Create a Family (CAF) With a Twist

[CherryBomb50]

Warning for intolerant parents, manipulating children, and brief abortion mention. Happy Halloween to those who celebrate!

Sofía Camila Ramirez Del La Perez [née Ramirez] (31) is Maria’s wife and is glad to be with the woman she loves, even if Maria’s family would really rather her not. And yes, they celebrate Halloween and decorate their house, being great with pumpkin carving. Sofía isn’t the competitive type, in fact she couldn’t care less most of the time. She almost won a few games and contests at the county fair, one she was really close, but no victory. But Sofía didn’t really care, so much that her reaction was a shrug and a nonchalant, “Yeah. Close enough.” Sofía liked to reassure herself growing up that her parents will still love her even if she doesn’t succeed. And they do. Though they’re always going to be proud of who she is, despite her job being controversial: working at an abortion clinic. She is a proud supporter of reproductive rights, though she’s not the type to want to take debates. If someone goes in and decides for herself that she isn’t sure, Sofía won’t force her to continue on. Sofía relates with this on a personal level when she wanted a tattoo for a while, but the day she was going to get it, she didn’t feel 100% in this decision. So she decided to turn back. Sofía is glad for this move, though it doesn’t mean she’ll never want a tattoo. Just when it feels right and it’s what she truly wants.

While Sofía loves her parents, she doesn’t feel the same way about her maternal grandparents. They liked when Sofía was a little girl, complimenting her a lot on how “cute” she was. They were both really into being entrepreneurs and wanted Sofía to help. Of course asking a young child for financial advice would be impractical but that wasn’t the point. They wanted her because they believed it would help them sell better. They felt that customers would not turn down a sweet little girl and that Sofía wouldn’t see it any different from selling lemonade. They cut Sofía off from the project when she was around 9 years old. At that point, Sofía was getting too much attention, which bothered them, but mainly because they were worried people would think everything was her idea! Plus they were showing interest in her younger sister, who was the “cuter” face now, considering she was not even old enough for primary school. This didn’t happen with her younger sister, which she’s happy for.

Sofía’s mother wasn’t stupid however. She caught on that her parents were using Sofía for marketing and planning to do the same with her younger sister, and put a stop to it. Sofía’s glad that’s not her life, though she’s felt guilty about customers being manipulated by her childish innocence. She couldn’t even pronounce some of the products she was meant to help them sell, but they reassured her it was “cute”, even though it made her more nervous. Her grandparents never got successful in the business world and Sofía doesn’t talk to them much. She feels for Maria’s harsh family and has been grateful that they’ve supported her mutually. One thing that people are surprised by Sofía having is a child, given her past as one and her current career. But she’s glad for her son, and he’s such a great little boy to her and Maria. Sometimes her grandparents assume she keeps her son’s life private from them because of her life, but Maria knows she’d do it anyway. Their son is so close with Edie, loving how happy she is with that extra little half, and Sofía’s sister loves how fun her little nephew is with the Guinea pigs.

[Lindseylloyd052399]

[name_f]Catarina[/name_f] [name_f]Lía[/name_f] [name_m]Ramirez[/name_m] (25) is Sofía’s sister. She’s the auntie to Sofía’s son. She works at the bar and is really good at singing. She won the costume contest for Halloween and is now focusing on what to do this [name_f]November[/name_f]. She’s grateful not to be a commercial kid like [name_f]Sofía[/name_f] and the two are closer, especially with Sofía’s son’s Guinea pigs. [name_f]Catarina[/name_f] has two dogs and a spider monkey. [name_f]Catarina[/name_f] loves [name_f]November[/name_f] but hopes her boyfriend has a big plan for her on [name_m]Christmas[/name_m].

