#siestaintro

❝   HER ORIGIN STORY …

Jeremiah and Somone Bishop were very much on track to living the American dream. Somone was a oncologist and Jeremiah had inherited a small pharmaceutical company from his father. When they had their first child, Gemma, their dreams seemed to have come true and they were ready to be the perfect, happy family

That dream was shattered a year later when Gemma was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia. The next four years of hospital stays, chemotherapy, and other treatments tore Somone and Jeremiah apart. When Gemma finally passed away at the age of 5, there was little love left between the couple

Somone couldn’t bear the thought that she hadn’t been able to save their daughter. She buried herself into cancer research. Jeremiah threw himself into getting investors and investments to grow the company so that he could finance his wife’s research. Eventually growing Gem Pharmaceuticals (newly rebranded and renamed after their deceased daughter) into a multibillion dollar pharmaceutical company

What started with such good intentions though, quickly turned… not so good. Jeremiah was determined to grow the company, no matter the cost. He made a lot of shady deals, paid off politicians, etc. The company was mostly successful because of these dealings

Cameron was born three years after his sister died, with parents who were more concerned about having a child to carry on the family name than anything else. Sure, it was almost a defense mechanism after all the heartache they went through with his sister’s death, but that didn’t excuse the lack of attention or warmth towards Cameron

While Cameron grew up with what many would consider a silver spoon. His sister’s death was constantly held over him, and Cameron knew he had to do good by his older sister, he couldn’t waste the opportunity she didn’t get to have

He studied hard, went to business school at MIT, all with the intention of taking over the family business, of which he knew nothing about his father’s less than reputable dealings

When he was old enough, Cam worked his way up in the company. As he did so, he started to actually legitimize the business & is FREAKING GOOD AT IT!! soon, things start going so well that they don't need his father's shady dealings anymore to succeed. 

When Cameron was 28 years old, Jeremiah died & Cameron completely took over Gem Pharmaceuticals. He refused to continue any old shady agreements or business & pisses a loooooot of people off 

He was obsessed with making a name for himself, with legitimizing the business, he literally dropped everything else for the sake of running the business 

Until things changed with Halime 

Their relationship was one of the only real relationships Cameron had ever had 

When she left, it devastated him far more than he would’ve ever admitted 

He buried himself in work, to the point where a year and a half ago, he completely burned out

His psychiatrist put him on a mandatory leave of absence and told him to leave New York, leave anything to do with his family’s business behind for the foreseeable future 

His family owned a beach house in Isle Bay Estates in Siesta Keys, where he often spent summers as a kid growing up, so Cameron came here, looking to find himself outside of his newly created legacy

late-night surf & skate sessions, the scent of spray paint and cigarettes, torn stockings & combat boots, vinyl collection, video games, dinosaur nuggets covered in “bloody” ketchup, tired eyes,   uncertain paths, wasting time on youtube, living in the shadows, feeling out of place, driving fast, blasting music late at night, neon signs,   tattoos, the smell of perfume masking marijuana.

biography.

Growing up was very unusual for Stella, to say the least. For a while, she was convinced her brother was actually her father. Despite there only being a ten-year difference in age, she didn’t know any better. He was the only person raising her. Memories of her parents are blurry; if not totally made up in her head. The human mind is powerful enough to have imagined being cared for by anyone other than her brother. The only thing she knows for sure is that her parents were hippies and never around. When she was old enough, she learned through her brother that their father was imprisoned for child endangerment among other charges. He apparently left his stash of mushrooms out and baby Stella got into the bag and almost swallowed them. If it weren’t for her brother’s quick reflexes, who knows if she would still be alive. She’ll always be grateful to him that he took such good care of her at such an early age.

