#chrisblocks

Nickname: Chris

Reason for name: He's named after his grandfather.

Birthday: December 7th, 1993

Age: 16-21

Gender: male

Place of birth: Dayton, Ohio

Places lived since: Westlake, Maryland and Salisbury, Maryland (briefly)

Parents’ names, backgrounds, occupations: Mary Anne Adams Madison and John Adams. Mary Anne is a nurse and she's shy and quiet. John Adams was an alcoholic and abusive and he was murdered in prison. Bill Madison is Chris's step-father. He's a mechanic.

Number of siblings: one half-sister, Angelina Madison

Relationship with family (close? estranged?): loves his mother and sister, feels like he has to take care of them. Very protective. Likes Bill okay. Hates/loves/mourns his father

Happiest memory: first time he kissed Ashleigh.

Childhood trauma: his father physically abused him and his mother and he saw his father push his pregnant mother down a flight of stairs.

PHYSICAL

Height: 6"0

Weight: 150

Build: athletic

Nationality: American

Disabilities (physical or mental, including mental illnesses): anger management

Complexion (freckles, acne, skin tone, birth marks): none

Face shape: chiseled

Distinguishing facial features: really nice teeth, bright eyes

Hair color: sandy, light brown/dark blonde

Usual hair style: shortish, kind of swishy

Eye color: blue

Glasses? Contacts?: no

Style of dress/typical outfit(s): Pacsun, cool teenage boy

Typical style of shoes: vans, sperrys, whatever the cool kids are wearing

Health (is this person usually sick? or very resilient?): resilient

Grooming (does she/he wear makeup? shower daily? wear only clean clothes? pluck her eyebrows?): very clean

Jewelry? Tattoos? Piercings?: none

Accent?: nope

Unique mannerisms/physical habits (bites nails, talks with hands, taps feet when restless): broody, silent, expressive eyes, huge dick

Athletic?: ya

INTELLECT

Level of education (high school drop out, undergrad BA/BS, PhD, MD, etc.): in college, had to drop out, goes back

Level of self esteem: pretty good self-esteem

Gifts/talents: good at sports, especially soccer and lacrosse. very good at sex. intuitive.

Shortcomings: huge temper, jealous, possessive, expresses anger physically

Style of speech (loud, mumbler, articulate, etc.): articulate

"Left brain" or "right brain" thinker?: left brain

Artistic?: not really

Mathematical?: to a point

Makes decisions based mostly on emotions, or on logic?: mostly logic

Life philosophy: what goes around comes around.

Religious stance: lutheran, not too religious

Cautious or daring?: middle ground

Most sensitive about/vulnerable to: Ashleigh and Nate. Asia. his father. 

Optimist or pessimist?: realist

Extrovert or introvert?: extrovert

Level of comfort with technology: comfortable

RELATIONSHIPS

Current marital/relationship status: in a relationship

Sexual orientation: straight

Past relationships: Asia

Primary reason for being broken up with: bored of him

Primary reasons for breaking up with people: bored of them

Level of sexual experience: slept with two girls

Story of first kiss (if any—if not, how does he/she want it to happen?): he was fourteen and it was at a party in the eighth grade. he really liked the girl and she liked him and they went in the woods and made out

Story of loss of virginity (if any—if not, how does he/she want it to happen, if at all?): he was with Asia for two weeks and they slept together in his bedroom. she brought it up and he agreed

A social person? (popular, loner, some close friends, makes friends and then quickly drops them): popular

Most comfortable around (person): Ashleigh, Joey, Nate

Oldest friend: Joey

How does he/she think others perceive him/her?: average

How do others actually perceive him/her?: cool, good-looking, mature, put together

VOCATION

Profession: he works at a store but he's studying to be an architect

Past occupations: grocery store,

Passions: soccer, lacrosse, music, skating

Attitude towards current job: pays the bills

Attitude towards current coworkers, bosses, employees: whatevs

Salary: not much

SECRETS

(Every character—no matter how minor—should always have secrets!)