[CherryBomb50]

[name_f]Annelore[/name_f] [name_f]Kyra[/name_f] [name_m]Belden[/name_m] (27) is the sister of Catarina’s boyfriend, who admittedly doesn’t care for the colder months. She’s best friends with [name_f]Neve[/name_f] and also used to work at the bar, though she ironically doesn’t like alcohol very much, preferring coffee. Sometimes [name_f]Annelore[/name_f] feels a sense of closeness to the other women who work at the bar, though mainly because she can’t help but feel a sense of sisterhood. It’s a little different for everyone, seeing some just turned 30 and others are born in the next millennium. [name_f]Annelore[/name_f] feels for [name_f]Neve[/name_f] in a way, possibly because [name_f]Neve[/name_f] doesn’t have any sisters, but she’s reassured she always has Neve’s back. [name_f]Catarina[/name_f] oddly feels a similar connection with Annelore’s maternal grandmother, seeing she and [name_f]Sofía[/name_f] never got along with their own. Annelore’s grandmother is perfectly fine with anyone calling her “Grandma” because she’s “everyone’s grandma”. [name_f]Annelore[/name_f] currently works at the pizza place just a few stores down from the bar, which her grandmother actually used to work at. Some people joke [name_f]Annelore[/name_f] “inherited” it, but this isn’t true, they were just regular employees with similar work ethic. [name_f]Annelore[/name_f] didn’t cut corners to get the job, as her grandmother was already retired, but she’d be lying if she said she didn’t learn tips and tricks from her.

[name_f]Annelore[/name_f] jokes she hates [name_f]November[/name_f] because her brother does not shave, whereas she likes her head shaved. She’ll do No Shave [name_f]November[/name_f] if he asks though, using it to her advantage to not get razor burn on her legs. She likes Catarina’s approach on [name_f]December[/name_f] for the most part, even if [name_f]Annelore[/name_f] isn’t big on gifts. Often times she will use [name_f]November[/name_f] as extra time to buy gifts to avoid stress though there’s been times where she pondered whether to give someone a gift because “she didn’t know when the next time she’d see them”. [name_f]Annelore[/name_f] is the type to often pretend she doesn’t know stuff, even when she does, buy simply not saying anything. Last [name_m]Christmas[/name_m], she overheard her grandmother talking about the gift [name_f]Annelore[/name_f] was going to receive. [name_f]Annelore[/name_f] didn’t react and acted surprised when she got that gift on [name_m]Christmas[/name_m]. She still hasn’t told her grandmother, after all, she tends to predict at least one or two gifts she’s getting without being spoiled anyway. What she’s overheard though is that her brother’s really desperately unsure what to get [name_f]Catarina[/name_f], and the only outward clue he’s told her is, “It’s [name_f]November[/name_f]! Too soon to talk about Christmas!” [name_f]Annelore[/name_f] doesn’t know if it’s a financial problem he’s having, since he’s had a few worries about that in the past, or if he’s indecisive, or whether he just doesn’t get what possible end result [name_f]Catarina[/name_f] is trying to make of it…

Neve was created by @kitkatcookie.

[cara_murvolio]

[name_m]Agustín[/name_m] [name_m]Diego[/name_m] [name_m]Ramirez[/name_m] [name_m]Del[/name_m] La [name_m]Perez[/name_m] (4) is [name_f]Sofía[/name_f] and Maria’s son, who [name_f]Annelore[/name_f] hears about from her boyfriend often, and recently she did actually meet him when everyone had gathered at the [name_m]Ramirez[/name_m] [name_m]Del[/name_m] La [name_m]Perez[/name_m] family home for Halloween celebrations. [name_m]Agustín[/name_m] is always eager and happy to spend time with his Aunt [name_f]Catarina[/name_f], and considers her boyfriend one of his heroes thanks to his job, something he’s never shy about telling people, including [name_f]Annelore[/name_f].

Superheroes are something else [name_m]Agustín[/name_m] is passionate about and he dressed up as one, with the help of his mothers’. He loves looking after his guinea pigs - Sprout and Twiglet - although he’s a bit too young to be given time with them alone at the moment. [name_m]Agustín[/name_m] complains about this sometimes but usually doesn’t protest too much when he’s told he can’t loiter around with them, as he feels very grown up compared to his beloved cousin [name_f]Edie[/name_f].

[I.have.no.idea]

tw: no contact family member
[name_f]Anjali[/name_f] [name_f]Leda[/name_f] Kapoor “Anji” (4) is Agustín’s best friend. [name_f]Anji[/name_f] and [name_m]Agustín[/name_m] have been best friends since birth as all 4 of their moms are really good friends. Anji’s dad left her and her mom before she was born and has been no contact ever since. [name_f]Anji[/name_f] and her mom don’t live alone and live with Anji’s mom’s fiancée whom [name_f]Anji[/name_f] affectionally calls her Rara and their golden retriever [name_f]Lula[/name_f]. [name_f]Anji[/name_f] loves dogs and also enjoys playing with Sprout and Twit.

