sweet, so which one are we doing? All of them i'm fine with, really which ever one you'd like

Name: Elias Rowan

Age: 17–18

Appearance:
Elias has the kind of face people trust instantly — soft, gentle features that make him look almost innocent. His skin has a warm undertone, lightly tanned from walking to school and work every day. His hair is tousled and chestnut-brown, falling in soft waves that he constantly pushes back when he’s concentrating. His eyes are a deep hazel, flecked with gold when the light hits just right, giving him this warm, autumn vibe.

Even though he looks soft, he’s subtly muscular — the kind of strength that shows when he rolls up his sleeves or carries heavy crates without thinking twice. His forearms are toned, veins appearing when he works the espresso machine. His shoulders are broad, but his posture is relaxed, almost shy. He’s fit from biking everywhere and helping his uncle with deliveries, but nothing about him is intimidating. He gives off comforting warmth rather than toughness.

He usually smells faintly like vanilla syrup and freshly ground coffee.

Style:
Elias wears slightly oversized coffee-shop tees or flannels layered over plain shirts. Half-aprons tied loosely at the waist. Jeans with soft wear on the edges. Scuffed sneakers or old boots. His curls sometimes peak out under a beanie during early morning shifts. He keeps a little bracelet made from braided string on his left wrist — something his kid sister made him.

Personality:
Quiet but not shy — more observant. He listens more than he talks, and he remembers tiny details about people. He has a warm smile that appears slowly, like he’s letting you in. He’s the type who instinctively helps without being asked, whether it’s wiping a spill or offering someone a free cookie when they look upset.

He’s deeply patient, especially with older customers or kids. He loves making latte art and puts way more care into it than he admits. He’s got a dry, soft sense of humor that shows up when he gets comfortable.

Backstory:
Elias works at his aunt’s coffee shop after school and on weekends. He’s been helping out since he was 14, first washing dishes and now handling the espresso machine like a pro. At school he’s not unpopular — just the quiet, steady guy who everyone knows but few really know. He’s protective of his friends and especially his little sister.

He dreams of doing something artistic — photography or graphic design — but he hasn’t told anyone yet.

Vibes:
The boy who hands you your drink with a shy half-smile…
The boy who looks soft but surprises you with real strength…
The boy who quietly pays attention and makes you feel seen.

(heres an example : (c) pinterest : @ Nethen Albaracen

Hm mabye we could do they meet at acoffeee shop and she orders a coffee and spi;;s it allover him while he is working?

ooh ok

Name: Emery "Em" Whitaker

Age: 18

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Appearance:

• Height: 5'6"
• Build: Slender but strong, with a slight athletic tone. She’s always been active but never been too concerned with her appearance. Smaller waist with wider hips.
• Hair: Dark brown, wavy, and cut just below her shoulders. She often wears it messy or in a ponytail.
• Eyes: Hazel, with golden flecks that catch the light. They have a slightly distant or tired look to them, as if she’s often lost in thought.
• Style: She dresses in comfortable, minimalist clothing—mostly oversized sweaters, jeans, and sneakers. She likes muted colors—olive greens, dusty pinks, and grays. Often wears a worn leather bracelet on her wrist, a gift from her older brother.
• Other Features: A small scar above her left eyebrow from an accident when she was younger. Her posture can sometimes be a bit hunched or defensive, like she’s trying to make herself small in a room. Her hands are always moving, fidgeting with something—pens, her sleeves, or a piece of jewelry.

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Personality:

• Introverted but Warm: Em is quiet and introspective, preferring to listen and observe than to talk. She’s not shy—she just has a lot going on inside her head. When she’s comfortable, her wit and dry humor come out, and she’s known for her ability to drop the occasional sarcastic remark. She’s the kind of person you can count on to listen without judgment.
• Compassionate: Her empathy for others is one of her most defining traits. Despite her own struggles, Em is always the first to step in when someone else is hurting. She’s the type of friend who’ll text you "How are you really doing?" at 2 AM when she knows something’s off.
• Guarded: She has trouble trusting people, especially after everything she’s been through. She doesn't open up easily about her past or feelings, often keeping them hidden behind a wall of sarcasm or deflection.
• Independent and Stubborn: Once she sets her mind on something, she’s hard to sway. Em doesn’t like relying on others, which has made college life a bit difficult for her. She’s fiercely determined to prove herself, sometimes to her own detriment.
• Anxiety-Prone: She struggles with anxiety, especially social anxiety. Crowded rooms, speaking in public, or meeting new people can make her feel trapped, but she’s learning to manage it, sometimes in unhealthy ways like overthinking or isolating herself.

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Backstory:

Emery grew up in a small town with her parents, but the picture-perfect life they tried to portray was far from reality. Her parents were well-intentioned but emotionally distant, focused on their careers, leaving Em with a lot of time to fend for herself. She had an older brother, Nate, who was her protector and her closest confidant, but he struggled with mental health issues, often turning to self-destructive behaviors. When Em was 16, her brother passed away unexpectedly in a car accident. The loss shattered her, and since then, she’s carried a lot of unresolved grief and guilt.

In the years following, Em became more withdrawn. The trauma of losing Nate, coupled with the ongoing tension at home between her parents (who never seemed to know how to handle their grief), left Em with a deep sense of loneliness. She started therapy at 17 after a breakdown at school, and while it helped, the process was slow and painful. She learned a lot about herself through therapy—particularly about how trauma manifests in her life, but there are still a lot of things she’s unwilling to confront.

Her decision to pursue psychology was inspired by Nate’s struggles and her own desire to help people who had been through things like she had. She’s determined to understand the mind and trauma more deeply, but there’s a part of her that still feels very lost in it all.

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Parents:

• Mother: Lauren Whitaker, 46. A corporate lawyer, highly intelligent, but emotionally unavailable. Lauren’s drive for success often left Em feeling neglected. Lauren’s reaction to Nate’s death was to bury herself in work, which only worsened their relationship. She’s proud of Em’s academic success but doesn’t always know how to connect with her on an emotional level.
• Father: David Whitaker, 48. A quiet, stoic man who’s good at hiding his feelings. He’s supportive of Em’s career choices but is emotionally distant. After Nate’s death, he withdrew into himself, which left Em feeling even more isolated. David and Em have a strained but respectful relationship—they don’t talk about feelings much, but he’s there for her when she needs him.

(Ill start)

The bell above the café door chimed softly as Eli Rowan wiped down the espresso machine for the third time that morning, his sleeves pushed just high enough to reveal the lean muscle along his forearms. Most people barely noticed—they were too distracted by his gentle features, the soft sweep of warm brown hair that always fell into his eyes, the easy smile he gave every customer like it cost him nothing. He looked like he belonged in a pastel painting, not someone who could lift a fifty-pound espresso bean bag without breaking a sweat. The early sunlight spilled through the shop’s windows, catching the faint freckles dusted across his nose while he hummed under his breath, moving with a quiet care that made the whole place feel calmer just by existing in it.