After their father was arrested, their mother ran off with some lover boy to continue her life as a free spirit. Stella believes she’s a little bit of a flower child herself. She loves the rain and sunshine and can spend all day and night outdoors with the earth. She also works in a record shop and has taken to old 70s and 80s bands like The Doors and Sublime. But she’d be lying if she said she didn’t inherit some of her brother’s thorns. She experiences rage blackouts and carries around a switchblade everywhere she goes. Dante gave it to her as a birthday gift when she turned sixteen after an ex-boyfriend tried to assault her inside his car. She’s not much for relationships anymore but loves making out with people - mostly her girlfriends. For years, she thought it was just a matter of fun, but she’s since come to terms with her bisexuality. She doesn’t openly talk about it, but a lot of her friends already know.

Currently, she’s what you would consider homeless. For the past year, she’s been couch-surfing, hopping from one friend’s house to the next. Prior to this, she was living with her brother but moved out on her own. He never asked her to leave. She just thought it would be better if they had their privacy. She was also a little tired of hearing him talk to her like a parent. They were older now, she didn’t want to be watched over and given rules to abide by. Especially when she knows he’s not following any rules himself. Her rebellious nature is an exact correlation to that. She’s become wild and crazy because he’s wild and crazy. But she’s also very nurturing and loves to cook for him and take care of him too whenever she’s given the chance. Not just because she owes him, but because he’s the most important person she has in her life.

about.

Living: Stella is currently couch-hopping between friends. Before that, she was living with her older brother Dante. He didn’t kick her out or anything like that. She just wanted to give them both more space. It’s been a year.

Profession: She’s currently working behind the cash register at Dave’s Record Shop. She loves music, mostly old-school rock, but can’t play any instruments herself. However, that doesn’t stop her from singing during long car drives and hot showers.

Interests:  She loves surfing (her brother taught her everything she knows), skateboarding, spray painting, 80s slasher movies, and parties.  

Relationship: Single and bisexual. For as long as she can remember she’s been attracted to both sexes, but more recently she’s come to terms with her sexuality. Making out with her friends wasn’t just for fun, she actually likes girls too.

Challenge: Growing up and moving forward with her life. She’s always relied on other people, and she’s still doing that now. She’s coasting through life instead of trying to put down roots and build a future. She doesn’t like planning ahead. Her life is in the present and figures, whatever happens, happens.

˖♡    — PERSONALITY.

» Positive Traits: Extroverted, caring, determined » Negative Traits: Troublemaker, indecisive, dramatic » Goals/Desires: To become influential in her own work field and also to be able to love again. » Likes: Cooking, boxing, travelling elsewhere and exploring a new place » Dislikes: People that treat others poorly, canceling plans at the last minute

.♡    — FAMILY.

» Father: Miguel Rodriguez » Mother: Andrea Valles » Uncle: Juan Rodriguez

.♡    — BIOGRAPHY.

In the hazal eyes of Elena, welcoming with discomfort the bright lights of life, it already offered in every shade and every trait of her being, a past painted with secrets that those who were keeping it had no intentions of stating it out loud. After all, there was the certainty of the pain that would cause everyone else still unaware of those facts. Especially to the one offering loud cries of a child experiencing the world, surrounded by strangers, slowly understanding her place in her own story.

Elena was an important addition to the Valles Rodriguez family. From the moment her father held her in his eyes, she became his precious princess, the one Miguel would do what he could to provide a great life, to let her know she was worth everything and more. A similar promise to the one Andrea made in silence, carrying with herself the burden that allowed Elena to have the life she deserved: hiding from Lena that Miguel wasn’t really her father. At least, not the biological one. Although her genes carried a similar identity; she was the result of Andrea’s passion for Juan; a brief relationship that ended the moment he walked away from Monterrey with the promises of getting a better life in the United States. In the absence of a love she found another in the arms of his younger brother: Miguel.

There was never hatred towards Andrea’s actions from Juan. In fact, due to the life he lived and his lack of desire of actually wanting to raise a family, Juan had never felt anything but happiness towards the new couple and he really wished Andrea would be happy with Miguel. Perhaps that was why, though it hurted him, Juan never really shared that Elena was, in fact, his. It felt unfair to take away from Miguel the one thing in his life that gave him joy after the amount of bad luck that followed his life.

