Create a family with a twist

Imogen ’ Minnie ’ Faith Wareing (18) is a mutual friend of Ale and Civ, but not the person who introduced them: to complicate things further, that person is Minnie’s best friend, however it has become apparent to both parties that she could be an alternative confidant given their situation. Minnie was a little softer when it came to their friend who went AWOL on account of a romance, but at the same time admits she feels a little bitter: there had been a trio dynamic between her and 2 friends, one they assumed would be unbreakable, and the way she and her best friend were iced out hurt them gravely.

Said friend is now engaged to the boyfriend who swept her up in a whirlwind and there have been rumours about the school that she’s pregnant, but Minnie isn’t getting involved, as she knows chaos could ensue. Coming from a large family herself, Minnie knows all too well about the stress that can be generated when a lot of people are making a fuss over an expectant mother, and although she doesn’t feel she could reconcile with the former 3rd member of the trio; she doesn’t want to see her hounded by their peers either. Instead, Minnie’s been directing her energy into the school’s Fashion & Design Club, of which she’s a founding member, and although not officially a lead figure, she’s looked up to and relied upon a lot by others.

Her place is a favourite hangout spot: not just because her parents are very much comfortable with giving their two children space when they’re hanging out with friends, but also thanks to the Wareing’s owning the sweetest, most affectionate black lab named Cobweb, who adores everyone who visits. Minnie can seem a little aloof at first glance, but the second you see her with the 9-year-old dog that reserved nature vanishes in favour of her gushing with affection. Given she’s the eldest cousin, Minnie’s also surprisingly adept with little kids, and has met Jude a couple of times, always knowing how to assure the little boy or make him laugh.


Minnie originated here!

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[name_f]Leticia[/name_f] " [name_f]Cici[/name_f] " [name_f]Paige[/name_f] Challinder (18) is Minnie’s best friend, primary authority on the school paper’s graphic design format, and the person technically responsible for [name_u]Ale[/name_u] and Civ meeting. Planning on majoring in a combined degree of graphic design and visual communication at college, Cici’s a very driven person in all areas of life: incredibly loyal, headstrong in how they approach others and, admittedly, not the most forgiving personality. Some attribute this to Cici’s background. Their parents went through a contentious separation before [name_f]Cici[/name_f] was even born, and while they thankfully weren’t raised amidst conflict, they’ve heard a lot of stories about the vicious arguments that dominated the latter half of their mom’s pregnancy [most notably their father insisting on having a DNA test to prove [name_f]Cici[/name_f] was his child, something that caused them to be emotionally distant from him for several years, having only just gotten back into a good place thanks to the betrayal and rejection it pushed them into - worst of all when they were questioning their gender identity and coming to terms with being nonbinary]. Thanks to Cici’s dad living in another state, they only see him during holidays - something they used to dread - but they’re now able to enjoy their time with him, as he’s a webpage coder who very much endorses their passion for technology; and they’ve formed a good dynamic with their stepmother and stepsister from his second marriage.

The nature of the distancing between themself, [name_f]Minnie[/name_f] and their former friend is a very sore spot for [name_f]Cici[/name_f], right to this very day. When the trio were in middle school, the girl who left was constantly being picked on, and [name_f]Cici[/name_f] was the main person to defend them, having little fear of confrontation, and tenaciously refusing to back down once someone’s snide comment reached their ears. They encouraged her to take pride in her talents alongside [name_f]Minnie[/name_f], and their brashness was tempered by their best friends, who stopped [name_f]Cici[/name_f] recklessly embroiling themselves in confrontations. Sometimes [name_f]Cici[/name_f] can’t help but wonder if the separation stemmed from they and Minnie’s notable closeness - they were basically a pair whenever referenced by others, on account of being in the majority of classes together, and the chalk/cheese nature of their dynamic stood out - but given their feelings of betrayal, such a question hasn’t been asked.

Truthfully, the intensity and pacing of their former friends romance put [name_f]Cici[/name_f] on edge, and a serious row once happened when they voiced their opinion that their other best friend was ‘settling’ with her now fiancé: merely accepting the first guy who showed so much interest because she still suffered with her self-esteem. While they meant well with this - and [name_f]Cici[/name_f] just wanted to not see her friend boxed in so soon - their delivery of these points was terrible, and although it took a few more months for the estrangement to officially set in, they’ve confided in [name_f]Minnie[/name_f] they blame this as a major instigator; suffering a great deal of guilt given it impacted her so much as well. There was a semi-cold war between [name_f]Cici[/name_f] and Minnie’s group opposed to their former friend’s boyfriends’ circle: never an outright conflict, but no-one wanted to associate with each other. [name_f]Cici[/name_f] can’t help wonder if their former friend badmouthed them and certain others - they’re doubtful [name_f]Minnie[/name_f] was slandered, given her patience [and honestly, they know they’d hit the roof if she was trash talked] - but with the newfound pregnancy rumours swirling, there have been whispers said girl wants to reach out once more…

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[name_f]Josephine[/name_f] “Josie” [name_u]Chelsea[/name_u] Hoffman (18) is [name_f]Minnie[/name_f] and Cici’s former friend. Through middle school, [name_u]Josie[/name_u] was best friends with [name_f]Minnie[/name_f] and [name_f]Cici[/name_f], mostly because they stood up for her when she was being bullied. There were some cracks in the friend group throughout the years. However, once she met her future fiancé, the friendship really fell apart. After she graduates from high school, she was planning on getting married to him as soon as possible, but she has just recently found out she is pregnant and is having second thoughts on getting married and having a kid right at 18. Not wanting to throw the rest of her teens and her twenties away, she has decided she needs a change. After realizing she has no friends that aren’t already friends with her fiance, she is thinking about reaching back out to [name_f]Cici[/name_f] and [name_f]Minnie[/name_f] and apologizing to them and trying to regain their trust.