Phobias: heights, somebody (i.e. Nate) stealing his girl, losing loved ones

Life goals: become an architect, get married to Ashleigh, have children and be the best father to them that he can be

Dreams: being successful and happy and moving on from his parents' deaths and his sordid past, 

Greatest fears: becoming his father.

Most ashamed of: the holes in his walls, responding with violence, his father.

Most embarrassing thing ever to happen to him/her: dealing with everybody after Asia dumped him

Compulsions: brushing his teeth, lashing out

Obsessions: Jersey Shore, dogs

Secret hobbies: blogging, writing poetry, listening to nickelback

Secret skills: good with words, freak in the bed

Crimes committed (and was he/she caught? charged?): underage drinking, smoking weed, running from the cops. never caught.

What he/she most wants to change about his/her current life: his temper and his outlook on life. and he wishes that he could go back to school full time

What he/she most wants to change about his/her physical appearance: nothing, really. he doesn't think about it much

DETAILS/QUIRKS

Daily routine: hang out with his friends, work, keep Nate out of trouble, check on his family, study.

Night owl or early bird?: early bird

Light or heavy sleeper?: light sleeper

Favorite food: steak

Least favorite food: broccoli

Favorite book: the outsiders

Least favorite book: twilight

Favorite movie: the purge

Least favorite movie: twilight

Favorite song: photograph

Least favorite song: photograph

Coffee or tea?: neither

Crunchy or smooth peanut butter?: smooth

Type of car he/she drives (or wishes he/she drove): a regular one ??

Lefty or righty?: right

Favorite color: blue

Cusser?: ya but not like constantly

Smoker? Drinker? Drug user?: drinks some, smokes weed some. smokes cigarettes very occasionally

Biggest regret: not telling someone about his dad before things got so bad

Chris is standing at his mother's grave. Everyone else has left, even Ashleigh. He is silent. There are no tears in his eyes. He is just standing there when someone walks over and stands next to him. It's Asia.

Asia: Hey.

Chris: Hi.

Asia: I can go away if you want me to. I just came to tell you that I'm sorry about your mom.

Chris: Thanks. (there's a pause) You can stay.

Asia: Alright. (They stand in silence for a moment. Then) Chris?

Chris: Yeah?

Asia: I really am sorry about your mom. For a little while, I felt like she was my mom, too.

Chris: Really? I never got that impression.

Asia: Yeah. (bitterly) She felt more like my mom than my actual mom ever did, anyway. She was always...there.

Chris: (gruffly, starting to walk away) Well, she's not now.

Asia: (coming after him) Chris! (catching up. They keep walking around the cemetery) I'm sorry. I really didn't mean to upset you.

Chris: Okay.

Asia: And, you know, she's still here.

Chris: What?

Asia: She's in you. And Angelina.

Chris: (picks up his pace) I'm nothing like my mother.

Asia: (keeping up, sarcastically) So what, you're like your father?

Chris: Asia, please--

Asia: Because you're not. You're your mother all the way. Kind. And sweet. And a better person than a lot of people deserve. (she looks down. Chris looks at her, but says nothing) 

Asia: (laughing a little, speaking softly.) Guess I should've known what I had when I had it.

Chris: (trying to be patient) Can we not do this right now.

Asia: (quickly) I'm sorry. Sorry. I--ugh, I'm sorry. I'm leaving now. But one more thing.

Chris: What is it?

Asia: Why weren't you guys standing together?

Chris: (pretending not to know what she means) Who?

Asia: (impatiently) Come on, Chris. The Blocks.

Chris: Oh. Them.

Asia: (curiously) Ashleigh didn't even stay with you.

Chris: (sighing, he sits down on a nearby bench. he's talking mostly to himself) I'll be lucky if Ashleigh and I make it to the end of the year.

Asia: Oh, you will. (Chris looks at her) You guys belong together.

Chris: (bitterly) Maybe not.

Asia: (sitting down next to him) Chris, what is this about? 

Chris: (confessing) I've been pretty awful to her lately.

Asia: Why?

Chris: (shrugging) Stress. Mom. Other stuff.

Asia: You should fix things with her.

Chris: Yeah, maybe...(looking into the distance) And Joey's been so distant.