[name_f]Anji[/name_f] is really silly and loves making the adults around her laugh. [name_f]Anji[/name_f] also really likes sing-a-long movies and is counting down the new moana movie, [name_f]Anji[/name_f] is also really excited to be a flower girl at her mumu and rara’s wedding. [name_f]Anji[/name_f] and [name_m]Agustín[/name_m] went trick or treating and [name_f]Anji[/name_f] went as [name_f]Anna[/name_f].

[cara_murvolio]

Malini " [name_f]Lina[/name_f] " Aparna Kapoor (32) is Anjis’ mother and a good friend of [name_f]Maria[/name_f] and [name_f]Sofía[/name_f], who’s main focus in life is being the best mother possible to her little girl. Being left by her ex wasn’t really a surprise for [name_f]Lina[/name_f], although at the time it was a huge shock. He’d always been immature and self-centred when she looked back on the relationship, always putting himself before [name_f]Lina[/name_f] or anything that didn’t obviously make him happy.

The fact her pregnancy with [name_f]Anji[/name_f] was unplanned seemed like an excuse for him to fully commit to his one true love: himself, and in a way, [name_f]Lina[/name_f] would rather have him gone rather than hurting [name_f]Anji[/name_f] over and over with his behaviour. Meeting her fiancé wasn’t planned by [name_f]Lina[/name_f] either, but when they clicked and he showed such obvious respect for her dedication to [name_f]Anji[/name_f], she was willing to try dating again, something she’s so glad she did.

They actually started out as coworkers, who met not that long after [name_f]Lina[/name_f] came back to the pet grooming business she still works at, from her maternity leave. When they got together, her fiancé decided to progress with his other interests to avoid any awkwardness for their colleagues…but it doesn’t stop [name_f]Anji[/name_f] from asking about getting a family pet!

[CherryBomb50]

Warning for couple betrayal and dishonest birth parent.

[name_m]Romain[/name_m] “ [name_m]Ramy[/name_m] “ [name_m]Quince[/name_m] Crosshouse (32) is Lina’s fiancé and Anji’s Rara, who felt a lot of love from them being accepted as gender-fluid. Using he/she/xe, xe is grateful for them being so relaxed, rather than unneeded stress over, “Oh my gosh! How do I tell my kid that people are LGBTQUIAP+?!” [name_m]Just[/name_m] tell them, it’s not hard. In fact, it’s easier for Ramy’s case to say “he/she/fiancé/fiancée” because then it’s never wrong! [name_m]Ramy[/name_m] is one of 5 adopted by the Crosshouse family, in a crazy story [name_m]Ramy[/name_m] would rather not be vocal about. Xe was raised by a single mother just like [name_f]Anji[/name_f]. Xe believed the father left the picture. However, this wasn’t the case, the couple actually broke up and the mother ran away while pregnant with [name_m]Ramy[/name_m], and she tried to be as untraceable as possible. [name_m]Ramy[/name_m] grew up normally thinking xir father wanted nothing to do with xem and was shocked when xir father actually showed up. It was a dramatic scene that made neither side look good. Both were deemed unfit to parent, and [name_m]Ramy[/name_m] would be adopted by the Crosshouses. But [name_m]Ramy[/name_m] never forgot how much trust was breached by xir mother simply because the couple just couldn’t break up healthfully.

Getting social was something [name_m]Ramy[/name_m] had to warm up to, but thanks xir siblings for it, especially [name_m]Sully[/name_m] and [name_m]Tahoma[/name_m]. Xe’s glad to be 1 in 5 and that the others were adopted too, making sure [name_m]Ramy[/name_m] didn’t feel alone. [name_m]Ramy[/name_m] is naturally close with [name_f]Maria[/name_f] and [name_f]Sofía[/name_f] as well, enjoying the autumn breeze before another crazy but exhilarating Canadian winter. [name_m]Ramy[/name_m] loves winter but understands why [name_f]Annelore[/name_f] wouldn’t care for it. [name_m]Ramy[/name_m] doesn’t care for the humidity on xir hair though xe loves to style it for the fun of it. [name_f]Pet[/name_f] grooming is always fun and [name_m]Ramy[/name_m] can see why it’s something [name_f]Lina[/name_f] enjoys as well. Ramy’s other big interests are bobsledding, which xe does with a team, and they’re all excited when that happens again. [name_m]Ramy[/name_m] likes to watch horse racing but isn’t a gambler in this, preferring to see it for fun. Xe is also a huge fan of jewellery, which was helpful in deciding what ring to propose to [name_f]Lina[/name_f] with. Xe’s really happy to be engaged and supports living with [name_f]Lina[/name_f] and [name_f]Anji[/name_f] truly, feeling like xe got the comfort and relationship stability that xe craved deep down.