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[name_f]Eloise[/name_f] [name_f]Annabel[/name_f] “ [name_f]Ellie[/name_f] “ Hoffman (23) is the older sister of [name_u]Josie[/name_u]. [name_f]Eloise[/name_f] and [name_u]Josie[/name_u] have been thicker than thieves their whole life, despite the considerably large age gap of 5 years. [name_f]Eloise[/name_f], much unlike her sister, was a popular girl in middle school- the kind who was bubbly, fun and always kind to everyone. When [name_f]Ellie[/name_f] found out that [name_u]Josie[/name_u] was being bullied in school, she was angry- angry at the bullies, angry at the teachers for not doing anything and angry at herself, in a way, for not shielding her sister from this. [name_f]Ellie[/name_f] was like a second parent to [name_u]Josie[/name_u] and her younger siblings during her childhood- her parents both worked two to three jobs and were on a high stress schedule with little to no time to take care of their kids, so [name_f]Eloise[/name_f] had to take on a lot of responsibility at a young age. She often wished she had an older brother or sister so the responsibility would be taken off her, and she could have the chance to be a kid.

[name_f]Eloise[/name_f] didn’t go to college because of the need to take care of her siblings, but she’s not mad about it- she’s grateful she has them and wouldn’t trade them for the world. [name_f]Ellie[/name_f] works at a nail salon and paints people’s toenails for a living, and has her own apartment downtown. She knows about [name_u]Josie[/name_u] and her fiancé situation and urges her to break up with him, knowing that he’s not the best of an influence and has even offered to raise her baby for her. Josie’s considering letting her sister raise the baby, but she’s not too sure what the future holds for her right now and might decide to keep it. Whatever [name_u]Josie[/name_u] chooses to do, [name_f]Eloise[/name_f] will always be supportive of her sister’s choice and love her no matter what.

[name_f]Eloise[/name_f] has a boyfriend herself, and the two would definitely be open to adopting any of Josie’s present or future children. Her boyfriend has a rare genetic condition that makes it impossible for him to have biological children, but the couple know that if they spend the rest of their lives together (which they intend to do), they want to have children, so both are entirely open to the idea. They already have a “child”, technically, a white cat named [name_f]Nellie[/name_f] who they both absolutely adore, but they want human ones in the future.

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Warning for brief mention of infertility.

Kane Stellan Heng-McClure (24) is Ellie’s boyfriend, currently working for a tech company. He’s related to bonds despite age gaps, especially with his sister who is 5 years younger than him although he could never imagine his sister living Josie’s life despite her love for babies. He’s an older brother of Cherry but not the eldest. Kane has heard a bit about Josie from Ellie and wishes the Minnie/Cici/Josie friendship could reform again but knows it’s not his place. Kane can’t help but want to adopt or foster the baby of Josie and her fiancé. He’s a bit worried about how Josie’s fiancé would play as a father: either Josie’s fiancé would be all over having the baby for himself or he’d be the type to never want to raise the baby, Kane doesn’t know which type he is. Although Kane doesn’t want to jump to conclusions, Josie’s fiancé may be a good guy after all who simply doesn’t have the preparation of growing up so fast, much like Josie feels. But if that’s the case, why did he propose to her?

Josie and Ellie have been great people and he is grateful to have Ellie as a girlfriend. He and Ellie love to enjoy the outdoors and they’ve just had a glamping trip, basically luxury camping. While he doesn’t want to pry into Josie’s personal life, he can see himself being friends with her, after all he does have potential to be her friend and he isn’t friends with her fiancé. For a long time Kane’s been pro-adoption ever since he grew up but he can’t help but be upset when he realised he couldn’t biologically father children of his own. He liked adoption as a choice, not as an “only option”. He’s gotten more open again thanks to his belief on fulfilling lifelong dreams alongside the fact of how much unadopted children need a home and family. He and Eloise’s cat Nellie is also adopted, she was from a rescue animal shelter.

Cherry was created by @wandering_willow.

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cw: relationship with questionable age gap


[name_f]Clover[/name_f] ‘Clo’ [name_f]Hannah[/name_f] [name_m]Barnes[/name_m] [18] is a newer person on the radar of [name_m]Kane[/name_m] and [name_f]Ellie[/name_f] as she’s been hanging out with [name_u]Josie[/name_u] more. Many have assumed that [name_f]Clo[/name_f] is short for [name_f]Cloe[/name_f] and shocking people when she tells people that it’s actually short for [name_f]Clover[/name_f] is one of her favorite party tricks. She’s a free spirit who’s very opinionated to a near fault.

The two teenage girls met after [name_f]Clo[/name_f] reached out to [name_u]Josie[/name_u] upon hearing the pregnancy rumors for support since she herself was once the subject of a pregnancy rumor herself and just like her Clo’s rumor turned out to be true. She had become pregnant at sixteen by her eighteen year old boyfriend. Looking back [name_f]Clo[/name_f] is painfully aware that their relationship was not very healthy, thankfully it wasn’t abusive or anything but it certainly was dicey, but not illegal. The couple was fourteen and sixteen they had started dating which meant that her boyfriend was protected from any criminal charges due to the [name_m]Romeo[/name_m] and [name_f]Juliet[/name_f] law.