Asia: Seems like maybe you've been distant too.

Chris: (nods) Yeah. Yeah, I have been. He's going through so much shit...and so am I...it's like we can't even talk to each other anymore.

Asia: (nodding) What about Nate?

Chris: (gets up abruptly) I'm not talking about him.

Asia: (gets up too) Ah hah! I knew it. It's always Nate. Come on, tell me what he did.

Chris: (dangerously) Asia, seriously. Back off.

Asia: (rolling her eyes) Chris, I'm not afraid of you.

Chris: (looks at her for a long moment, then looks away) He kissed Ashleigh.

Asia: (stunned) That's it?

Chris: (whirls around and looks at her) What do you mean, "that's it?"

Asia: I mean, that's all he did?

Chris: (explodes) Asia, Ashleigh's my GIRLFRIEND and Nate--

Asia: (reaching out and putting her arm on his shoulder, saying calmingly) Chris. 

Chris: (aggressively) What?

Asia: This is Nate. (shrugging) I figured he would've kissed Ashleigh a long time ago.

Chris: Why?!

Asia: (looking at him like he's stupid) Because he's Nate, Chris. He fucks anything that moves. He'd fuck a washing machine.

Chris is dead silent. Then he starts laughing. Asia laughs, too. They laugh for a long time.

Asia: Well, maybe not a washing machine.

Chris: (sobering) Wouldn't put it past him.

Asia: (sighs) Chris, Nate's your best friend. And he's Ashleigh's best friend. And I'm betting that he wasn't sober during this encounter.

Chris: (loudly) That's no excuse--

Asia: (louder) No, it's not. (exasperated) But he's done worse. And I'm sure he'll do worse again. The guy has been frying his brain for years. He needs you. You're like...you keep him from crossing the line too much.

Chris: I don't trust him.

Asia: DId you ever?

Chris: I trusted him not to do this.

Asia: Okay, Chris. You have a right to be angry at him. But if you want my advice? Never trust a cokehead.

Chris: Don't call him that.

Asia: (laughs) I don't get you, Chris. Now you don't want me calling him names? Please. Just get over it. He's your best friend. And Ashleigh knows better than to get with him.

Chris: (shrewdly) You didn't.

Asia: (rolling her eyes) Chris! We had been broken up for months. And it was one time, when we were tripping our asses off. In high school!

Chris: You still did it. And so did he. (looking away from her) He knew how I felt about you.

Asia: (conceding) Yes, I still did it. And yes, he shouldn't be such a dick to you. But Chris, you knew that going in. The guy has no impulse control. He's a walking Yolo.

Chris: First he fucks washing machines, now he's a walking Yolo?

Asia: (shrugging) i'm a poet.

Chris: (sighs) I know who Nate is. I've always known. But I trusted him. And he's broken my trust too many times. Sometimes I just want to...(he clenches his fists, but trails off) 

Asia: (looking at his fists) Sometimes you do.

Chris: Not as often as I want to.

Asia: I believe it. But that's Nate, Chris. That's Nate all the way. 

Chris: Yeah. But I'm done dealing with it.

Asia: (doubtfully) More power to you. If you really think that's for the best. (she shakes her head) The four of you...you were always so close. Like a family. I never thought that would change. 

Chris: Well, it did.

Asia: (shrugging) I guess so. (begins to walk away, towards her car)

Chris: (looking after her) Asia?

Asia: (turning) Yeah?

Chris: (genuinely) Thank you.

Asia smiles and shakes her head, as if to say "it was nothing." There is a comforting look between them; they know each other.  Then Asia walks away.

Chris is in the living room. Nate is in the bedroom, resting. There's a knock on the door. He gets up and answers it. It's Bill.

Chris: (surprised) Hi.

Bill: Chris, hey. (he looks around) Can I come in?

Chris: Oh, yeah, sure. Come in. (He stands aside and let's Bill in. Bill looks around the apartment. Chris follows him) You can sit down, if you want. (He gestures at the couch.) 

Bill: (sitting down) Alright, thank you. 

Chris: (stands awkwardly in the kitchen area) So..