Although she had seen in her father the desire of pursuing a career that would make him happy, wanting to earn money that provided a good life to his family, he was never able to do so; however he was unaware that his good heart was what caused Elena to have a fire in her soul that provided her enough to believe in her own self. Therefore, what seemed intangible in the eyes of someone whose wrinkles of time were written all over his skin, didn’t seem so far for herself. Encouraged ever since she was a child, it was clear that her intelligence could be useful alongside how briskly Elena was able to learn something and fight for what she believed in. 

However, before even graduating from high school and being able to pursue her dreams, her story was painted by loss once the information of her mother being rushed to the hospital and dying reached her, and after that, her father — Miguel — being unable to live without Andrea; eventually meeting the same fate. Still young and underaged, she would then find out that Juan — her uncle — was the one responsible for her from now on; and, therefore, she had to deal with all the changes in life: a new country, a new language, a new life and the absence of those she dearly loved. 

The pressure was constantly there. Now that Juan had to raise Elena as his daughter while still keeping a secret from her caused their relationship to be as strange as she assumed it would be. In her perspective, he wasn’t her father and he never would be. And in his perspective, he tried to play his part as an uncle that was now raising a teenager. Juan made sure to remind her that money was important in the world they lived in and it was better to make a change and go after it than being a failure throughout their lives. 

Often stating that it was the least expected from Lena since he was the one raising her now that the parents weren’t around to do so. Juan worked as a waiter until he became manager of a restaurant in Siesta Key. While doing so, Elena made sure to pursue a career in something she adored. In something she promised her father she would go after.

Getting a degree in journalism and specializing in sports journalism was her goal, it was a matter of time until she finally got a job in that field. Traveling gave her the chance of losing contact with her uncle and, alongside that, being able to find herself free from chains that Juan, metaphorically, made sure that was all over Elena. With freedom, came the chance of getting to know more about the world, different cultures, sports and others working in the same field as them. And with all of that, came the first time she felt wanted, so wanted that it scared her. That man became her world so intensively that every single time she had the chance of running back to his arms it was all Elena could ask for. During trips at work, she would constantly gush over the relationship to her best friend, and from time to time staying over at her friend’s place whenever she was in Miami to visit him. 

Elena wanted to say that she saw it coming, but she didn’t. It’s been years and yet, the entire situation was embarrassing, to say the least. A merge between her fear of commitment to her — then — fiance, and the lack of control she had about wanting him in her life. Cheating on him felt easy because it meant, unintentionally, hurting him. Giving him reasons to hate Elena and put an end to the relationship, after all, who was she? Gabriel deserved better than that. She could blame it on Juan always telling her to focus on her job and solely on that, or maybe on not having her parents around, but deep down it was simply the fear of loving someone so deeply that losing them, in the future, would be just as painful as the grief she felt years ago. 

Yet, he didn’t discover what she was doing behind his back. Cowardly Elena continued with the plan until seeing herself in that wedding dress made her certain that this wasn’t right. Walking away was wiser and better for the both of them and so they did. Shaking hands wrote a letter to him and left without further notice. 

Elena couldn’t believe that she had been such a fool, it took her longer than she’d like to admit to finally be able to see it clearly, but when she did have the chance of doing so, cutting ties was necessary. And with that, she focused solely on her job, hoping that her ex was alright and happy, trying her best not to google his name whenever she had the chance. After all, he deserved to move on like she hoped he had.

.♡    — CONNECTION IDEAS.

❝   HER ORIGIN STORY . . .

