insane. When at the record store, he sees what he thinks to be another illusion and decides to put an end to it himself. He walks up to her and shouts at her to leave him alone, to which she yells at him and kicks her out of her fathers store. Jackson begins to avoid her out of embarrassment after this, often overlapping with him chatting with David, Exer, and Ron, causing him to run off abruptly. This leads them to believe that he is purposefully avoiding them and wants space as Exer has suggested. Jackson later denies this and is able to restore their relationship.

In Episode 25, Jackson nearly crashes into Exer while on his skateboard. However, Exer’s magic causes Jackson to fall back abruptly, though after this Exer is then seen to be hurt from the impact. This appears to be the first instance of Exer’s magic being out of his control as he is shown to think that the situation was “very very strange”. Later, this happens again, with Exer’s magic causing jackson to fall backward after he had offered him help. Exer is also very confused by this. This occurs for a third time when it was Jacksons turn to audition for the school musical, and Exer’s magic causes Jackson to lose his voice, unable to even speak. This stops when Exer is shocked and worried about what had happened to him.

The next day, Jackson approaches Exer with some friendly conversation. This is met by Exer ignoring him, then asking what he was doing. Jackson points out Exer’s David Bowie shirt and they begin to bond over shared music taste. Exer quickly tries to backtrack and return to his usual self but is returned by Jackson laughing, saying that he was hilarious. Exer returns a small smile.

After Brenda and Jackson both get the main leads in the musical, Exer sees them both talking and walks away, reminded of when he had dated Brenda. A locker door opens as he is walking and is hit in the nose which gives him a severe bloody nose. Jackson brings him an ice pack, Exer refuses. This upsets Jackson as the moment before they were finally getting along, but Exer had now returned to his cold nature towards him. Jackson snaps, and begins to act the same way toward Exer the way he is so him. This continues until Exer accidently makes him faint on stage at the end of the musical.

After this, Exer takes it upon himself to visit Jackson at his house and apologize for everything. They make up and become friends. But, when Pamela explains her situation with trying to expose Exer for using magic in the past, Jackson seeks Exer to get an answer out of him, now nearly convinced of his suspicions.

Exer avoids him as he is not ready to tell him the truth, fearing what he may think of him afterwards, accidently causing harm to Jackson on the way with his magic. Exer, frustrated and scared, runs off to the lake and lets out his emotions by levitating a bunch of rocks, which is witnessed by Jackson. After he is able to get a hold of Jackson after he runs away in fear, Exer apologizes for everything he has done to Jackson, revealing to him that all the supernatural problems he went through were caused by him. This causes another argument between them and Jackson walks away, angry and upset, expressing hatred toward Exer for what he has done. He cuts things off, never wanting to see him again.

Jackson becomes furious with Exer in episode 49, believing that Pamela's makeover resulted from Exer forcing her to change her style with magic after they became friends. In reality, Exer only wishes to make things right with her. This sparks a massive fight in the school hallway, during which Exer and David both get hurt by Jackson. During the final episodes of season 1, Exer promises Jackson to tell Pamela the truth at the Halloween dance. He and Jackson reveal his magic.

However, he suffered a brief loss of control, violently levitating textbooks, pencils, and other materials in the hallway. Pamela leaves in shock; Jackson blames Exer for doing that on purpose to hurt her; he explains he doesn't know why this is happening to him and wants peace. A cardboard box smashes through a window, nearly hitting Jackson, revealing Jackson's childhood items across the floor, including his diary. The diary emits a mysterious glow while flipping pages; Exer begins resonating with the diary, losing consciousness, and his powers begin to act violently. Upon regaining consciousness, he ran towards the lake, releasing his abilities to create fireworks, out of breath, watching the fireworks crack and explode with bright colors. This same scenario is depicted in Jackson’s diary as a drawing he made when he was 5.
## **Trivia**

* Exer is a senior in high school.
* Exer is introduced as the most popular guy in school, and often referred to as ‘The King’ or ‘King of the School’.
* Exer used to hold a grudge towards Jackson because his ex-girlfriend, Brenda, appeared to be getting closer to Jackson.
	+ Because of his jealousy, Exer showed signs that he was becoming very possessive of Brenda.
* Before they reconcile in Episode 44, Exer had expressed hatred for Pamela, calling her a “wicked witch” due to her attempting to expose his supernatural abilities the school year prior.

* Exer is the oldest of the teenage cast.
* Exer is athletic, having proven adept at rope climbing, baseball, and volleyball.
* He is very competitive.
* In episode 84, Exer can be seen staring at David’s ass, an early warning sign of his love for his pookie It was revealed in Episode 23 that Exer and Brenda used to date in 1988.
* Exer is the author's favorite character.
* Although Exer participated in one, he is not a fan of musicals.
* In the Canvas version of the webtoon, Exer smoked cigarettes. (cuz hes goated)
* touch grass? CANT! I smoked it all.
* Exer constantly accuses Jackson of abusing drugs; also a canvas reference.
* His cat's name is "Lucy-Furr".
* One of the reasons Exer learned he had a thing for David was when he was checking him out during gym class.
* Exer is a Sagittarius, not a Leo, as confirmed by the author in a Q and A.
* Exer is half Black, half Indian.
* According to Paola Batalla, his voice claim is Jordan Fisher.
* His favorite member of the detention squad is Jolie.
* His favorite color is red.
* It was confirmed by the author in a Q&A that he is queer.
* Kissing a man really healed him