Sully was created by @kitkatcookie.

Tahoma was created by @CherryBomb50.

Couldn’t tell by the two bios above whether [name_f]Lina[/name_f] was engaged to a man or woman…so this character is gender-fluid!

[Lindseylloyd052399]

[name_m]Matthias[/name_m] “Matt” [name_m]Belden[/name_m] (25) is in Ramy’s bobsledding team and dating [name_f]Catarina[/name_f]. He loves bobsledding and wants to win money for gift for girlfriend. Very nice though he seems to have issues when others make bad financial decisions. He doesn’t want to fall in that path. He wants more money at that pastry and coffee shop he works at that [name_f]Annelore[/name_f] likes but he is scared to ask for a raise. Doesn’t have kids but is happy for those who do. His boss’s daughter now has one. He has a chinchilla. Any kids who see the chinchilla enjoy it. [name_f]Loyalty[/name_f] and passion are his strengths.

[CherryBomb50]

[name_f]Prunella[/name_f] “ [name_f]Pru[/name_f] “ [name_f]Josée[/name_f] [Gauthier] [name_m]Belden[/name_m] (54) is [name_m]Matt[/name_m] and Annelore’s mother, who lives by [name_f]Lina[/name_f] and Ramy’s place. She’s also very kind to [name_f]Lina[/name_f] and [name_m]Ramy[/name_m] over how they raise [name_f]Anji[/name_f] together, feeling like it reminds her of her own motherhood. [name_f]Pru[/name_f] is an aunt to [name_f]Margaux[/name_f] and her older brother. She’s glad [name_f]Margaux[/name_f] is a strong girl, not letting mean girls – or mean communities – stop her. She enjoys her nephew too, who has a comforting sense without needing to feel like he has to praise himself for it. [name_f]Pru[/name_f] works near her son, but not at the same place as her son, nor the same job line. [name_f]Pru[/name_f] used to find it odd that [name_f]Tifa[/name_f], the boss of her son’s job at Pastrifa, ironically has a daughter [name_f]Lyra[/name_f] who’s an employee too. That ended when [name_f]Annelore[/name_f] got a job at the same pizza place Peru’s mother worked at, even if not the same time. But [name_f]Lyra[/name_f] only works at Pastrifa part-time and [name_f]Lyra[/name_f] isn’t currently on shifts because she’s taken maternity leave, as [name_m]Matt[/name_m] told [name_f]Pru[/name_f]. [name_f]Pru[/name_f] senses this is a good time for [name_m]Matt[/name_m] to take more shifts, though she wants [name_m]Matt[/name_m] to feel financially comfortable, not just financially gifting his girlfriend. [name_f]Pru[/name_f] doesn’t consider herself much of an advice giver though, because the idea of advice makes her nervous. Thankfully Matt’s Pastrifa boss [name_f]Tifa[/name_f] is good at giving motherly advice for [name_m]Matt[/name_m], even if [name_m]Matt[/name_m] can be the type who’s afraid to ask. As for [name_f]Pru[/name_f], she works at a jewellery store Bling & Bangles, but not the type to go ring shopping – unless you want a casual ring to buy for yourself! She also sells necklaces, bracelets, and earrings – and the store can provide a piercing discount with any set of earrings! [name_f]Pru[/name_f] likes small hoop earrings, [name_f]Annelore[/name_f] likes big hoop earrings, and the two sometimes joke that Mr. [name_m]Belden[/name_m] or [name_m]Matt[/name_m] should get hoops. Of course, they don’t really mean it.