Still despite no legal ramifications from the pregnancy, the emotional ones were devastating. Being that her boyfriend was already in college and forcing them to be long distance, it was all too easy for him to use those reasons as his logic for breaking up with her and declining to be in the child’s life. [name_f]Clo[/name_f] herself was determined to keep the baby and convinced herself that one day her ex would come crawling back begging for her to take him back and be a dad to the baby, of course he never did. Her parents were distraught by her choice and the conflict eventually lead to a divorce before their grandchild was born. [name_f]Clo[/name_f] continued living with her mother and she was the only person present for the delivery.

Being a single mother at sixteen was hard, but [name_f]Clo[/name_f] worked her ass off to make it work. She maintained honor roll and is set to graduate as one of the top five students in her graduating class. She’s been using herself as an example to show [name_u]Josie[/name_u] that she doesn’t need to give up her baby to her sister if she doesn’t want to, that she should dump her fiancé and being a single and young mom is possible when you really put the work in.

[name_f]Ellie[/name_f] and [name_m]Kane[/name_m] have begun to notice Clo’s influence on [name_u]Josie[/name_u] and have started to worry about the consequences that her insistence that [name_u]Josie[/name_u] keep her baby. Recently [name_f]Ellie[/name_f] confronted [name_f]Clo[/name_f] recently and demanded she back off her sister due to her feeling so protective as a third parent to her siblings. It resulted in a bit of a screaming match where [name_m]Kane[/name_m] had to intervene. Though [name_f]Ellie[/name_f] does agree with [name_f]Clo[/name_f] telling [name_u]Josie[/name_u] to break up with her baby’s father.

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cw: possessive and unhealthy relationship
tw: parental death relating to crime

[name_u]Owen[/name_u] [name_u]Davis[/name_u] Wix (18) is the source and instigator of all the drama, being Josie’s boyfriend and nemesis of many, not just limited to [name_f]Ellie[/name_f], [name_f]Cici[/name_f] and [name_f]Minnie[/name_f]. In some senses, the development of Owen’s nature is a tragedy: he started out at school as the boy who’d always stand up to bullies and fight for the underdog, hating injustice and cruelty with a passion, something his dad - a single parent - encouraged him to take pride in. Having lost his mom when he was very young - who lost her life far too son in a failed car jacking that culminated in her being fatally shot when she resisted - [name_u]Owen[/name_u] valued the approval of his father twice as fiercely, thanks to what had been taken away from him; however only his dad really was confided in about his upset and uncertainties. Unfortunately, this protective side gradually morphed into something unhealthy, strengthened by how [name_u]Owen[/name_u] can be quite insular focused: he knows who he knows, likes who he likes, and gradually proved increasingly standoffish when it came to those outside of the circle he trusted properly.

When he met [name_u]Josie[/name_u], he was almost instantly smitten, being endeared by her kindness and speaking to her about her history of being bullied with genuine caring. However, what [name_u]Josie[/name_u] didn’t realise was [name_u]Owen[/name_u] quickly came to envy the friendship trio she belonged to, feeling [name_f]Minnie[/name_f] and [name_f]Cici[/name_f] cut into what time the couple had spared between school work and other interests and activities. It was the obvious closeness of [name_f]Minnie[/name_f] and [name_f]Cici[/name_f] that allowed [name_u]Owen[/name_u] to convince [name_u]Josie[/name_u] to remove herself from the trio. He got in her ear that [name_f]Minnie[/name_f] and [name_f]Cici[/name_f] were excluding her intentionally and were potentially going to abandon her entirely for the wider friendship group being formed, blinding [name_u]Josie[/name_u] to the fact she not only wasn’t being pushed out, but that their newer friends were just as eager to spend time with her too.

As he had a friend group of his own, [name_u]Owen[/name_u] was less phased by his terrible behaviour, merely believing [name_u]Josie[/name_u] would come to be as close with the friends he chose, and that he wouldn’t have to compete for her time and attention anymore; it never even crossing his mind how destroying her strongest bonds was selfish, thoughtless and utterly self-serving. He also considered his friends ‘intellectually superior’ to those she kept company with at the time they became involved, and talked poorly of her old circle behind her back. While his friends were never opposed to Josie’s presence or dismissive, they weren’t the sort of people she naturally gravitated towards, pushing her closer to [name_u]Owen[/name_u], who was so wrapped up in the success of victory over [name_f]Minnie[/name_f] and [name_f]Cici[/name_f] that he never noticed his girlfriend didn’t just click.

Currently [name_u]Owen[/name_u] isn’t actually aware Josie’s pregnant, something [name_f]Ellie[/name_f] instructed her sister was for the best, as she was worried he’d use it as an excuse to further bind [name_u]Josie[/name_u] to him. He’s currently preparing to study physiotherapy at university, helped by the fact he has a scholarship offer due to being a star member of his school’s boxing team, and would absolutely encourage her to move with him for attendance if he knew she’s expecting his child. Owen’s father, a man who wouldn’t approve of his behaviour, is wrapped up in his work as a dentist, being married to his job to provide for his son, and some would say he used his career to numb the pain of loss. To a degree, [name_u]Owen[/name_u] feels shame at how he isn’t as academically talented at his father, which is another bonding point he and [name_u]Josie[/name_u] came to be closer thanks to, and their recent discussions have been dominated by talk of this now college is on the horizon. No-one’s seen much of Owen’s temper, but [name_f]Clo[/name_f] and [name_f]Ellie[/name_f] are both individually nervous about this, given his behavioural pattern…

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cw: reference to the death of a sibling (owen’s mom)


[name_f]Deirdre[/name_f] [name_f]Maureen[/name_f] Wix [55] is Owen’s maternal aunt who’s not very close to him or her sister’s widower. She tried to be there for her brother-in-law and nephew, but always felt pushed away by them. While not taking it personally, aware that it was probably the grief talking, she simply couldn’t really find a way to stay engaged in their lives without feeling unwanted. Instead she chose to support them from afar, sending cards for holidays and sometimes money if she had it. Though she’s mostly made peace with not really having a relationship with them.