Camila Garza was born in Campolongo Hospital in Salerno Italy to parents David Gaetano Rossi and Victoria Garza. She was born into a very privileged lifestyle, her father was a famous musician known for his talent on the drums, piano, and microphone. His band “Hexed” went double-platinum before Camila was born and Victoria was another one hexed by the band’s charm, but she was smitten by Davide specifically. Davide wore his heart on his sleeve, for better or for worse. He didn’t think through many of his actions, often living off stage the same way he lives on stage: Full of crazy energy and wild antics. He strove to be the life of the party and that led to a drug addiction and several bad tabloids. In 2006, his career ended with an overdose. His band ultimately replaced him in “Hexed” and Davide’s finances began draining before his eyes. The money couldn’t keep up with his addiction. He wasted every last penny, including his daughter’s savings account.

Fed up, Victoria sought full custody of Camila, which wasn’t very difficult given Davide’s very public reputation. Both Victoria and Camila never heard from him again. The only thing they knew about him is what’s been plastered online. He was still living his life like a twenty-year-old Rockstar, chasing his next big hit. Meanwhile, Camila grew into herself with the confidence of her mother, but also with the insecurities her father left her with. She was born gifted with his talent. She wanted to play the piano and express herself musically, but her father’s demons followed her around, keeping her hidden away in a shell of uncertainty. What if she ends up like him? What if the world judges her based on his reputation? These questions sometimes manifest themselves in the decisions she makes and regrets.

At fifteen, she began partying with her boyfriend’s best friend, Siesta Key’s resident bad boy, Gage Thatcher, a surfer by morning and a party animal by night. Gage introduced her to a world of drugs and alcohol and then at sixteen, he got her pregnant. Her nightmare became her reality. Everything she and her mother feared, came true. She ruined her life and was heading down the same familiar road her mother did with Davide. After talking some sense into Camila and reflecting on the matter, they both agreed she would leave Siesta Key and deliver the baby in her father’s hometown Salerno Italy, under the supervision of her grandmother.

After giving birth to a little baby boy who she barely got to hold, he was taken from her arms and put up for adoption. Camila never anticipated the hole this would leave in her heart. She never imagined she would become so attached to what was growing inside of her. She tried not to. She knew she couldn’t, she shouldn’t. But, she grew with him. He was a part of her. And on the nights she was sick or he’d kick too much, she’d talk and sing to him. She’d say, “Calm down, little Rockstar.”

When she inevitably returned home to Siesta Key, she lied about being ready to do so. She was emotionally ruined and when Gage reentered her life, she clung to him. He was a part of the same hole her baby left in her chest. She could imagine and dream what their baby would have looked like in Gage’s eyes and smile. He was so beautiful and she knew their baby would have been too. However, the more time she spent around him, the harder it became. She found herself spiraling back into that same pit of darkness that led her here in the first place. Gage’s lifestyle was a lot like her father’s and she had to get away from it like her mother did. So she returned to her safe high school boyfriend, who provided emotional stability, which was something Gage couldn’t offer.

As Camila settled back into her relationship with her boyfriend, things became easier in a lot of ways, but she never felt fulfilled. He was wonderful and romantic, and on paper, he was the perfect guy, but he lacked adventure and passion, and all the things she yearned for. By the time she graduated from college with a music teaching degree, she had written hundreds of songs but most of them were about Gage, not her boyfriend, who she broke up and made up with more times than she could count. Their breakups and make-ups were the only times their relationship felt passionate. Maybe that’s why she kept pushing him out and then pulling him back in. Or, maybe she just missed Gage, his best friend, and didn’t know how to confront that. Because she shouldn’t want him. He was bad news. But, he would also forever be a part of her.

Currently, Camila is working for her mother’s music program called “Madame Butterfly”. The whole thing was Camila’s idea and although her mother’s name is attached to it, it’s Camila who runs it.  She finds the whole program inspiring and loves helping children find their voice and channel their music even if she struggles to do the same. Her father’s past left an imprint on her. It would be a blessing to have the fame he did in the 80s’, but a curse at the same time. She can’t trust herself. And she can’t trust the audience. How can she expect them to see past her insecurities when she can’t herself? How are they not going to see her demons and run? It’s a fear she can’t face. So for now, she’ll usher her students to find their path while she journeys through the unknown, hoping and praying, to find her way.