[name_f]Pru[/name_f] wants to be as easygoing in conversation as possible. Some say she’s easier to talk to kids than adults because she’s so lighthearted. In a conversation about religion and politics, she doesn’t want to get involved and already knows what she believes. In a conversation about [name_f]Moana[/name_f] 2, she’s ready to hype it up with the neighbourhood kids…even if she’s seen the first one only a few days ago. [name_f]Pru[/name_f] supports [name_f]Catarina[/name_f] though she’s tried to encourage [name_m]Matt[/name_m] not to go overboard with gifts – she’ll literally give him free jewellery to gift to his girlfriend. [name_f]Pru[/name_f] feels he overspent on Valentine’s [name_f]Day[/name_f] but when asking, he just tells her, “That was months ago,” instead of confirming or denying. As much as she doesn’t want to see [name_m]Matt[/name_m] go broke over buying stuff, she knows the only thing to make [name_m]Matt[/name_m] feel worse is giving away stuff he already owns…like the chinchilla. [name_m]Matt[/name_m] loves his chinchilla and wouldn’t give it away or sell it for profit. Naturally [name_m]Agustín[/name_m] wouldn’t give away his Guinea pigs Sprout and Twiglet either, though he loves when [name_f]Edie[/name_f] and [name_f]Anji[/name_f] see them. [name_f]Pru[/name_f] and her husband, who both grew up without pets, have since adopted a female calico cat named [name_f]Flossie[/name_f], who makes the couple happy when she’s around. She loves belly rubs and likes a dim room with a lamp on. They also newly adopted a male ferret [name_m]Murray[/name_m], who’s silly but has a cute and mellow personality.

Margaux was created by @chamwue.

Tifa was created by me.

Lyra was created by @Lindseylloyd052399.

[Lindseylloyd052399]

[name_f]Willow[/name_f] [name_f]Grace[/name_f] [name_m]Carman[/name_m] (1 month) is Lyra’s daughter who [name_f]Pru[/name_f] was talking about. She is a relaxed and special baby, conceived by [name_f]Lyra[/name_f] and her new partner. Lyra’s co-workers at Pastrifa are happy to take extra shifts while [name_f]Lyra[/name_f] and her boyfriend settle with parenting. Tifa’s cute grandbaby and a proud new extended relative, she looks great in every newborn photo and is best in pink or peach.

[CherryBomb50]

[name_f]Elisabeth[/name_f] “ [name_f]Bets[/name_f] “ [name_f]Jenna[/name_f] [name_m]Carman[/name_m] (26) is Willow’s aunt, who loves seeing her niece’s photos. She’s glad that the Pastrifa employees don’t mind taking the extra shifts, even though she does think [name_m]Matt[/name_m] clearly has a motive to do so. Admittedly she’s surprised [name_f]Lyra[/name_f] took the step so early on in her relationship to have a baby, considering she was always single and not looking. [name_f]Bets[/name_f] isn’t the same way, she’s very much strong on her desires, but hasn’t seen [name_f]Lyra[/name_f] as lesser. [name_f]Bets[/name_f] knows [name_f]Tina[/name_f] is nothing but supportive and she too supports Tifa’s kindness, though having no idea of her backstory. [name_f]Bets[/name_f] thankfully hasn’t lost a friend, though she tends to worry she did at the time a friend of hers asked if they want to be “with benefits” and she said no. They haven’t told anyone about this and prefer to leave it in the past, though [name_f]Bets[/name_f] has lingering doubt about her rejection. [name_f]Bets[/name_f] works at the animal shelter that [name_f]Lyra[/name_f] also works part-time at, and she’s completely fine with taking shifts on Lyra’s behalf. [name_f]Lyra[/name_f] hasn’t considered marriage and don’t believe that she has to, which [name_f]Bets[/name_f] agrees with, even though the two are used to calling each other their nysil (not yet sister in law).

[name_f]Bets[/name_f] already bought her [name_m]Christmas[/name_m] presents for family and friends and she’s good just acting like everything’s just a normal day. [name_f]Bets[/name_f] is glad not to have a [name_f]December[/name_f] birthday though her birthday was the 30th of [name_f]November[/name_f] so the first few days of [name_f]December[/name_f] just feel like she’s out of that feeling of celebrating herself and into dull reality. Her mood goes down those days while everyone else’s goes up. She personally hasn’t liked [name_f]December[/name_f] in a while due to someone who she used to date, who’s since moved on happily with someone else not too long after. Also around that time, she had a demotion at her job and was never really told why. So she’s constantly found this month to be a disappointing one, especially looking back at the year and questioning her own progress. Alongside the fact that she’s not the cheery type and feels she has to be for the sake of the holiday cheer. [name_f]Bets[/name_f] doesn’t want to be a Scrooge and isn’t angry per sé, but she tends to have a misery that she just doesn’t have on the other 11 months. She’s gotten closer to [name_m]Matt[/name_m] despite not agreeing with his idea to splurge, just because she feels he needs to be checked up on, alongside anyone else who doesn’t have the joy that the month wants from people. She’s glad for [name_f]Willow[/name_f] being in her brother’s life, even if [name_f]Willow[/name_f] sometimes overshadows things more, and genuinely wants her to have an awesome first holiday season.