She’s pretty used to being alone in some capacity, she’s always been a bit of a loner even as a child and teen. She never married, something she was at times ostracized for by her and Owen’s mother’s family. [name_f]Deirdre[/name_f] was simply uninterested in love or sex, though she tried a number of times to change her own mind, it just didn’t seem to be possible. Eventually she found out through one of her many odd jobs that she’s taken part of, working at a shelter for LGBT youth, about asexuality and aromanticism. The labels quickly resonated with her and she ended up becoming very active in an aro/ace group in the city.

In addition to the shelter she also works at a free women’s clinic where she helps with the organization of various things as well as keeping nervous patients company if they ask for it. Semi-recently she encountered a young girl who was in the clinic for a pregnancy test. As they spoke [name_f]Deirdre[/name_f] realized there was some similarities with the story of the girl’s boyfriend and what she’d heard her nephew was up to. Slowly it became more apparent that the two boys were in fact, one and the same. The girl, [name_u]Josie[/name_u], turned out to have a positive test. [name_f]Deirdre[/name_f] directed her to some resources she could use such a free therapy service, and considered reaching out to some of them herself as she knew realized that she was harboring a secret. She would of course never reveal any information about a patient, she simply wonders how things will pan out for [name_u]Josie[/name_u] and [name_u]Owen[/name_u].


[name_u]Josie[/name_u] belongs to @Swimmere1223

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Warning for brief mentions of anxiety.

[name_u]Sierra[/name_u] [name_u]Brooklyn[/name_u] [name_m]Barnes[/name_m] (20) is a clinic client of [name_f]Deirdre[/name_f] and older sister of [name_f]Clo[/name_f] [name_m]Barnes[/name_m]. Like [name_f]Deirdre[/name_f] herself, [name_u]Sierra[/name_u] is aro/ace. [name_u]Sierra[/name_u] was definitely not naïve but her cautious behavior on herself is not just her personality, it is also a sign of her anxiety. She comes to the clinic to focus on mental health, having battled anxiety on-and-off-again. She’s often been so worried by her sister Clo’s pregnancy but realises now that she needs time and care for herself too. She will always be a great sister for [name_f]Clo[/name_f] and feels better about her life now that [name_f]Deirdre[/name_f] is helping her find the perfect balance.

[name_u]Sierra[/name_u] herself works at a clinic, but as a receptionist for a pet clinic. Her aunt runs the clinic and [name_u]Sierra[/name_u] will have to finish university and veterinary school before having a role caring for the animals. Still, [name_u]Sierra[/name_u] likes the clinic so far despite being a bit bored at times. To relieve boredom, she’s allowed to have her pets, two male senior tabby cats named [name_m]Oslo[/name_m] and [name_u]London[/name_u], with her. They usually sleep most of the time and are super friendly when awake so they’ve never caused a ruckus. [name_u]Sierra[/name_u] is considering adopting more pets in the future, but mainly focuses on wanting to adopt senior or disabled pets, to give them an amazing life.

She couldn’t quite avoid the gossip going around about Josie’s pregnancy but she keeps a safe distance and is kept away at times for confidentiality reasons. She’s gotten a good bond with Clo’s 2-year-old child and uses her pet clinic experience plus her experiences with [name_f]Deirdre[/name_f] as inspiration to make the [name_m]Barnes[/name_m] family have a better life. However [name_u]Sierra[/name_u] never “babies” [name_f]Clo[/name_f] - she knows [name_f]Clo[/name_f] beat the odds when she made honour roll and she’s just as excited as Clo’s mother to watch [name_f]Clo[/name_f] graduate! [name_u]Sierra[/name_u] knows [name_f]Clo[/name_f] does play an important role in [name_f]Ellie[/name_f] and Josie’s dilemma regarding [name_u]Owen[/name_u], but she isn’t yet ready to ask.

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[name_f]Arwen[/name_f] Rouge [name_m]Barnes[/name_m] [2] is Sierra’s niece and child of [name_f]Clo[/name_f]. She’s a very curious little girl and adores her ‘cat-ousins’ which is how her mother jokingly refers to [name_m]Oslo[/name_m] and [name_u]London[/name_u]. She’s very insistent that she’ll one day work at an animal clinic like her aunt but pretty much everyone is sure that she’ll change her mind considering just about a month ago she was swearing up and down that she wanted to be a watercolor artist like her best friend’s mother.

Despite being effectively surrounded by conflict her entire life, between her parents, and grandparents, and adjacent though largely unaware of the Josie-Owen conflict, she’s a very upbeat kid and always brings a little light to everything she does. Her maternal grandmother often says that she reminds her of the perfect combo of [name_u]Sierra[/name_u] and [name_f]Clo[/name_f] when they were kids themselves.