Bill: (abruptly) I always wanted to see you as my son. (The talking makes Nate wake up. He gets up and goes over to the door, his hand on the knob. Chris is silent. Bill gets up and starts pacing, and continues talking.) I always meant to. But...you already had a father. Not a very good one (he says it knowingly), I'm sure you'd agree. But still. He was your father. Your blood. And...I didn't know how to deal with that. (Nate takes his hand off the door knob but continues listening) We were practically strangers until after your mom and I were married. I know it was hard on you. Especially after your father's death. And now...with your mother gone...(Bill gets teary-eyed) I'm sorry. Grief-stricken or not, you did not deserve to be kicked out of the house. After you left...I did a lot of thinking. Angelina misses you so much. And I have to. (he stops right in front of Chris) And...I just needed you to know...that I do see you as my son. (he grows quiet.)

Chris is still silent. 

Chris: (quietly) Thank you.

Bill: (nervous) I'd like for you to come back home.

Nate is silent, wondering what Chris's answer will be.

Chris: Bill...that means a lot to me. More than I can say. And I miss you, and Angelina and Pancake. And I'll come visit a lot, I promise. But...it's just...(He looks at the bedroom door)I have a new family now. They need me. I have to take care of them. (Nate's face is stunned) 

Bill: (nodding) Chris, if this is what you want, I'll stand by your decision. As long as you visit sometime soon. And I want you to know...I'm proud of you. And I know your mother would be too.

Chris: (trying to stay cool) Thank you, Bill.

Bill: (claps him on the shoulder) Can I count on you for Sunday dinner? You can bring your girl.

Chris nods. Bill nods in farewell and walks across the room and out the door. Nate pauses for a moment, but then opens the door and walks into the living room.Chris is leaning against the sink, and he has tears in his eyes. A few have tracked down his cheeks. He hastily wipes them away when he sees Nate.

Chris: How much did you hear?

Nate: (apologetically) Pretty much all of it.

Chris: (nods and wipes his eyes. He takes a deep breath and looks at Nate) I'm only going to say this once, so you better listen. (Nate looks at him steadily.) We're not friends. We may never be friends again. Too much has happened. But... (He walks over and looks Nate right in the eye) You are the only brother I've ever known. 

Nate just looks at him. After a moment, he reaches out and embraces Chris like a brother. He is expressionless, as if he can't process what he is feeling. Chris sheds some tears, but he tries his best not cry. He clings to Nate and they hug for a long time.

Nate and Dean Gomez are sitting on the couch, doing a drug deal. Nate still has bruises on his face. He also has a black eye. Suddenly, Chris comes through the door. Nate stops talking abruptly and immediately looks very afraid and small. His hands are balled up in fists. They're shaking. Dean is trying to act like nothing is wrong, but he, too, has grown quiet. Chris is quiet for a long moment. Suddenly, finally, he speaks.

Chris: (deadly calm) Dean, I think it's time for you to leave.

He is calm and polite, but firm. Dean does not have to think twice about obeying. 

He starts to get up, glancing at Nate, who nods. Dean nods back. "I'll talk to you later." He tells Nate quietly.

He crosses the room, saying an inaudible goodbye to Chris, who does not so much at glance at Dean. His eyes are on Nate. 

The door closes behind Dean. Chris is still standing. Nate is sitting, and he looks like a small, scared little boy. Chris crosses the room and Nate flinches. Chris sits down next to him, and holds out his hand. He's not looking at him, but at his feet. Nate swallows hard and opens up a tightly balled fist; there is a bag of coke inside. Nate's hand shakes as he hands it over.

Chris doesn't look at Nate, still preferring to look at the floor, but he also doesn't lower his hand. He waits patiently. Nate is openly shaking now. He breathes in and out slowly, before he reaches into his pocket and pulls out two more bags. After giving them to Chris, he curls up in a little ball. Chris puts the cocaine in his left pocket, the one away from Nate. They sit in silence. Suddenly, Chris reaches into his other pocket and pulls out an unopened box of cigarettes and a lighter. He places them on the couch between them.