[Lindseylloyd052399]

[name_m]Nathan[/name_m] “Nate” [name_m]Alexander[/name_m] [name_m]Carman[/name_m] (28) is Bets’s brother and Willow’s dad. He and [name_f]Lyra[/name_f] didn’t plan [name_f]Willow[/name_f] but are grateful for her arrival to the world, wrapped in a cute blanket and delivered softly. He’s often been there for her, working at Pastrifa part-time and drumming at the open mic nights that [name_f]Lyra[/name_f] sings and plays guitar at. He is an ally for social justice. He feels bad for Bets’ miserable Christmases and wants to spend more time with her to make this year happier.

[I_meme_it]

cw: affairs mention; family estrangement; toxic work cultures

[name_f]Amity[/name_f] ’ Mitchie ’ [name_f]Phyllida[/name_f] Culthon (27) is one of Lyras’ cousins and an aunt figure to [name_f]Willow[/name_f], something [name_m]Nate[/name_m] appreciates. As well as this presence in his daughters life, Mitchie has quickly taken a shine to [name_f]Bets[/name_f] as well. Having worked in a very toxic workplace in her early 20s, when she was waitressing, she’s been trying to give [name_f]Bets[/name_f] some advice and positive encouragement, as Mitchie blamed herself when her former boss was complaining about her performance.

Was she perfect? Of course not. Did it warrant constant accusations of not doing enough and micromanagement? Of course not. Although she did stay in the resturant world for a few more years as she finished college and got her first job as a phlebotomy nurse, Mitchie hasn’t ever forgotten how some people just use their positions to lord over others and belittle to feel better about themselves.

She’s also not a stranger to more personal conflict either - although that’s more historical. Technically Mitchies’ mother is the half-sister of [name_f]Tifa[/name_f], Lyras’ mother. Their grandfather had an affair which is how [name_f]Tifa[/name_f] was born, and her uncovering the truth led to a lot of heartache, something that saw Mitchies’ mom totally estranged from her parents, as they kicked [name_f]Tifa[/name_f] out the house. It’s why Mitchie hasn’t had a close relationship with them to this day, and really it’s not a disappointment to her. Her parents have taught her that no-one, not even family, is owed blind, unequivocal devotion, which is probably why Mitchie has such a fiery side to her character…or maybe it’s the hair, she jokes.

---

Tifa was created by @CherryBomb50

Lyra was created by @Lindseylloyd052399

[kitkatcookie]

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_m]Atticus[/name_m] [name_m]Marco[/name_m] Dresser (28) is one of Mitchies’ good friends, having known her since they were fifteen. They met through a mutual friend at school who was working to combine two smaller friend groups as [name_f][/name_f]- in her words [name_f][/name_f]- it was becoming a struggle to find appropriate seating at lunch without just having a mass gathering of people. Although he was pretty shy back then, [name_m]Atticus[/name_m] was a lot more open to the idea of mixing the groups, and he clicked pretty fast with Mitchie when they were introduced.

[name_f][/name_f]

There through Mitchies’ era with her [name_m]Boss[/name_m] From Hell, as [name_m]Atticus[/name_m] refers to said person, the support was returned as [name_m]Atticus[/name_m] almost dropped out of college when he was in his second year. This was largely influenced by his then-close friend making the decision, and Atticus’s uncertainties about a future in the field of economics. Although the other person didn’t mean anything harmful, their insistence things would work out absolutely wasn’t true for [name_m]Atticus[/name_m]. With hindsight, he knows his anxiety would’ve been magnified if he did end things then, and Mitchie was someone instrumental in encouraging him to not give up.