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[name_f]Elysande[/name_f] ’ [name_f]Ellie[/name_f] ’ [name_f]Rachel[/name_f] Hauptmann (2) is Arwen’s best friend, and fellow drama adjacent toddler. Ellie’s dad is the older sibling of someone dating [name_u]Owen[/name_u] Wixs’ close friend, who tends to act as a voice of reason where high school woes are concerned. The Hauptmann’s own antique shop and thrift store, with Ellie’s dad being the account and administrator of the first business, having decided to go into it so his parents had more time to themselves, as well as wanting to stay close to his wider family post-graduation at college.

[name_f]Arwen[/name_f] and [name_f]Ellie[/name_f] met at the park, on a particularly cold day that they insisted on weathering with their moms’, the mutual tenacity meaning the girls’ immediately clicked. The fact her best friend has cat cousins is the most amazing thing where Ellie’s concerned - she doesn’t have any such surrogates, but is eager to gain any kind of playmate within the family. Her current closest thing is her maternal aunts’ guinea pigs, however they’re not as spry as [name_f]Ellie[/name_f] hoped for, and instead she has to merely give them a gentle cuddle instead of playing extravagant games.

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[name_f]Avigail[/name_f] " [name_f]Avril[/name_f] " [name_f]Harleth[/name_f] [name_u]Cohen[/name_u] (24) is Ellie’s mother and currently engaged to Ellie’s father. [name_f]Avril[/name_f] likes to playtease with Elysande’s father to please give their daughter another nickname or change their daughter’s nickname spelling to [name_u]Ely[/name_u]. It’s hilariously petty but it’s because it’s confusing with her friend [name_f]Eloise[/name_f] " [name_f]Ellie[/name_f] " [name_f]Annabel[/name_f] Hoffman, especially since they both have the H as a last initial. Does [name_f]Avril[/name_f] mean it when she jokes that? Who even knows, she has a lot of playteases and still finds it cute though, seeing that she and [name_f]Ellie[/name_f] A.H. are great friends. She’s an easygoing parent to [name_f]Ellie[/name_f] and has tried to be a rock for her fiancé and his brother given the drama on [name_u]Owen[/name_u] Wix. She doesn’t completely villainise [name_u]Owen[/name_u] but she doesn’t think he should entirely get a pass. She used to be uncomfortable around [name_f]Clo[/name_f] given the drama, but [name_f]Ellie[/name_f] A.H. really motivated her that [name_f]Clo[/name_f] is a good person and she needs people to lean on. It helps a lot that their daughters’ bond at least because they can use a good friendship. [name_f]Avril[/name_f] is doing better with [name_f]Clo[/name_f] although [name_f]Clo[/name_f] is much younger and not graduated yet, not something [name_f]Avril[/name_f] can relate to, unlike [name_f]Ellie[/name_f] A.H., given the latter having a younger sister. [name_f]Avril[/name_f] is the youngest of three although she’s the only parent, not counting the guinea pigs. [name_f]Avril[/name_f] and her family are Jewish but never force their religion on [name_f]Ellie[/name_f] R.H. or other family members.

[name_f]Avril[/name_f] loves the park and is often strolling around, which gives more time for her daughter to bond with [name_f]Arwen[/name_f]. [name_f]Avril[/name_f] is actually fairly new to finding out Josie’s pregnancy. The two were casually rollerskating in the park when [name_u]Josie[/name_u], knowing [name_f]Avril[/name_f] was engaged, asked what engagement and wedding planning is like. [name_f]Avril[/name_f] loves talking about that since she’s excited to be married one day, so she let her guard down and kept happily discussing it. After [name_f]Avril[/name_f] stated that the Hoffmans are invited to the wedding as soon as a date is arranged, [name_u]Josie[/name_u] blurted out that [name_f]Avril[/name_f] can go to her wedding - if there is one. [name_f]Avril[/name_f] was confused but immediately talked [name_u]Josie[/name_u] out of it, if she didn’t feel 100% on a major life decision, she shouldn’t make herself do it. It won’t make her stressful life better. Plus [name_u]Owen[/name_u] isn’t even aware she’s carrying his child. [name_f]Avril[/name_f] and her fiancé welcomed their daughter 2 years ago, but they haven’t been engaged yet until 1 month ago. They waited until they were truly ready.

Avril’s career is very kid-friendly: she’s a writer and illustrator for childrens’ books! She wants to inspire kids’ imaginations and help them learn about the world in a fun way. Her work is also a great way to promote a love of reading, which she sees as a powerful force for good in the world. She’s always been focusing on being a mature adult role model while still retaining her fun side with children. Avril’s older siblings were closer in age to one another than they were to her, so she was often perceived as the “baby” or “little kiddie”. Now that they’re all adults and Avril’s parenthood has gained her more maturity, she’s gotten closer with one of her elder siblings, although she’s worried the other one is feeling left out and wants to “re-invite” and have all three be close again, because she knows what it’s like feeling left out and doesn’t want to be the “sibling stealer”. The park has often been a place for motivation to her, since she loved running around it as a kid but now finds it a relaxing place to unwind as an adult. Seeing her daughter and [name_f]Arwen[/name_f] enjoy the park is a plus for her and she’s hoping her daughter grows up loving it just as much when she’s older.

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[name_m]Christopher[/name_m] " [name_u]Chris[/name_u] " [name_m]Ilan[/name_m] Hauptmann (18) is Avril’s brother-in-law, Ellie’s uncle and on-off mediator where the [name_u]Owen[/name_u] drama is concerned. If it were up to [name_u]Chris[/name_u] alone, he’d completely disengage from everything - as it’s a persistent headache, especially as he wants to just leave it behind and others don’t - but he loves his boyfriend and doesn’t want to make any demands about cutting off friendships, which he feels is entirely unfair [and very awkward for [name_u]Owen[/name_u] the time [name_u]Chris[/name_u] mentioned it, given what he incited within Josie’s life].