❝   TDLR . . .

Camila was born in Salerno, Italy to her father: Davide Gaetano Rossi, and her mother: Victoria Garza but grew up in Siesta Key where Victoria is from.

Davide was a famous musician known for his vocals, piano keys and drumming. He was in a popular band in the late 80s that sold two platinum records.

It was his drug addiction in 2006 that ultimately led to the end of his career.

Davide met Victoria on the road and pursued her until she inevitably gave in. They dated for roughly 4 months before they tied the knot at a shot gun wedding and later gave birth to their baby girl, Camila Aubree Garza.

When Camila was 11, her father gambled away what little money he had left to buy drugs. Fed up, tired of being poor, and bored of being left behind, Victoria filed for divorce and took Camila with her while Davide continued to venture down a never ending spiral. To this day, Camila has not seen or heard from her father.

Eventually, Victoria got remarried to a man she met in town, who came with a pretty sizable bank account.

At age 16, while on a “break” from her then: on again/off again boyfriend, Camila got knocked up by his best friend. She hid the pregnancy very well for at least three months before her mother discovered her secret and shipped her off to family in Italy to give birth and give the baby up for adoption. No one knows this happened aside from Camila’s immediate family. They kept the scandal under wraps and out of the press.

There was a short period of time once Camila returned to town where she was depressed and still struggling to cope with the loss of her child. She kept to herself, partied a little too hard behind closed doors and did her best to move on.

She did eventually, getting back with the boyfriend she cheated on before they went their separate ways again after graduation.

Taking after her father, Camila went to NYU to study music and graduated with a music teaching degree.

She talked her mother into opening a homeschool program for kids who want to learn piano lessons called Madame Butterfly and although her mother Victoria is sole owner, she plays very little part in the company aside from its finances. 

❝  HEADCANONS . . .

Camila dreams of one day recording her own studio album but despite having an amazing voice, and raw talent... she has terrible stage fright. Not to mention she writes lyrics and is mostly too afraid to share them with the outside world out of fear of harsh judgment or criticism.

She has no contact with her and Gage’s child, as she waived her rights to be in the child’s life the moment she gave it up for adoption. Though that’s not to say she doesn’t often think about him. (Yes, it’s a boy.)

❝  HIS ORIGIN STORY ...

tw: child abuse, drug use

Dante Jackson Travers was born and raised in Siesta Key, Florida, but his parents weren’t involved in much of his life. As hippies and explorers, they moved to Florida in a camper and lived by the beach, where Dante grew to love the water and surfing. He didn’t have any toys or a bicycle or any of the other things other children had. The barreling waves and the surfboard he found underneath the pier were his only friends for a while. When his sister was born that all changed. She became a reason for him to get out of the ocean and explore the small island town. He eventually sold the surfboard he’d been fixing up for the past year to buy her toys. There was only a ten-year difference in age between them, but Dante was an old soul who learned how to do everything for himself, while his parents disappeared with the camper for days at a time. They were big on attending protests and music festivals and there were a few times when they’d be gone for weeks while tripping out on psychedelics.  

When Dante was fourteen, his parents left shrooms out on the table and his little sister got into their stash. Luckily, he caught her before she could put one into her mouth. Their father thought the whole thing was hilarious until Dante flushed his stash. Then he became irate and broke his arm. The cops were called and his father was arrested for drug use, child abuse, and child endangerment. Things from there took a turn for the worse. Their mother fell into depression and then found a new lover to get high with. Dante was stuck raising his sister while having to commit petty crimes for food and other things. It started with theft, stealing groceries and clothes, and then cars and money.

By age nineteen, Dante was already a well-known enforcer around Siesta Key. He’d been in and out of juvie and jail, but always made sure his sister was taken care of and watched over, even when he’d get locked up. He made a lot of friends and developed a lot of connections in the criminal underworld. The only thing he wanted to make sure of was that his sister had a normal life. He didn’t want her involved in any of his dealings.