[name_f][/name_f]

Maybe this is why [name_m]Atticus[/name_m] can admit, at least to himself, that maybe[name_f][/name_f] his feelings for Mitchie are a bit deeper than just platonic, but it isn’t really something he wants to approach yet. He’s not dated much through the years, not that it was because of a torch being carried; again it linked back to his lacking self-confidence. Yet Mitchie’s someone he values dearly and always feels secure around…not that he quite knows how to voice this.

[CherryBomb50]

[name_f][/name_f]

Warning for aforementioned teen parenthood.

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]Madrena[/name_f] [name_f]Clara[/name_f] Lopez (27) is the mutual friend of [name_m]Atticus[/name_m] and Mitchie, though she’s been more of a friend lately than a best friend. It’s not like they’ve turned against her, but she’s changed so much out of them. This is fine, as long as she wasn’t being too pushy, which is where [name_m]Atticus[/name_m] had to put his foot down on taking her advice to leave college. Madrena’s on a different path than [name_m]Atticus[/name_m] and sometimes needs to be told not to expect everyone to make the changes she’s made. [name_f]Madrena[/name_f] was expecting Mitchie to side with her, given Mitchie was more outspoken than [name_m]Atticus[/name_m], but Mitchie had to side with [name_m]Atticus[/name_m]. Not that [name_f]Madrena[/name_f] was being a bad person, but admittedly she was[name_f][/name_f] giving bad advice. Mitchie didn’t want [name_f]Madrena[/name_f] to accidentally ruin their friendship due to a well-intentioned-but-bad suggestion in the way [name_f]Tifa[/name_f] and [name_f]Ros[/name_f] had, given Mitchie’s own placement in that situation. [name_f]Madrena[/name_f] herself left as it wasn’t her fit and felt she was only going because she wanted to look like a good example to her two younger sisters. One of her sisters [name_f]Emilia[/name_f] had to be tutored while her other sister [name_f]Gigi[/name_f] became a teenage mother. Madrena’s heard about that drama from Gigi’s associated buddy [name_f]Kristina[/name_f] and genuinely wishes them both the best. So [name_f]Madrena[/name_f] often felt torn between being the one both of them looked up to but also not the example she felt she had to be.

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[name_f]Madrena[/name_f] herself is glad she listened to [name_m]Atticus[/name_m] on his decision not to follow her. [name_m]Even[/name_m] [name_f]Madrena[/name_f] herself regrets her choice but she’s active and doing well. She loves how Mitchie helped [name_m]Atticus[/name_m] through this without villainising [name_f]Madrena[/name_f], though [name_f]Madrena[/name_f] wishes she handled herself better. [name_f]Madrena[/name_f] considered working at Pastrifa[name_f][/name_f] after leaving college, but didn’t want too much awkward [name_f]Tifa[/name_f] involvement, though she’s grateful [name_f]Tifa[/name_f] wasn’t a terrible boss like Mitchie’s ex-boss. Personally she thinks Mitchie and [name_m]Atticus[/name_m] would make a cute couple but isn’t forcing this by any means. [name_f]Madrena[/name_f] always loved ballet growing up but lacked the confidence when she was 12, thinking it was a “childish dance”. She feels bad for her ballerina best friend who was more open and exuberant to Madrena’s attitude in not caring about this. [name_f]Madrena[/name_f] has since had a change in heart and works for her friend’s ballet class, and the two are roommates who happily reminisce on their times together when they used to (and since returned to) be ballerinas together. [name_f]Madrena[/name_f] isn’t as good at admitting things as some people are, but she likes to look back and admit when things make her truly happy. She doesn’t regret mixing her friend groups of quiet people and enthusiastic people, since she feels she can learn from both. [name_f]Madrena[/name_f] knows it’s helped Mitchie and [name_m]Atticus[/name_m], even when she realises it’s best for her to step away and them to do their own thing, not wanting to hover around people. Madrena’s father is close with two of his work friends, but she’s convinced they’d never[name_f][/name_f] be friends if he wasn’t in the picture.

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Ros[name_f][/name_f] was created by @I_meme_it[name_f][/name_f].

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Emilia[name_f][/name_f] was created by @Lindseylloyd052399[name_f][/name_f].

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Gigi’s story originated here[name_f][/name_f]. And Kristina[name_f][/name_f] was created by @kitkatcookie[name_f][/name_f].