This is made easier by the fact [name_u]Chris[/name_u] doesn’t attend the same school as everyone in that particular friend group: he’s at one the next town over actually, as his parents moved once he’d already started his freshman year, and [name_u]Chris[/name_u] opted to commute via the bus, rather than go through upheaval. He confesses he’s someone who prefers sticking with what he knows, but it doesn’t bother other people thanks to how staunchly loyal of a person [name_u]Chris[/name_u] is, his family first and foremost benefitting from the dedicated aspect of his nature.

Academics are likewise taken seriously, however it’s more understandable in the eyes of his classmates. [name_u]Chris[/name_u] aspires to become a doctor - he thinks he’d like to specialise in transitions, but hasn’t cemented anything about specialising yet - and entirely puts in the studies to achieve this. Ironically, his main respite from whatever gossips dominating the social scene is the time he devotes to preparing and learning more about medicine. [name_f]Ellie[/name_f] isn’t always enthused about this though, as her uncle’s ridiculously cool in her eyes [he has his own drivers license, reads horror novels and a collection of retro 2000s punk band posters decorating his room], so she’s constantly appearing to grab a hold of [name_u]Chris[/name_u] at the first chance she gets: something her parents find ridiculously charming, and affectionately tease the uncle in question about, not that [name_u]Chris[/name_u] minds really.

Things have started to become more complex though, as - at the request of his mom’s work friend - [name_u]Chris[/name_u] is due to begin tutoring [name_u]Spencer[/name_u] Wareing. He’s tutored before and it isn’t something that’s phased him in the slightest, although Chris’s mind could change if he was aware his soon-to-be pupil is, the younger brother of one of Owen’s nemesis, [name_f]Minnie[/name_f]. Although he’s mostly in the dark about that part of the chaos [having gotten with his boyfriend after [name_u]Josie[/name_u] stopped hanging around with [name_f]Minnie[/name_f] and [name_f]Cici[/name_f] Challinder], the tangled web might start to unwind into a straight force of conflict. When coupled with the fact Josie’s sister [name_f]Ellie[/name_f] is best friends with [name_f]Avril[/name_f], [name_u]Chris[/name_u] has a feeling he won’t be escaping drama for a couple more months, but with the unrevealed pregnancy, his estimate might be airing on the optimistic side…


Josie’s credited to @Swimmere1223 :sunflower:

The Wareings
Minnie’s credited to @I_meme_it :tulip:

Cici’s credited to yours truly

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[name_m]Gilberto[/name_m] ‘ [name_m]Gibby[/name_m] ‘ [name_m]Jesús[/name_m] Ruiz (18) is Chris’s “bus buddy”, a buddy of his who sits next to him on the school bus. It’s not always easy for him to avoid drama with pregnancy — his cousin [name_f]Savannah[/name_f] was a teen mum before and he knows how that’s weighed heavily on Savannah’s younger sister [name_u]Ale[/name_u] for that reason. He’s glad he doesn’t attend that school for that reason although his mother can have a lot of tension on the situation in their family. After all the cousins came from strict and deeply religious grandparents, along with the fact that Gibby’s mother was tricked into thinking Savannah’s mother was the one who had [name_u]Jude[/name_u] — not [name_f]Savannah[/name_f] herself. Having a strict mother was hard on [name_m]Gibby[/name_m] and his teenage sister, who had just turned 15, but thankfully Gibby’s sister has been nothing but happy about growing up. As his sister has proudly made it clear, this is because she just had her quinceañera less than 2 weeks ago, a big event which has brought some fun light on the family lately. [name_m]Gibby[/name_m] wants to retain that positivity she has because this was a moment the family actually got along with each other and he doesn’t know when the next time this will happen.

[name_m]Gibby[/name_m] also takes happiness with [name_u]Chris[/name_u] ironically, given that [name_u]Chris[/name_u] also is one to avoid drama. Both have similar passions to become doctors and can talk about medicine with each other for days if they could. [name_m]Gibby[/name_m] respects [name_f]Minnie[/name_f] and he isn’t so sure what to think about [name_u]Josie[/name_u] especially given the drama. However [name_m]Gibby[/name_m] won’t label anyone as “bad” without reason. He has no idea about Josie’s pregnancy - heck, [name_u]Owen[/name_u] doesn’t even know. While [name_m]Gibby[/name_m] has been largely out of the situation, his younger sister takes an after-school singing class with the youngest Hoffman. [name_m]Gibby[/name_m] isn’t quite sure what they both know about the issue at-hand but he’s taking life slow and easy, even if he never finds out until the baby’s birth.

Savannah was created by @jinxed_peach.

Ale was created by @A.B.Galaxy.

Jude was created by @kitkatcookie.

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[name_f]Quetzalli[/name_f] ’ [name_f]Zala[/name_f] ’ [name_f]María[/name_f] Ruiz (15) is Gibby’s sister and the youngest of the cousins - excluding [name_u]Jude[/name_u], given the lie surrounding his maternity. This position means there’s a great deal of protectiveness surrounding her, not just restricted to their mom and dad, but their grandparents as well. Their mother has a tendency to do all in her power to keep tabs on both her kids, but their father especially focuses his attentions on [name_f]Zala[/name_f], fearing she’ll end up being involved with unsavoury boyfriends - a product of hearing all his sister-in-law has said in the past: her thinly veiled means of venting about [name_f]Savannah[/name_f].

While her brother keeps her out of the major drama to the best of his ability - a relief for [name_f]Zala[/name_f], as she loathes conflict - she’s formed a meaningful bond with [name_u]Jude[/name_u], who she thinks is absolutely precious. He’s made her more certain about becoming a mother herself someday, however this is a very distant dream for [name_f]Zala[/name_f] as of now. Something that has played on her mind is how [name_u]Jude[/name_u] always seems so eager to speak of [name_f]Savannah[/name_f], however she hasn’t asked too many questions…yet.

To the relief of her cousins and [name_m]Gibby[/name_m] most of all, [name_f]Zala[/name_f] hasn’t decided to go for total rebellion as a means of getting away from this. She’s an avid and accomplished musician, who plays the cello as well as guitar, and now she’s preparing on signing up for the orchestra when she transfers up to high school, as it’s a tried and tested perfect means of self-expression. The spotlight’s something she actively avoids otherwise, having a shyer nature, which some could argue is a product of witnessing how certain relatives behaved: using attention as a means of confrontation.

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[name_f]Sister[/name_f] [name_f]Neva[/name_f] [name_f]Sofia[/name_f] Ruiz (58) is the aunt of both [name_m]Gibby[/name_m] and [name_f]Zala[/name_f] alongside the aunt of [name_f]Savannah[/name_f] and [name_u]Ale[/name_u] as well. Like the rest of her generation, she can be perceived as someone to root against - although her position speaks otherwise. However unlike her younger siblings, [name_f]Neva[/name_f] has no romance or children, taking a vow of chastity and celibacy, and becoming a nun. [name_f]Neva[/name_f] was the eldest of her siblings and had always felt a desire to live her life in devotion of holiness. She often acted rather prudish to her siblings growing up but she has since found peace with them in her life. Not only was she there for all her nieces and nephews but also Zala’s quinceañera, where she enjoyed the melodies of Zala’s cello performing and gave [name_f]Zala[/name_f] as much spotlight on her talents and accomplishments. She even attended the baby shower of [name_u]Jude[/name_u], whom she also believed was a brother to [name_f]Savannah[/name_f] and [name_u]Ale[/name_u].

Unlike her siblings, she isn’t as close to her family due to her pursuit in remaining a nun for her church. People know to respect her and some are intimidated by her, but outside of prayer and duties, she’s a person of few words. If she were to request a glass of water, she wouldn’t ask, “May I have a glass of water?” or state, “I’d like a glass of water.” Instead, she’d simply but sternly say, “Water.” If one were to make a feeble excuse, she’d respond, “Lazy” in the same tone of voice. Regardless of whether she approved or disapproved of something, she would usually only say one word, yet manage to make it have a lot of power.

Her siblings know she doesn’t often pry into others - sometimes a good thing - given the busy and dedicated life she lives. However, [name_f]Neva[/name_f] still has a guiding side to her and does good services for people. She will serve both the public and private, something her siblings honour about her. She’s not the strictest of her siblings but she’s definitely not the least strict - the least strict is secretly the one raising [name_f]Savannah[/name_f], Ale…and [name_u]Jude[/name_u]!

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tw: death of parents, somewhat turbulent childhood, prostitution, drug use,


[name_f]Perdita[/name_f] [name_f]Anthe[/name_f] [name_u]Kelsey[/name_u] [21] is a sort of ‘honorary daughter’ of [name_f]Neva[/name_f]. Don’t worry, she never broke her vow and [name_f]Perdita[/name_f] is no secret love child. She grew up in an orphanage that was run through the church. Her biological parents died in a house fire when [name_f]Perdita[/name_f] was just a baby, no older than a few months at most. A neighbor noticed the commotion and rushed in to save [name_f]Perdita[/name_f], but by the time they got her out the house was structurally unstable and collapsed before their eyes. The Kelseys attended church in Neva’s sect which was the inspiration behind leaving [name_f]Perdita[/name_f] in their care. Though the sentiment was nice, the life she lead wasn’t always.

There were many other kids in the orphanage, though compared to many other group homes the gang of kids in the care of the church was fairly small. They slept in two rooms separated by sex with the boys in one and [name_f]Perdita[/name_f] and the other girls in another. They spent their days performing chores around the church grounds, poring over bible passages, and if the sisters were in a good mood then those who were interested could sing in the church’s choir. [name_f]Perdita[/name_f] adored music and would sing every chance she got. Although she often wished they could sing more than hymnals and praise music.

By the time she turned 18 and was no longer able to stay in the church’s care, she was a well featured singer in the choir and was close with several of the nuns in addition to the other kids she grew up with. That’s where the whole ‘honorary daughter’ title comes in, [name_f]Neva[/name_f] and all the other nuns often considered the kids in their care to be children of their own. Especially those who stayed as long as [name_f]Perdita[/name_f]. It was a tough goodbye for all involved.

Now on the street it was hard to make ends meet on her own. She would try to busk for tips by singing but never really pulled in much. She eventually turned to prostitution since it was something she knew she could rely on. Eventually she was turned on to a drug habit by a client when he didn’t have the money to pay her and offered her product instead. Which in turn fueled her need to continue hooking to pay for her habit. Her path to sobriety started when she ran into a former friend, someone else who had grown up in the orphanage. They helped her off the street and ended up paying for her stay in rehab. There [name_f]Perdita[/name_f] met [name_m]Ferris[/name_m], [name_f]Annie[/name_f], and [name_f]Savannah[/name_f]. Finding out the latter was the niece of [name_f]Sister[/name_f] [name_f]Neva[/name_f] was a strange but welcome coincidence that bonded [name_f]Perdita[/name_f] to [name_f]Savannah[/name_f]. The two girls have stayed in contact since both graduating the rehab program and [name_f]Perdita[/name_f] is hoping to provide some help in her case to get [name_u]Jude[/name_u] back into her custody.

At the moment [name_f]Perdita[/name_f] is focusing on her recovery and has been going back to school seeking a degree in music education. She’s returned to the church where she now volunteers to help conduct the church’s usual choir, as well as a newly founded youth choir.

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[name_f]Sophia[/name_f] [name_f]Grace[/name_f] [name_m]Martin[/name_m] (27) met [name_f]Perdita[/name_f] through their shared love of music. [name_f]Sophia[/name_f] is a classically trained pianist and currently works as a music teacher at a local elementary school. She enjoys spending time with [name_f]Perdita[/name_f], helping her with her recovery and volunteering alongside her at the church. Despite their age difference, they have become close friends and enjoy creating music together in their free time.

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cw: depression, injury

[name_m]Gualterio[/name_m] ’ [name_u]Gus[/name_u] ’ [name_u]Cruz[/name_u] Salido (28) is Sophia’s boyfriend and a fellow attendee of the church. Although he isn’t involved in music - joking about how tone deaf he is, even when Sophia’s talents aren’t on display - faith is what led to the pair meeting, as they both participated in volunteer organising for the church they attend alongside [name_f]Perdita[/name_f]. He tends to appear as more stoic than his girlfriend, usually involved in the behind the scenes part of community ongoings, although some would joke it’s easy for [name_u]Gus[/name_u] to shy beneath the projection of his mother, who’s one of the leading authority figures of their church.

A member of the swim team in both high school and college, with plans on committing to the sport professionally, Gus’ career almost ended when he obtained an injury while learning how to ride his motorbike. It was something that devastated him in the immediate aftermath, and on reflection, the suddenness of the change was what prompted his struggles. His mom - who raised [name_u]Gus[/name_u] alone after his father passed away while serving in the military, when their son was just 15 months old - was the greatest source of support to him, especially in this period of his life.

With her encouragement, [name_u]Gus[/name_u] continued his degree in physical education and gradually managed to build up his abilities once more. He was able to continue training and eventually returned to the water, leading to a successful career beginning after his graduation, one which remains active to this day. When he and [name_f]Sophia[/name_f] first became a couple, [name_u]Gus[/name_u] was worried his travelling would lead to things ending prematurely, however she’s been totally supportive, and he sends her postcards as personalised gifts while travelling for competitions, as well as quaint little gifts he picks up in markets and small shops.

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Warning for death of a spouse.

[name_f]Solimar[/name_f] [name_f]Lupe[/name_f] [Gardo] Salido (49) is Gus’s single mother, who has decided not to remarry since the passing of her husband, although she will never stop enjoying her time she spends with [name_u]Gus[/name_u]. She believes [name_f]Sophia[/name_f] is a wonderful girlfriend for [name_u]Gus[/name_u] and it reminds her of the days she had with her husband. Still, she doesn’t want to compare [name_f]Sophia[/name_f] to her and [name_u]Gus[/name_u] to her husband. [name_u]Love[/name_u] doesn’t have to all be the same to be true love. [name_f]Solimar[/name_f] was actually quite young, 20 when she married Mr. Salido and 21 when [name_u]Gus[/name_u] was born. What hurts [name_f]Solimar[/name_f] is that when her husband was in the military, he made a promise with her that when he returned home, that they would try to conceive another child. [name_f]Solimar[/name_f] even froze her eggs just in case. Unfortunately, this never happened given he would pass away in battle. [name_f]Solimar[/name_f] was devastated by her husband’s passing and her desire for more children was lost, but she was inspired to be the best mother she could to [name_u]Gus[/name_u].

She and [name_u]Gus[/name_u] went to church but she never forced beliefs on him and was open for discussions on how [name_u]Gus[/name_u] saw the world. Both have come to the conclusion that Solimar’s late husband/Gus’s late father is at peace now wherever he is and that he had a heroic sacrifice. [name_f]Solimar[/name_f] was genuinely scared when [name_u]Gus[/name_u] was in a motorbike accident and was devastated at the possibility that his swimming dreams throughout high school and college could be over just like that. But [name_f]Solimar[/name_f] was never the type to count things out so she never said, “Sorry your dreams are over, maybe try something else”. She instead stated that she was sorry he was in a hard place and that he was in a horrible accident but that she loves him and she wants him to recover and feel good at whatever pace he can do. [name_f]Solimar[/name_f] didn’t want to directly ask, “When are you going back to swimming?” seeing she knew nothing was definite, but deep down, she had a feeling [name_u]Gus[/name_u] was a strong individual and would do what he could to bring himself back into the sport.

[name_f]Solimar[/name_f], currently a hotel concierge, never minded that [name_f]Sophia[/name_f] enjoyed travel but would check in with [name_u]Gus[/name_u] if he felt worried about the path the relationship was going. However this was only in the beginning and she would happily let them be when she knew they were right for each other. Recently she learned her late husband actually froze his sperm as well, making the possibility of a new child possible. [name_f]Solimar[/name_f] is more content now with just [name_u]Gus[/name_u] but hasn’t closed off the idea quite yet, she’s happy that a possibility could exist. Solimar’s husband never broke promises with her so it felt fitting that even in death, he’d come through for her. But if one child is all [name_f]Solimar[/name_f] needs, then she’s okay and she enjoys the feeling of simply feeling okay.

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